By Marcia Bench (USA)

Are you wondering whether adding coaching to your practice is right for you?  Perhaps it might help to examine some common myths about career coaching so that you can make an informed decision.

Myth #1:  A career coach must have a Master’s Degree in counselling.

Currently, there are no educational requirements in most states in the U.S. for coaches. However, even with related background, coaching is a skill set that must be studied. Career coaching requires training and expertise in at least four areas:  1) the field of career coaching (theories of, models for, how it differs from related skill sets), 2) career design and decision making (using a systematic approach), 3) coaching skills (which we define as an interactive process of exploring work-related issues – leading to effective action – in which the coach acts as both a catalyst and facilitator of the individual’s transformation), and 4) the mechanics of the job search including how to develop a job search plan, how to use social media as well as in-person job search methods, resumes, interviewing, negotiating and more.

Source: iCN Issue 8 (Career Coaching); pages 55-56

About Marcia Bench

Marcia Bench is a Master Certified Career CoachTM, Certified Inspired Business Success Coach and certified Career Management Practitioner.  She is also the Founder and Director of Inspired Business Institute, the world’s leading provider of coach training in career coaching, business coaching and retirement coaching http://www.inspiredbusinessinstitute.com.

She is the author of Career Coaching: an Insider’s Guide, now in its third edition, and 24 other books.