Job coaching/advice?

Question

what do people think of job coaching other people who cannot find jobs on their own?

Answer 1

I would say the answer depends on the person.  I remember the layoffs after the Internet bubble bursted.  Several people I knew had worked for companies for 30+ years.  All they knew was one company out of college.  Retraining or Rethinking, boosting confidence, yes go for the help.  Or... If you feel you have confidence issues then yes grab all the assistance you can.  

However three main ideas or pieces of advice I can provide

1. It's not what you know it's who you know...

2. You in yourself are a marketable product...  If you saw yourself on window display would you purchase the product ?  Not talking physical appearance, though it helps if you don't have spinach between your teeth or have not showered for 2 weeks prior going to an interview :)

3. If you are not having fun find something else.  Or if you do not like the type of work find something that will enhance not only your interests but personal growth

Answer 2

It's all about who you know!  Almost everybody uses the help of others through advice and connections.

Answer 3

Be cautious ... especially if your thinking about "job coaching" as a means of earning your living and doing so as an independent (consultant, free-lance, etc) as opposed to working for an organization that specializes in such.

The caution is for the layers associated with job coaching, that is:

1) executive (typically the "headhunters" who command higher fees/bonuses and have access to those job-seekers at the top tier);

2) senior management: generally aligned with the executive profile although, depending on your background -and of course- network, you may be able to separate yourself enough from the herd to earn a [hard] living;

3) middle management: I believe the data will support the fact that, depending on the industry, much of current middle-management positions are occupied by females and, as such, those who lose their jobs in middle-management are often looking for something different as opposed to going right back to middle managemant [especially as how that is an area that gets scaled back significantly in bad economic times -as is the case now];

4) entry-level managers, supervisors, etc: this may be your best bet for job coaching in that this cohort -if looking for work- typically does not have years of experience and advanced educational credentials that, combined, would have them demand higher salaries ... as such, a very good niche for you to focus time and effort on cultivating relationships;

5)  staff: this is a "catch-all" category that houses everyone not found in sectors 1-4.  Because of the nature (diverse positions and requirements), it seems like a difficult category for one-person (as opposed to a company with job coaches at various levels) to focus on and hope to make a living.  

Also, 5) is probably the least likely -or able- group to be willing to pay you a fee for your expertise and services.

As simple as it may seem on first glance -especially with the probabilty of millions of unemployed Americans and the influx of immigrants working many of the service-sector jobs- I'm not sure "job coaching" is as appealing or profitable as maybe "job training, " or "re-training," or even "life coaching (even with psychologists and therapists already available to perform the same service -at a higher fee, of course).

So, I said all that to -I hope- bid you to be mindful and conduct your "due diligence" before investing any of your time, effort, and money in setting up a job coaching business ... nonetheless, go where your heart is leading you and see what becomes of it ... good luck!