Have you ever asked yourself, “What does a Career Coach really do?” On our podcast, The Balance Sheet, Andrew Murkitt interviewed James Gage to get the full rundown of what it's like working with a career coach and how you can benefit from career coaching.
James Gage is Director of Northstar People, which offers various services including coaching sessions, mentoring and learning & development support.
What Is a Career Coach?
A career coach is a professional trained to support individuals with setting short-term and long-term career goals, helping you invest in your development. A coach can help you create actionable steps toward reaching your goals, helping you evaluate progress and prevent burnout. A career coach might adapt their style to each individual, blending personalised guidance with practical strategies to empower clients toward success.
How a Career Coach Will Help You
A career coach can provide support with:
Committing to realistic and measurable goals, such as making a career change, preparing for promotion, or mapping a long‑term vision.
Identifying your strengths, weaknesses and drivers. They will help you align these insights with your goals.
Building your personal brand, ensuring it communicates your expertise and what you stand for.
Interview preparation and refining your CV and cover letters.
Developing your networking and communication skills.
Acting as an accountability partner, ensuring you take action and stay motivated.
James says, “The greatest skill I have is the asking of questions, not the telling of answers.”
By asking probing questions, a career coach helps you gain clarity on the steps you need to take when it comes to your career.
Working with a Career Coach Offers More than Just Advice
Coaching differs greatly from mentoring—it’s interactive, personalised, and future‑focused. On the difference between coaching and mentoring, James says, “I actually come in believing that you can do everything you want to do. I just want to help you realize that.” Coaching is more about unlocking your potential and supporting you in making career-based decisions.
To do this, a coach needs to get to know you and will ask probing questions, actively listen, and help you create a realistic action plan that will contribute to your long-term success. Together, you'll work on developing your skills and refining projects that you're handling through unbiased and invaluable advice.
Why Coaching Sessions Might Help You
Whether you're at the beginning of your career, climbing the career ladder, or feel stuck in your current role, a career coach can be the key to getting to that next level.
1. Decide the end-goal
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain, a coach can help clarify what matters most to you and what aligns with your aspirations.
2. Navigate Transitions
Once you reach a certain level, you might feel like it's time to forge a new career path in a different industry or step into a leadership position. A career coach can help you plan each move while providing valuable mindset coaching.
3. Hone Job Search and Interview Skills
A coach can run through interview scenarios, role-play responses and refine your communication skills to help you stay succinct and stand out.
4. Stakeholder Management
A good coach can help you manage relationships with your stakeholders. They will help you set boundaries, ask tough questions, and push back respectfully when needed.
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Coaching In Action
What does a coaching journey look like?
1. Clarity & Exploration
Coaching usually begins with reflection. Understanding what you want to get from your career, what motivates you, and what’s holding you back.
2. Goal Setting & Vision Planning
Once you know what you want to achieve, your career coach will help you form goals that will help you achieve your aspirations. These goals will identify what skills or experience you need to develop and how.
3. Tools & Strategy
A career coach can also help you upgrade your CV, LinkedIn profile, personal branding, and job search strategies. If you're looking for a new role, they can also guide you through interview preparation, networking tactics, and even how to negotiate compensation confidently.
4. Confidence Building & Soft Skills
Many clients engage with a coach for strategic career advice and advancement, but will continue coaching sessions for the mindset shift. Coaches help you develop communication skills, leadership presence, and emotional intelligence—especially when navigating complex workplace situations.
5. Accountability & Momentum
Consistency is key. A coach acts as your sounding board and accountability partner. Regular check-ins keep you moving forward—even when you're feeling demotivated or blocked. Coaches don't just help you when you feel stuck; they help you make learning developments and informed decisions at all stages of your career.
How to Find a Good Career Coach
Here’s a checklist to ensure you're getting the advice you need:
Certifications and experience: Look for coaches trained by organisations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Assess whether they have a niche: Some coaches specialise in tech, recruitment, women in leadership, and much more.
Real client outcomes: Ask for success stories—have previous clients landed new roles or improved career confidence?
Why This Topic Matters — And Why Now
Coaching has evolved from a tool for executives to a mainstream must-have for career advancement and inspiration. Major companies, such as LinkedIn, now offer one-on-one coaching as a staff benefit—not only to leaders, but to staff at all levels.
Partnering with a Career Coach has become common as professionals explore technology shifts and career switches. Well‑structured coaching can make all the difference.
Watch or listen to the full episode of 'Coaching on the Go: How a Career Coach Can Help You' on YouTube or Spotify now.