What you need to know about hiring a career coach

Whether the changes will make a difference is still to be seen. Unable to turn teaching into full-time work for the past several years, Alm decided to explore other opportunities. The timing isn’t in his favor.

Despite some glimmers of improvement, the job market remains crowded with an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent. That figure rises to 16.3 percent if you include those who’ve given up looking or settled for part-time work.

Given the competition, Alm isn’t the only one looking for an edge. You may also wonder if a career services professional can improve your chances.

Here’s the rundown on what you need to know.

Picking a professional

The career services industry is not regulated. Professional organizations and schools offer numerous certificates, but you can go cross-eyed trying to figure out what the various acronyms mean.

For instance, the International Coach Federation, the National Resume Writers Association, and the Career Management Alliance each offer their own credentials. It’s also possible you’ll find a perfectly capable professional with no certifications.

“People should hire coaches or resume writers whose work they’ve seen and with whom they feel trust or a rapport,’’ said Liz Sumner, executive director of Career Management Alliance.

If you’re more comfortable working with an established business, many recruiting firms now offer career services, too.

Whatever route you choose, ask for work samples and a free consultation before forking over any money.

Finally, get the deal in writing. Spell out the services to be provided, and by when. This ensures you and the person you hire are on the same page.

How it works

With resumes, it’s not just a matter of having a proofreader check your grammar or fill in a template with your details. The process generally starts with an extensive interview that lasts about an hour or longer and covers topics including past jobs, your work style, and your career goals. The line of questioning is meant to uncover accomplishments you might not have considered significant.