How to select the right career coach!
The corresponding video can be found on YouTube
How to select the right career coach! is the topic of this article.
The first was: Why you profit from working with a career coach!
My name is Günther Singer, and I am a career coach and Professor!
© 2026 Günther Singer
We'll cover topics like personal chemistry, trust, credentials, and financials.
Personal Chemistry
Let's assume that there are only competent career coaches.
This doesn't mean they are all right for you. To achieve excellent results, you need synergy in your professional relationship with the coach. To reach that, the "personality chemistry" has to be right. Or, in other words, it takes two to Tango.
BUILDING TRUST
How can you build trust before the first coaching session? This can be challenging because trust develops through interaction. The following should help.
If possible, have a meeting upfront – online or in person – to get to know the person. Don't use that to get answers for free. First, you might trick yourself, since the potential coach has limited information about your situation and the answer will not be helpful.
A good question to ask is: “How do you actually work with a client?” This way, the coach can explain his approach. An experienced coach will want information about the topic and your goals. Negotiating the compensation package at your current job and substantially changing your career path require a different approach.
Depending on that, he can give you an answer.
Second, a coach typically bills time (hours), and upfront meetings are costly when he could earn money otherwise. For whatever reason, I haven't had any issues with that over the years. When I have an upfront contracting meeting, which I typically do, the client wants to do the coaching, or I suggest they work with another coach who might be a better fit.
CREDENTIALS
Credentials show what a coach has formally learned or is certified to do.
Some career coaches are licensed. Some countries have legal requirements for working as a career coach. In Austria, where I am based, you have to be licensed to do career coaching professionally. The qualification requirements to practice are substantial for „Lebens- und Sozialberatung (Psychosoziale Beratung)” - In English: “Life and Social Counseling – Psychosocial Counseling”.
Why do the authorities in Austria require that? Short answer: They also require medical doctors to be licensed. 😉
And bad career advice can have as bad an impact as the wrong medical prescription.
Tip for you. Check the legal requirements in your country, and specifically the qualifications, professional background, and relevant coaching experience of the coach you want to work with.
FINANCIALS
And yes, there are financial considerations. A coach's hourly rate can vary widely. Some will offer you a package price for your specific topic. And it will likely matter to you whether the bill is in the hundreds or the thousands of US dollars, Euros, or Swiss Francs. Do you have to pay upfront, monthly, or at the end of the coaching? If it is your first time working with a coach, he might expect a down payment or upfront payment.
To summarize, check personal fit, experience, and professional qualifications first. Do not forget to clarify the payment terms.
Graphic generated with ChatGPT 5.6
To summarize, first check personal fit, experience, and professional qualifications. Do not forget to clarify the payment terms.
In a third article, we will explore: "How to work together with a career coach successfully!"
