When would I go to a career coach? The types of career coaching

You do not need to hate your job to work with a career coach. In fact, many of the people who benefit the most from career coaching are doing well on paper but feel like something is missing. Others are completely stuck, confused, or quietly burning out. Some want to move into leadership but feel blocked. Some want more meaning but have no idea how to get there.

Career coaching is not one-size-fits-all. If you have tried the usual advice and nothing is shifting, the problem probably is not your CV or your mindset alone. Different types of coaching solve different problems. Knowing what kind of support you need is the first step toward career satisfaction.

5 reasons to see a career coach

There are lots of reasons you might go to a career coach. Here are five of the most common:

1. You do not know what you want anymore

This is where many people begin. You feel flat, disconnected, or vaguely anxious. You might be successful, but you are not fulfilled. Or you might have drifted into your role without ever choosing it.

Clarity coaching helps you reconnect with what matters. This kind of work explores your values, energy levels, motivations, and deeper needs. It helps you zoom out, reflect on your story, and define what a fulfilling career would actually look like for you, not what others expect from you.

You might need this if: You say things like "I just feel stuck" or "I have no idea what I want, but I know it’s not this."

2. You want to get better in your current role

Not everyone wants to change careers. Sometimes you want to improve your confidence, communication, or leadership presence where you are. That is where performance coaching comes in.

This type of coaching is more tactical. It focuses on how you show up in your role, how you manage people, how you influence others, and how you handle pressure or feedback. It often involves skill-building, mindset work, and behaviour change.

You might need this if: You are aiming for promotion, feeling overlooked, or want to lead without burning out or over-functioning.

3. You want to change jobs or industries, but do not know how

A career change is not just a practical shift,  it is often a really emotional one too. You are leaving behind part of your identity and entering new territory. It can feel vulnerable and overwhelming.

Transition coaching helps you manage the strategy and psychology of career change. It focuses on identifying your transferable skills, crafting a clear narrative, exploring new paths, and navigating uncertainty. A good coach will help you run experiments, talk to the right people, and take action even when you feel scared.

You might need this if: You keep thinking “I want to do something else”, but then get stuck or spiral when you try to figure out what that is.

4. You know what to do, but something is blocking you

Sometimes the problem is not clarity or a lack of opportunity. It is that you keep holding yourself back. You procrastinate, second-guess yourself, overthink everything, or collapse under pressure. This is where mindset coaching is critical.

Mindset coaching focuses on what is going on under the surface. It addresses things like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, fear of judgment, fear of failure, people-pleasing, and internalised beliefs about worth, success, and power. It does not just look at your actions. It helps you shift the way you relate to yourself.

You might need this if: You have a plan but never follow through. Or if you make progress but sabotage it when it gets real.

5. You want to lead, grow, or leave a legacy

Leadership and purpose coaching is for people who are ready to step into bigger roles or take ownership of their next chapter. Maybe you are leading a team, building a business, or thinking about your long-term impact.

This work goes deeper than standard leadership development. It helps you integrate your personal values with your professional goals. It challenges you to lead with more clarity, trust, and integrity. It helps you define what success means at this stage of your life and career.

You might need this if: You want to lead differently, build something bigger, or make sure the next chapter of your career actually feels aligned.

So, when do you actually need a career coach?

There is no perfect time. But here are some of the signals to watch for:

• You are no longer excited by your work, but do not know what would be better.
• You keep reaching for the next goal, but it does not make you feel more satisfied.
• You are repeating the same emotional or behavioural patterns in different jobs.
• You feel like you are capable of more, but cannot seem to access it.
• You are ready to step into a new identity, but do not know how to begin.

Career coaching is not a luxury but a tool, although it can feel (and be) a significant investment. If your car breaks down, you do not try to fix it with podcasts. You go to a mechanic. If your career feels stuck, misaligned, or unsustainable, coaching helps you clear the fog and move forward with intention.

But the key is knowing what you need. Most people wait too long. They exhaust themselves trying to think their way out of stuckness. But careers are emotional, relational, and systemic. A good coach does not just give you advice. They help you change how you think, feel, and act so your outer life starts to reflect your inner clarity.

You do not need to stay in confusion. You do not need to figure it all out alone.