I landed my first job out of college by responding to a classified ad posted in the local newspaper. After that, I did not need to look for another job for 11 years. The next job I landed was through an executive recruiter and the one following that was through an ad placed in a trade magazine. My last job-search was conducted under direction of an outplacement firm which focused on the power of networking. Interestingly, my networking with an executive recruiter led to my final job in the corporate world. It was in that last situation, working with an outplacement counselor, where I had my first experience with a career coach. Although he was not familiar with my industry segment he was very good at helping me improve my networking skills, especially the quality of my communications. He kept me focused and motivated, resulting in a fairly short time between jobs. That was, wow, over 20 years ago. Email and the Internet were in their infancy. Snail mail and the telephone were still our primary modes of communication. It was still Prime Time for Baby-boomers.
Throughout my corporate career, interrupted by a few short-lived recessions, the economy was growing steadily, fueled by the demand created by baby-boomers and supported by deregulation and the Regan Era fiscal policies. Jobs were a lot easier to come by. It was easier to find a new situation. And then the world changed. The job market is a very different today. In many respects it is a lot more difficult. It is also much easier if you have the key. I left the corporate world in 1999 to begin my own executive search business. 
One of the most upsetting situations I encounter in my work is talking with displaced Boomers who have had solid careers only to be derailed by a merger or a restructuring which cost them their job. They focused so much on their day to day responsibilities that they had not kept pace with the changing job market. To say that their job-search skills are rusty would be an understatement. Even worse, they have neglected their network. It is no longer effective and must be rebuilt. Their single-minded focus is to find another job, just like the last job. No other options are on the table. Many have the cushion of a severance package but few have outplacement benefits. They find it difficult to grasp the fact that the jobs they left are gone or have been filled by younger, lesser compensated employees. The absolute worst situation is to talk to someone who has burned through their severance and is working down their savings; true desperation. If you find yourself in this situation, you probably need professional help: an intervention. This is when a career coach can be very important.
When you hire a career coach you are entering into a personal relationship. A good coach will learn about your personality and how you approach a challenge, or adversity. She will use that understanding to help you craft a strategy and set goals to achieve your job search objectives. She will stay with you, offering encouragement and support as you execute your plan. A good coach will help you break through roadblocks, especially those you create for yourself. She knows the job market and can help you evaluate options for a meaningful next chapter. The bottom-line is that you need to feel comfortable with your coach as she may have a major impact on your career. For the relationship to work, both you and your coach need a connection, a bond.
It is a brave new world out there. We all need help from time to time. Your career is too important to neglect, so it is a wise move to engage a career coach to help you through you job search.
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Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com
