When I was in college, I was part of an internship program that gave me the opportunity to work with a career coach on resume building and interview skills. The best part: it was FREE. You would think that would be a no-brainer decision. I wish I could say I worked with this coach and she brought me great success in my job search. That’s not how my story goes, however. I chose not to work with the coach.
The Others
Almost every other student in the internship program worked with the career coach. With the help of this coach, I witnessed one of my friends get his dream job with a huge corporation. He still works for the same company, has traveled the globe in various positions, and has been promoted numerous times. Another student in the internship program had multiple high salary offers to choose from. A goal from another student going through career coaching was to make a difference and brand herself for an employer involved in community activism. She is currently the regional director for well-known non-profit organization. It appeared that everyone that chose to work with the coach had success. She taught them important skills that will last them a lifetime.
Me
Why in the world would I have made the decision not work with the coach…for free? The answer is pretty simple. I was scared plus my ego got in the way.
I was very proud of my resume. I worked very hard putting it together to make it look nice. I didn’t want someone tearing it apart and start all over. I had the opinion that my resume was top notch. I had no one else’s opinion about that, though.
Interviews were not my strength. And I knew it. I didn’t want to be told I stunk by someone else, I thought. I wanted to keep it a secret but I thought I was a failure. I was fearful the coach would tell me that I was a waste of her time to help me. I assumed my future employer would see what a great student I was and the experiences I had and hire me no matter how I did at the interview. I figured a good job would come up sooner or later. I clearly needed that coach.
The thing is, looking back, I had the skills and knowledge for the jobs I applied for. I didn’t know how to communicate those skills and knowledge to my potential employer and I had no idea what my strengths were that I could offer my future employer.
Breakthrough Moment
Several years later, I had the opportunity to work with an executive career coach through my employer. What I learned through the process was nothing short of amazing. She opened my eyes and had the ability to push me further into career success. It was truly a great experience. She helped me find my strengths. Through that coaching experience, I finally learned how to communicate my strengths to others.
I have had great success in my career, but I always wonder what may have been different if I decided to work with a career coach in college. Don’t let fear or your ego get in the way of your success.
If you are ready for your career breakthrough moment, let’s discuss the strategies you can use to reach your career goals.
