After you have determined a general idea of the type and scope of services you are interested in, you can research career professionals that specialize in those areas. Here are a few things to consider as you select a coach:

Expertise and experience: What does the career professional specialize in? Do their client success stories sound like you? What experience do they have working with similar professionals? Coaches are experts in process, so consider their expertise in the process you need assistance with (job search, interviewing) more than a specific industry (IT, healthcare).

Training and certification: Where did the career professional gain their coaching or counseling skills? How do they stay current? Career coaching and consulting are specific areas of expertise. What training do they have in this area? Programs recognized by the International Coaches Federation, like The Academies, Certified Career Transition Coaches, Certified Hidden Job Market Coaches, and Personal Branding Strategists, are a good place to start for coaches. Counselors will hold an M.Ed. or M.A. in counseling or a related field and certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor through the NBCC or a license to provide professional counseling within their state.

Process and cost: How does the career professional work with clients? How do they structure their services (by the hour, packages, assessments)? Do they have a team or work one-on-one with you? Be careful of making decisions solely based on cost. Expect to pay $75 - $400 per hour for a coach, counselor, or consultant, depending on their experience.

Selecting a Professional Writer

If you are not garnering the interest you want, it might be time to get help from a professional. Writers are experts in defining and promoting your distinct career brand. Here are a few things to consider as you select a writer:

Experience and training: What training does the career professional have in writing career documents? Who are their typical clients? How do they stay on top of trends in the industry? Search organizations that offer training (not only certification), including the Resume Writing Academy. More experienced writers may have advanced credentials like the Master Resume Writer.

Samples and success: What does the writer say about their success? Can they provide a sample of their work? What do you think about the writing style on their website and on their LinkedIn profile? Do they have testimonials? Don't be turned off if they send a sample that isn't your exact career focus. Sending a sample outside of your specific focus protects the writer and their clients.

Process and cost: Does the writer use a questionnaire, an interview, or both? What is included with their resume-writing service? Will you work with them directly or with a team member? You can expect to pay anywhere from $350 - $3000+ for a career document or package based on your level of experience and the writer's expertise. Many writers won't offer a "guarantee" as the job search has many variables, and most require payment up front.