Each day, I get emails from job seekers who are discouraged and down in the dumps about their job search. They tell me how they have been in the job search for five months, but haven’t had any interviews. They send me a resume and it’s nowhere near the quality it needs to be to impress an employer. They tell me they can’t find a job in their field, or that they are afraid of the interview process.
I offer advice and tips, give them ideas on unique programs guaranteed to get you hired – anything and everything I can think of to get them to try something new. But over email, that advice and those tips can only go so far. I often refer to previous advice from articles, including this one, where I recommended job seekers call a career coach for a free 15 or 30 minute coaching consultation.
And that’s why I am mad. Why? Thousands of people read that article, meaning thousands of people had access to four career coaches who could help them. I told them to call or email them and tell them “that Matt said to call or email you” and to set up your free call with a well-trained and knowledgeable career coach.
You know how many of you called? That’s right - zero! It perplexes me because every day I get these emails from job seekers who are looking for an edge, a new way to be creative in the job search – something to help them get over the job search blues. Yet, when you have access to a free consultation from a career coach, you don’t take advantage of it? This tells me these are the job seekers who are passing up free resume review or training classes from local job clubs or workforce centers. These are the same people who aren’t networking with professionals – through LinkedIn and through networking/industry events - to find leads. These are the same people who don’t understand just how competitive and tough the job market is these days, how much it has changed and how valuable connecting with a trained pro dedicated to helping you, can be.
I know that eventually, to work long-term with a career coach it costs money, and for many it’s hard to part with that money. But wouldn’t it be worth it to contact a career coach for free advice, tips and new ideas? Even if it is for 15 or 30 minutes? If you are afraid to call, send an email and let them know you would like to take advantage of an opportunity to use their services, that can break the ice and get you introduced to each other. Don’t hide behind the computer and say you are putting effort into your job search when you are passing up free opportunities like this.
I don’t want to be mad, but until I hear that the thousands of job seekers out there reading these articles contact these sources below, I’m not going to let up. Give these people a call, they are ready, willing and able to help you. Here is one other thought. You might get only 15 or 30 minutes with these professionals, but if you contact three or four, you could have up to an hour or two of conversation about your career – for free!
When this happens, I will no longer be mad, but glad you are trying something different in your career search. Here are a list of career coaches to contact and remember, tell them Matt told you to call or email:
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Comments
Good article and thanks for the leads. Who do you recommend is the best of the group? How much does a career coach charge when you do sign up?
Thanks for the article. I agree with you 100%. I was offered the services of a career consulting company, DBM, free through my company after I was let go. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure how helpful it would be to go through a consultation. In retrospect, I'm glad I did, because not only is my contact helping me with my resume, I can discuss all my communication issues, interview approach ideas, have a mock interview etc with his help. I don't know the cost of such a consultation, but if someone were to offer at least some insight free I would definitely take it!
When it comes to career counseling, Matt is the man! He offers job seekers a blend of unbeatable experience in knowing what works... with fresh, out-of-the-box, creative thinking that helps prospects stand out in a crowd. It's the best of both worlds. Pick up the phone, and take him up on his offer. What do you have to lose?
The first fifteen minutes might be free, but it is the minutes after that I am worried about.
I have been out of work for four months and have fallen for too many offers like yours.
Offers that lure worried job-seekers in with “free” advise, only to waste your time and expect you to signup for something you can’t afford…Remember…I DON’T HAVE A JOB…Maybe if you posted your rate that you charge after the free consultation, you may have more responses.
The first fifteen minutes might be free, but it is the minutes after that I am worried about.
I have been out of work for four months and have fallen for too many offers like yours.
Offers that lure worried job-seekers in with “free” advise, only to waste your time and expect you to signup for something you can’t afford…Remember…I DON’T HAVE A JOB…Maybe if you posted your rate that you charge after the free consultation, you may have more responses.
I agree it's really frustrating when you put time and effort into trying to help someone, and they simply reject your offer.
Now, let me play devil's advocate. A career coach has a product to sell, a service that some would consider exorbitantly priced. I'm supposed to believe that they are going to give me 15 or 30 minutes of their service for free? We've all been conned by 'free offers' in the past. I would suspect that I'm either going to get 30 minutes of 'teasers' for their product, I'm going to get 30 minutes of advice along with a bill (bait and switch, what you got wasn't actually the free service), or I'm going to get 30 minutes of high pressure, hard sell for their paid product. And since I've accepted their offer for a free 30 minute session, it would be rude to get up and walk out in the middle of the 30 minutes. You are stuck in the longest, most miserable 30 minutes of your life.
Seriously, this is a perspective you must consider.
Thanks!!!
(I'm out of 'chara
I am mad that people who are looking for a job are having a hard time, not because their resume is not revealing their qualifications but there are so many people out there looking for a job that are quailfied that if there is only one job being offered only one person will get the job. But even more upset when people want you to spend money on a career coach when money is already tight. The money to pay a career coach could go to a bill collector....
I agree with you.
We are a free Video Resume, Free Job Search Website and a lot of other free things to help those in Charlotte, North Carolina.
But out of the many we have helped, only a handful have completed their website and often the ask us to do it for them.
It is a template and all you have to do is to put in some information and pick a theme.
Our group has been discussing closing up.
So maybe you have hit the nail on the head.
Oh, and have you noticed how different support groups all have their own programs and do not want to share resources and tools?
Can you imagine if we all worked together?
I am open to any help you would be able to give me. I would even be willing to pay (after I am able to find a job) for the services. I just can't afford to hire anyone right now! I am working on a website and blog right now and hope to have it finished soon. I am checking out the website right now and thanks for "paying it forward". (I am in Kernersville, NC by the way so not too far from you in Charlotte!)
I agree with Jeff: the 1st free 15, 30, even 60mins is not for the job seeker. It's for the coach to offer a pitch crafted by a psych major, that may or may not work. A few years ago I had attended an elaborate pitch that consisted of 3 'free' days, that offered nothing of value. Not even assistance in finding a job. Just good advice for $5,000. (Yes, I passed.)
I also agree with James. If the 'coach' believes him/herself to be so successful, offer 10% down and remainder on hiring. I wouldn't mind paying a high calibre professional, especially if I could write this off my taxes. Also a guarantee of money back if no work is found within an agreed period of time seems fair. Finally, licensing such professionals would be helpful against the growing army of scammers.
Job seekers have no way to verify the veracity of 'coaches' and/or the 'testimonials' they offer as 'proof' of their competence.
We're in a depression. We are no longer a throw-away society
I agree with Kim Waymer. I have accepted numerous "free" services from career coaches, attended resume writing seminars and utilized LHH that was part of my separation package. Everyone has a different idea on how to present the stellar resume. In addition, I have attended networking groups, job fairs, you name it. I'd like to know the statistics of people getting jobs because the people I know following your advice are still unemployed. The problem is this - there are far more applicants than jobs.
Your readers sure have great smart comments: kudos to them!
I think a follow-up article would be "how to find a good career coach that helps individuals discern what they need." A good coach will not pressure an individual into services they don't need; or make them pay for a package that is 5-7K. That is ridiculous. A good coach has education and experience to back them up. A good coach has seen a variety of job markets and has worked within industries; not just been a coach or a recruiter.
If you have a gap as a job seeker find a coach that will help you with that specific need. For example if you aren't getting interviews your networking or resume is your gap, if you are getting interviews but can't get an offer your interviewing is your gap. The marketplace is tough and money is tight but I hope your readers will keep taking baby steps each day; there is hope and help online and offline. -Cindy
Cindy Edwards
This is a very interesting article. I agree with a few of the fellow posters that the first thing that came to mind when I read about the whole "15-30 minutes free" is this: what's the catch? They are probably legitimate, but unfortunately there are horrible people in this world who say things such as "free 15-30 minutes" then you end up getting a bill for $100 or so.
Still, this is a very interesting article. It might be worth a shot as long as they don't ask for any information they can use to charge you for services that were originally labeled for free. I've always wanted to use a career coach, especially since I need a job out of this state.
Interesting article. I provide free advice on putting a CV together, offer career advice - especially to those who have been made redundant - and anybody on benefits gets the entire package free of charge. How many people take up the career advice? To date, three. How many of these have got jobs? All three. The strange thing is that if you offer the service free of charge the general perception is that it is of no value. If you charge, then you are exploiting the vulnerable. The three quoted above were all free of charge - when we provide this service to a company, better than 80% of the people we work with get a new job.
It may be worth paying somebody to help you when it means getting a job in two months rather than twelve?
As most say, there are too many people chasing too few jobs. Well, when you are in a competition, make sure that you are better equipped than the next person - this improves your chances.
Some of us actually do want to help, strangely enough.
Nigel,
I live in Kernersville, NC and would love your help! I will take any help I can get. While I can't afford to pay someone right now, I would be willing to pay someone after I get a job. We are not even making it with my husbands paycheck to paycheck (we are lucky if we just barely do!) Let me know if you would be interested! donnakmunday@yahoo.com (NO SPAM FROM ANYONE PLEASE!)
Reading Matt's articles in various publications helped me get the job I have today. I received a call to offer me my current job before I even left the parking ramp after the interview (over 3 years ago now, I have since been promoted twice). I tried new things because I really wanted this job. Thankfully, I do not have the need to use the services being offered at this time, but I continue to read Matt's articles, and I continue to be thankful that I was willing to move out of my comfort zone to do what was necessary to secure a desirable job. Thank you Matt!
Matt. I agree with you 100% and I am glad that someone has finally had the guts and honestyto write an article like this. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next advice article in this Sundays Strib.
Matt,
Thank you for telling it like it is and not sugarcoating anything. I admit I get frustrated in my job search but know I need to do something different. I saw the discussion in some LinkedIN groups (A job needed, a job posted) and am amazed at how people think this is just a way to sell products. Isn't your career the biggest sell of your life? Sell yourself first and do the best you can to do that, whatever it takes within your budget.
Matt. I agree with you 100% and I am glad that someone has finally had the guts and honestyto write an article like this. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next advice article in this Sundays Strib.
The old saying "actions speak louder then words' rings true again. If people are serious about wanting help they would have jumped on the offer. Sadly it doesnt surprise me that no one stepped up to the plate. Thanks Matt for being committed and if I hadn't already had my resume scanned by another helpful career coach offering the service also free of charge I would have took you up on your offer.
I will take any free advice I can get, if it's truly, really is. I just contacted all the people listed and will be happy to take anybody else up on their offers to help me succeed in my career.
Matt's suggestion of getting a coach is a good one. Be care who you choose. Often articles like his (1st and 2nd) are little more that cleaver marketing. Matt's "people" may not be your best choice. Your best choice are the professionals at Right Management, LHH or one you find through research or referrals.
Interesting article, but I agree with many of the people who are unemployed, actively looking for work and don't have the extra funds for a career coach, knowing that there will be a charge after the initial "free consultation". It would be helpful to know up front what the career counselors charge after the initial consult. So tell me this, what else do you recommend for someone who has followed all of the advice: have a 100% completed profile on linked in with sterling recommendations, joined numerous networking groups, attends job seeker groups, has met with a resume specialist and revamped resume, applies for numerous jobs with specialized cover letters for each, uses business contacts to follow up with leads when possible......I'm out of ideas at this point, got any new ones?
I know many people ( myself included) who have had their resume professionally prepared. Yet this job market is different than years ago! Look at the ads, Every posting has 1-2 years experience. I bet many people looking for employment in their fields have over 10, 12 and 20 years experience.... its tough out there regardless of career coaching tips.
Matt, I understand that SOME people may want a magic wand to do all the work for them. That's true in any economy, for any recruiting environment.
But suggesting that people are missing the boat because they're not contacting a career coach is INSANE.
First of all, there is an ABUNDANCE of solid career advice out there on the Internet for free. I know, because I researched and wrote about careers.
I had a grade A education about best practices in job searching. And you know what? I was laid off in December, and I am STILL UNEMPLOYED. That's because the supply of jobs is FAR less than the demand. We are at 10% unemployment here in Chicago.
I have burned through my savings, my severance pay and all of my unemployment benefits. I realize you probably wanted to give your article a catchy hook - after all, controversy gets traffic to your site - but it's offensive to suggest that we're slackers or idiots if we don't scrape up a few hundred bucks for a career guru.
Dude, this article is very disrespectful to many job seekers out there. Companies are not hiring, wages are down, and most HR departments are acting on budget cuts and hiring freezes. To blame job seekers for a lack of momentum in their search is like blaming someone for having cancer. The real question is this: how do you contribute to an elevated conversation?
Unfortunately, Matt, you don't. If anyone wants to talk about their job search and speak honestly about their concerns, check out my site at Punk Rock HR. Just google it. You'll find me and I'll offer much more sensitivity than this guy.
Laurie,
I am glad you used Matt's column to promote your own web site. Talk about sensitivity? You get on a topic that is buzzing and you want to direct people to your site. I got news for you - it's a tough world and not easy do you think businesses are sensitive when they have to make tough decisions? Do you know anything?
Matt, thanks for the post! As an employment coach, I gave a presentation to 115 unemployed professionals recently. Instead of having a canned presentation, I spent the first 10 minutes identifying the biggest challenges the audience was experiencing with regard to their job search. I made a list of these concerns and systematically offered methods and strategies to overcome each of them. In my last five minutes, I invited each of the participants to join my LinkedIn network and if they expressed an interest in meeting anyone in my contact list, I would set up a coffee or lunch to properly introduce them. Of the 115 people in the audience, everyone was excited about this offer, yet not a single person took me up on my invitation. A warm introduction and a free cup of coffee or lunch...what am I missing? To your point, I don't know what the deal is, but it seems that complaining is a better course of action than being proactive. Thanks for letting me vent!
Did it ever occur to you that maybe people don't feel you have anything to offer and therefore are not interested in your free webinar? There are MANY free articles, webinars and books available for job seekers. Many people like you are making a living providing services to those of looking for jobs. Good for you but keep in mind that just like the glut of unemployed workers looking for a job in a market where employers can be selective... there too is a glut of career coaches in a market where we unemployed workers can be selective. Don't be hurt that your offering doesn't pass our muster.
Absolutely anyone in this marketplace can call themselves a "Coach" and then charge a fee for their services. Now imagine if we took the concepts behind "Open Source" and altruistically networked those around to others as a way of creating a constructive dialogue on how to master this particular market - what's worked, what hasn't, who to call, what to do, what to try, how to make your experience resonate.
While I may be a bit jaded, I find most coaches that do this for a living are reading from a similar formula for which they're happy to charge hundreds of $ an hour for little tangible benefit. By now, I've already figured out the formula, and some of it doesn't really work.
Mad? Sure the author is mad. People aren't stepping up and opening their checkbooks. Nor should they when a lot of the same information is available free of charge by all of us searching and working collaboratively. He's upset he isn't making the money he likes. My response? Get in line, stop whinin
I appreciate all the comments. For those of you who didn't see it, I very clearly stated I know that career coaches cost money and that's it hard to part with money when you don't have it. See above or here:
I know that eventually, to work long-term with a career coach it costs money, and for many it’s hard to part with that money. But wouldn’t it be worth it to contact a career coach for free advice, tips and new ideas? Even if it is for 15 or 30 minutes? If you are afraid to call, send an email and let them know you would like to take advantage of an opportunity to use their services, that can break the ice and get you introduced to each other. Don’t hide behind the computer and say you are putting effort into your job search when you are passing up free opportunities like this.
I don’t want to be mad, but until I hear that the thousands of job seekers out there reading these articles contact these sources below, I’m not going to let up. Give these people a call, they are read
You have no right to be mad.
You have a job.
I have contacted several coaches and resume writers that will give 15 to 30 minutes of their time to 'help'. Usually, they point out one item and then give an incomplete answer on how to 'fix' it. After that, they hard sell you in an attempt to have you pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000+ for their services.
I recently did pay someone $500 for a 'professional' resume. Please not this was $500 my family could ill afford. I sent the resume to 4 recruiters I am working with and every single one of them said it was the worst resume they had ever seen. I even sent it to one of my old bosses. His email response was: LMFAO, this resume stinks. I tried to get this 'professional' to rewrite the resume as promised in their guarantee. They say that the resume is professional and perfect and that they will not rewrite it or refund my money.
So, let me just say, you can take your anger and stick it!
You people ripping on the author are idiots. Don't you realize he is trying to help you people? Do you have to pay the career coaches? no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can't figure that out yourself than maybe you need more help than free job search services.
I understand all the concerns about high pressured sales tactics. You are broke and desperate....so what if you get a sales pitch at the end. I have gotten great advice (for free) from webinars on linkedin from Greg Weills at BeFoundJobs.com and Phil Rosenberg at reCareered.com . Of course at the end of the webinar, there was an "invitation" to hire them for their services but what I learned from the webinar was very helpful. Neither was pushy at all! So you get a 15 to 30 minute session with each of these guys (like Matt said...that's 2 hours total) for FREE! You don't have to "hire" them or use their services. Of course they are trying to make a living like the rest of us so they will try to get you to use their services. (They are trying to survive in this economy as well.) One person commented that each person "helping" you will have a different opinion of what your resume will look like! That is true! I have had mine critiqued by 4 different recruiters and resume professionals and all of them had different things to say about it. I took what worked for me from each one. Also, potential employers are going to have a different opinion as to what they are looking for - so the more eyes you can get on your resume, the better. This is just my opinion. Matt, thanks for the posts! First time I saw it but I will be contacting all of those listed above!
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