What Does a Career Coach Do & Do You Need One?

Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Coaching is the Shortcut.

If you feel stuck, lost, or unsure about your next career move, you’re not alone.

Coaching in Action: A Client’s Journey

She sat across from me on our video call, her face a mix of determination and frustration.

“I just don’t get it,” she said. “I’m doing everything right—I show up, I meet deadlines, I do good work… but I feel invisible. I see other people moving up, getting leadership roles, and I don’t know what I’m missing.”

She worked in marketing and communications, passionate about storytelling, branding, and community engagement. 

She was in a mission-driven organization, which she loved, but deep down, she felt like she was important, but not indispensable.

"I want to grow," she continued. "But I don’t even know where to start. Should I be taking on more work? Do I need another degree? It just feels overwhelming."

I leaned in. "What if, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, we focused on what’s already in your hands?"

She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"You’re waiting for a promotion to tell you you’re a leader," I said. "But what if you started acting like one now?"

She thought for a moment. "Okay… but how?"

The Reframe – Recognizing Opportunity

"Let’s start here," I said. "Tell me—what’s already available to you that you haven’t fully taken advantage of?"

She hesitated, then shrugged. "I mean, there are professional development funds… I think. And I guess I could network more internally, but I don’t really know how."

"So you have resources," I pointed out. "But you’re not using them yet?"

She nodded slowly. "I guess I just assumed they were for senior employees. Or that I needed to prove myself more before I asked for things like that."

"What if proving yourself isn’t about waiting?" I asked. "What if the most successful people aren’t the ones who wait for permission, but the ones who take intentional action?"

She nodded again, this time taking notes. "Okay… so I should actually explore what’s available instead of assuming it’s off-limits."

Step 1: Unwrapping the Gift

"Exactly," I said. "Think of it like this—your career isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s something you build. And the best way to build it is to start using what’s already within reach."

She was already thinking ahead. "So if I apply for professional development funding, that could help me build a skill set that makes me more valuable?"

"Yes," I said. "And not just for the future—right now. The more you invest in your growth, the more visible you become."

Step 2: Expanding Responsibilities

She sighed. "I guess I’ve been waiting for someone to hand me bigger projects instead of just… stepping into them."

"Exactly," I said. "What are the biggest gaps in your team right now?"

She thought for a second. "We struggle with engagement. We have a great mission, but we’re not connecting with our audience the way we should."

I smiled. "And isn’t that exactly what you’re passionate about?"

She blinked, then laughed. "Oh wow. Yeah, it is."

"Then what’s stopping you from leading an initiative to improve engagement?" I asked.

She sat back in her chair, smiling. "I guess… nothing?"

"That’s the point," I said. "Leadership doesn’t start when you get a title. It starts when you take ownership of your impact."

Step 3: Implementing the Strategy

By the time we ended the session, she had a clear plan:

•  Apply for professional development funding to take a digital marketing certification course.
• Schedule a meeting with leadership to discuss engagement strategies.
•  Propose a new social media campaign, positioning herself as a leader in the process.

She sat up straighter. "This feels different. Before, I felt like I was waiting for something to change. Now I feel like I can actually do something about it."

I smiled. "That’s the power of coaching. It’s not about adding more work to your plate—it’s about helping you see and act on the opportunities already in front of you 

Most professionals spend years trying to figure it out on their own—but the fastest way to accelerate your career is to work with a career coach.

A career coach provides the insight, structure, and accountability needed to break through plateaus and step confidently into career growth.

Here’s exactly what a career coach does and how to know if you need one.

What a Career Coach Helps With

A career coach isn’t just someone who gives advice—they’re a strategic partner in your growth. A great coach helps you:

•  Gain Career Clarity & Direction – Defining where you want to go and how to get there
  
  
• Develop Leadership Presence & Confidence – Learning how to own your space and get noticed.
• Overcome Imposter Syndrome – Breaking through self-doubt and stepping into leadership.
• Master Strategic Networking & Influence – Making the right connections and leveraging opportunities.
  
  

Signs You Might Need a Career Coach

If you resonate with any of the following, career coaching might be the solution you’ve been looking for:

• You feel stuck in your current job with no clear path forward.
• You’re not getting the recognition or promotions you deserve.
• You want to transition careers but don’t know where to start.
• You struggle with confidence, imposter syndrome, or self-doubt.
• You know you need to improve networking & leadership skills but don’t have a strategy.
  
  

How Career Coaching Works

Think of it as having a personal trainer for your career. You’ll get faster results than figuring it out alone. Coaching typically follows three key steps:

Step 1: Assessment – Clarify where you are now and define where you want to go.
Step 2: Strategy – Create a custom leadership development plan (not generic advice).
Step 3: Implementation – Build confidence, influence, and leadership skills through structured coaching.

One of the biggest misconceptions about coaching is that it’s just about motivation. But the truth is, coaching is about strategy. It’s about aligning your skills, your network, and your personal brand so that opportunities come to you instead of you chasing them.

Coaching is the Fast Track to Career Success

If you’re ready to break through career plateaus, build confidence, and start seeing real growth, coaching is the smartest investment you can make.

Want to see how coaching can help you? Book a free Clarity Call today and let’s create your career strategy together.