5 Strategies You Didn’t Know a Career Coach Uses To Help Women Succeed in Their Job Search

If you are one of the 38.6 Million who Have Filed For Unemployment Since March, you know the stress and challenges that come with navigating a job search during a pandemic. 

Who is hiring? How do I break through the sea of applicants?

In this blog, we'll explore how you can leverage effective strategies and resources to boost your chances and land your next role. With the right approach, you can not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive job market.

Do women have a harder time finding jobs?

As a Certified Professional Career Coach (a.k.a. CPCC), I hear these concerns firsthand from the women I work with, especially those who haven't been on the job market for a long time or have never had to conduct their job search. Now, they're in a position to take control of their next move, and the challenges can be daunting.

Statistically speaking, women do face more significant hurdles in the job market. The current global labor force participation rate for women is just under 47%, compared to 72% for men—a staggering difference of 25 percentage points. In some regions, this gap exceeds 50 percentage points .

However, there's good news. Women who work with career coaches, especially those who specialize in helping women, have a higher chance of overcoming these statistics.

Now more than ever, having a professional help you manage your career campaign will provide the confidence, tools, and excitement as you start your search for companies who are hiring for your next dream job! “By collaborating with a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC), you will pinpoint the direction and create career management solutions to land employment quicker and more smoothly than going it alone,” says Diane Hudson, Director, CPCC program.

#1 Gain a Competitive Advantage (ahead of potentially hundreds or thousands of other applicants)

How do you stand out in a sea of applicants? It’s tough these days. So many talented people are entering the job market, looking for many of the same positions and companies who are hiring.

As a Certified Professional Career Clarity Coach, I know what hiring managers are looking for and how they process applicants through their applicant tracking system (ATS). We will work to give you that competitive edge through personalized materials and a one-of-a-kind job search approach.

When you work with a career coach, we will design your resumes together so you can shine above the rest! How do we do that? First, we will identify your strengths and skills and design a targeted career search campaign. Then we will show you how to write career documents that will highlight your strengths:

• Multiple resume versions for each job opportunity 
• Unique cover letters that resonate with their reader
• Optimized LinkedIn profile to differentiate you from the competition

You will also learn to interview smoothly and confidently and be prepared to put your best foot forward when onboarding. Having gained a renewed confidence level, you will learn to stretch your comfort level, network more effectively and reach for new horizons by forming a circle of accountability partners.

#2  Answer That Age-Old Question, “Why should they pick me for the job?”

I am often asked questions from job seekers searching for ways to differentiate themselves:

• “Do I have any value to provide an employer?”
• “How can I present that value in a career conversation or interview?”
• “How does the employer understand the value I offer?”

As a Certified Professional Career Coach, I will help you determine and articulate the value YOU offer an employer. By asking targeted questions, I will coach you to identify the strengths you bring to the role, focused by your target position, industry, and job function.

Together we will be able to determine the ROI you will provide a new employer, and answer these important questions:

1. How much money can you save them?
2. How much money can you make them?
3. How well can you fix something that is broken?
4. How well can you lead a new program or project that creates efficiencies and effectiveness?

These questions will determine your value and ROI.  We will incorporate these value statements into all your career campaign materials so it’s clear why you are the most qualified and talented candidate.

Remember: A jack-of-all-trades resume is not beneficial to an employer or recruiter.  It does not provide any unique value to answer why YOU are the perfect candidate.

#3  Get Personalized Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier!

Are you leveraging the wide variety of career management tools to make your job search easier?

A Certified Professional Career Coach will support you in developing resumes (yes, I said resumes – plural – resumes are no longer one-size-fits-all) and other written career management tools. 

A robust career management campaign includes all these tools and more:

• Strengths and skills discovery through formal and informal assessments
• Identification of career paths that are a perfect match for your personal brand
• A LinkedIn Profile for a powerful online presence 
• A strong resume that provides value to each potential employer and passes an automated applicant tracking system (ATS)
• Interview question preparation (asking & answering!)
• Salary negotiations
• Dressing appropriately for the job interview
• Skills development (leadership, public speaking, language skills)

Are you using any of these, or some already? We will work together to craft the perfect combination of these tools, so once you find that ideal job, you’ll be set up for success to land it!

Years ago, career professionals moved far beyond just writing résumés, as important as that skill continues to be. You deserve more than a commanding document. You deserve access to all the tools required to win the career you’ve always deserved. You need an expert on your team.

#4 A Professional Certified Career Coach Will Help Set Career Goals and Cheer You On!

It’s not uncommon for job seekers to struggle with frustration or even lowness (e.g., if they receive a “rejection” letter) in the job search process. During this pandemic, a job search can amplify the uncertainty.

That is why Certified Professional Career Coaches serve as Chief Motivational Officers. A CPCC’s main job is to help you develop new perspectives to set and reach goals. Identifying and adjusting goals is a critical component of career management and action planning, and my training and education as a CPCC will show you how to navigate these seemingly impossible tasks.

A coach is there to hold your hand and guide you despite potential setbacks like job search fatigue, unemployment rates rising, and other pandemic induced challenges.

We will cheer with you when you enjoy successes and talk you through the challenges. We relish the joy of knowing you attained an interview, received a job offer, or negotiated a higher salary! 

#5  It’s Our Job to Get You A JOB

Just like you go to the doctor when you are sick or the auto mechanic when your car breaks down, consider working with a career coach to diagnose and put a treatment plan together for your career health!

You need someone on your side to connect the value you offer with what companies need. That’s what career professionals do. Professionalism and certification go hand in hand. Do more than ask which certifications someone holds. Find out how competitive those credentials are, which skills they validated.

As a Certified Professional Career Coach, we will have completed the comprehensive Certified Professional Career Coach program, a certification of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC).

PARW/CC is the longest standing professional resume writing and career coaching association in the industry with more than 2,000 members and offering four career management credentials.

CPCC’s have the backing, support, and resources of the membership of PARW/CC and other CPCC’s via LinkedIn Groups and other Professional Forums. 

So when you work with us, that means you will too!

Whether you’re new to the job hunt, or a job seeker that just hasn’t found the right fit yet, a Certified Professional Career Coach could be just the thing you need to get you to the next level. 

If you want to learn more about how to engage my services, make sure to schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.

Working together, we can move your life and the lives of your families, forward to better things for years to come.

FAQs about job search for women

How can a career coach help me transition to a new industry?

A career coach can facilitate a smooth transition to a new industry by:

1. Identifying Transferable Skills: They help you recognize and articulate skills from your previous roles that are applicable to the new industry, making you a stronger candidate.
2. Industry Research: Coaches provide insights into the new industry, including trends, key players, and necessary skills, so you can better align your resume and job search.
3. Networking Opportunities: They assist in connecting you with industry professionals and organizations, helping you build a network in your target field.
4. Customized Job Search Strategy: Coaches develop a tailored job search strategy, including targeted resume adjustments, specific job boards, and relevant job search tactics for the new industry.
5. Confidence Building: They offer support and encouragement to help you build confidence in your ability to succeed in the new field, which is crucial during career transitions.

How can a career coach assist with negotiating job offers?

A career coach can provide tips on negotiating salary and benefits, help you understand your market value, and prepare you for discussions with potential employers to ensure you get the best offer.

 About the author

I’m Theresa White, a Career Clarity Coach, Job Search Strategist, and President of Career Bloom. With a background in Recruiting, Human Resources, and Management
After struggling with career uncertainty and the fear of starting over, I finally discovered my true calling and found a job that makes me excited to wake up every day. This clarity transformed my career and filled me with joy, knowing I’m doing work that truly matters. How did I achieve this? By gaining crystal-clear insight into my purpose. It’s easier than you might think, and I’m passionate about guiding my clients through this discovery process to help them find their ideal career.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.

Final thoughts

For women navigating the job search landscape, the journey can be filled with unique challenges. However, with the right strategies and support, you can turn these challenges into opportunities. Leveraging a career coach’s expertise, crafting a standout resume, and harnessing your transferable skills can help you overcome barriers and shine in a competitive job market.

Remember, you don’t have to face these obstacles alone—professional guidance can provide you with the tools and confidence needed to succeed. Take control of your job search today and unlock your full potential for a fulfilling career.

Resources

• 4 Steps to building your personal brand story for a successful career change
• 5 Ways to Land A Job Faster With a Focused Job Search
• Find the skills that energize and motivate you. The ones that make you say, "I want to do this every day!"
• The quickest way to land your dream job? Get career clarity
• Find the 3 steps to successfully change your career