5 Benefits of Group Career Coaching

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October 8, 2020
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19
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Many of us invest in ourselves when we want to get in shape by joining a group fitness or weight loss program. We also join different types of therapy groups when we are going through a difficult time in our lives. 

However, if we need help with our careers, most of us try to do it by ourselves and end up feeling frustrated by not hearing back after sending out 100s of resumes or feeling stuck and unhappy in our current jobs.  

We hardly ever think to join a career coaching group. Read on to learn about group career coaching and how being part of one can take your career to the next level.

What is group career coaching?

Group career coaching is similar to individual career coaching in that you receive guidance and support from a career expert except you do it in a group format with other professionals in similar career situations as you. 

The group method can be a more affordable and a less lonely option to getting help for your career. 

Examples of career coaching groups are: 

Job search focused groups:

Participants learn the best practices that go into a job search such as how to customize resumes, optimize a LinkedIn profile, or answer difficult interview questions while also building their network and supporting each other by sharing resources and tips. 

A lot of networking and introductions to each other’s network happens in these types of groups.

Career shift focused groups:

Participants work on increasing their own self awareness of their strengths, values, and interests through taking career assessments and inventories while learning about various career options. 

The group is there to support each other in their transitions, and provide a huge array of career information from their own experiences.

Career growth focused groups:

Participants are working in full time jobs but meet weekly to discuss topics such as the first 90 days at a new job, difficult colleagues/managers, how to ask for a promotion or raise, and many other career related topics to help one grow and develop professionally. 

It’s a safe space to have career discussions about things going on at work.

Here is how one of our Teal members who landed her dream job at a major tech company described our career growth career coaching group:

Knowing there are others out there going through the same thing, and being able to support each other each week helps build a sense of community that helps my identity not be solely invested in my new role. It helps me maintain a sense of perspective and pressure test assumptions that I might be making when joining a new company.

Another Teal member, who took part in our Career Assist job search group program, shared the following: 

The main takeaway for me was that I am not alone in my job search and how I am feeling about the process. In addition to participating in bi-weekly presentations on resume writing, LinkedIn, networking, negotiation, and interviewing, I also got to network and learn from peers who are on the same journey.

If you are still on the fence, here are the 5 benefits of joining a career coaching group::

1. Being connected to a community 

You get to be supported by interacting with other professionals and not have to go through a job search, work situation, or career transition alone especially now during this pandemic where we are not able to socialize in the same ways.

2. Learning from career experts

Looking for a new job usually means digging through the internet for answers and opportunities on your own. Being part of a career coaching group allows you to receive feedback, reassurance, and reliable information. Plus, you gain new knowledge and skills along the way.

3. Getting connected to opportunities

The networking that happens in a career coaching group is priceless. We’ve seen many job seekers help each other out by making introductions to their personal network.

4. Being able to help others and pay it forward

It’s a two way street and it feels good to help others. You never know when your own experience and connections might be valuable to someone else in your group.

5. Long lasting connections and friendships

We have seen it over and over again where people continue their connections to each other after the career coaching group ends. Friendships have developed for the long term because of the type of sharing and support that comes with a career coaching group.

Barbara Sher, author of “I Could Do Anything If I knew What It was”, coined the phrase, “isolation is the dreamkiller” to describe how people are natural problem solvers when they get together in a group where they can help each other by brainstorming and sharing resources and ideas.

We see this happening every day in our various career coaching groups that consist of job seekers, people looking to make a major career change, and professionals in their current jobs looking to grow and develop themselves. 

If you are looking to join a career coaching group, use this link to take a quiz to see what career coaching group program at Teal is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does group career coaching differ from one-on-one coaching in terms of personal attention?

Group career coaching provides a collaborative environment where you receive guidance not just from the coach but also from peers. While it may offer less individualized attention compared to one-on-one coaching, the shared experiences and diverse perspectives can enrich the learning process and provide a broader range of insights and solutions to career challenges.

Can group career coaching be effective for professionals at different career stages?

Yes, group career coaching can be beneficial for professionals at various stages, from entry-level to seasoned executives. The diversity within the group can foster a dynamic learning environment where participants gain from each other's experiences, challenges, and successes, making it a valuable experience regardless of one's career level.

What should I look for when choosing a group career coaching program?

When selecting a group career coaching program, consider the coach's expertise, the structure of the program, the diversity of participants, and the goals of the group. Ensure the program aligns with your career objectives and offers a balance of structured learning and interactive discussions. It's also important to assess the level of support and resources provided throughout the program.

Dave Fano

Founder and CEO of Teal, Dave is a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience building products & services to help people leverage technology and achieve more with less.

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