What is the primary role of a career coach?

The primary role of a career coach is to assist clients in identifying their career goals and developing a tailored plan to achieve those goals. This process typically involves a collaborative approach where the coach guides the individual through self-assessment, skills inventory, interests, and market exploration. The focus is on empowering clients to understand their unique aspirations and the steps needed to reach them, which can include both short-term actions and long-term strategies.

In contrast, providing job placements is more aligned with the role of a recruiter or employment service rather than a career coach, who focuses on holistic career development. Evaluating a client's financial status may be relevant in some situations, but it is not the central function of a career coach. Furthermore, creating a one-size-fits-all career path contradicts the personalized nature of coaching, which recognizes that career journeys are unique to each individual and require customization based on individual circumstances and goals.