Coach or Placement Company – Which is the best option for you?

As my business partner and I organized our business, we had a very serious conversation about how we can justify having a career coaching option that is paid for by the individual when we are also offering placement services where the fee is paid by the hiring employer. Don’t most placement companies offer coaching when they represent someone? The answer to that is a bit more complex than expected.

Placement companies, including our placement service division, make money by placing individuals in positions with companies that pay a placement fee. It is in their best interest to coach candidates on their next position, their resume and cover letter, interview skills, and compensation negotiation. The candidates with the strongest backgrounds (credentials, appearance, expectations) get a considerable amount of advice. The best placement people try to keep that advice neutral, but it is often oriented toward the available positions in which the person could be placed. Thus getting the placement person closer to the placement fee.

Candidates who are unlikely to get placed (tough background to place, unusual or extreme expectations, poor interpersonal skills or appearance) are likely to get less or no advice and less consistent interaction with the placement company.

So, when is a placement company ideal? When you are a top-tier candidate with no blemishes in your background, above average credentials and reasonable expectations. What are reasonable expectations? It can mean a lot of things, but usually means you don’t plan to make a huge leap from your current position (florist to rocket scientist or staff accountant to CFO), you don’t expect to increase your base salary by more than 10 to 15%, and you aren’t looking for a LOT of special work place adjustments (adjusted hours, fewer days worked, and telecommuting).

So, when should you look at a career coach rather than a placement agency? There are three clear times when a coach makes more sense although the list is really endless. First, when you aren’t just looking to make a career change. You may want to reflect on ways to be more successful or happy in your current position. Or, you may want to discern a new career path. Or, you may need help revitalizing your career path. In those cases, it is essential to have a neutral, experienced coach who can help you dissect your questions and seek fully thought out answers and alternatives.

The second situation when a career coach is more ideal is when you aren’t a perfect candidate so you won’t get a lot of time from a placement company and you need help overcoming some career blemishes and conducting an effective search (resume writing, interview skills). A career coach is not only going to be very experienced in these areas, they are going to commit the time to you.

The final situation where a coach is ideal is if you need the extra support. It could be that you haven’t been in the job market in quite a long time so your skills and materials are rusty. Or, when you have a lot of insecurity about looking for a job and making a change. Coaches offer help with that anxiety and hang in there with you no matter how long your process takes.

Both placement companies and career coaches offer value and have a place. That is why we, Forward Business and Professional Consulting, provide both services. Just remember to discern your needs so you know which outlet is best for you at that time and then remember they aren’t mutually exclusive. It may make sense for you to use both options and allow them to complement each other.