Okay, real talk: how many of us have stared at our LinkedIn profiles at 2 AM wondering… is this it? 🙃 Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by a job description that demanded “5 years of experience for an entry-level role.” ✋ Been there, cried over that résumé.
Let me tell you a story about my quarter-life crisis last year. I was grinding at a marketing job that paid my bills but drained my soul like a vampire sipping kombucha. Then I stumbled into career coaching—not because I was “failing,” but because I wanted to thrive. And holy guacamole, did it flip the script.
Myth 1: Career Coaching = You’re Bad at Adulting
Newsflash: Serena Williams has a tennis coach. Beyoncé has vocal coaches. Needing guidance ≠ weakness. My coach called out my self-sabotage habit of downplaying achievements (“Oh, that campaign? Just got lucky!”). She made me track every tiny win for two weeks. Turns out, I’d accidentally built a portfolio of 17 measurable successes. Who knew? 🤯
Myth 2: It’s Only for Executives
Nope. My friend Clara—a mid-level graphic designer—used coaching to negotiate a 4-day remote workweek. Her secret? Framing it as a productivity experiment backed by data on creative burnout. Boss said yes faster than you can say “passive-aggressive Slack emoji.”
The ‘Aha’ Moment You’re Missing
Career coaching isn’t about fixing you—it’s about decoding workplace hieroglyphics. Example: When I kept getting passed over for promotions, my coach role-played salary negotiations with me. Learned that saying “I’d love your feedback” instead of “Did I do okay?” subconsciously positions you as leadership material. Mind. Blown. 💥
But Wait—What If You Can’t Afford It?
Here’s the hack: Many coaches offer sliding-scale rates or free intro sessions. I traded social media tips with mine for a discount. Also, follow @TheCareerHippie on Insta—her “coffee chat” reels teach boundary-setting scripts that’ll make your micromanager sweat.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Growth feels like cringe. My first coaching homework? Email three former colleagues asking, “What’s one strength you think I underuse?” Cue panic sweats. But one reply—“You’re low-key amazing at calming chaotic Zoom meetings”—became my secret weapon in interviews.
Your Move, Bestie
You wouldn’t DIY a root canal. Why raw-dog your career? Whether it’s escaping a toxic workplace or pivoting to that vegan handbag startup you’ve been dreaming about—coaching gives you the cheat codes.
So, next time you’re doomscrolling job posts, ask yourself: What would I do if I weren’t afraid of looking greedy/needy/too much? Then go find your hype human. Trust me, your future self will high-five you across the timeline. ✨