Debate: Should I stick with a career coach or go it alone after wasting $800?

I hired a career coach back in March for $800 and after 6 sessions I feel like I got nothing useful. She gave me generic resume tips and told me to network more, which I already knew. On the other hand, a coworker in Chicago said her coach helped her land a job in 2 months by negotiating her salary. So did I just pick the wrong coach, or is this whole industry overpriced fluff? Anyone else had better luck going it alone?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylanmurray1mo ago

You said coworker had better luck, so sounds like you got the wrong one.

daniel_walker1mo ago

dylanmurray said it sounds like I got the wrong one, which is probably true. But $800 for 6 sessions feels like I paid for someone to tell me to "put your contact info at the top" and "smile in interviews." I guess I'd feel less bitter if I had spent that money on something useful like a literal pile of garbage bags or maybe a years supply of gas station hot dogs. At least with the hot dogs id have something to show for it besides a lighter wallet and stale advice. Your coworker got lucky, but betting on luck with a career coach feels like gambling on a slot machine that only takes hundred dollar bills.

max_ross19d ago

Man that really sucks. $800 is a lot of money to drop on generic advice you could get from a free youtube video or a friend who's been through the hiring process. The gas station hot dog comparison is brutal but honestly kinda accurate, at least you'd have something to show for it lol. It's rough when you put your trust in someone like that and they just phone it in with basic stuff.