3) Ask many questions

Before and even after you align yourself with a person that is going to help you shift careers, ask questions. The biggest mistake that people make when trying to find a career that is fulfilling is that they don’t ask questions. There are no “bad” questions. If the person you’re interviewing to help you is not keen on answering your questions, then find someone else. You are responsible for your life, and navigating that life requires finding out answers to questions related to your future, and that includes career paths.

4) Hire an experienced career coach

Do not hire anyone that doesn’t have experience in this field. The person that you work with doesn’t have to be clinically trained, mind you. They don’t have to possess a doctorate degree in Human Resources, or the like. Instead, think about what experience the person that you want to hire has in regard to coaching and specifically guiding people in choosing a career and actually landing a new job. In fact, ask for references. Seriously, ask about the references that they have, and how they can help you attain the “right” balance in both life and career. Focus on the experience that a person has in providing career coaching services. Do not hire anyone that doesn’t have specific experience in your chosen field of work.

5) Be patient

It cannot be stressed enough, you need to be patient. Do not assume that you are going to be able to find a coach fast. It’s imperative that you take your time. You may find a list of people to work with, but which one is right for you? Take your time asking questions, considering what your wants and needs are, and align yourself with coaches that are going to help you pursue a career you love. That is something that takes a bit of time to figure out, so don’t align yourself with any “one” person, until you’ve interviewed many people.

6) Do not disagree for the sake of disagreeing

Here is one of the most important things that you should take with you in finding a good coach. You need to avoid your first impulse to disagree with your coach. They are going to help you get the right solution overall. You need to understand that they see your flaws, look at the career you’re in, and then try to guide you in the right direction. It’s easy to disagree with someone, especially when you don’t want to change. Being close minded will cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture- a career you are passionate about.

7) Start looking for career coaching services ASAP

This may sound intuitive, but it’s important. If you’re serious about finding the perfect coach, you need to be proactive. Start looking today, and ask for several interviews with different people. Remember, you are not just finding a random coach, you’re trying to find the “best” coach. That means that you’ll need to find someone that gets what you want to do, and is well experienced to assist. You cannot just pick any random person, you need time to fully recognize the “right” option. However, don’t wait too long to pick someone. It’s better to pick someone that may not be perfect at first, than to stay in a job you hate, without ever taking advantage of career coaching services.

If you’re still unsure, this article may help you identify how much you are in need of coaching.

At the end of the day, the purpose is to help you gain the upper hand. If you want to ensure that you pursue the “right” course for your career, you need to find someone that is going to help you. Change requires help, don’t be afraid to ask. Remember, the greatest people in the world, work with career coaches for their own self improvement. That’s what will help you truly choose a well paying career you love.