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A professional, accredited life coach works with people to help them make important changes in their life, either growing in their profession or changing gears in their personal lives. They help clients turn their dreams or wishes into realistic, attainable goals. They guide people through the process of making life changes by helping them evaluate the steps they must take to reach a particular goal, then help them decide how — and whether — to take those steps in the most efficient, effective and rewarding way possible. A life coach acts as a motivator, strategist and accountability partner. Unlike a therapist, a life coach doesn’t help solve problems from your past — they’re focused on helping you move forward with new ways of acting and thinking that will help you reach your goals. Some people specialize in particular types of life coaching, including life balancing coaches, small business coaches, executive coaches and personal finance coaches. Some meet clients in person, while others hold consultations over the phone.

Regardless of which type of life coach you’re interested in, make sure the person holds an International Coach Federation (ICF) credential. There are three tiers of credentials: Associate, Professional and Master, which require coaching experience ranging from 100 hours to 2,500 hours.

If you’re interested in furthering your career and want expert help, a career coach is a smart solution. A career coach is a professional you hire to guide you during a job search or a career transition, or to help you improve and advance in your current position. A career coach analyzes your work situation and learns what your professional goals are. They then create a strategy to help you achieve your targets. Throughout the process they should provide objective feedback and guide you in approaching the process strategically. Here are some of the tools and tasks a career coach may assist you with:

• Helping you build a strong resume that reflects your work history, potential, and skills

• Coaching for interviews and strategies for solid answers built around your resume and the target job

• Defining your career goals

• Creating a plan for job searching

• Improving networking strategies and skills

• Developing strategies for negotiating raises or promotions

• Assessing why you’re not getting where you want to go

• Identifying new positions or career opportunities that fit your skills

If you’re feeling lost in your career path, overwhelmed, in need of a job but confused as where to start, or ready for change but uncertain what you want, a career counselor is a good choice for you. A career counselor is typically a licensed professional who has earned a master’s degree in counseling — likely with an emphasis on career counseling. Each state has different licensing requirements for career counselors, so be sure to research before reaching out to a pro.

Due to their academic backgrounds, career counselors often have a more holistic and in-depth approach than a career coach. Career coaches are not regulated by states and also tend to be more business-focused — a good fit for those who know what they want but need help achieving it. On the other hand, a career counselor provides guidance and clarity around some of the more emotional aspects that job hunting and career movement entail. Career counselors meet with you in a series of one-on-one sessions. They assess your personality and learn what drives you. They get a detailed understanding of your work history and your hopes, and often work to help you discover any internal blocks preventing you from going where you want to go. Hiring a career counselor is appropriate at any time in your career, from recent graduate to executive-level management.

People of all ages and in all careers have called in a life coach. Life coaches are accredited professionals who can help you figure out the tangible changes you can make in your life to reach your goals; they can even help you turn your dreams into goals, if you’re not sure where to go next. A life coach can also help people find their purpose in life. Life coaching clients often have an idea of what they want to do, such as help people or work with animals, but don’t know how to turn that passion into a career. A life coach can help clients work through the options to find a clear path with concrete steps that lead to an attainable goal. A life coach can also help clients make a major career change, such as starting a new business. Life coaches can help clients develop better habits that will make them more successful, acting as an accountability partner. Life coaches also often guide their clients through major transitions in life, such as a career change or other stressful situations that are made easier with guidance from a neutral third party.