As we mentioned, several factors affect the cost of career coaching, including the type of session, the career coach’s experience and geographic location, and whether you are working one-on-one or in a group setting.

Career coaches offer varying services depending on their clients’ needs. Some sessions might focus on reviewing the client’s resume and interview prep, while others may focus on foundational work, goal-setting and other work-related concerns. The focus of the session can affect the cost.

Academic background of the career coach, previous experience in relevant fields, training and professional reputation can all affect the cost of a coaching session. In addition, coaches living in areas with a higher cost of living typically charge more than those living in more affordable regions of the country.

Most career coaches offer individual coaching sessions. These one or two-time meetings are designed for people who need straightforward help with practicalities such as searching for a job and preparing for interviews, with the intention to help launch them back into the workforce or find a different job.

Here are some examples of single-session pricing:

• Tabula Rasa Coaching in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania: $89 for a 90-minute session that includes one-on-one job search and interview prep
• Harris Consociates in Lansing, Michigan: $150 for a single career coaching session

Some career coaches offer group workshops or online services at a lower rate than their one-on-one sessions, which is an opportunity to save money. For example, Tabula Rasa Coaching in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania offers an online group session for $59. The two-hour e-Group session is for new graduates and people re-entering the workforce or having difficulty finding a job. The e-Group session covers topics such as resume writing, writing a cover letter, job-searching, mock interviews, applying, interview prep, and questions and answer time.

Many career coaches offer package options, with sessions provided at a reduced rate when the client prepays for a bundle upfront.

Here are some examples of package pricing at Harris Consociates in Lansing, Michigan.

Making a big career switch, or looking for a new opportunity is a great time to invest in the help of a career coach. They can help you through the application and interview process, and provide helpful tips in making a job transition when you finally do. Even if you’re happily employed, a career coach can help you map out goals for your career, and advise on steps to take to reach those goals.

There are a few steps you can take to aid in your decision making and to ensure that you hire a career coach who will be the right fit for you:

• Ask for reviews. Look for online reviews, or ask the career coach for testimonials from current or former clients to assess if the career coach will fit your needs.
• Determine your budget. Nailing down exactly how much you have to spend will save both you and the career coach time and energy in the long run.
• Figure out your needs. Do you need a one-time session for a resume-revamp, or are you looking for more intensive, career-changing, one-on-one sessions? Knowing your needs before speaking to a career coach is key in finding the right fit for you the first time.

Hiring a career coach doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to save money on the cost of a career coach:

• Buy a package: If you know that you need more than one session of career coaching, it may make financial sense to buy a package of sessions. Most career coaches offer discounts to those clients purchasing bundles.
• Try a group session: Typically less expensive than one-on-one sessions, a group session may offer exactly what you’re looking to get out of a career coaching session.
• Come prepared: Plan to show up to your meeting with an existing resume. Career coaches will charge more to create, edit, and revise a new resume than they will to revise an existing resume.