Human Resource Professionals Need Career Coaching Too

Most people in Human Resources deal with jobthat they know exactly what to do in the job search,
seekers everyday, and it seems reasonable to expectthey often fail to recognize areas for improvement in
that they would have an edge when conducting theirthe process.
own job search. They spend their days sourcingFinally HR positions can be very competitive. Human
candidates, screening resumes, determining (andresources positions are among the first to be
negotiating) salary, and interviewing. Considering theireliminated during layoffs. After all, how much work can
profession, they should know all of the tricks and bethere be to do when a company has a hiring freeze?
able to get a new position more quickly than people inEven non-recruiting positions can be at risk when
other industries. Yet, as many people in HR know fromtraining budgets are slashed and benefits are reduced.
personal experience, this is often not the case.This reality leads to an oversaturation of the market.
Working with a job coach, specifically one experiencedRegardless of the state of the economy though, there
in the Human Resources field, can ensure that edge.are always jobs and you just need to know where to
First let's look at a few different reasons for thefind them. As a coach, I recently worked with a client in
disconnect from the two sides of the hiring desk.HR that received interviews at eight companies. This
People in HR have so much experience making themany interviews is an accomplishment at any time, but
employment decisions that they completely forgetespecially in this time of layoffs. It is proof that the jobs
what it is like to be on the other side. Here is whereare out there and a well conducted job search can
the inside tricks backfire. Anyone who has conductedyield results.
interviews had certain answers that they were lookingThis is where the career coach can come in. A career
for. When HR people are in an interview they feel likecoach can let you know what the "rules of the game"
they need to give that "right" answer rather than theare, and how you can use them for your own unique
honest answer that best describes them. A perfectsituation. While people in HR are experts in posting the
example is the topic of compensation. Havingjobs, they don't always know where to find their own.
presented compensation offers, they may know howA coach can target your search while also adding
much the limit is for most positions, but not know thesome tricks that rarely come up in a human resource
negotiating tactics to obtain it for themselves.job, like personal branding. Possibly most valuable, a
Another weakness can come from a lack ofcareer coach can serve as your accountability partner
objectivity. While people in all industries can struggle toand cheerleader. He or she can keep you motivated
articulate their accomplishments, it can happen to HRand on track, identify and overcome obstacles, and
people more easily. People in human resources areguide you to develop a personally targeted plan. Some
very familiar with the process of hiring and the steps,resources are available through career books and
but that is not that same as being able to nail aninternet research, but if your job search isn't going
interview by clearly describing their talents andanywhere, or you need to get a new position fairly
qualifications for a new position. Because of the illusionquickly, a career coach could be the solution for you.