How do I become a Coach?
If you’re considering a career as a life, business or executive coach, you are probably wondering what is the best way to enter the field?
Other commonly asked questions are do I need to specific training and accreditation to become a coach? Where will I get clients, and do I have what it takes?
In order to make an informed decision about whether coaching is right for you, interview people who are already successful coaches. Find as much as you can about the career and lifestyle you would be getting into. They can tell you the good and the bad; how easy, or difficult it is, and how they got started. They can also tell you what important lessons they learned along the way and what pitfalls to avoid.
Professional coaching companies, like ActionCOACH will let you experience coaching before you join their team or even become accredited. They even insist that you must interview and be even interviewed by coaches and key executives. You will need to provide resume and references. You will be required to do a behavioral profile. While it might seem like a lot of hoops to jump through – it is designed to make sure the best of the best join their team and that you have the experience and qualities to be a successful coach.
Becoming a coach is not a decision to be taken lightly. Make sure you receive professional and indepth accreditation. This will give you resources, insights, tools and support.
It should cover not only how to become a coach but also how to run a successful coaching business. It should be extensive and indepth. It should have an ongoing support system after graduation. It should be taught by experienced and active coaches – not by teaches. It should include lots of practical information – not just pummeling in information.
Beware of course that are short and cost little. A coach is a professional service. Coaches earn similar rates to attorneys and accountants. You would not like to have an accountant who is not expected to keep up with the latest in financial and taxation laws in your state. Same with a coach, the learning should never stop with a coach.
The accreditation should include all of the tools you will need to use as a coach. In other words, after accreditation you should feel confident that you can start coaching straight away. If there is more work after you are accredited to get you coaching business off the ground – you will find you will lose many billable hours.
Interview coaches who have been accredited and ask for their feedback about the accreditation.