The sense of a good life is often largely determined by our work, as it plays a significant role in our lives. Not only because we usually dedicate most of our day to it and it provides us with a livelihood, but also because, within this framework, we have to manage relationships, expectations, dilemmas, difficulties, changes, balances, and many other situations that particularly affect us.

On a global scale, the professional landscape is becoming increasingly complex. The demands of the labor market regarding performance are rising, as are employees’ expectations for better working conditions, greater work-life balance, and, ultimately, the contribution of work to personal fulfillment. The need for support in order to meet these expectations is often covered by career coaching.

Career coaching supports individuals in achieving their professional goals, finding and implementing the best ways to manage work-related concerns in harmony with their values, dreams, needs, interests, and capabilities. The career coach provides non-directive support through collaboration with the client/coachee during regular sessions, often weekly, which typically do not last more than a few months in total. Career coaching also applies to the period before entering professional life, such as studies and preparation, as well as retirement, its preparation, or even the period after the cessation of professional activity at any age and for any reason.

Common reasons that lead people to seek the help of a career coach include:

• Choosing undergraduate or postgraduate studies
• Changing study fields or locations
• Dilemma between pursuing higher education or entering the workforce
• Support during studies
• Choosing or changing a profession
• Coaching with unemployment
• Changing companies
• Seeking a promotion
• Adjusting to a new job position
• Managing time, interpersonal relationships, and changes at work
• Improving financial situation
• Reducing work-related fatigue or stress
• Achieving work-life balance
• Further improving an already satisfying professional life
• Facing retirement, etc.

But how does a coach manage to support their client’s professional development and help them overcome difficulties? The process is always based on the general principles of coaching. Through appropriate questions, the coach encourages the coachee to conduct a structured analysis of their concerns, aiming, among other things, to create insights that contribute to a better understanding of themselves, their work environment, and the labor market. As a result, the goals set by the coachee become more realistic and achievable.

For example, identifying and developing specific skills becomes easier, while an extensive assessment of material and human resources related to achieving a professional goal can open up new opportunities. Various tools and methods allow the coach to tailor their approach to the coachee and the specific issue at hand.