Job Coach

Education and Training: Graduation
Average Salary: $53,380
Job Outlook: Good

A job coach is a professional who provides career counseling and guidance to job seekers. They work with people to decide what career path is appropriate for them. Job coaches also conduct career assessments, give job hunting advice, offer tips, and train a person for the work. They also help an individual update his resume, cover letters, and guide them in preparing for an interview.
It is the responsibility of a job coach to identify the skills and interest areas of the clients, and then guide them towards possible job openings. A job coach is also responsible for making the necessary arrangements for job placements and to follow up and provide guidance till the person gets the job. They also help people with mental or physical disabilities find and retain employment.

Some of the duties of the job coach are as follows:

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• To identify, assess and order appropriate information and materials.
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• To organize, classify and store information using computer applications for easy access and retrieval.
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• To help individuals find a job.
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• To assist and guide employees on how to succeed in a job they already have.
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• To help the individual concentrate on the requirements of the job.
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• To guide the employees on how to maximize their talents in the workplace.
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• To check the capabilities and leaning of an individual through various tests. Then guide on the basis of capability, personal concerns, and needs.
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• To help people with disabilities to be successful in the workplace, either by teaching them how to do job functions or demonstrate suitable social behaviors.

Education and Training Requirements

There are no specific courses for getting all the knowledge to become a job coach. This job is open to all graduates, but a degree in librarianship or information science/management is preferred. Job coaches normally have a background in Human Resources, Counseling and Business Recruitment.
There are some courses offered by International Coach Federation like Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC) which are right for this job.
This job requires a lot of interaction with different people of different levels, so a job coach needs to have the skills to deal effectively with all people, using tact, courtesy, and patience. Good organizational and analytical skills will help them to be successful in this job.

Getting the Job

To get the job of a job coach along with the required qualifications, one need to be organized, patient, a good listener, and should have good people skills to make clients comfortable.
Volunteering work at some university or local private careers service will not only add value to your profile but will also provide a practical insight to the range of skills required and actions involved in this job.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job coach employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than average in the 2008-2018 reporting decade. Job Prospects of this job are very good.

Working Conditions and Environment

The working conditions for a job coach involve a normal office environment. They normally work 40 hours a week. Responsibilities may require late evening work or working on the weekends. Management tasks and regular availability to users may lead to average to high stress levels. Traveling may be required, mainly where there are several service sites. However, overseas work or travel is fairly uncommon.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries depend primarily upon the setting they are working in, like in schools, or in a private practice, or working for a company. Salaries also vary with the education, experience, and the geographic location of the job. However, the average annual salary of a job coach in May 2010 was $53,380. The higher 10% earned more than $86,250 annually whereas the lowest 10% earned salary less than $31,630 annually.

Where to Go for More Information

Career Development Institute
Post Office Box 5024
Kendall Park, NJ 08824
(800) 244-6921
http://www.cditraining.org/pages/contact.htm

Career Directors International
1665 Clover Circle
Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 752-0442
http://www.careerdirectors.com/

YouthBuild USA
58 Day St.
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-9900
http://www.youthbuild.org/site/c.htIRI3PIKoG/b.1503835/k.2A65/Contact_Us.htm