The type of coaching that an individual is expected to perform determines the job coach’s responsibilities. If a person works as a job coach for a government or private organization that aims to help people enter or reenter the workforce, he may be responsible for assisting his clients in finding and keeping gainful employment. Some coaches, on the other hand, help people advance in their current careers or change careers entirely. In such cases, the job coach may focus on mentoring, motivation, and accountability for the client.
Many social service organizations are dedicated to helping clients find meaningful employment. This can be difficult in some cases, as clients may have disabilities that make it difficult to find and keep work. Some clients may have criminal records or be attempting to return to work after a long illness or period of caring for family members. A job coach hired by a social service agency to help these potential workers might start by conducting an assessment to determine the client’s skills, abilities, and challenges.
After the coach has gained a thorough understanding of his client’s requirements and potential, he can begin assisting her in finding work. A social service agency may have a partnership with various work programs that can make the hiring process go more smoothly in some cases. In some cases, the job coach may be required to assist the client in reviewing help-wanted ads and interview preparation.
Once the client has a job, a job coach continues to work with him to ensure that he understands his responsibilities and is capable of performing them to the employer’s standards. If the client is new to the working world, the job coach can offer advice if the client becomes frustrated or confused by the situations he encounters. When a client’s disability, such as a mental illness, begins to cause problems on the job, the coach can assist him in developing symptom-management strategies. A job coach may also serve as a liaison between an employer and a client, assisting both parties in resolving issues that could jeopardize the client’s job security.
Many of the tasks performed by freelance job coaches who help people get the most out of their jobs or find a job that suits them are similar to those performed by social service agencies. To determine a client’s personality and aptitudes, these coaches may ask them to take a variety of assessment tests. Client resumes will be reviewed and corrected, and clients will be guided through the application and interview process by coaches. The coach will also hold the client accountable for following through on his job search and career plans by helping him set goals, such as making a certain number of job contacts per day.