6 Signs It’s Time to Work with a Career Coach
4/15/25
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job, questioned your career path, or hit a plateau in your leadership growth, you’re not alone. Knowing when to hire a career coach can make a meaningful difference in your professional life.
For professionals in high-pressure fields like tech, finance, and consulting, there is often an unspoken expectation to figure things out independently. When the next step is unclear or decisions feel overwhelming, career coaching can provide the clarity and structure you need to move forward with purpose.
As a Career Coach in Denver with a background in Counseling Psychology, I work with clients across the country who are navigating transitions, building leadership skills, or seeking more fulfillment at work. I am also a trained therapist who specializes in career counseling. This means I help clients explore both the strategic and emotional sides of change, so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Sign 1: You Feel Stuck in Your Role, and You’re Unsure What Comes Next
You’ve checked the boxes, gained experience, and may have even advanced in your company. On paper, things look fine. Internally, though, something feels off. You might feel disengaged, unmotivated, or restless. It’s difficult to describe, but you know this isn’t it.
Many professionals outgrow their roles long before they take action. Without a clear sense of direction, it’s easy to stay where things are comfortable, even when it no longer feels right.
Career coaching can help you:
Clarify what kind of growth you are seeking now
Explore new roles or industries that align with your values
Reconnect with your strengths and long-term goals
Create a plan that is thoughtful, not reactive
It’s common to feel uncertain during periods of growth. A coach helps you pause, assess, and move forward with clarity.
Sign 2: You’re Considering a Career Change and Don’t Know Where to Start
You’ve built a strong reputation in one field, but now you’re wondering if it still fits. Perhaps you feel burned out. Perhaps your priorities have changed. You might have a long-standing interest or skill you’ve never had the space to pursue until now.
Considering a career change is not just a professional decision. It often raises questions around identity, confidence, and what success looks like at this stage in your life.
Career coaching provides support as you:
Evaluate whether a pivot is the right move
Identify transferable skills and build a compelling narrative
Navigate emotional hurdles like fear, self-doubt, or pressure
Take intentional steps toward a new path
Career changes can feel deeply personal. My counseling background allows me to help clients address both the mindset and the mechanics of change. That includes emotional readiness and practical strategy. You can explore more about Career Coaching and Career Counseling here.
Sign 3: You Want to Grow as a Leader but Feel Stalled
You are in a leadership role, or moving toward one, and the expectations have shifted. What used to work is no longer enough. You are managing more complexity, navigating internal politics, or feeling pressure to show up with greater confidence and clarity.
You know you are capable, but something is getting in the way of your next level of growth.
Career coaching can support you as you:
Strengthen your executive presence and leadership voice
Navigate feedback, performance expectations, or organizational dynamics
Identify what kind of leader you want to be, not just how to perform
Develop emotional intelligence and resilience
Even the most experienced professionals need space to reflect, recalibrate, and grow. Executive coaching gives you that space while also helping you turn insight into action.
Sign 4: You Are Questioning Whether Your Work Still Aligns with Your Values
Your job may look successful from the outside, but inside you are wondering if it still fits. You may feel disconnected from your purpose or unsure how your work contributes to something meaningful. This feeling can surface quietly, often after a big life change, a promotion, or a season of burnout.
You do not need a full reinvention to reconnect with what matters. Sometimes small shifts make a big difference.
Career coaching can help you:
Reflect on what success looks like now
Explore how your values show up in your current or future role
Realign your work with your energy, priorities, and long-term goals
Build a career path that feels more sustainable and grounded
It is possible to find renewed meaning in your work, even if the title or industry stays the same.
Sign 5: You Are Facing a Major Career Transition
Whether you’re moving from a technical role to a management position, stepping into a new industry, or navigating a career after a significant life event, major transitions bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
These personal transitions might include getting married, becoming a parent, going through a divorce, relocating, or returning to work after time away. Even if you have the skills and experience for the next step, the emotional and strategic aspects of change can feel overwhelming. You want to move forward with confidence, without second-guessing your decisions.
Career coaching can assist you by:
Helping you build a clear vision of your post-transition path
Navigating the emotional adjustments that come with significant change
Creating a plan to build new skills or strategies for success
Reframing potential setbacks as growth opportunities
Transitions can be one of the most challenging periods in your career, but they are also full of potential. A coach can help you manage that tension and make sure you’re setting yourself up for success long-term.
Sign 6: You Feel Lost in Your Job Search and Need Direction
Job hunting can feel like a full-time job in itself. You’ve tailored your resume, submitted countless applications, and networked until you’re exhausted. Still, you’re not getting the results you expect. You’re wondering what’s missing.
Job searches often fail because candidates don’t fully understand how to market themselves, how to stand out, or how to position their experience for success in today’s competitive landscape.
Career coaching can help you:
Tailor your resume, LinkedIn profile, and application materials to highlight what’s most relevant
Understand how to communicate your value proposition in interviews
Develop networking strategies to connect with the right people
Overcome self-doubt and maintain motivation through the search
A career coach can help you reframe your job search and ensure that you're presenting yourself in the most compelling way possible. With the right strategies, your job search can become a more focused, productive experience.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re facing career stagnation, considering a shift, or navigating a complex job search, a career coach can help you clarify your goals, overcome obstacles, and confidently take the next steps in your professional journey. As both a therapist and career coach, I understand the importance of addressing both the emotional and strategic aspects of career development, allowing you to thrive in both the workplace and beyond.
If any of these signs resonate with you, it might be time to explore how career coaching can guide you toward a more fulfilling career. You can book a free 15 minute consultation to explore if this is a fit for you.