Career Coaching fees are more in the $250-500/month range to work with an individual. $1000 is more of what a coach would charge a corporation.

When I read this I thought the fees for career coaching were high so I checked by doing a search for certified coaches with focus in careers at Coach Training Institute, a large and well respected school. There were well over 1,000 listed and a quick scan confirmed my intuition about fees.

I’m a certified coach myself, as well as a career and small business consultant, and I know many other professionals in the field. Many work on a sliding scale and/or save a number of slots at lower fees for people who are lower income.

Also, you’ll find career assistance at non-profit agencies on a sliding scale (that can slide lower) as well as through private practitioners. There are also job search support groups at churches and many other locations.

Best wishes on your searches.

Therefore, when you cut costs – you need to consider the Return on Investment. Even though it is more difficult in these times, it is worth it to cut back on other things (if you can) to be able to afford professional help. The costs, versus the potential rewards are reasonable.

For example, like Jason, I didn’t feel that I needed career counseling; and I had access to free job search coaching. I have a friend who did pay for those services because they were what she really needed, and she was very happy with the results. For me those were not priorities, but clothes were, as was travel to interviews, and I also felt like paying for the pro version of JibberJobber was a very worthwhile expense. I did not end up using a professional resume writing service, but in honestly, if it was to do over again I probably would because this $500 might save me a few weeks of tinkering and help me target better. It all depends what you need.

As I tell people, as a Computer Consultant/ Technology Guru, I am unemployed every morning. I am continually looking for a “job” to do.

You’ve made me want to see how your numbers align with what I spend looking for my next “job”.

Thanks for giving me something to think about.

Marc

Tally up your monthly expenses that you’d have to pay if you lost your job, and then add the expenses for the job search. That would be your savings cushion you should be saving for.

I didn’t pay for job coaching, career counseling or virtual assistant because I had access to free help, nor did I pay for job boards. But I did have a budget for other resources, such as books on job search, career development, specific tools, business cards, letterhead, thank-you cards, etc. I would guess that it’s hard to get under $200 and can go much higher; I’d suggest $250-$500 total budget, or maybe $150 start-up and $50 a month after.

Your estimate of in-town travel for networking and interviews is probably a low-ball estimate for most large urban areas. Parking alone can really ratchet up that total. Out-of-town travel is a toss-up: if one is paying out of pocket, than that’s an underestimation; but for me it was pretty good because potential employers paid for the bulk of expenses.