Prospective clients looking for a coach may want to try to find someone who understands their line of work. Feeling more comfortable engaging with someone who knows the vocabulary and day-to-day challenges of those in your space or even your specific role makes sense. Or maybe you need a coach whose clients’ goals and experiences closely reflect your own, or one with just the right temperament to guide you along your journey.
If you’re looking for your first coach, lots of factors will affect the success of a future engagement, so there are many angles and aspects to consider to find the right fit for your particular needs. Below, 16 Forbes Coaches Council members offer helpful tips on how to find and vet the right coach for you.
Forbes Coaches Council members explain how to find the ideal coach for your needs.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Set Up ‘Chemistry Sessions’
I believe that although experience and methodologies are important, the best credential is a satisfied customer. Based on this, select two to three coaches and ask each of them for a “chemistry session.” You will know by the end of these sessions who the right person to work with you is. - Fabiana Mariano Green, Lead in Life
2. Ask Centers Of Influence For Recommendations
While some coaching skills are foundational, it can be advantageous to choose a coach with experience in a particular industry. For example, there may be specific industry regulations that could impact the modality and coaching process. To find the best fit, ask centers of influence for a recommendation; have a call with the prospective coach to determine compatibility; evaluate regularly. - Deborah Hightower, Deborah Hightower, Inc.
3. Vet A Coach Based On These Criteria
They should have a minimum of 10 years of experience, a reputable certificate and a recommendation from a person you trust. Consider this question in your final decision: “Does this coach convince me they can get me to my goal in less than six months?” If so, hire them with a smile. - Dr. Jayne Gardner
4. Look For A Proven Track Record And A Roadmap
It is important for your coach to understand where you are headed and to have a proven track record of getting people there. A reputable coach will have a roadmap to help instill a sense of direction and confidence in you for the journey ahead. - Jim Judy, TryFranchising.com
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
5. Do Your Research Using Reputable Databases
Finding a qualified, certified coach who matches your chemistry and meets your desired background is very important. Use reputable databases, such as those of coaching organizations. Do your research—just as you would visit websites such as Zocdoc and Healthgrades to find a doctor, for example. I coach peoples’ relationships to their goals, which doesn’t require me to share a specific background in order for them to achieve success. - Joshua Miller, Joshua Miller Executive Coaching
6. Look At The Coach’s Background, Expertise And Experience
This is a great question, as I am usually asked what type of coaching I provide. Taking a look at the coach’s background before coaching could be helpful. I think chemistry and alignment are essential. However, I find that when the coach has the subject expertise, they can offer the coachee support due to their experience, particularly when it comes to leadership coaching in specific industries. - April Sabral, April Sabral Leadership
7. Ask Your Network For Referrals
When I wanted a coach to help grow my digital marketing business, I asked friends and business contacts to refer coaches they personally worked with. The strong recommendation of an industry peer carries more weight than anything else. Ask your network who they work with and what they love about them. - Krista Neher, Boot Camp Digital
8. Don’t Select A Coach Based On The Reviews Of Others
Avoid simply opting for “well-packaged” coaches with good reviews. Rather, keep an open mind, as many coaches might be good for others but not the right fit for you. Consider exploring your budget and also have a chemistry call to see if you vibe with the coach. Coaching is such an intimate process that you need to feel connected with the coach. Connection and comfort in communication are vital for success. - Jedidiah Alex Koh, Coaching Changes Lives
9. Read Up On Prospective Coaches
Clients should do their research! Read materials, bios and testimonials of a prospective coach. Reach out to current colleagues for referrals. Watch video content from the coach to glean whether it’s a match for energy and style and have a conversation. Having a community of peers who walk a similar journey led by an effective coach can serve as another vehicle for accountability and momentum. - Lisa Marie Platske, Upside Thinking, Inc.
10. Sample A Coach’s Ideas Via Thought Leadership
In pro services, buyers of coaching services really want two things: great ideas to address their goals and a willingness from a coach to deeply understand their needs and develop a custom program. So I recommend that prospective coaching clients sample ideas via thought leadership. Then, look for an approach to service delivery that is structured but also flexible. Our best clients research us. - Randy Shattuck, The Shattuck Group
11. Know The Difference Between Coaching And Consulting
It is essential to make a distinction between coaching and consulting in this context. It is not required that coaches have extensive knowledge in the fields in which they coach. Instead, they need to have the bare minimum of information necessary to have a productive conversation with the client. The coach ought to be objective and should steer clear of offering answers to issues that arise. - Nabil Bouassaba, Ai 4 Ei
12. Interview Organizational Coaches In Advance
Do your research! Look them up, shop around and see what’s out there. Ask for referrals and/or client lists. Interview the coaches to see how they like to work and what approach they can work with. Are their goals, objectives, working style and pricing aligned with the needs and possibilities of the organization looking for coaches? - Michele Cohen, Lead to Growth Coaching
13. Check Out Videos Or Talks The Coach Has Posted Online
One easy way for clients to discover if they feel aligned with a particular coach is by checking out videos or talks that the coach has posted online. There is nothing like both verbal and nonverbal communication to get a sense of alignment and resonance. Even with a fit in terms of the coach’s résumé, without a connection between coach and client, the relationship won’t be set up for success. - Abe Brown, Certified Flourishing Coaching
14. Call Professional Organizations For A Referral
As a niched career coach for lawyers, I think, if possible, clients should work with someone in their professional space who will know the issues and speak the same language. Calling a professional organization (in my case, a bar association) for a referral, simply Googling or searching LinkedIn for coaches with similar backgrounds (an MBA, for example), are ways to find a coach who shares an affinity. - Kathy Morris, Under Advisement, Ltd.
15. Look For People Who Are Where You Would Like To Go
It is incredibly important that the coach exemplifies what you would like to achieve. So the proof of concept is crucial. Furthermore, it is important to distinguish whether it should be coaching or mentoring. In coaching, the coach helps with self-knowledge; in mentoring, there are concrete tips and shortcuts. Therefore, look for people who are where you would like to go and contact them. - Björn Schnare, Xperience International GmbH (by Tobias Beck)
16. Seek Industry Knowledge If You Have Industry-Specific Goals
Industry knowledge can be essential in helping a client achieve their goals. A coach's experience within the industry is useful in creating one's own career and development pathway. If your goals are specific to the industry, a familiar coach can help lay the groundwork for your success by recommending tried-and-true methods and not theoretical instructions. - Jarret Patton, DoctorJarret PLLC
