Job search coaching put to the test – Concrete feedback and personal career discussions
Article
Topics
- Competence development
- Job seeking
- Member benefit
Job search coaching may sound like a bunch of boring slides – or an excellent opportunity to take control of your job search. I tested the Redi coaching program, which is available to all YTK Worklife members, to see which is closer to the truth. For example, I received very concrete advice on how to improve my CV and had an interesting discussion about my career.
1. Easy to get started – The coach contacts me
The coaching begins immediately with a personal touch. When I log in for the first time to the Redi online service provided by Cimson Koulutuspalvelut, I soon receive a message from my coach, Mervi. If I want, I can complete the coaching program entirely on my own, but there is also an option for about an hour of joint coaching time with her. She promises to contact me by phone soon so that we can discuss the future.
The next day, my phone rings. Mervi and I chat for a while about my wishes, needs, and thoughts regarding the coaching. I tell her that I would particularly like feedback on my CV and job applications. I am also interested in video applications or interviews. It would also be nice to discuss the possible directions of my own winding career path.
Based on this, we agree on a time for a 60-minute coaching session together. In addition, Mervi points out sections of the coaching service that I should go through before our Teams session. I also need to upload my CV and job application to the service if I want feedback on them.
2. Independent discovery at your own pace
I am delighted that the Redi online service allows you to explore the materials at your own pace. The coaching is structured as a clear path from job search planning to job search channels, from identifying your skills to search tools, and finally to career planning.
However, you don’t have to go through the entire path or in order, which is a good thing because there is a lot of material. Going through it systematically might seem like a daunting task at first glance.
I start with the sections Mervi recommended. I watch short 2–10 minute video clips, explore the websites linked to them, and do the exercises. Among other things, I have to think about the job search channels I use and reflect on my own strengths.
The individual tasks and videos are quick to go through, but if I do too many of them in a row, I start to lose focus. So I work through the sections of the training throughout the day, whenever I’m on the computer anyway. It’s easy to navigate the Redi training program. I can go to the section I last left off, skip ahead, or go back.
The materials don’t contain anything “totally new and surprising” for me, but they serve as an excellent reminder and wake-up call. In reality, I am not actively looking for work at the moment, but if I were, the training would have given me lots of ideas for finding hidden jobs – which account for almost 70% of jobs these days. The task of identifying my skills makes me stop and think about my work personality.
Why should you try coaching?
- Genuine feedback from an unbiased source
It is rare to receive direct feedback on your CV or job application. Unfortunately, these important documents are often only seen by recruiters, i.e., the people to whom you send them. Unfortunately, they rarely have the time or interest to provide constructive feedback. You will often receive encouraging feedback from your friends and family, but the most useful feedback comes from an expert job search coach. - Concrete and targeted tips
If you already have specific jobs in mind, you can ask your job coach to focus on these applications. In this case, you can work together to tailor your resume and application to these specific jobs and even do job interview exercises in advance! - New insights and ideas
When looking for a job, it is easy to get stuck in familiar habits and ways of thinking. Job search coaching helps you see things from new perspectives. You can gain new insights into your skills and, for example, how to find hidden job opportunities. - Support and motivation
It is completely normal to feel frustrated when looking for a job. You may send out numerous applications without receiving any replies. Or perhaps you get called in for many interviews, but still don’t get the job. A job search coach understands the challenges of job hunting and reminds you that it’s not your fault and that you are not alone. - Benefits for everyone
Participating in coaching is beneficial at all stages of job hunting, regardless of your field or profession. If possible, it is a good idea to start coaching right at the beginning of your job search to get it off to a smooth start. A separate coaching path has also been created for students and those starting their careers.
3. Materials ready for the coach
A few days before our scheduled coaching session, I upload my CV and application text to the system. This time, I will use my old, authentic documents from a few years ago. The Redi program also offers many ready-made CV and application templates. I will also do a video interview exercise, in which I will record my video answers to a few questions in the program.
Mervi has promised to go through all my material and give me feedback. This feels exciting, as I have hardly ever received concrete feedback on my CV or job application. The only feedback I have received has been “thank you, but you were not selected” or I have progressed to an interview.
4. Personal discussion with the coach
At the agreed time, I log into the Teams meeting sent by Mervi. It feels nice to see Mervi face to face. At my request, we start the session by going through the materials.
I receive very specific feedback on my CV and advice on how to improve it, such as:
- The template is one of Canva’s ready-made templates. It would be good to change at least the colors so that it doesn’t look exactly the same. Perhaps they could be changed to the colors of the organization I applied to?
- My photo is memorable. It is personal and positive, yet professional.
- The words describing my skills are basic and general terms. This is good, because especially in large organizations, CVs are often first screened using keywords, and if the right keywords are missing, you may be eliminated from consideration.
- I should add a short and concise summary or slogan at the beginning of my CV. Something that gives a quick overview of who I am.
Mervi reminds us that CVs may only be glanced at for a few seconds the first time around. So it matters a lot what catches the eye: what’s in the headlines, what comes first, what’s in bold?
For the application text, I have deliberately chosen a very personal application that I sent at the time. I didn’t get the job at the time, but I received special praise for my application. Now I wanted to hear what an expert thought about it.
Mervi also thinks that my cover letter is more successful than my CV, as it conveys my personality. The style of the text differs from typical application texts, but the position I am applying for is well taken into account and it arouses interest. Mervi thinks it could be even more forward-looking: how could I be of benefit to organizations? Why should they choose me?
We also go through my video interview answers. Mervi thinks they are quite natural and relaxed, but they could use a few little hooks and catchphrases. Answers that are less than a minute long should be able to pique the listener’s interest and be memorable. One good way to do this is to give concrete examples instead of just talking about yourself and what you do.
5. Looking ahead to the future of work
We use the latter half of the joint guidance session for informal career guidance. This is, of course, influenced somewhat by the fact that I am currently quite satisfied with my current working life and am not really thinking about a change – but at the same time, I am aware that the changes brought about by artificial intelligence will probably also have a significant impact on my job opportunities.
Mervi and I discuss how and in what direction artificial intelligence may change working life and in what direction I could take my own diverse career.
Mervi also reminds us how artificial intelligence can be an excellent aid in job hunting. She does not mean writing your own application texts with the help of ChatGPT, as many people do nowadays and recruiters can easily recognize.
However, artificial intelligence can be used as an excellent sparring partner. You can use it to polish your applications, prepare for interviews, or even ask for ideas on new ways to find hidden job opportunities.
Personally, though, I much preferred the hour-long coaching session with Mervi on Teams to the one with AI. The feedback and discussion I got from Mervi was pleasantly human, yet appropriately critical and constructive.