What does a life coach do?

Life coaches are equipped to help their clients work through obstacles to achieve specific goals regarding their personal or professional goals. Through a process of discussion, life coaches are able to help clients identify the issues that are impeding their growth and development in order to devise strategies for overcoming them. Life coaches act as a support system for dealing with general life or business goals; if a client is suffering from mental illness, trauma or other serious problems, coach will refer them to a qualified mental health professional for assessment. What makes a life coach an effective partner in goal setting is the tailored advice, support and accountability they provide to their client, becoming an important source of motivation and improving their self-esteem.

Tasks:

  • Communicate with clients and listen to their concerns
  • Assess the suitability of a client to coaching
  • Provide assistance with and strategies for goal setting
  • Conduct regular meetings with clients

What skills do I need to be a life coach?

Life coaching requires patience, understanding, and the ability to listen. This is a collaborative profession in which the goals of the client are identified and revised throughout the process by the coach and client together. You’ll need to be an excellent communicator, both face-to-face or over the phone, with an empathetic understanding for others. It’s important to be motivated and confident in your role as a life coach, after all, this is what clients are seeking for themselves. At it’s core, life coaching is about empowering clients to achieve; if you love helping others and boosting self-esteem, you have a chance to succeed in this highly-competitive profession.

Skills/attributes
  • Patient and diligent
  • Personally and professionally motivated
  • Ability to communicate articulately
  • Understanding listener
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Specialisations

The skills acquire as a life coach would put you in good position to pursue further study in human behaviour, counselling and other people-focussed disciplines. With the right accreditation and experience, your life coaching skills can take you in a number of different directions.

Psychologist

A qualified psychologist is able to assist patients presenting with mental illness, stress, trauma and other serious psychological or emotional issues affecting their behaviour and wellbeing. A psychologist develops strategies to help their patients maintain and achieve a healthier outlook on life.

Counsellor

Counsellors work in a wide range of environments and aim to help their clients tackle personal problems surrounding their mental health, relationships and lifestyle problems, to name just a few. Counsellors work in liaison with other health practitioners to ensure the wellbeing of their clients.

Social Workers

Social workers deal specifically with individuals who are perceived to be at a disadvantage compared to their peers. Social workers deal with individuals and community groups with the aim of helping them achieve goals and maintain a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Study pathways for life coaches

While life coaching is an unregulated industry, earning a relevant qualification will allow you to attract clients and command a higher rate than those operating without a recognised qualification. It is likely that regulations will catch up to the popularity of life coaching and recognised qualifications will be a future requirement for those practicing as life coaches.

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Getting Started

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Skill Building

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Professional Development

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Industry Recognition

Registering with a professional body on completion of your studies will help you improve your employment prospects and professional recognition

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Getting a job after graduation

Put your training to good use and get the best professional head start in your life coaching career. Emphasise your personal strengths and achievements in your resume and target your cover letter to the job description listed.

Job Prospects and Salaries

As it is such a new discipline, very little data exists on the job prospects of life coaches. Anecdotally, there appears to be an increased interest in life coaching services provided by qualified individuals

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