Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers common questions about career coaching, including what it is, who it helps, and how virtual coaching works.
What is career coaching?
Career coaching is a structured, collaborative process that helps individuals gain clarity, make informed decisions, and take intentional action in their careers. It focuses on forward-looking goals such as career direction, job transitions, professional growth, and confidence-building rather than diagnosing or treating mental health conditions.
What types of assessments does Career Coordinates offer?
Career Coordinates offers assessment-based coaching using several validated instruments, including the EQ-i 2.0 (emotional intelligence), Pigment (strengths and working style), VIA Character Strengths (values and purpose), and DiSC (behavioral style). All assessments are paired with at least one coaching session and are administered or facilitated by a certified professional. Assessment packages are available on the Professional Development Lab at learning.careercoordinates.coach.
What is EQ-i 2.0 coaching and who is it for?
The EQ-i 2.0 is one of the most extensively researched emotional intelligence assessments in the world, published by Multi-Health Systems. At Career Coordinates, it is administered by an EQ-i 2.0 Certified coach and paired with a debrief session or a full coaching package. It is especially valuable for professionals navigating leadership challenges, workplace relationships, career transitions, or anyone who wants a research-backed picture of how their emotional intelligence is shaping their professional life.
Does Career Coordinates offer coaching for people with ADHD?
Yes. Career Coordinates offers career-focused coaching for individuals with ADHD, addressing challenges such as job searching, workplace strategies, career planning, and professional goal setting. This coaching is offered from a career and professional development perspective and is not a clinical or therapeutic service.
Who benefits from career coaching?
Career coaching can be helpful for professionals who feel stuck, uncertain, or dissatisfied in their work, as well as those navigating career transitions, job searches, leadership growth, or burnout. It is especially useful for people who are capable and motivated but want clarity, structure, and accountability.
What are the benefits of career coaching?
Career coaching can help individuals clarify goals, identify strengths, improve decision-making, and take aligned action. Many people experience increased confidence, reduced stress, better outcomes, and a clearer sense of direction after working with a career coach.
How is career coaching different from therapy?
Career coaching focuses on professional goals, decision-making, and future-oriented action. Therapy typically addresses mental health, emotional processing, and healing from past experiences. Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and is not a substitute for therapy.
How is career coaching different from mentoring?
Mentoring often involves advice from someone with experience in a specific field or role. Career coaching focuses less on advice and more on helping clients think critically, explore options, and make decisions that align with their values, strengths, and goals.
What is virtual career coaching?
Virtual career coaching is career coaching delivered through online platforms such as video calls, shared documents, and digital tools. It allows clients to work with a coach regardless of location and provides flexibility while maintaining the same level of structure and support as in-person coaching.
Is virtual career coaching effective?
Yes. Virtual career coaching can be highly effective, especially when combined with structured exercises, reflection, and accountability. Many professionals prefer virtual coaching because it fits easily into their schedules and allows access to specialized support.
What kinds of career challenges can coaching help with?
Career coaching can support challenges such as career transitions, job searching, resume and interview preparation, professional growth, burnout, career decision-making, and navigating uncertainty or change at work.
Do I need to be actively job searching to benefit from career coaching?
No. Career coaching is valuable both for people actively seeking new roles and for those who are exploring options, feeling stuck, or trying to grow within their current roles. Coaching can help clarify next steps even when no immediate job change is planned.
How does the career coaching process usually work?
Career coaching typically involves goal-setting, reflection, structured exercises, and ongoing conversations designed to build clarity and momentum. The process is collaborative and adapts to the client’s needs, pace, and goals rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula.
How long does career coaching take?
The length of coaching varies depending on individual goals and circumstances. Some people benefit from short-term coaching focused on a specific challenge, while others engage in longer-term coaching for ongoing professional development and growth.
Is career coaching only for early-career professionals?
No. Career coaching can be valuable at many stages, including early career, mid-career transitions, leadership development, and later-career reflection. Each stage presents different questions and challenges that coaching can help address.
How do learning programs fit into career coaching?
Structured learning programs can complement coaching by providing tools, frameworks, and guided exercises. Many people benefit from a combination of self-paced learning and coaching conversations to deepen insight and support action.
How do I know if career coaching is right for me?
Career coaching may be a good fit if you are feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for change but unsure how to move forward. A short conversation or introductory session can help determine whether coaching or another type of support would be most useful.
Does Career Coordinates work with neurodivergent professionals?
Yes. Career Coordinates works with individuals with ADHD and other neurodivergent traits navigating workplace challenges, career decisions, and professional growth. Coaching is career-focused and practical, not clinical.
What assessments does Career Coordinates use?
Career Coordinates offers EQ-i 2.0 and EQ360 emotional intelligence assessments, Pigment strengths and working style assessment, VIA Character Strengths, and DiSC behavioral style. All assessments are paired with at least one coaching session and selected based on your goals.
Does Career Coordinates work with businesses and organizations?
Yes. Career Coordinates provides professional development training, workshop design, needs assessments, and assessment-based coaching for small businesses, nonprofits, school districts, and other organizations. Services are customized through a consultation and proposal process.
Where is Career Coordinates located and do you offer virtual coaching?
Career Coordinates is located at 2921 Landmark Place, Suite 215 in Madison, Wisconsin. Virtual coaching via Microsoft Teams is available to clients throughout the United States.
How much does career coaching cost at Career Coordinates?
A free 30-minute consultation is available to all prospective clients. Individual sessions are $200, with discounted rates built into coaching packages. Packages range from $295 for focused 2-session sprints to $1,200 for a 6-session accountability coaching engagement. Assessment packages range from $249 to $699 and include both the assessment and coaching sessions.
How does Career Coordinates typically engage with organizations?
Organizational engagements start with a free consultation to understand your goals, team dynamics, and budget. From there, Career Coordinates develops a customized proposal that may include needs assessment, workshop design and facilitation, assessment-based coaching, or a combination. There is no one-size-fits-all package for organizational work.
What size organizations does Career Coordinates work with?
Career Coordinates works with a wide range of organizations including small businesses, nonprofits, school districts, and larger institutions. Services are designed to be flexible and budget-conscious, making professional development accessible without requiring a full internal training department.
For more on coaching offers and learning, visit the Professional Development Lab