Rant: I spent $800 on a career coach and it was a total waste

Everyone says you need a coach to get ahead, but mine gave me generic advice I could find online. We did six sessions over two months and all she did was tell me to 'network more' and 'update my LinkedIn'. I'm a graphic designer trying to move into UX, and she had zero specific tips for my portfolio. The final straw was her telling me to just apply to more jobs, which I was already doing. Has anyone actually gotten real, actionable help from one of these services, or is it all hype?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_shah1mo ago

My old mentor in web design spent an hour just critiquing my button placements on one project... that kind of nitty-gritty feedback is what actually moves the needle. A general coach can't do that because they don't know the field's small, specific problems.

charles_mitchell1mo ago

Found a mentor in my field instead of a general coach, made all the difference. They gave me specific feedback on my actual projects and introduced me to people. Way better than paying for vague advice.

karen3611mo ago

Last year I tried a career coach who charged a lot for pretty general tips. What you said about a mentor in your field, @charles_mitchell, hits home. They know the real problems you face because they've been there. That specific feedback on actual work is gold, and the right connections are everything. It just makes so much more sense than getting broad advice from someone outside the industry.