Book Review of Career Coaching: An Insider’s Guide – Third Edition by Marcia Bench

Book Review of “Career Coaching:  An Insider’s Guide – Third Edition” by Marcia Bench

Review written by Cathy Liska, CMC, ACC

This book addresses career coaching as a niche in the coaching world.

Summary – The chapters of the book include:

Part One: The Practice of Career Coaching

1. Getting Started in Career Coaching: What It Is and Is Not
2. Ethical Considerations in Coaching

Part Two: The Authentic Vocation^TM Model of Career Design

3. Overview of Authentic Vocation: Blending Passion & Pocketbook in an Ideal Job
4. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 1: Life Purpose
5. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 2: Values at Work
6. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 3: Motivators and Interests
7. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 4: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
8. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 5: Work and Other Experience
9. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 6: Job / Career Targets
10. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 7: Work Environment
11. Authentic Vocation^TM Factor 8: Business Reality

Part Three: QuantumShift!^TM Coaching Principles

12. The QuantumShift!^TM Coaching Model: Getting to Aha
13. Three Core Coaching Competencies: the 3 “E’s” of Successful Coaching
14. Level 1 Coaching: Changing Performance and Behavior for the Better
15. Level 1 Coaching: Honing in on Beliefs, Perspective, and Motivation
16. Level 1 Coaching: Shifting Personal Identity for Lasting Change
17. The Role of Intuition and Deep Listening in Coaching
18. Advanced Coaching Skills

Part Four: Job Search Mechanics

19. Succeeding at the Job Search: Developing a Marketing Plan and Using Social Media
20. Tactics for the Published Job Market: Finding Jobs with Ads, Recruiters, and the Internet
21. Accessing the Unpublished Job Market: Using Networking, Search Engines, and Proactive Strategies to Reveal Hidden Opportunities
22. Resume Design Secrets: Developing the Client’s Personal Brand and Highlighting Their Most Marketable Attributes
23. Interviewing Strategies That Get the Job
24. Evaluating Job Offers: Wants Versus Needs
25. Negotiating the Optimum Compensation Package

Conclusion

Part Five: The Career Coach’s Toolbox

Toolbox Contents

Appendix 1: Frequently Asked Questions About Career Coaching

Appendix 2: International Coaching Federation Coaching Core Competencies

Appendix 3: Starting a Career Development Initiative at Your Company

The Good: This provides an excellent overview of coaching, career coaching, differences in roles, plus great subject matter expertise in the area of careers.

The Bad: It is heavily invested in the program of the author – which completely makes sense – and this means it includes a focus on marketing.

Conclusion: There is room for more role clarity and stronger ethics, definitely great insight and a worthwhile read.