Braxton Taylor
Your dog called me. Luna is super worried about you, Job Seeker. She says you are scrolling on your phone endlessly. That you get lost down rabbit holes on job boards without ever coming up with a rabbit. She says you stare into her big brown eyes and ask her for advice. Here it is: She wants you to hire a career coach.
It’s an excellent plan, even if it did come from your dog. Hiring a career coach or consultant is a much better strategy than Googling “How to get a job.” It’s a better option than posting a question on Reddit. Or working on “manifesting” your next job with your magnificent brain powers.
As the transition master coach for Military.com’s Veteran Employment Project, I admit I am a little biased toward coaching. because I know a lot of coaches. Not only do they work on the problems of the job hunt every day with all kinds of workers, but they also have laser vision when it comes to what is going wrong with your job hunt–especially for transitioning military members, their spouses and veterans.
In many instances, a career coach can cut months out of your job hunt and get you back on target. Here are five signs your job hunt warrants a career coach:
1. Federal Employment Was Your Backup Plan Post-Military
Just last year, federal employment was the backup plan our users cited most often. New veterans were definitely interested in corporate America but had a huge network in the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs. No wonder. The federal government is the largest employer of veterans in the country.
As the Trump administration proceeds with its plan to slash the size of the federal workforce, layoffs, plus a federal hiring freeze, can put a chill on your plans. A career coach can look at your experience and help you put together a solution that works in the new world order. You can also take our free master class right now: Federal Employment: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do.
2. You Got Fired, Laid Off or Terminated in 2025
In addition to federal layoffs, U.S. employers announced as many as 172,017 job cuts in February, according to a new report from Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an executive coaching firm — the highest monthly total since July 2020. This follows two years of job cuts across industries including manufacturing, technology retail, finance and media.
Even if the employer said you were fired for “poor performance,” no one really believes that this year, Job Seeker. But your brain is probably frantically searching for evidence that everything is all your fault. (Your dog assures me this is not true, and you should share the Cheetos before things get out of control.)
Talk to a career coach or a therapist. Many career coaches are offering free coaching hours to federal employees. Getting your thoughts in order is an essential part of the job hunt in 2025.
3. You Are Not Sure What Is Next for You
Your friends all seem to know what they should do after the military. They are sure they should take their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and go back to school. Or their brother-in-law’s girlfriend’s yoga partner has a job for them at Facebook. Or they know that they want to be a dentist. Your dog hates those people.
If you do not have a clear path ahead, a career coach can help you sort through the options in a competitive job market so you can stand out from other candidates, land the job offer and feel confident about your choices and get the right job.
4. You Aren’t Sure You Want to Keep What You Have
You don’t really need a job right now. Your job is fine. Boring, but fine. And your boss is OK, but does not see your leadership potential shining through. Job dissatisfaction does not stop just because threats of a recession loom.
If you are unhappy on the job or work on a dysfunctional team, a career coach can help you create a structured plan with clear milestones and deadlines. This can help make sure you are proactive and consistent in your efforts, even on days that are so discouraging, your dog cannot help. Regular check-ins with your coach can provide an opportunity to review progress, adjust strategies as needed and stay on track toward achieving your career objectives.
5. Your Job Is Going Away, but You Are Too Young to Retire
Concerns around age discrimination on the job are valid, according to past AARP research. Almost two-thirds of workers age 50-plus reported seeing or experiencing age discrimination in their work settings. And three quarters of older Americans think their age is a barrier to getting hired.
Hiring a job coach in your 50s or 60s can be a game-changer. A career coach can help with crafting your value proposition, navigating career transitions, staying current with market trends, identifying relevant certifications and alternate career paths, engaging in entrepreneurial opportunities, filling knowledge gaps and boosting your confidence. Getting the right combination of paid work, pleasant work, meaningful work and leisure is essential at this stage of life.
Wherever you are in the job search, there is no need to go at it alone. A career coach can be a huge help to you on the path to your next high-impact job.
Find the Right Veteran Job
Whether you want to polish your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
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