Not all job seekers need a career coach. If you already have headhunters calling you with job leads, you're probably OK on your own. Here are some situations were job seekers could benefit from expertise of a career coach: 1) changing industries, 2) moving into management, 3) changing functional roles (like accounting to sales), 4) relocation to a new area, 5) unstable work history, 6) been with same company for many years, 7) over or under qualified, 8) over 50, or 9) lack confidence in your salary negotiation skills. Another way to tell if you need a career coach is lack of positive results. If you aren't getting responses from your resume postings or you aren't getting called back for second interviews, a career coach could most likely help you improve your skills and get your campaign moving forward.

If you decide to invest in a career coach, here are a few things you'll want to look for. A career coach should be an expert in field of career management. Ask about their background and how they stay abreast of national employment trends. A career coach should understand employer buyer motivations. Ask if they' ve ever sat in hiring seat. A career coach must be a good listener. If he/she talks more than listens, your objectives won 't be heard or understood.

Like athlete running a race, your job search is a competitive event. Prepare to win first place in your job search. As every runner knows, second place doesn't take home prize.

2 Be other person

Revisit conversation again only this time cycle through it as if you were other person. Imagine what it was like to be there looking at you and listening to you. You are now walking in their shoes so as to get a close up look at what it is like to deal with you.

You may find that you spot reasons why conversation did not go as well as you would have liked.

3 Ask yourself - how did I get result I achieved?

In this stage of process you put responsibility on your shoulders alone for outcome of conversation. Blaming others will not help you to think creatively for solutions and ways to better your conversational skills.

Revisit that conversation one more time as neutral observer and one time as other person. In each case look for answer to question: how did I get this result? Then ask yourself: what could I do differently to get what I really want?

You will discover ways to change your approach that can dramatically improve how you communicate when it matters most.

By using this approach I often spot opportunities to use more emphasis on key points and value of being enthusiastic when I want someone to consider my opinion. At other times I notice that I could listen more carefully instead of just getting carried away with my own agenda.

Play with this way of developing perspective for yourself and have fun spotting all little differences that add up to a big difference in your ability to speak with impact.