Losing your executive job is a serious matter.
Not only because you'll have to look for a job for a while, but also because it's not easy to find an employer who appreciates your experience and does not take advantage of your situation as an unemployed executive.
Executive coaching is one of the best solutions around for you if you decide it's time to take matters in your hands and become self-employed.
Before we talk about the executive coaching certificate let's first shed some light on the coaching process itself.
Executive coaching is a process where an experienced executive works on a one-on-one basis with a new executive or executive trainee to help him/her unleash the momentum gained from academic education and work experience in the form of detectable results and success for the organization.
Executive coaching is needed by new executives as well as every one new to leadership.
This includes working for the government, in a company, in a non-profit or religious organization, or as an entrepreneur owning a business for the first time.
The pay depends on the size of the business/organization and the experience of the coach among other factors.
The executive coaching certificate is provided through specialized programs offered by business schools and special institutions both online and off-line.
The program is usually short enough to finish in a few weeks and it includes little classroom and more field training.
A retired or unemployed ex-executive can start taking coaching clients without certification.
Some coaches claim that only another coach will ask about the certificate.
Whether it's true or not, there are advantages of getting the executive coaching certificate.
Two of the most important ones are: 1.
Credibility: The certificate gives the coach credibility, which makes the clients' decision to hire the coach easier to take.
Hiring an executive coach is a costly process and a client would like to make sure they are investing this money properly.
The certificate will give them peace of mind, so give it to them.
You can also provide testimonials from previous and current satisfied clients, but only if you already have some and if they are willing to give this testimonial.
In some cases your clients don't want their competition to know about you.
2.
Reach: Until recently executive coaching was being practiced by individuals mostly, but in the past few years firms started to take over and they offer what an individual can not offer, like accountability and continuous support and follow up regardless of the presence of the coach.
Such firms only contract with coaches who can prove their experience and ability to the coaching according to certain standards.
And what's a better way to prove your qualifications other than an executive coaching certificate? Probably you can not wait until you get the certificate before you start practicing.
In that case you can start using your network of businesses, religious leaders, and entrepreneurs and offer them your free consultation.
Then after you give some valuable consultation start offering your coaching services.