What Does a Life Coach Do?
Find out what a life coach does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a life coach.
Life coaches are trained professionals who help people achieve their goals and live the lives they want to live. They do this by providing guidance, support, and encouragement to clients as they work through challenges or make important decisions in their personal or professional lives.
Life coaching is a relatively new profession that has grown in popularity over the past several decades. It’s based on the idea that everyone has the ability to be their own “coach”—that we all have the capacity to motivate ourselves and inspire change in our lives. Life coaches take this concept one step further by helping others to tap into this innate ability and use it to create real, lasting change.
Life Coach Job Duties
A life coach typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Conducting assessments of clients’ current situations and needs in order to create tailored plans for self-improvement
- Developing personal growth plans for clients based on their specific needs
- Providing clients with feedback about their progress towards goals
- Conducting group therapy sessions for individuals or couples in which the coach serves as a facilitator
- Providing life coaching services to individuals or groups in order to help them reach their goals and overcome obstacles in their lives
- Helping clients set realistic goals and creating action plans to achieve them
- Helping clients develop healthy habits that will improve their lives over time
- Helping clients understand their feelings and behaviors in order to identify patterns in their lives that may be affecting them emotionally or physically
- Counseling clients on topics such as stress management, time management, relationships, communication skills, and conflict resolution
Life Coach Salary & Outlook
The salary of a life coach can vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of clients they work with. Some coaches may charge by the hour, while others may charge by the week or month.
- Median Annual Salary: $57,500 ($27.64/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)
The employment of life coaches is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.
Demand for life coaches is expected to increase as more people recognize the benefits of working with a coach. As people continue to pursue their passions and goals, they may seek the help of a life coach to stay on track.
Related: Life Coach Interview Questions and Answers
Life Coach Job Requirements
A life coach typically needs to have the following qualifications:
Education: Life coaches are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as psychology, counseling, health or a related field. Some life coaches choose to earn a master’s degree in life coaching or a related field to increase their earning potential and qualify for certain positions.
Training & Experience: Many life coaches will receive training through their education program, but many will also receive on-the-job training from their current or previous employer. Some life coaches will work as a support staff member or in a similar role before becoming a life coach. This training can help them understand the industry and the needs of the clients.
Certifications & Licenses: Some employers may require candidates to obtain a professional certification to show their competence in the field.
Life Coach Skills
Life coaches need the following skills in order to be successful:
Active listening: Active listening is the ability to hear someone and understand their needs. This is an important skill for life coaches to have because it allows them to better understand their clients and their goals. When a life coach listens to their clients, they can ask questions to better understand their needs and how they can help them.
Empathy and compassion: Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings and experience. A life coach with empathy can help their clients feel understood and cared for. This can help them feel more comfortable opening up about their challenges and more motivated to overcome them.
Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow a life coach to help their clients find solutions to their challenges. They can help their clients brainstorm solutions and determine which ones are most effective. This can help their clients overcome their obstacles and achieve their goals.
Time management: Time management is another skill that a life coach might use in their profession. This is because they might have multiple clients with varying schedules. Having good time management skills can help a life coach be punctual with their appointments and ensure they have enough time to meet with each client.
Goal setting: Goal setting is another skill that life coaches use to help their clients. They help their clients set short-term and long-term goals that they can achieve. This can help their clients stay motivated and on track to achieve their goals.
Life Coach Work Environment
Life coaches work in a variety of settings, including private practices, corporate offices, community organizations, and online. They typically work one-on-one with clients, though they may also work with groups. Life coaches usually work regular business hours, though they may need to be available to meet with clients outside of normal business hours. Some life coaches travel to meet with clients, and some may even coach clients over the phone or online. Life coaches need to be able to build rapport with their clients and create a supportive and safe environment in which clients can explore their thoughts and feelings.
Life Coach Trends
Here are three trends influencing how life coaches work. Life coaches will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Growth of the Self-Care Industry
The self-care industry is growing rapidly as more and more people are realizing the importance of taking time to care for themselves. This trend is creating opportunities for life coaches who can help people find ways to take care of themselves that fit into their busy schedules.
Life coaches can capitalize on this trend by becoming certified in self-care practices such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. They can also develop programs that help people find balance between work and home life.
More People Are Looking for a New Approach to Wellness
As the economy continues to improve, more and more people are looking for new approaches to wellness. This means that life coaches will need to be able to offer services that are different from those offered by traditional healthcare professionals.
Life coaches can capitalize on this trend by developing expertise in areas such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management. They can also focus on helping clients achieve long-term health goals rather than just short-term results.
A Focus on Personal Development
Personal development has become an increasingly important focus for many people in recent years. This is due to the fact that people are beginning to realize that they have the power to shape their own lives and futures.
As personal development becomes more important, life coaches will need to adapt their services to meet the needs of their clients. This includes providing guidance and support throughout all stages of life, from childhood to adulthood.
How to Become a Life Coach
A career as a life coach can be incredibly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to help people reach their full potential, and it can provide you with a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. However, before embarking on this journey, it’s important to consider if this is the right path for you.
Do you have a strong desire to help others? Are you able to see things from other people’s perspectives? Do you have a knack for listening and asking insightful questions? If so, then becoming a life coach may be a great fit for you.
The first step in becoming a life coach is to get certified. There are many different certification programs available, so choose one that best fits your needs and interests. Once you’re certified, start building your coaching practice by networking with other coaches and professionals in related fields. Offer to volunteer your services to local organizations that serve underprivileged or at-risk populations. And finally, keep learning and growing as a coach by reading books, attending workshops, and participating in online forums.
Advancement Prospects
There are many ways to advance your career as a life coach. One of the best ways is to get certified by a reputable organization, such as the International Coach Federation (ICF). This will give you the credibility you need to attract clients and advance your career.
Another way to advance your career is to specialize in a particular area, such as career coaching, relationship coaching, or health and wellness coaching. This will make you more attractive to potential clients who are looking for help in a specific area.
You can also advance your career by writing books or articles, or by giving talks or workshops. This will help you to build your reputation as an expert in your field and attract more clients.
Life Coach Job Description Example
Are you passionate about helping people achieve their dreams? Do you have experience in the areas of personal development, career coaching, or counseling? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
At [CompanyX], we’re looking for a life coach to help our employees reach their full potential. In this role, you’ll provide one-on-one coaching and guidance to employees who are seeking to improve their personal or professional lives. You’ll help them identify their goals, create action plans, and overcome obstacles. Additionally, you’ll provide support and encouragement as they work to achieve their goals.
If you’re a positive, motivated individual with a passion for helping others, we want to hear from you!
Duties & Responsibilities
- Help clients identify and achieve personal goals by providing support, encouragement, and accountability
- Assist clients in exploring their options and making decisions about next steps
- Help clients develop action plans and strategies for achieving their goals
- Encourage clients to stay motivated and focused on their goals
- Help clients overcome obstacles and challenges that stand in their way
- Provide resources and referrals to help clients reach their goals
- Check in with clients regularly to monitor progress and offer support
- Celebrate successes with clients and help them set new goals
- Keep confidential records of client sessions
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of resources and developments in the field
- Attend professional development workshops and seminars to maintain coaching skills
- Offer distance coaching to clients via phone or video call
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Proven experience as a life coach
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and listening skills
- Empathetic and non-judgmental attitude
- Ability to build rapport easily with clients
- Strong motivation and coaching skills
- In-depth knowledge of psychology and various coaching methods
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Certification from a coaching organization
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field
- Master’s degree in psychology or related field
- Previous experience working with clients in a counseling or therapy setting