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What Is a Job Coach and How to Become One

Job Coach

What Do Job Coaches Do?

A job coach helps disabled people build job skills and find employment. As a job coach, your duties include training the employee to be successful and independent and talking to the employer about accommodations they must make in the workplace. Whether your client is physically or mentally disabled, you must help them develop skills that work around their limitations. You need at least a bachelor’s degree to become a job coach.

How to Become a Job Coach

Though it is possible to become a Job Coach with a high school diploma or GED, many employers prefer a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, human resources, or related field. Some employers may only require an associates degree and some relevant work-related experience. Job and career coaching certifications can help increase employment prospects, as well. Job Coaches can have a few different specializations. You might specialize in working with individuals with disabilities to provide career guidance or with organizations like college career centers, community centers, and career and life coaching businesses. Essential skills to cultivate include customer service, the ability to work with diverse populations, organizational, verbal and written communication, attention to detail, motivational interviewing, recruiting strategy, computer literacy, interpersonal, compassion, and empathy.

What Is Job Coaching?

Job coaching is a field in which you work with people with disabilities to help them find employment. In job coaching positions, your responsibilities include helping your clients build employable skills, talking to employers to ensure your client has the proper accommodations, and generally assisting your client to become an independent and successful employee. As you work with both physically and mentally disabled clients, job coaching is best suited for those with a background in psychology.

Job Coach Job Description Sample

With this Job Coach job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Job Coach role.

Job Summary

We are seeking a passionate, talented individual to join our social service provider company as a Job Coach. As part of our personal development team, you will engage with program participants to determine their vocational goals, aptitude, and challenges, creating personalized, structured paths by which they can achieve their goals. Many program participants have unique physical or developmental challenges, and you should have the experience and education with which to help individuals overcome such challenges and successfully enter the job force. Our ideal candidate has prior experience and education in social services or a relevant field.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Interview and engage with program participants to determine their goals and existing skills
  • Gauge physical or other challenges facing participants and recommend strategies by which these challenges can be overcome
  • Assist participants in applying to jobs and continue advising them as they begin training and working
  • Collaborate with other job coaches and service providers to create new and engaging curricula of job skills training

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a relevant field
  • Experience working with people with disabilities
  • Strong communication and public speaking skills
  • Passion for helping people overcome challenges and succeed