How to Become a Virtual Career Coach by Telecommuting

Becoming a virtual career coach typically involves conducting research, completing training, participating in seminars, practicing coaching with clients, getting certified, and building a business plan for telecommuting. Career coaches help individuals align their skills and interests, improve their productivity, overcome challenges, and transition to a new career. Professional virtual coaches establish an ongoing professional relationship that helps clients clarify measurable goals, focus on success and take action through telephone calls, email, text messages and chat. You can also use other Internet social media technology tools, such as wikis, blogs and forums. By conducting structured sessions, a virtual coach establishes a process to maximize results for his clients.


Get training to develop your coaching skills. The International Coach Federation manages accreditation for programs that help you learn how to learn about yourself, manage change and create fulfilling relationships in a career coaching role. Most clients don't require virtual career coaches to have specific credentials. However, you can become more effective and successful by learning how personal transformation occurs, increasing your ability to observe and guide, assembling a coaching toolkit, and defining aspects of a good coaching relationship.


Practice your coaching skills. For example, use the U.S Small Business Administration's SCORE website to locate a mentor in your area who might allow you to listen in on live or recorded coaching sessions, with the client’s permission. Learn how to pay attention carefully using active listening skills, such as paraphrasing statements.


Incorporate online technology, such as web-based conferencing software, into your repertoire as a virtual career coach who works by telecommuting. With this software, you can show a client how to use online career assessment tests and job search engines, and build a more effective resume. Use video-conferencing software to talk to and see your client as well. Test programs extensively before you use them with clients. Don’t let technology derail your coaching session.


Identify new clients by attending virtual job fairs. Target specific audiences, such as recent college graduates in your area of expertise and mid-career employees who are looking to make a change. Use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to identify professional organizations. Visit their websites to find potential career coach competitors and determine ways to differentiate your services. Volunteer at local and virtual events. This exposure helps you attract new business.


Create a business plan that defines how to intend to organize, finance, market and promote your virtual career coaching services. Develop a price list for your telephone-based services and create a brochure and business card that you can distribute and publish on a website or social media sites. Create a blog to establish credibility by writing articles about career development in your area of expertise.


Establish your home office and working hours. Network with other virtual coaching professionals to develop new strategies for managing and expanding your business.