What does a Life Coach do?
Life Coaches give clients the tools they need to find success. That success could be personal or professional. Some Life Coaches specialize in a particular niche, such as career coaching, health coaching, grief coaching, spiritual coaching or financial coaching. Whatever the goal or niche, the main premise is the same: Creating a trusting partnership focused on freeing the client from self-imposed limitations and helping them find the courage and inspiration to seek and achieve fulfillment.
Life Coach skills and qualifications
The exact skills and qualifications of a Life Coach may change depending on the area of concentration and services offered, but the list often includes:
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Empathetic listening
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Familiarity with multiple coaching and counseling modalities
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A non-judgmental and sensitive approach to collaborating
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Superior organization and planning abilities
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Self-control—must resist the urge to try to fix issues for the client
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Capable of being supportive but firm
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Outstanding communication skills
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Decisive yet flexible
Life Coach experience requirements
No single regulatory body governs the coaching industry, so there are no formal requirements for someone interested in becoming a Life Coach. However, there are training programs that can help aspiring coaches fine-tune their skill sets and learn more about how best to serve their clients. Hands-on experience in a related industry, like sleep medicine for a sleep coach or personal training for a health and nutrition coach, can be invaluable.
Life Coach education and training requirements
While there are no formal education requirements for this role, Life Coach job descriptions commonly ask for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, often in a field like social sciences, psychology or business. Some coaches have master’s degrees, especially if they intend to coach high-profile clients looking to reach the top of their field.
There are quite a few organizations that offer Life Coach certification programs. The International Coaching Federation requires applicants to meet stringent education and experience requirements and complete testing that shows an understanding of professional standards. All ICF-certified coaches are held to strict ethical guidelines as well.
Life Coach salary expectations
According to Glassdoor, Life Coaches in the United States average between $53,000 and $92,000 per year. This includes base pay as well as additional pay that might come in the form of commissions, bonuses or performance-based tips. Salaries may differ based on the coaching niche, the coaches’ credentials and expertise, and other factors like geographic location and whether they’re working with a company or a private client.
Job description samples for similar positions
Is this Life Coach description not quite what you’re looking for? Here are some related job descriptions that might pique your interest:
Life Coach job description FAQs
What does a Life Coach do?
Life Coach job descriptions may change depending on the type of Life Coach position the employer is looking for, but the primary responsibility of coaches is to help clients reach their goals. A Life Coach isn’t a decision-maker but rather a source of empowerment, motivation and accountability.
What makes a good Life Coach?
A good Life Coach should be approachable, authoritative, experienced and helpful. They may also need to have training in their chosen field and know how to share information and transfer skills to their clients. Life Coaches are strong communicators who have learned active listening and have a strong drive to help their clients be successful.
Does a Life Coach need a degree?
Life Coaches don’t need a degree, but it can be helpful. This is especially true for coaches specializing in a demanding niche, such as finance or mental health. Certification programs are also available that train future coaches in important skills and give them hands-on experience.
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