Our previous article explored how you can start and run your own coaching business from scratch.

But what if you want to coach people without the need to run a practice on your own?

The good news is you absolutely can. You can work in a life coaching position as an employee, part-time or full-time. However, it will look very different from having your own business in the coaching industry.

Read on to find out how to get a job as a life coach.

What are the Requirements to Be a Life Coach?

Running a coaching business has legal and practical requirements and takes a unique skill set. However, you need an entirely different approach if you want to coach as an employee.

[ Read: Legal Requirements for Life Coaching You Need to Know in 2024 ]

Let’s break down what it takes to secure a job as a life coach.

Boost Your Qualifications

If you want to work within an organization, becoming a certified coach will be way more important than for private coaches.

Why? Because you’ll be pitching yourself to HR reps instead of clients. This means you’ll compete with other coaches in the same niche and be evaluated based on your resume.

While private clients might not always care as much about your credentials, a recruiter will do their due diligence to ensure you’re a significant investment in the company. Therefore, they will look for certified professionals who can verify their skills and knowledge.

If you know you’ll want to be hired by a company, it’s worth investing in a program accredited by the following organizations:

• The International Coach Federation (ICF)
• The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)
• The Association for Coaching

These certifications demonstrate your adherence to industry standards and make you a more attractive candidate for life coach jobs in a corporate or institutional setting.

Develop Your Skills

First, you’ll need to have core coaching competencies to work effectively with employees and executives within your organization. For example, you’ll need to apply the following:

• Powerful questioning skills
• Active listening
• Empathetic and professional communication
• Creating a supportive and motivating environment

You’ll need to be able to use coaching models and exercises that fit your job context and conduct your sessions with confidence.

Additionally, you’ll need to adjust to the work culture of the organization that hires you. You’ll need to understand and balance individual and organizational goals when setting the objectives of your sessions.

For example, an employee might have work preferences that clash with the expectations of their job description. In this case, you’ll need to help them find the root cause of their dissatisfaction, explore their options, and find common ground with their employer.

Gain Practical Experience

If you’re just starting, trying to find a job without experience can become a Catch-22. However, there are ways to boost your resume to be more hireable.

Comprehensive certification programs usually include practice hours and mentor coaching. After completing your training, you’ll need to log these to receive your credentials.

If you’re currently working as a manager, you can also incorporate coaching into your one-on-one meetings with team members. Ensure you only coach with permission and know when to put on your coach vs. your manager hat.

That’s how I started for the first time, and it helped me gain experience while also benefiting my team members.

Besides, you can consider the following:

• Volunteering your services through community organizations, non-profits, schools, or online platforms.

• Taking an internship with a coaching firm or an organization with employee development programs.

• Shadowing experienced coaches to observe their sessions and how methodologies are used in practice.

• Offering pro bono sessions to people in your network to gather feedback and recommendations.

As a new coach, recruiters will likely judge your experience based on your previous job roles related to your coaching specialty and your coaching training. So, while getting practical experience is vital, you’ll also need to show proof of it on your CV.

If you’re transitioning from working with private clients into a job role, case studies, testimonials, and years of experience can also be added.

Specialize in What Companies Need

There are various niches within coaching where you can find employment. Most commonly, these are:

• Executive coaching, where you work with company leaders to enhance their management skills
• Career coaching, which involves helping employees plan and advance their careers
• Wellness coaching, focusing on improving employee well-being
• Performance coaching, boosting productivity and effectiveness

From business coach to health coach, each of these specialties requires specific skills and knowledge.Keep this in mind when enrolling in training programs so you can tailor your studies to your specialized area.

Realistically, you won’t find many job postings in niches like spirituality or parenting—unless you’re hired by a coaching company serving a wide variety of clients.

Marketing Yourself as a Job Candidate

While you won’t need the marketing and business skills to sell a private coaching practice, you must market yourself effectively as a job candidate.

This involves creating a compelling resume and cover letter highlighting your certifications, skills, and practical experience.

Networking can also help land your dream job. Attend industry events, join professional coaching organizations, and connect with potential employers on platforms like LinkedIn. 

Developing a personal brand that showcases your expertise and passion for coaching can also help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Or better yet, hire a career coach who can share their experience with you and help you get hired.

Is Life Coaching a Real Job?

Does coaching people and earning a reliable salary still sound too good to be true? Then check this out.

Job boards like Indeed, Flexjobs, SimplyHired, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn Jobs have many listings for life coaches, just like for any other profession. They most often target organizational and wellness coaches.

You can find remote and on-location jobs advertised for coaches with a specific track record and expertise. Some may require a bachelor’s degree in a related field like psychology or business management, or a valid driver’s license. Others will only look at your track record of positions and clients.

Running Your Own Practice vs. Working in a Life Coaching Position

Taking a life coaching job and running your practice are vastly different. Here are some pros and cons of each you can expect

The Benefits of Being Employed as a Coach

You’ll have more job security if you’re employed, just like in any other field. You can expect a steady income, and you won’t have to worry about having enough clients, as the organization will provide them.

This allows you to focus on coaching and some clear admin processes laid out by the company. You won’t have to run marketing campaigns, pay your own taxes, and deal with payments and contracting.

Another benefit of working in a life coaching job is that you’ll likely have access to training and continuous education programs sponsored by your employer. You’ll also have defined working hours and paid time off, making maintaining a work-life balance easier.

The Downsides of Working in a Life Coaching Position

So here’s the caveat. As an employee, you’ll have no control over your schedule and how much you earn. No matter how many people you’re coaching, the organization’s structure and budget will limit your salary growth.

You may not have total freedom regarding who you work with (which means less variability in your clientele) and what methodologies you use in your coaching. Hence, holistic coaching will have limitations as you must keep the company’s objectives in mind.

When you have a private practice, you can automate your admin tasks with Paperbell and choose what services you offer. In a job, you’ll need to follow organizational policies and processes laid out for you. This usually means more bureaucracy and less decision-making power.

Now, taking a job isn’t forever. You can work for a company for a few years, gain experience, and gather testimonials or case studies from the people you coach. Then, you can use this to start strong when establishing your private practice.

Life and Business Coach Salaries

According to Indeed, the average annual salary for life coaches in the United States is $43,416, while business coaches earn an average of $82,549.

This means that working with executives and people with decision-making power—which generally has a more quantifiable return on investment—almost doubles your earning potential. 

As a business coach, you’ll need specialized skills like corporate strategy and leadership development to help boost the organization’s bottom line. You must enhance organizational and employee performance through targeted coaching techniques, tailored action plans, and continuous support.

[ Read: What Is a Life Coach & How They Differ From a Therapist or Consultant ]

But this doesn’t mean you can’t secure higher-paying jobs as a life coach specializing in health and well-being. For example, you can work in large companies that invest in employee wellness or high-end wellness centers.

To have a more competitive resume, you can obtain specialized certifications in sought-after niches or gather case studies that showcase measurable results of your work.

How to Get a Job as a Life Coach

The key is to be strategic. Define your expected salary, job benefits, location, and scope of work so you can run your research based on that.

Explore specialized job boards tailored for coaching positions, such as the International Coach Federation’s (ICF) job board or industry-specific websites. These platforms list a variety of roles across different coaching niches.

Craft your application based on the job description. Tweak your resume to highlight your relevant coaching experience, certifications, and specific skills that align with it. Using well-designed resume templates can help ensure that your CV looks well structured, making it easier for potential employers to quickly identify your qualifications as a life coach.

For positions you’re most eager to land, write cover letters expressing what makes you excited about them and how your unique background can benefit the organization. Use concrete examples of successful outcomes and client testimonials to make your application more convincing.

During interviews, focus on demonstrating your coaching skills and methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your approach, how you handle challenges, and the measurable results you’ve achieved. Don’t forget to ask questions about the organization’s coaching culture and client base so you can evaluate them, too.

Job search can be challenging, especially when it takes longer than expected. Sometimes, it also requires some flexibility and compromise. Remember that with each application, you’re one step closer to landing your dream coaching job where you can earn a steady income while making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.