In this interview, we interview Tim Cox Executive a Career Coach and CV Writer, who creates bespoke, personalised career coaching and advice for financial services professionals. After working in leading finance recruitment for several years, he branched out and became a career coach.
How did you become a career coach?
I worked as an executive headhunter for 25 years and I realised during the pandemic that a lot of my candidates were asking me for career advice and help. As you know, headhunters are not paid by their candidates and are not really set up to offer impartial advice, so I realised that there was a big gap in the market for someone who knew their industry well and understood how to navigate the career market in the 21st century.
You specialise in executive coaching, what made you specialise?
My recruitment career was all focused on mid-to-senior level executives so that is where I am most knowledgeable and comfortable working and where I can add the most value.
What skills do you need to be an executive career coach?
I think you need genuine knowledge and expertise in your sector as the first priority, otherwise you don’t really have anything to offer. You also need empathy and relationship skills to understand your clients and to offer support and advice in a constructive way. Sometimes you are delivering unwelcome news, so people skills are vital.
What is your target audience to be a career coach?
I focus on mid-career to senior professionals and Board members with an industry focus on financial services, where I have spent my whole career. I try not to get tempted to move out of this comfort zone as I really believe that my clients are buying my experience in exactly this area.
What makes a successful career coach?
It is hard work. You have to balance winning new clients with high-quality execution and also make sure you are 100% on top of your mandate by keeping up with the latest developments. In that respect, it is very much like a recruitment career – there is not a lot of respite or downtime if you want to make a good living.
What is an executive coach’s salary uk?
What is an executive coach salary uk?
Well, I am self-employed, as are many career coaches, so a lot depends on your level and specialisation and how hard you work! Suffice to say that I am making as much as I was as a senior headhunter previously.
What are the disadvantages of being a career coach?
Not many to be honest and I am enjoying the work. I guess the biggest challenge can be having to respond very rapidly to client needs with very little time to prepare, for example if a client has an interview the following day and desperately needs your input. This is where you need the experience and ingrained knowledge to be able to add value with minimal research time.
What are the advantages of being a career coach?
I like people and I have always enjoyed helping people. When someone gets the role they really want it is a big buzz for me.
Do you have any funny career coaching stories?
I think I will plead the 5th on this one! Seriously though, discretion is so important in this business so I will politely decline!
What is the biggest CV writing tip you recommend for job switchers?
Focus on your achievements, not your duties and responsibilities.
The UK’s largest study of work happiness found over one in three people (36 percent) are unhappy in their jobs, do you agree this is the case?
I would agree although I think it is nuanced. Most of the people I work with are probably 50/50 in their current role and would like to get to a position where they are more 80/20 in terms of what they like compared to what they don’t like. That’s where I come in – I try to support and facilitate that with the full knowledge that no one (well hardly anyone!) ever gets to like 100% of what they do. read more about Outdoor jobs that pay well UK
What advice would you give to people looking to switch career?
The biggest thing is to be intentional. Make sure you have a plan, and that you know what you want out of your next job. I don’t just mean the role or salary but the actual content of the role. The worst feeling in the world is starting a new job and getting that sinking feeling that you have made a mistake on day one (believe me I have been there!). So, you need some structure around your job search to minimise these poor outcomes.
For personalised career coaching and advice for financial services professionals, check out Tim Cox’s website here and his LinkedIn profile for more information.
