Best Chicago Career Coach Badge 2024

2024 Winners: Add your badge to your marketing materials.

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Chicago is a booming town with plenty of job opportunities.

With so much competition, it can be difficult to land your dream job on your own.

Hiring a professional to help with this process can significantly improve your marketability.

That’s where Chicago career coaches come in.

A career coach is a lot more than a friend to hold your hand throughout a job search.

Career coaches typically come from years of recruiting or HR experience. This experience can make them extremely valuable resources for navigating a job search.

Rather than searching through hundreds of career coaching services, we’ve done the work for you. Below, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the very best career coaches in Chicago.

Best Career Coaches in Chicago

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Find My Profession
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Find My Profession Best Overall More Details right arrow icon
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Jody Michael Associates
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Jody Michael Associates In-Person Services More Details right arrow icon
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Executive Coaching Concepts
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Executive Coaching Concepts Executive Focused More Details right arrow icon
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Nielsen Career Consulting
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Nielsen Career Consulting Attorney Focused More Details right arrow icon
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Lansky Career Consultants
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Lansky Career Consultants 40+ Years Experience More Details right arrow icon

How We Choose Winners

Each of the Chicago career coaching services below was reviewed taking into consideration the following:

Cost

The cost of the service compared to other Chicago career coaches.

Credentials

Overall experience, awards, and certifications.

Process

Effectiveness of the process from start to finish.

Reviews

Client reviews on third-party platforms.

This list was hand-curated to serve all industries, professions, and career levels. While many of the services on this list are from Chicago, these career coaches are virtually available whether you are in Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford, or Elgin.

Average Chicago Coaching Cost

Chicago Career Coaching Cost
$1,550
$100
$3,000
average mark
low average high

Chicago Career Coach Reviews

Find My Profession
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Find My Profession

Find My Profession stands out from other career coaching services on this list by offering a truly unique experience. While traditional career coaches focus on teaching you how to find a job, Find My Profession’s Reverse Recruiting service takes it a step further. 

They take on the work for you by searching and applying for jobs on your behalf using a customized resume tailored to each application. Additionally, they network with key decision-makers to secure interviews.

They can’t show up to the interview for you, but don’t worry! This service offers interview preparation and salary negotiation advice with a certified career expert. You’ll be fully prepared to ace your interview and negotiate like a pro.

With 900+ 5-star reviews, Find My Profession has established a solid reputation for consistently delivering high-quality service.

PROS

You can save hundreds of hours searching for jobs, filling out applications, customizing your resume, and networking. Finally, you can pay someone to find you a job! Your dedicated Reverse Recruiter will create a personalized strategy to manage all aspects of your job search. Your Client Strategist will provide valuable coaching to help you excel in interviews and navigate the salary negotiation process.

CONS

While the service can be a game-changer for professionals looking to save time and energy in their job search, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a career coach to help guide them in changing career paths. The service is designed for individuals who have a clear idea of the job they want but need assistance in finding it. Due to high demand, there is typically a waitlist.

REVIEWS

4.9/5 based on 394 Trustpilot reviews
4.9/5 based on 276 Sitejabber reviews
5/5 based on 147 Google reviews
5/5 based on 53 Facebook reviews
5/5 based on 8 BBB reviews
5/5 based on 4 Yelp reviews

COST

$3,000+ per 4-week period

CONTACT

(831) 888-0967 or help@findmyprofession.com

Check out some of our 5-star reviews:

Chris D.

Worth every penny

After an unexpected layoff I felt pretty overwhelmed by job search process (something I had not been a part of in over a decade). Find My Profession was worth every penny. My reverse recruiter was incredible. She really got to know me personally and sorted through the noise to find and apply to tons of jobs based on what I was looking for and even some that she thought would peak my interest. She also expanded my network so now tons of professionals in my industry can find me in the future. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the process with her, but after only a very short time I now have a new job I'm starting with a great title and salary! I could not recommend FMP enough and THANK YOU [Reverse Recruiter]! Looking forward to catching up with you after I start my new job 🙂

Ibaad S.

5/5 Stars

Highly recommend – if I could give over 5 stars, I would. [Reverse Recruiter] was incredible to work with – she made it a priority to find me opportunities that fit my career goals. I never felt the relationship was transactional at all — she personally was interested in my success and it showed through her demeanor and dedication. The networking effort she drove was the key differentiator I needed to land my new job and was not something I could have done myself. Not to mention how priceless it all is for my future career. [Reverse Recruiter] always made herself available to coach me through any career-related issue, helped me prep for and ace interviews and provided guidance on negotiations. This service is worth every penny — it’s one of the best investments I’ve made for my career. If you’re even remotely considering it, give it a shot. The return on investment is high!

Char C.

Looking for a job?

I think one of the best decisions that I made in my recent job search journey was to use a reverse recruiter. For those that don’t know, a reverse recruiter proactively finds you a job vs. a traditional recruiter who finds a specific job for a specific company. If you need this kind of help, I highly recommend Find My Profession especially if you are navigating the “new ways” of finding a job in today’s marketplace. For me, the results speak for themselves… indeed, a new job! A quick shout-out to [Reverse Recruiters] who made the magic happen. I could not have done it without y’all.

Vicky F.

I really loved how…

I really loved how this worked – FindMyProfession took the heavy lifting out of my search for my next role. My Reverse Recruiter was professional, experienced, knowledgeable and also warm, supportive and an absolute joy to work with! Many thanks! My onboarding specialist, was superb, making everything really easy and also staying sharp on the details. Both – you were what I needed at the moment I needed it and I appreciate you greatly! I have to admit I was challenged with letting go of control, but [Reverse Recruiter] was so quick to build that trust that I was over that in a day or two. Many thanks team!

I.F.

Outstanding Experience

My experience with Find My Profession was outstanding. [Reverse Recruiter] was a pleasure to work with – professional, knowledgeable, flexible and hardworking. [Reverse Recruiter] was invested in my success and was willing to work with me to advance my career goals. I did not know what to expect from a reverse recruiting process especially after being out of the work world for a while. From reviewing and revising my resume, finding job opportunities to apply to and getting me ready for interviews, [Reverse Recruiter] was amazing to have as a guide.

Kelley W.

Great service for busy…

I am so pleased with my experience with [Reverse Recruiter] at FMP. I was looking to change industries, but too busy and overwhelmed with my day-to-day to embark on the journey on my own. No only did he do the heavy lifting with applications, but was a readily available resource in coaching to ensure I nailed interviews and marketed myself in the best way possible. He was helped to give me realistic expectations without short-changing myself or my skills to get the job I wanted. Thanks to him, I was able to secure a great role at my dream company within 6 weeks!

Robert H.

My reverse recruiter

My reverse recruiter was fantastic. She understood what I was looking for and set a plan in motion to achieve my desired results. As a result of her efforts, I am in negotiations with a firm for an executive position that I believe fits my experience and next steps in my executive journey. I highly recommend [Reverse Recruiter] as her networking skills are exceptional. Thank You.

Elise O.

I wholeheartedly recommend

I wholeheartedly recommend Find My Profession! The entire team was exceptionally professional and a pleasure to work with. My Reverse Recruiter helped me secure my dream job in under a month. Without her perseverance and strategic thinking, I wouldn’t have been able to land an interview!
Jody Michael Associates
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Jody Michael Associates

Jody Michael Associates was founded by – yep you guessed it – Jody Michael. Established in 1995, Jody Michael Associates specializes in executive career counseling. However, they also offer resume writing and workshops. Jody has more than 40,000 one-on-one coaching hours with top-level professionals, and her firm also has offices in Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York.

PROS

Jody Michael Associates has worked with individuals at some of the biggest companies in the world including PayPal and Goldman Sachs. They have the necessary experience to guide you along your career path.

CONS

Jody Michael Associates is a nation-wide firm based in Chicago. Jody Michael Associates also has a few bad reviews online, which may be concerning.

REVIEWS

4.9/5 based on 139 Trustpilot reviews
4.6/5 based on 64 Yelp reviews
5/5 based on 5 Google reviews

COST

~$200+ per hour

CONTACT

(773) 275-5566

Best Companies That Help You Find a Job

Need Help With Your Job Search?

Did you know there are companies you can hire to help with your job search? Whether you need resume help or want someone to apply to jobs for you, we’ve reviewed the 20 best agencies to help you find a job.

Learn More
Executive Coaching Concepts
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Executive Coaching Concepts

Executive Coaching Concepts is an experienced Illinois based coaching service. Willy Steiner is the president of the firm and is dedicated to assisting senior executives with their individual and organizational performance. Willy also offers team coaching as an additional service to help out teams who need an operational overhaul. Last but surely not least, Executive Coaching Concepts has developed innovative incentive systems with General Electric, RCA Corp., and Galileo International.

PROS

Executive Coaching Concepts has more than 20 years of experience in career coaching. Willy has worked with hundreds of clients across three different continents. His service is almost exclusively focused on executives and high-level earners.

CONS

Executive Coaching Concepts appears to be a one-person business. That is great if you are looking for personalized service, however, Willy may be unavailable when you reach out to him. Additionally, there are only a few online reviews of Willy’s coaching services.

REVIEWS

5/5 based on 2 Google reviews

COST

~$200+ per hour

CONTACT

(847) 778-9046

Nielsen Career Consulting
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Nielsen Career Consulting

Nielsen Career Consulting has been in business since 1990. Sheila Markin Nielsen founded the professional career coaching service after serving as the executive director of Lawyers for Alternative Work Schedules. Sheila gives her “Map of the Quest“ presentation on networking for business development and assists large Chicago law firms with career placement and coaching.

PROS

Nielsen Career Consulting uses a sliding scale for payment, making their service affordable in relation to the stage of your career. Sheila Nielsen has worked with over 4,500 professionals, which is nothing to sneeze at.

CONS

Nielsen Career Consulting is focused on lawyers more than any other industry. You may want to choose a career counseling service that has broader expertise. However, if you are a lawyer in the Chicago area this is a perfect fit!

REVIEWS

5/5 based on 4 Yelp reviews

COST

~$100+ per hour

CONTACT

(312) 340-4433 or sheila@nielsencareerconsulting.com

Lansky Career Consultants
5

Lansky Career Consultants

Lansky Career Consultants was founded by arguably the most seasoned job coach in the Chicago area. Founded in 1982 by Judith L. Lansky, she has established herself as one of the best career coaches that money can buy. Judith offers other intangible professional coaching services that focus on things like structure, accountability, momentum, and pacing.

PROS

Lansky Career Consultants has worked with corporate clients such as IBM Corporation, Homestar Bank, and Kraft Foods. Because Judith has been involved in the career advancement field since 1974, you can rest assured that she can help you take the next steps in your career. She will work with you to create a plan that works for your personal objectives.

CONS

Lansky Career Consultants website is a tad bit confusing and hard to find what you are looking for.

REVIEWS

4/5 based on 6 Yelp reviews
5/5 based on 6 Facebook reviews
4.6/5 based on 5 Google reviews

COST

$175 per hour

CONTACT

(312) 494-0022 or jlansky@lanskycareerconsultants.com