Career Coach

The Career Coach plays a critical role in supporting Goodwill employees, Goodwill Career Education students, and customers seeking employment and advancement in their careers. Coaches help program participants to develop job-seeking skills; find and retain employment; reach education or training goals and maintain financial stability via career pathways. The Career Coach will also coordinate services that address barriers to education, training, employment and self-sufficiency and provide on-going support as their clients' progress toward established goals.

• Demonstrate core values of Goodwill Industries by modeling service, ownership, accountability and respect.
• Ensure that highest quality, individualized services are delivered to program participants with a focus on the mission of GIMG.
• Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities.
• Evaluate participants' background, education, and training, to help them develop realistic goals.
• Guide participants through making decisions about their careers, such as choosing a new profession and the type of credential or degree to pursue.
• Refer participants to Helms College (HC), Goodwill Human Resources (HR), Workforce Development (WFD), and Goodwill Career Education (GCE) to help clients secure career advancement.
• Work with participants to overcome issues that could undermine their academic or career success.
• Assist participants in locating and applying for jobs, by teaching them strategies that will be helpful in finding openings and writing a résumé.
• Connect participants to additional resources such as financial aid, vocational training, extensive counseling and therapy services, medical care providers, or other state and local assistance as needed.
• Conduct and publicize group workshops on a variety of topics, including writing resumes and cover letters, successful job interviewing, using employment databases and career development resources, and researching training and education programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with local employers and industry professionals to generate job leads and externship opportunities.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of job market trends and employer expectations in various industries.
• Organize and participate in career fairs, employer spotlights, and networking events.
• Ensure participant information is timely entered into appropriate database or report and meet confidentiality requirements. Assist in preparation and submission of reports as required.
• Participate in professional development activities and serve on committees which support the goals and objectives of GIMG.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or as the situation dictates.

• Advising: makes effective use of assessment and documentation tools to help participants craft a long-term plan for reaching their career objectives.
• Interpersonal skills: exhibit multicultural competence and an ability to establish rapport with program clients, instructors, and staff.
• Business acumen: makes good judgments, interprets data daily, stays abreast of technology and makes effective business decisions promoting mission and financial goals.
• Communication skills: clearly articulates Goodwill's mission, vision, and values. Must be able to communicate effectively with and relate to a variety of audiences including leadership, faculty and staff, students, external advisors, governmental agencies, and other community organizations.
• Networking: identify internal and external partners and develop relationships. Collaborate, influence, and negotiate with others to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Integrity: acts intentionally to uphold Goodwill and Helms College's values.

Bachelor's degree in business, education, human resources, or related field required. Master's degree preferred.

1-3 years' experience in career coaching/counseling to diverse adult populations across the full career development lifespan to include career assessments, career exploration, career decision-making, resumes, personal branding, interview strategies, job search strategies, etc.

Experience working with under-served populations including but not limited to veterans, returning citizens, GED/non-high school graduates, persons with disabilities, senior citizens.

Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite and database systems.


Comfortable with ambiguity and able to quickly adapt to change.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills.

Must be aligned with and energized by Rev. Edgar Helm's faith-based social enterprise model to eliminate poverty one career at a time.