If you are like most Americans, your career options weigh heavily on your mind right now. For those of us directly affected by the recent collapse of financial institutions and a generally stagnant economy, a career makeover may be just what the doctor ordered. A friend of a colleague is facing the career conundrum as I write this article. She has worked for a recognizable financial giant for the past twenty years, but was notified last week that her last day of work is December 31, 2008. Happy New Year to her.

For those of us who are not necessarily under the gun to find fast employment, many of us still find a need for career change. Testy and incompetent supervisors, boredom, and under-utilized skills are some of the most common reasons why people are dissatisfied with their current job situations. Of course, there is also the issue of feeling underpaid for the work we do and insufficient employee benefits, particularly health and dental coverage.

You may have the best of intentions to update your resume, search for jobs online, and, follow-up with the HR representative you met at last month’s job fair. With all that we encounter in everyday life – families, managing existing workloads, and trying to squeeze in a little time to relax, it may be in your best interest to enlist the support of a Career Coach to help you navigate your career transition.

Effective Career Coaches can help with immediate and long-term career challenges and solutions, all while keeping you on task. First, the Career Coach can help you figure out what is bothering you at work. Is it that you have outgrown your position at work? Are you overwhelmed by the tasks? Or, is it that you just don’t enjoy doing what used to excite you?

Through one-on-one consultations, assessments, and a little bit of tough love, a Career Coach can help you identify where you may need to make changes that will positively influence your career expectations and choices. You may also experience the “A-ha!” moment during which you realize that some of your career stressors may actually be caused by non-work issues. A Career Coach can help you position yourself to transition from one industry (nonprofit) to another (corporate). He can also help you hone the knowledge, skills, and abilities you possess to make you more attractive to potential employers.

For those of us who are ready to take the leap into entrepreneurism, a Career Coach can help you manage the expectations and workload of your current job, along with the groundwork that comes with establishing your own business.

Ultimately, a good Career Coach will meet you at your level of readiness. She will nudge you when you need it, and will give you breathing room when you need it. It is critical that you make a firm commitment to the relationship with your Career Coach. If you are not open to do the necessary work to improve your career, or do not welcome the advice or recommendations of a Career Coach, you may want to re-evaluate your readiness. A successful relationship with a Career Coach is dependent upon clear expectations and follow-through. After all, she is there to help you succeed.