Choosing help to change industries, not just jobs

Changing industries isn't the same as getting a promotion or moving sideways within your field. It's a restart that demands both conviction and strategy. Many people rush into career coaching when what they really need is honest clarity about whether the jump is viable, what their transferable skills actually are, and what the realistic timeline looks like. A coach who doesn't press you on these fundamentals upfront—who treats your industry change like any other career move—will waste your time and money.

The real separation between coaches lies in how they handle the messy part: helping you build a credible entry point into an unfamiliar sector, not just selling you confidence. Before you sign on, you need to know what you're actually buying and whether this coach has the approach and networks to get you there.

Understanding what "changing industries" means to them

Not all coaches define this the same way, and that difference matters. Some treat it as a straightforward rebrand of your existing skills with a new job title. Others see it as a harder pivot that may require new qualifications, lower pay on entry, or a period of learning. Ask directly: do they expect you'll land a similar salary or seniority in the new industry, or are they realistic about trade-offs? A coach who immediately tells you yes to both—higher pay and seamless transition—is either overselling or hasn't done this work often.

Also listen for how they talk about your starting point. Do they try to talk you out of the change if the gap is genuinely wide, or do they ask probing questions about why this industry and whether you've researched it? Coaches who help you do real pre-work—informational interviews, sector research, skills mapping—are more likely to set you up for actual success. Those who skip straight to polishing your CV and practising interview answers are missing the biggest part of the job.

Their experience with your specific industry

A coach who has worked with people entering logistics, hospitality, tech, healthcare or finance knows the actual barriers, the realistic timelines, and who to pitch. They understand whether you need a qualification, a certification, volunteer experience, or a willingness to contract first. They can tell you whether your age, background, or current gaps are obstacles the industry genuinely cares about.

Don't assume that experience means they've worked in that industry themselves. Often a coach who has successfully coached five people into accounting, for instance, has built relationships with hiring managers, understands where entry points exist, and knows what disqualifies candidates. Ask for specifics: How many clients have they helped move into your target industry? Where are those people now, and did they stay? Are they connected to relevant professional bodies or recruiters in that sector?

Whether they build a plan or sell you sessions

Beware the coach who can't articulate an outline before you pay. They should be able to tell you roughly what the process looks like: first, we clarify your motivation and research your target sector; then we map your transferable skills; then we identify the gap; then we build a pathway—whether that's a course, a role as a stepping stone, a volunteer stint, or a portfolio project. That doesn't have to be rigid, but it should exist.

If they sell you an open-ended package—"we'll work together over six months and see where you get to"—push back. Ask what done looks like. Ask what success would feel like for you in three months. A coach who can't sketch that out probably hasn't done enough of these transitions to know the shape they usually take.

Red flags in their listening

A good coach will ask why you want this change before they offer solutions. They'll want to know whether you've already tried getting into this industry on your own, what you've learned, and where you got stuck. If they lead with solutions—"we'll reframe your CV", "I know three companies looking for people like you"—they're guessing, not diagnosing.

Also notice whether they take your concerns seriously. If you say you're worried about being overqualified in one way and underqualified in another, a coach who dismisses either worry hasn't understood your specific situation. Industry transitions are nuanced. A coach who listens to the nuance, not just the headline, is doing the real work.

Finding someone who genuinely understands what your industry change will take—and who is honest about the gaps you'll need to bridge—is worth the effort upfront. On Strove, you can see coaches' focus areas and read how others have described working with them. That's a good starting point to find someone who's done this kind of transition before and knows your target sector.