"I'm ready for something new. Should I go with a Career Coach vs. a Personal Branding Specialist?" or "What exactly do you do as a personal branding specialist, and how is it different from a career coach?" I get questions like this all the time in my DMs. So today, I decided to clear this up once and for all because, honestly, choosing the wrong expert can cost you serious time and money.
Let's Talk Career Coaches First
A career coach is basically your professional GPS. They help you navigate from where you are to where you want to be in your career journey.
They're amazing at:
Mapping out career transitions (whether you're switching industries or coming back after a break)
Polishing your resume and LinkedIn profile until they shine
Prepping you for interviews so you walk in confident
Teaching you how to network without feeling awkward
Holding you accountable actually to follow through on your goals
Bottom line: Career coaches are focused on helping you land that job, get that promotion, or make that career pivot with practical, step-by-step guidance.
Now, What I Do as a Personal Branding Specialist
As a personal branding specialist, I'm less concerned with getting you from point A to point B and more focused on how the world perceives you professionally.
My work involves:
Figuring out what makes you uniquely valuable (your secret sauce)
Creating content that positions you as an expert in your field
Crafting your professional story so it resonates with the right people
Building your digital reputation so opportunities come to YOU
Getting you visible in the places where your industry pays attention
Bottom line: I help you become recognized as a go-to expert in your field, which opens doors you didn't even know existed.
The Key Differences (Simplified)
Career Coach | Personal Branding Specialist |
Gets you to your next role | Makes you stand out in your industry |
Focuses on job applications and interviews | Focuses on your reputation and visibility |
Helps with tactical career moves | Builds your long-term professional identity |
Works with your resume and LinkedIn profile | Works with your overall online presence and content |
Perfect for job seekers and career changers | Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders |
Finding the Right Expert (Without Wasting Money)
Here's what I've learned from years in this industry:
Do your homework:
Look for someone who specializes in your industry or specific situation
Check out their LinkedIn presence (practice what they preach, right?)
Join professional groups where you can get recommendations
Verify their expertise:
Career coaches might have certifications like CCC or PCC
Branding specialists should have their own strong personal brand (are they visible in your industry? Are they consistent in how they appear online?)
Always ask for real client success stories
Have a quick chat: Most of us offer free discovery calls. Use this time to see if their approach aligns with your goals (and if you actually like them—chemistry matters!).
What This Investment Looks Like
Career coaching typically runs:
$150-300 per session for mid-career professionals
$750-2,000 for comprehensive packages
Executive coaching can go up to $10,000 for premium programs
Personal branding typically costs:
$300-600 per strategy session
$1,000-3,000 for basic branding packages
$5,000-20,000+ for executive thought leadership programs
Is it worth it? I personally know that having a strong personal brand has helped me land each new role I've sought out, and my personal brand attracted new fun opportunities I wasn't expecting. I've had the privilege of interviewing countless successful professionals for my 2B Bolder platform, and nearly all of them credit either a great coach or strategic personal branding as a key factor in their success.
Whether you're actively job hunting or looking to establish yourself as a thought leader, investing in the right guidance can be the difference between staying stuck and breaking through to that next level.
Are you interested in career growth, LinkedIn visibility, or personal branding? Let’s connect!