This month, CharityVillage speaks with one of Canada’s foremost career coaches, Alan Kearns of CareerJoy.

CharityVillage: What are some of the benefits of hiring a career coach?

Alan Kearns: I like to use this analogy: if you just won a million dollars, would you turn to your friends and family and ask them what to do with it? No, you would go to a professional. The same applies for your career. You have a lot invested in your career, from schooling costs to the time you’ve put into the work you do, so why would you not go to someone who specializes in this area?

People have a hard time seeing things clearly when they’re wrestling with a career issue. You need someone with specific expertise who can provide you with unbiased counsel on what you should do next.

The skills that are involved when dealing with career issues, such as negotiating, interviewing, and selling yourself, are not practiced regularly enough. A coach can help you build those specific skills so you can handle situations with more confidence and get the most out of any opportunity.

CV: Work/life balance has long been a moving target for many people. How do you recommend that people find that fine balance?

AK: We talk as if the two are separate from each other. They actually encompass each other and the lines are much more blurred these days. The expectations are high from the employer’s side,as well as on the home front, to spend more time as a family or on personal interests.

Technology has made it easier to stay connected to work and you can really work from anywhere these days. That can be a positive or a negative based on how you choose to use your time. You make the choice of how much time you want to give to your job. You have to create your own boundaries of how much time you’ll spend working as well as the lifestyle that you want to live.

If you’re driven to have the best money can buy, that comes at a cost and you may end up spending a lot more time working toward that goal. Some people tell me that they are only interested in making a certain amount of money because they know the price they’ll have to pay if they want to make more.

It’s all in your control!

CV: Do you find that more people are looking into the nonprofit sector as a career?

AK: In general, yes. People want to do things bigger than themselves. One woman said she wanted to find work big enough for her soul. Some people are looking for more than a big title or more money. They want their work situation to make an impact in the world in some way.

The problem people run into is they think the grass is greener on the other side. However, you must keep in mind that there are still people you need to deal with, office politics, “climbing the ladder” – everything that you may not have liked in your current industry may still exist in nonprofit. At the end of the day, you’re still dealing with people and everything that goes with that.

I think nonprofits have additional challenges to deal with, as well. Volunteers and the various stakeholders bring added pressure and politics on top of having to make things happen on a tight operating budget with insufficient resources.

However, the [nonprofit sector] is an area where you will find people whose values may very well be in line with yours.

CV: We hear so often that in our lifetime we’ll each go through five or six different careers. Are you seeing evidence of that? Are people trying new things?

AK: Absolutely, the world is changing very rapidly. People are also changing with the market and are trying new things and pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone.

Cycle times are much quicker. Just think of the green energy sector. A few years ago, no one would have guessed it would be such a growth opportunity. And as new sectors emerge, the market sees upsizing and downsizing that creates new opportunities all around. Smart people see these opportunities and seize them.

Those that will be most successful are those that can accept and embrace change and learn how to adapt to the changing world. People must move away from fear and move toward action! My job is to help people figure out this new world and how they fit into it.

CV: Are more people looking for work-from-home opportunities?

AK: There is a bit of an evolution toward that type of working environment, which is led by companies like IBM. Companies like it because it reduces overhead costs, and employees are more efficient because they don’t have to spend so much time commuting.

For the employee, it can help them achieve that work/life balance they’re after. But it’s not for everyone; it really depends on the individual and if they are disciplined enough to work with minimal supervision. Many people need that sense of teamwork and enjoy being around others so they may opt for a hybrid option where you work from home a few times a week or month.

The bigger question is, do you have a say in how you get your work done. Are you in control and empowered to choose how you will meet your deadlines?

CV: Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?

AK: It’s very easy to burn out in the nonprofit world! You’re trying to save the world but you really need to be cautious that work is not taking more than it’s giving you back. Do your best during work hours and don’t forget about yourself and your interests in life.

Alan Kearns is an expert on career management, offering insight from a Canadian perspective. He provides regular commentary on career issues to a number of different news organizations including, CBC radio, Canada AM, Breakfast Television, The Toronto Star, The National Post, The Globe & Mail, as well as numerous magazines and online blogs. He has a very popular podcast, CareerJoy Conversations, and is the author of Get the Right Job Right Now!, published by HarperCollins.