What Is a Job Coach? And Who Might Hire One

Key takeaways

A job coach supports people with disabilities as they prepare to enter the workforce, working with them to secure employment. 

• To become a job coach, you’ll need a high school diploma and strong interpersonal skills.

• As a job coach, you can help people find jobs that interest them, facilitate job training, and coordinate with employers to secure employment.

• You can secure work as a job coach through government agencies that help individuals with disabilities find jobs.

Learn more about a job coach’s responsibilities, skills, qualifications, and where to find a job coach. If you’re ready to prepare for a career as a job coach, consider enrolling in the Goodwill Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate. In as little as two months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the foundational concepts of career coaching. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a shareable certificate for your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What do job coaches do?

Ultimately, a job coach aims to enable and empower people to fulfill their job functions without persistent one-on-one assistance. Some key responsibilities of a job coach include:

• Connecting an individual’s capabilities and interests to potential jobs within their community

• Coordinating with employers to secure employment and negotiate customized job responsibilities on behalf of the individual

• Facilitating job training for tasks specific to the individual’s job function

• Working with the individual as they adjust to their new role

• Advocating for the individual throughout their employment period

Hear more about the day-to-day tasks of a job coach from Toni Voliton, a Career Navigator with Goodwill Industries:

Who might work with a job coach?

Broadly, a job coach may support any person with a disability. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers some examples of people who have benefited from working with a job coach, including:

• An individual with an anxiety disorder working a job in a restaurant's kitchen

• A person with Down syndrome working in customer care at a grocery store

• A person with a cognitive disability working as a janitor

• An individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) finding a job at a fast food chain

• A military veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) working as a customer service representative 

What is a job coach vs. a career coach vs. a career counselor?

People seeking support with their careers have a few different options. If a job coach doesn’t sound right for you, you may be interested in finding a career coach or career counselor.

A career coach supports individuals as they navigate their career path, offering guidance through job changes, the application process, or settling into a new role. A career counselor, who may have a background in psychology or human development, supports individuals as they assess their career goals and desires.

How to become a job coach: Do you need a degree?

Although they work closely with various personality types and job functions, job coaches often don’t require extensive qualifications. Typically, a job coach will need a high school diploma and strong interpersonal skills, and they’ll receive role-specific training upon their hiring.

Job coaches often find employment with government agencies or help networks that serve people with disabilities. Some employers may look for job coaches with experience working with people with specific disabilities, knowledge of government support services, and established connections with local businesses. Specific requirements will vary depending on the employer’s needs.

Job coach vs. occupational therapist

While a job coach helps individuals prepare for a specific job, an occupational therapist treats patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities as they recover or develop the physical ability to accomplish daily tasks. You will typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy, as well as a state-issued license to practice.

Read more: What Is a Master’s Degree?

How to find a job coach

Many search for a job coach by contacting their state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency. VR agencies both facilitate programs for people with disabilities and work with nonprofit organizations that may be able to provide more specialized services.

If you already work with a nonprofit organization for other services, they may also be able to provide job-specific support or refer you to an organization that can.

Explore free resources for a job-coaching career 

Check out our Career Resource Hub, where you can complete skills assessments and access resume resources. Then, explore the following free resources as you consider your career options:

• Consider your path: Career Chat: Picking Job Skills That Help You Stand Out 

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me Quiz? 

• Watch on YouTube: Why People Skills Matter at Work (And How to Improve Them) 

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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