Career Coach vs. Executive Coach: Key Differences (2026)

Career Coach vs. Executive Coach

Câu trả lời nhanh

A career coach helps individuals navigate professional transitions — job searching, resume building, interview preparation, and career strategy. An executive coach works with senior leaders (VPs, C-suite, founders) to develop leadership effectiveness, strategic thinking, executive presence, and organizational impact. Career coaches focus on getting people into roles; executive coaches focus on making people more effective in them.

Các khác biệt chính

Khía cạnhCareer CoachExecutive Coach

Target clientJob seekers, early-to-mid career professionals, and those navigating transitionsSenior executives, C-suite leaders, VPs, and high-potential managers

Primary focusJob search strategy, resumes, LinkedIn, interviewing, offer negotiation, career pivotsLeadership style, stakeholder management, executive presence, strategic influence, team effectiveness

Coach backgroundOften HR professionals, recruiters, or career counselors with job market expertiseOften former executives or organizational psychologists with leadership development expertise

Cost$100–$300/hour; package programs common ($500–$3,000)$300–$600+/hour; often engaged by companies for senior leaders

DurationShort-term — typically 3–6 months tied to a job search or transitionOngoing — engagements of 6–18 months are common for executive development

Khi nào nên chọn Career Coach

You are actively job searching and want to improve your resume, LinkedIn, and interview performance

You are changing industries or roles and need to reframe your experience for a new audience

You want professional negotiation coaching for salary and offer evaluation

You are a new graduate or mid-career professional trying to accelerate advancement

You feel stuck in your career and need help identifying and pursuing new directions

Khi nào nên chọn Executive Coach

You are a senior leader who wants to become more effective — not change jobs

You are navigating a first C-suite role or major promotion and need to level up quickly

You are receiving feedback that your leadership style is creating friction or limiting your team

Your company has identified you as a high-potential leader for an executive development program

You want to improve strategic communication, boardroom presence, or cross-functional influence

Kết luận

Career coaches and executive coaches are addressing different stages of a professional's journey. If you need to land a better role, a career coach's tactical job-market expertise is invaluable. If you are already in a senior role and want to lead more effectively, an executive coach's leadership development focus will create far more value. Many professionals benefit from a career coach early in their career and an executive coach as they reach leadership roles.

Chi phí tham khảo

Hourly rate

$175–$550/hr

Varies based on operating-model depth, sector context, and AI workflow experience

Per session

$250–$900

For a focused 60–90 minute session on workflow design, approvals, or AI operating decisions

Monthly retainer

$4,000–$18,000/month

For ongoing transformation advisory, rollout oversight, or fractional operations leadership

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