With the changes in the present economy, more people have chosen to take up life coaching as a profession. Anyone can choose to become a life coach. However, not everyone can make a living out of it. There are a lot of coaches nowadays who are struggling with the bills to pay, while worrying where they will find their next client.

The increasing number of life coaches who offer their services could mean that there is competition in terms of finding clients. It is important that you find ways to stand out among the others in order for you to attract clients. One way of doing so is by getting a life coach certification from an accrediting body.

Anyone can become certifiable coach as long as he has the skills. Most companies look for certified coaches, especially for those who are involved in the executive departments of a company. However, being a certified coach does not always mean that you can find guaranteed success. There are several coaches with no certification who have become successful.

If you choose to become a certified life coach, there are two things that you should consider. This is either to get an accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF) or the International Coaching Association (ICA). What\’s the difference between the two?

ICF Certification

Being a certified coach under ICF means that you will need to go to a training school or university which offers a coaching training program that meets the standards of ICF. Regardless if you have previous experiences as a coach, like being a gym trainer, counselor, etc., you will be required to undergo a training program from an accredited school which takes at least six months to two years. However, upon completion of your course, you are able to get certification as a coach. One is from the accredited training school and the other, from ICF.

This route can be an advantage, especially if you\’ve just started being a life coach and has no proper background in doing so. By going through the coaching course, you will be able to learn different things that you may need to know in being a life coach and how to help your clients.

ICA Certification

On the other hand, if you have already been coaching and had previous experiences, then taking the ICA route towards becoming an accredited coach might be the best to take. Getting a certification under ICA no longer requires you to undergo a specific number of training hours, training periods or even the number of hours that you have interacted with clients. You will only be required to take an exam to test your competency as a coach. If you already have previous experiences as a coach, then it may only take you 23-months time to be able to process and take the exam.

Being a certified coach can be a great advantage in getting hired as a life coach. However, one thing that you should also give time to consider is your marketing skills and how you sell yourself. Most coaches fail not because they have no skills as coaches, rather, they lack skills in marketing.

Christina Cordle enjoys writing for Coachestrainingblog which is an online resource on life coach training and life coach business as well as other related subjects.

Christina Cordle writes for Coachestrainingblog on life coach training and life coach business.
http://coachestrainingblog.com/becomeacoach/life-coach-training/
http://coachestrainingblog.com/becomeacoach/life-coaching-business/

Author Bio: Christina Cordle enjoys writing for Coachestrainingblog which is an online resource on life coach training and life coach business as well as other related subjects.

Category: Career
Keywords: life coach,life coaching,certified coach,certified life coach,life coach certification