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Executives are turning to career coaches

Why Executive Search Firms Aren't Enough: The Case for a Personal Career Coach in an Exclusive Job Market

October 09, 20252 min read

For the executive professional, the job market can feel like an exclusive club with locked doors. Most C-suite roles are filled through highly specialized, often confidential, processes that rely on networking and insider knowledge, not just online applications. While executive search firms are essential, they are agents for the hiring company. To truly succeed, you need a powerful, strategic advocate working only for you: a personal career coach.

The key to executive job search success is taking control. You need a proactive strategy to find the perfect job—not just a database to apply to.

The CoreTactic Advantage: Strategic Alliance Over Passive Waiting

Our executive coaching and career coaching programs move you from being a passive candidate waiting for a recruiter's call to being a highly strategic, wanted talent.

  1. Accessing the Hidden Market: Many of the best roles are never posted on job boards. We teach you the quick steps to find a role fast:

    • Make a list of 20-30 target companies that you respect.

    • Follow those companies on LinkedIn and Facebook.

    • Connect with fellow colleagues at the top five companies and start a conversation. My clients who follow this process get in-person coffee meetings and interviews with a lot less stress.

  2. Developing a Transformative Executive Brand: A career coach is more than a resume polisher; we are a strategic partner. We help you define your vision, build your executive brand, and navigate the intricate challenges of the modern workplace. Our coaching focuses on developing the "power skills" and adaptability that recruiters are now prioritizing.

  3. Job Counseling for Clarity and Speed: The old ways of job searching don't work for executives. Our job counseling provides a tailored, strategic framework for growth, including custom goal-setting and a personalized campaign strategy to meet your specific objectives. Our process is designed to get you noticed, FAST.

  4. Beyond the Transaction: Life Coaching for Confidence: A good life coach helps you gain insight into your professional style, skills, and values to propel you from where you are to where you need to be. CoreTactic is in your corner to help you move past the anxiety about networking and build social capital.

You can't control market downturns or company restructures. But you can control how you prepare, position, and present yourself. Let CoreTactic provide the clarity, tools, and accountability to shrink your executive job search time effectively.

Stop waiting and start moving. If you're wondering how to find the perfect job for me, the answer is a strategic partnership. Contact a CoreTactic career coach today: https://call.coretactic.net.

Nick T. Rustad, MBA, CSM, CSPO is a seasoned executive, best-selling author, and professional coach with over 25 years of experience in corporate America. As the co-owner and chief coach of CoreTactic, a career and startup coaching company, Nick leverages his extensive background in leadership and consulting to guide clients through career transitions and how to start a new company.

Nicholas T. Rustad, CoreTactic Executive Career and Business Coach

Nick T. Rustad, MBA, CSM, CSPO is a seasoned executive, best-selling author, and professional coach with over 25 years of experience in corporate America. As the co-owner and chief coach of CoreTactic, a career and startup coaching company, Nick leverages his extensive background in leadership and consulting to guide clients through career transitions and how to start a new company.

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Career and Business Coaching Frequently Asked Questions

What services does CoreTactic provide it's clients?

CoreTactic offers advanced professional coaching in career development, business growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help individuals and companies achieve clarity, strategy, and measurable results. With 25+ years of consulting and 2,500+ clients served, we specialize in actionable plans that create real success.

Why is coaching important for professionals and businesses?

Coaching provides structure, accountability, and outside perspective. Whether you’re looking to transition into a new career, expand your business, or strengthen your leadership skills, the right coaching program accelerates progress and helps you avoid costly mistakes. CoreTactic combines proven methods with personalized guidance.

How does CoreTactic’s approach stand out?

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Each client receives a customized plan built around their strengths, goals, and challenges. Our coaching blends strategic business insights with practical career development, helping professionals and companies scale with confidence.

How can I get started?

Getting started is simple. Schedule a free discovery call at call.coretactic.net. We’ll discuss your goals, outline a plan, and help you decide the best next step. Most clients see clarity and results within the first few sessions.

How can CoreTactic help me build a resume that passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

We guide you to create resumes that are both human-friendly and ATS-compliant. That means optimizing with relevant keywords, using clean formatting, structuring sections for easy parsing, and tailoring each resume version for the job you’re applying to. Clients often see better recruiter response rates within weeks.

What is life coaching, and how is it different from career or business coaching?

Life coaching focuses on your overall well-being, values, and fulfillment—not just work or income. Career coaching zeroes in on your job path and professional identity, while business coaching concentrates on growth and strategy. Life coaching integrates mindset, relationships, and purpose with your career and business path for lasting success.

If I already have a business idea, how does CoreTactic help me validate it before launching?

We reduce risk by guiding you through market research, hypothesis testing, minimum viable product (MVP) design, financial modeling, and customer feedback loops. This process prevents wasted effort and ensures your business launches with data-driven confidence.

What kinds of results can I expect from career coaching with CoreTactic, and in what timeframe?

Results often include clearer direction, improved resumes and LinkedIn profiles, more interviews, stronger offers, and faster transitions. Many clients see tangible progress in 4–8 weeks, with momentum building significantly over 3–6 months.

How does business coaching with CoreTactic differ for a startup vs. an established company?

For startups, we focus on idea validation, lean marketing, and MVP development. For established companies, we emphasize scaling, leadership, team building, and process optimization. Every coaching plan is tailored to your stage and challenges.

What if I’m uncertain about what career or business I want to pursue? Can you help me find clarity?

Yes. We use assessments, reflection exercises, and structured exploration to uncover strengths, patterns, and passions. From there, we identify practical, viable directions that align with your goals and lifestyle. You don’t need to have the answers when you start—just openness to explore.

How much time should I expect to invest per week while working with a coach?

Typically 1 coaching session per week (60–90 minutes) and 2–4 hours of focused work or reflection. This structure ensures steady progress without overwhelming your schedule, and we adapt to your availability and goals.

How do you measure the success of a coaching engagement?

We establish key performance indicators (KPIs) such as job interviews, salary improvements, revenue growth, or milestone achievements. We also track qualitative shifts like confidence and clarity. Progress is reviewed regularly and plans adjusted to ensure measurable impact.

Can I combine business coaching and career coaching services?

Yes. Many clients pursue both career and business goals simultaneously. For example, an executive might launch a side business while advancing in their corporate role. We adapt coaching focus as your priorities evolve.

What type of clients do you typically work with, and who is best suited for CoreTactic coaching?

We partner with mid-career professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and individuals seeking holistic success. If you’re ready to invest time, take consistent action, and want measurable results, you’ll find CoreTactic a strong fit. Transformation requires commitment, and we walk with you every step.