Life coach | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Find out which qualifications or skills you need to become a Life coach

You'll have an advantage if you've got qualifications and membership of a professional organisation. A good starting point would be to choose a course that is approved by an independent coaching body.

It's important that you gather as much information as possible before choosing a course, as costs vary widely. Courses are available through online and face-to-face learning, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Apart from your studies you would need to make time for practical coaching sessions and preparation activities.

Check that a course offers:

• contacts with coaching and mentoring bodies
• testimonials from coaches who have attended the course
• good resources for developing skills
• practical training, like workshops and seminars
• some supervised work with a practising life coach or assessor
• advice on setting up a business
• opportunities for continuing professional development

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently