Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Job Coach Intern

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about helping others achieve their professional dreams? This role requires a motivated and compassionate Job Coach Intern to join our dynamic team. In this transformative role, you will be at the forefront of changing lives, providing direct support and guidance to individuals navigating the complexities of the modern job market. You'll act as a mentor, advocate, and strategist, empowering clients with the tools, confidence, and skills they need to secure meaningful employment. This is more than an internship; it's an opportunity to make a real, lasting impact while developing invaluable skills in coaching, human services, and workforce development. If you're a natural motivator with a desire to foster professional growth in others, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Current Student (Social Work, Psychology, HR)
Recent Graduate looking for hands-on experience
Volunteer in community service or mentorship roles

Advancement To:

Job Coach / Employment Specialist
Career Counselor / Career Advisor
Case Manager

Lateral Moves:

HR Coordinator / Recruiter
Non-profit Program Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive intake assessments to understand clients' skills, work history, interests, and potential barriers to employment.
Collaborate with clients to develop personalized and strategic Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) with clear, actionable goals and timelines.
Provide one-on-one coaching to assist clients in crafting compelling, ATS-friendly resumes and tailored cover letters that highlight their strengths.
Facilitate intensive mock interview sessions, offering constructive feedback on verbal and non-verbal communication, STAR-method storytelling, and overall presentation.
Guide clients in developing effective multi-channel job search strategies, including navigating online job boards, leveraging LinkedIn, and tapping into the hidden job market.
Co-facilitate and develop engaging workshops on essential career readiness topics such as professional networking, personal branding, and salary negotiation.
Assist clients in identifying and articulating their transferable skills to pivot into new industries or career paths.
Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date case notes and documentation for each client, tracking progress and outcomes in our database.
Provide ongoing motivational support and encouragement to clients throughout their job search, helping them build resilience and overcome setbacks.
Research local labor market trends and employer demands to provide clients with relevant and timely career advice.
Connect clients with essential community resources, including transportation assistance, professional attire, and childcare services, to mitigate employment barriers.
Advocate on behalf of clients with potential employers, building relationships and identifying inclusive hiring partners in the community.
Assist clients with the technical aspects of the job application process, including setting up professional email accounts and navigating online application systems.
Perform skills gap analyses and recommend relevant training, certifications, or educational programs to enhance client marketability.
Support clients in developing digital literacy skills necessary for remote work and virtual interviews.
Follow up with clients post-placement to provide retention support and ensure a smooth transition into their new role.
Participate actively in weekly team meetings, presenting client case studies and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
Help clients prepare for and navigate job fairs, both virtual and in-person, to maximize their networking opportunities.
Administer and interpret career assessment tools (e.g., interest inventories, skills assessments) to help clients gain self-awareness and career clarity.
Stay informed about best practices in workforce development, career coaching, and inclusive hiring to continuously improve our service delivery.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the creation and distribution of promotional flyers and digital content for upcoming career workshops and events.
Support the Career Services team with various administrative duties, including scheduling client appointments and organizing resource materials.
Contribute to the team's social media channels by drafting posts on job search tips, success stories, and local hiring events.
Research and compile updated lists of community support services, employer contacts, and free online learning resources for our client resource library.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) for creating professional documents and tracking data.
Familiarity with major online job platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
Strong knowledge of modern resume and cover letter writing standards and formats.
Experience using video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams for virtual coaching sessions.
Excellent research skills to gather information on industries, companies, and labor market trends.
Basic understanding of case management or client relationship management (CRM) software for data entry.
Ability to create and deliver engaging presentations for workshops or group sessions.
Knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and how to optimize resumes for them.
Strong writing and editing skills for reviewing and improving client application materials.
Familiarity with career assessment tools and resources is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

Exceptional empathy and high emotional intelligence to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Outstanding active listening and interpersonal communication skills.
Patience, resilience, and a non-judgmental, encouraging demeanor.
Strong ability to motivate, empower, and build confidence in others.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills to handle a diverse caseload.
Creative problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
High degree of cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Professionalism, reliability, and a strong work ethic.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Collaborative spirit with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed an Associate's or Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Psychology
Human Resources
Counseling
Sociology
Education
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-1 years of experience in a related field. Relevant academic projects, volunteer work, and prior internships are highly valued.

Preferred:

Previous experience (paid or volunteer) in a role involving mentoring, coaching, teaching, or direct client support in a social service or educational setting is highly desirable.