We’ve all had experience with interviews, right? It is the means by which you can find the perfect person for a specific job. Well, interviewing a financial coach is no exception. A financial coach may have exceptional abilities, but if you feel uncomfortable with this coach or your personalities clash – experience means nothing.

So what questions do you ask a financial coach? Here are some examples:

* Why should I select you in preference to any other coach? What do you offer that others do not?
* What is your work ethic? What methods of financial coaching do you follow?
* What is your educational background?
* What training have you received?
* How many years have you been a financial coach?
* Are you affiliated with any particular bank or institution?
* What specific services do you offer that relate to my circumstances?
* Are you certified as a financial coach? Do you hold any degrees in this area?
* What is your philosophy about financial coaching?
* What makes you unique in this area?
* How are you paid? What are your fees?
* Will we meet on a monthly or bi-monthly basis?
* What tools and resources do you utilize in helping me to obtain a successful financial plan?

These are just some of the questions you may ask a potential financial coach. Of course, depending upon the area for which you are hiring this coach, you may need to ask further questions.

For example, baby boomers may seek a financial coach for retirement in order to find ways to save money so they can retire on a definite date and be assured they will have ample health coverage as well.

Think of it this way: if you were hiring a nanny or a baby-sitter for your child, you would want to know as much as possible about that person’s background, employment history, references, and other factors.

Interviewing a financial coach requires the same focus and attention to detail. After all, it’s your money and seeking proper advice from a certified and experienced coach can make all the difference in your financial future.

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If you have decided to seek the best financial coach available, here are five tips that may help you in this endeavor.

1. Experience. How long has the individual been coaching? While there are six-week courses for those who wish to become a financial coach, this does not necessarily guarantee they have established expertise in the area most important to you. Look for a coach who has had extensive training for at least two years, followed by multiple exams showing his or her competence in the area. A certified financial planner and a certified public accountant both meet the criteria.

In addition, you need to know how long this coach has been practising in this field. Also, providing any and all licenses is proof that this individual is engaged in ongoing education in this field as well.

2. Compensation. Who provides payment for services to the financial coach? Does he or she work for a bank or institution wherein commissions are given as compensation? How much does the financial coach charge and on what basis are the fees incurred?

3. Personality. You can probably tell within the first five minutes of interviewing a perspective financial coach if he or she is suitable for your needs. You may think that personality should not be a factor, but if you do not get along with your coach it may cause problems later on.

One of the basic tenets of hiring a financial coach is based on trust and confidence that he or she will do the job you hired them to do. As long as you are comfortable with the coach and can confide in and depend upon them to guide you through a successful financial future, then you have found someone quite special.

Note that some experts warn that financial coaches who work for banks or brokerage firms do not last very long. Keep that in mind during the interview process.

4. Professionalism. Does the financial coach conduct business in a professional and courteous manner? Does he or she set appointments well in advance and arrive on time? Are your questions and concerns met with immediate results?

You wouldn’t expect any less from your own doctor, so why would you settle for someone who does not offer the same professionalism in the financial world.

5. Expertise. Whether you are hiring a coach to help with retirement savings, tuition for your children’s college, investments, insurance, or a new business, you certainly want someone who has expertise in a specific area. Ideally, you want a financial coach who is proficient in all these areas.

Just as you would take the time and effort to find the right doctor, lawyer, or baby-sitter, consider using the same method to articulate your needs in finding the best financial coach available.

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