How do you start a career coach business in 2027?

Career coaching in 2027 has tailwinds (AI-driven layoffs at Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft 2024-2026 left a huge mid-career market) and headwinds (LinkedIn AI features, ChatGPT resume rewrites, Teal/Huntr automating job-search ops). The buyer who pays is the $150k-$400k professional in a layoff or pivot, not the new grad. Honest 5/10.

Startup costs. LLC $100-$400. Insurance $300-$600/yr. CRM + scheduling $50-$150/mo. Resume tools (Jobscan, Teal Pro), LinkedIn Sales Nav $80-$200/mo. ICF ACC or CPCC $3k-$8k optional. NCDA Certified Career Counselor $1.5k-$3k. Website + course platform $50-$300/mo.

Credentials. None required. Buyers screen for: prior recruiting/HR experience, time spent in their target industry (FAANG eng coaches, Big 4 consulting coaches, etc.), measurable placement results. NCDA, CPCC, ICF help with corporate outplacement contracts.

Customer acquisition. LinkedIn is the entire game — daily posts, comment engagement in laid-off employee communities, "I help X land Y" positioning. Outplacement contracts (RiseSmart, LHH subcontracting) for steady volume at lower margin. Referrals from layoff Slacks/Discords. Webinars + lead magnets (resume teardown PDFs).

Revenue model. Packages $1.5k-$10k (resume + LinkedIn + interview prep + negotiation). Hourly $150-$400. Outplacement subcontract $300-$800/client. Negotiation-only (10-25% of raise) $2k-$15k.

Year-1. 12-25 package clients, $40k-$120k gross. Layoff-driven volume can spike fast.