Top-rated career coaches in California
Here are the leading career coaches working with professionals in California. Each has been assessed for expertise, clear communication, and a strong track record of client success.
Wolf Magdelinic
Career Transition Specialist
I’m a certified career and leadership coach with 8+ years of experience helping ambitious professionals navigate pivots, burnout recovery, and identity alignment. My approach blends structured goal-setting with mindful rituals that fit seamlessly into daily life. I’ve worked with clients across tech, creative industries, and consulting to rediscover clarity, design resilient career paths, and step into leadership with confidence. My coaching style is equal parts pragmatic and supportive — I’ll challenge you to stretch while making sure you feel grounded and aligned. If you’re ready to move from uncertainty to momentum, I’d love to support your next chapter.
Michelle Hillier
Self-discovery Coach
As a TEDx speaker, educator, and published author, I've spent over two decades helping people unlock their hidden potential through movement, creativity, and radical self-discovery. From captivating large crowds to intimate coaching sessions, I've helped millions reclaim their power and move beyond their limits. I'm all about creating safe, transformative spaces for people to reconnect with their inner flame.
Jordan Mae Antoinette
Mindfulness Coach
I'm a movement teacher, breath work coach, mindful meditation guide, retreat host, radio show host, and DJ. I also run an online movement studio. With years of experience in the wellness space, I help individuals achieve holistic well-being through the interconnectedness of movement, breath, and mindful awareness.
George Bent
Career Development Coach
George is a London-based career coach focused on tangible career outcomes and providing managerial-style support to his clients.
Working in California
Employment Landscape
The job market across California in early 2026 is uneven and, at times, discouraging for job seekers. The state’s unemployment rate has hovered around 5.4 to 5.6 percent, among the highest in the nation, and hiring remains largely flat with nonfarm payroll growth nearly at a standstill. Tech hubs in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley continue to shed positions, with companies such as LinkedIn and Intel scaling back hundreds or thousands of roles amid AI-driven restructuring. Meanwhile, sectors like healthcare, social assistance, and government show modest growth—particularly in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties—but these gains often hinge on public funding and policy direction. Job openings have slipped and separations have edged up, creating a more competitive landscape that forces many to recalibrate expectations after repeated setbacks.
Dominant Industries
Typical Roles
Hiring Patterns
Hiring remains mostly static across private industries, especially in tech where layoffs continue as companies prioritize efficiency and AI initiatives. Growth is constrained to public-funded areas like healthcare and state and local government, while sectors such as transportation and warehousing are slipping after pandemic-era gains.
"Expect fierce competition in tech. Many roles are evaporating rather than appearing."
Browse career coaches by city in California
Select a city to explore career coaching options.
Los Angeles
Entertainment capital with diverse career opportunities.
San Francisco
Tech capital of the world with innovation at its core.
San Diego
Perfect weather with biotech, defense, and tourism industries.
San Jose
Heart of Silicon Valley and tech innovation.
Sacramento
State capital with government jobs and emerging tech scene.
What is WORK-SELF?
Work Self is a career development system that helps people grow through coaching and daily habit support.
What Work Self provides
- One to one coaching for clarity and momentum
- Software that guides habits and simple next steps
- A structure that keeps progress moving between sessions
Why people choose it
- Builds confidence and better decision making
- Creates steady progress with small daily actions
- Makes career growth feel clear, guided, and achievable
How it works
- 1Meet with your coach to set goals and direction
- 2Follow daily guidance in the software
- 3Build habits that lead to long term improvement
A new way to grow your career
Innovative tools and coaching methods designed to transform how you develop professionally.
Career Audit Tool
Assess your professional path in California with our comprehensive 360° audit.
Transition Blueprint
Map your move with structure and real momentum. Step-by-step guidance.
AI-Powered Coaching
Intelligent guidance available 24/7. Get instant answers to your career questions.
Rituals for Growth
Build clarity and confidence with intentional daily habits designed for you.
Personal Brand Builder
Tell your story clearly and powerfully to stand out in the local market.
Coaches available in California
We select top coaches who understand the local market dynamics and global career trends.
Wolf Magdelinic
Career Transition Specialist
I’m a certified career and leadership coach with 8+ years of experience helping ambitious professionals navigate pivots, burnout recovery, and identity alignment. My approach blends structured goal-setting with mindful rituals that fit seamlessly into daily life. I’ve worked with clients across tech, creative industries, and consulting to rediscover clarity, design resilient career paths, and step into leadership with confidence. My coaching style is equal parts pragmatic and supportive — I’ll challenge you to stretch while making sure you feel grounded and aligned. If you’re ready to move from uncertainty to momentum, I’d love to support your next chapter.
Michelle Hillier
Self-discovery Coach
As a TEDx speaker, educator, and published author, I've spent over two decades helping people unlock their hidden potential through movement, creativity, and radical self-discovery. From captivating large crowds to intimate coaching sessions, I've helped millions reclaim their power and move beyond their limits. I'm all about creating safe, transformative spaces for people to reconnect with their inner flame.
Jordan Mae Antoinette
Mindfulness Coach
I'm a movement teacher, breath work coach, mindful meditation guide, retreat host, radio show host, and DJ. I also run an online movement studio. With years of experience in the wellness space, I help individuals achieve holistic well-being through the interconnectedness of movement, breath, and mindful awareness.
George Bent
Career Development Coach
George is a London-based career coach focused on tangible career outcomes and providing managerial-style support to his clients.
Simple, transparent pricing
Invest in your career clarity today.