Top-rated career coaches in Santa Monica
Here are the leading career coaches working with professionals in Santa Monica. Each has been assessed for expertise, clear communication, and a strong track record of client success.
Dr John O'Dwyer
Leadership Coach
Leadership consultant, author, educator, and creator of the GettingItDone Toolkit. Known for blending practical wisdom, academic rigour, and humour, he helps teams and executives align vision, execution, and culture to deliver measurable results.
Sasja Winkels
Career Transition Specialist
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your career? Unsure which direction will truly energize you? I support professionals in finding the right career path and turn that into a realistic plan, so they can move forward with confidence, purpose, and momentum. With a background in HR and certifications in transformative coaching and yoga, I combine a holistic approach with very practical support. Once your direction is clear, we work on the steps that make change happen: building self-trust and resilience, removing inner and outer obstacles, and taking consistent action. 💼 And because clarity alone isn’t enough, I also support you with proven job-market strategies: creating a standout personal brand (CV, LinkedIn, USP), leveraging networking to access opportunities, crafting strong applications, and interview training that helps you stand out. ♥️ If you’re ready to step into a more fulfilling career, let’s talk! 🌐 You can read more about me and my coaching on my website: www.sasjazwinkels.com.
Benicia Jeulin
Leadership Coach
I am a leadership and career coach with a background in recruitment. I help professionals break through limiting beliefs and blockers to unlock their full career potential.
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.
Working in Santa Monica
Employment Landscape
Job seekers in Santa Monica should expect a job market shaped by its creative-technology-media nexus, but coping with real tensions. Recent Amazon layoffs eliminated around 130 jobs in Santa Monica tied to its entertainment and gaming operations, signaling that even high-profile tech employers are trimming. Meanwhile, the city grapples with a roughly 35 percent office vacancy rate downtown and along the Third Street Promenade, a sharp level that places pressure on retail, creative agencies, and co‑working operators. City government faces its own constraints: it is under a partial hiring freeze, with about 6 percent of positions vacant, and efforts to fill roles are slow. Developers and builders, however, are seeing momentum as regional construction ramps up, driving demand for multi‑family, adaptive reuse, and green‑building roles in West LA. Santa Monica is neither flourishing nor collapsing—it is a neighborhood in transition, with some obvious opportunities amid serious challenges.
Dominant Industries
Typical Roles
Hiring Patterns
Hiring is bifurcated. Creative‑tech and AI‑linked roles are still being scooped up, especially for media and gaming firms, though even those sectors feel the weight of corporate restructuring. Construction‑adjacent disciplines tied to redevelopment or sustainable renovation are growing modestly. At the same time, public sector hiring remains cautious, constrained by the city’s tight budget and hiring freeze.
"In Santa Monica, your fastest breaks may come from a developer planning a retrofit or a gaming studio hiring AI‑savvy creators—not from a city hall offer."
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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
We select top coaches who understand the local market dynamics and global career trends.
Dr John O'Dwyer
Leadership Coach
Leadership consultant, author, educator, and creator of the GettingItDone Toolkit. Known for blending practical wisdom, academic rigour, and humour, he helps teams and executives align vision, execution, and culture to deliver measurable results.
Sasja Winkels
Career Transition Specialist
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your career? Unsure which direction will truly energize you? I support professionals in finding the right career path and turn that into a realistic plan, so they can move forward with confidence, purpose, and momentum. With a background in HR and certifications in transformative coaching and yoga, I combine a holistic approach with very practical support. Once your direction is clear, we work on the steps that make change happen: building self-trust and resilience, removing inner and outer obstacles, and taking consistent action. 💼 And because clarity alone isn’t enough, I also support you with proven job-market strategies: creating a standout personal brand (CV, LinkedIn, USP), leveraging networking to access opportunities, crafting strong applications, and interview training that helps you stand out. ♥️ If you’re ready to step into a more fulfilling career, let’s talk! 🌐 You can read more about me and my coaching on my website: www.sasjazwinkels.com.
Benicia Jeulin
Leadership Coach
I am a leadership and career coach with a background in recruitment. I help professionals break through limiting beliefs and blockers to unlock their full career potential.
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.
Simple, transparent pricing
Invest in your career clarity today.