For many different reasons, job-seekers are advised to shop around when seeking out a career coach.

ABC News career columnist Michelle Goodman particularly warned job hunters to be on the watch for scam artists who prey on desperation. She advised that serious red flags include "guarantees" of employment, as well as demands for large up-front payments and claims from these so-called coaches that they have access to "hidden" jobs or other kinds of privileged information.

"Just as good and bad doctors get their degrees from Harvard, the market is rife with both good and bad coaches who have credentials. That's where getting a referral from a friend or colleague comes in," wrote Goodman.

Goodman suggested that coaches credentialed by the National Career Development Association have passed more rigorous standards than their competitors. She also advised that coaches should have experience working in your particular field.

Annie Fisher of Fortune Magazine offered similar advice in a column earlier this year. She suggested that a credible career coach should belong to a reputable trade organization and be "active and visible" in their industry with published articles or other media presence. She also advised getting references from a career coach and also stressed the importance of finding a coach who has real-world job experience as well as coaching training.