Navigating career transitions can be overwhelming. If you're feeling uncertain at work, struggling with the job search, or aiming for professional growth, now might be the perfect time to invest in career coaching.
"Most of my clients are in their 20-30's, so common themes that come up are wanting to find a new job or pursuing further education," explains Evenings & Weekends coach Sally Lin. "Their job may be unfulfilling and they want something that better suits their interests, they might like their current role but are thinking about next steps, they might be unemployed and want to find something in the near future, or they’re wondering if further training is the right choice at this point in their careers.”
Career coaching is a partnership that's designed to help you reach your professional goals with clarity and confidence. It can also help you to find alignment between your personal values and the way you work.
But how do you know if it's right for you? Let's explore the benefits and considerations.
What is Coaching?
At its core, coaching is about supporting you to make change. Unlike counseling or therapy, which can centre on your past experiences, coaching focuses on your present and future. It’s about co-creating a journey where you identifies your destination, and the coach helps map out the path to get there.
The beauty of coaching lies in its versatility: a coach doesn’t need to be an expert in your specific field to help you unlock your potential. They're trained to ask insightful questions that can help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Could Coaching Be Beneficial?
According to Sally, the most successful coaching clients come equipped with "a general sense of the topics they want to explore and a timeline for this exploration. This gives us both an overall sense of what direction we will traverse in the vast world of work and careers. It also helps me to map out some possible paths forward for our conversations."
Here are a few other signs that you'd benefit from coaching:
You're seeking clarity in your direction. If you're feeling uncertain about your career path or stuck in your current role, a coach can help you gain clarity and set actionable goals.
You're hitting a wall in your job search. Struggling to get interviews or job offers despite your efforts? Career coaches can refine your job search strategies, resume, and interview skills, and help you identify opportunities that align with your values and skillset.
You're considering a career change or an opportunity for advancement: Switching roles can be daunting. A coach can guide you through exploring new fields, acquiring relevant skills, and making a smooth transition to a new career or a new leadership role.
You're seeking work-life balance If managing your professional and personal life feels challenging, coaching can provide strategies to create a healthier balance.
When You Might Not Need Coaching
Coaching isn't for everyone. Here are a few signs that now might not be the right time to start a coaching practice:
You're not able to fully engage right now: Coaching is an active commitment, and often requires self-reflection, goal setting, and taking action on mutually agreed-upon advice. If you don't currently have the capacity to dedicate time and consideration to these practices, you might not benefit from coaching at this time.
You're not sure what your goals are: While a coach can help you work through career confusion, if you don't have any specific goals, it might be challenging for a coach to provide effective guidance. Career coaching works best when you have some direction, or at least a desire to find one.
You expect quick fixes: If you're looking for immediate solutions, or expect the coach to provide all the answers, career coaching may not meet your expectations. The process requires time and effort, a willingness to make changes, and an open mind. As Sally explains, "flexibility is key as the journey can be unexpected and the destination may surprise us both!"
Our Approach
At Evenings & Weekends, our coaching process is a collaborative effort where we help clients understand themselves and the specific issues they face, developing tailored action plans to achieve their goals.
We emphasize equity in our coaching approach. Our coaches are trained in anti-oppression and anti-racism, committed to recognizing and addressing systemic issues like colonialism, white supremacy, ableism, and more. This ensures that the outcomes of our coaching are informed by an equity lens, fostering a more just and inclusive professional environment.
Additionally, our organizational commitment extends beyond just coaching.
We donate 1% of our revenue to The Circle on Philanthropy to support Indigenous-led solutions and allocate 5% of our annual billable hours to pro bono coaching for emerging leaders and under-resourced groups.
Interested in learning more about our approach to coaching, and whether it's right for you?
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