1. Introduction to Career Coaching

Demand for career coaches and typical clients
Benefits of being a career coach
Difference between career counselling and career coaching
The work of a career coach
How to motivate clients to take action

2. Understanding your Client’s Needs

Knowing who your clients are
Variety of clients
What are your clients’ needs?
Rapport: client and coach relationships
Goal or outcome-setting
Positive outcome focus

3. Establishing the Coach / Client Relationship

Initial consultation meeting
Using open ended questions
Listening and responding
Confidence building
Managing expectations
Providing advice and encouragement
Knowing the key ingredients to a successful job search
Creating an action plan

4. Career Exploration Process – Part 1

What are ‘skills’?
Why are they important?
Transferable skills
What do you enjoy doing?
Work values
Preferred work style
Reviewing achievements: understanding what you are good at
Evidencing your achievements
Undertaking a personal SWOT analysis

5. Career Exploration Process – Part 2

Clarifying career direction: evaluating options
Career planning exercises
Psychometric tools
Choosing a similar career
Changing direction
Retraining
Self employment
Portfolio career
Gap analysis and ways of bridging the gap
Making a decision and defining a course of action

6. Helping Your Client Produce a Winning CV

Getting clients to view CVs as a crucial selling document
What to include in the CV
Different types of CV
Style and presentation
Multiple CVs: tailoring the CV to specific roles

7. Helping Clients Conduct a Targeted Job Search

Understanding how the job market works
The open market
The hidden market
Telephone techniques and perfecting your ‘elevator pitch’
Making the most of your references/referees

8. Applications and Letters

The art of letter writing
The different types of letters
Seeing things from the recipient’s point of view
Filling in application forms
Dealing with an adverse employment record
Investing in time and effort
Understanding the importance of record keeping

9. Preparing for Interviews

Selection interviews
Types of interview questions
Preparation for the interview
Dress code
Assessment centres
Interview mediums
Answering questions
Asking questions
Composure
Do’s and don’ts

10. Helping the Client Manage Their Job Search Campaign

Maintaining the right frame of mind
Getting organised
Systematic approach to planning
Time management
Building up a database
Learning and recovering from setbacks
Keeping going
Celebrating successes

11. Helping the Client Assess Job Offers

Essential questions the client needs to ask
Tempering enthusiasm with caution and objectivity
Reviewing the job offer
Negotiating the salary and benefits package
Confirming acceptance of the offer and other follow-up actions
Transitioning into the new role successfully

12. Setting up Your Career Coaching Practice

A place to work
A career coach’s equipment
Other aspects to consider
What to charge

13. The Legal Side of Running a Business

Putting together a business plan
Paying tax
Indemnity insurance

14. Developing Your Coaching Skills

Staying in touch with developments, trends and new ideas
Volunteer experience
Supervision
Finding a supervisor or mentor
Joining professional associations
Continuing professional development
Useful resources

15. Running Your Own Practice

Administrative support
Employing others vs associates
Partnership working
Letters of agreement (private clients)
Writing proposals (corporate clients)
Meeting with a prospective corporate client
Financial matters and bookkeeping
Managing your time and your workload
Getting paid – invoicing and chasing late payments

16. Promoting Your Services: Finding Clients

Marketing your business
Your website
Networking
Leaflet drops
PR
Referrals from existing clients
Advertising