• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 1 subscriber
  • Views 1863 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

Career Coaching

Elaine

I’m interested in people’s experiences of using a professional career coach as part of their own personal career and development planning. Has anyone used one and did you find it useful? If so how did you find them/identify the right person and (if you don’t mind sharing) how much did it cost?

I have recently tendered my notice on an HR Business Partner role with a very long commute that was starting to impact my health. Due to my long notice period and desire for a short break (1-2 months) to recharge my health and energy levels I decided to resign without a new post to go to. I have never been in this position before, always having moved from one role to the next when I was successful in obtaining a sideways move or promotion to a role that happened to catch my eye at a point I was starting to consider it was time to stretch myself or move on. I’m in the fortunate financial position that if need be I can take a few months to find the right next role and want to take a more planned approach this time round. I have 17 years L&D and generalist HR experience across a range of public sector employers (local government, emergency services, central civil service) which I’ve always been passionate about but wonder if it is time to spread my wings outside this sector. In the past managers and colleagues have informally mentored me/encouraged me to apply for posts but I don’t currently have a good professional mentor who I feel I can brainstorm this with and am considering taking some paid for advice but am trying to decide if this is likely to be a good investment.

Parents

  • <p>Hi Elaine,</p>

    There's some good advice from Nicola, above, about selecting whom you might work with.

    You've indicated that you have a solid background in HR and L&D and that your career path has been (sort of) opportunistic and wholly within a corporate environment.  Taking stock at this juncture is clearly going to be worthwhile and maybe, just maybe, it is an appropriate time to think a little more broadly about options that are open to you and which you might like then to explore BEFORE you go down the route of finding the most appropriate consultant/ company who can provide you with the right sort of help that you want.

    My experience? 20 years ago I had come to a point in my working life where I needed to consider the question of do I want more of the same, working in a corporate environment, or do I want to take a different (and likely more challenging path?

    Having been a sort of 'corporate hatchet-man' for 15 years and commissioned outplacement services for (ex-) employees, I was in a good position to appreciate what was available. However, I found it really useful to do my own preparation to figure out my preferences. A useful resource that I had used for many years was a book: "What Colour is your Parachute?" - a guide for career changers. It is an American publication so is written for a different business culture, but nevertheless it guides you to ask all the right questions and has lots of practical exercises to get you exploring the whole range of options that could be open to you.

    After my preparation period, I ended up having a few meetings (three sessions were ample) with the owner of an outplacement and psychometric testing consultancy. The expertise I wanted to tap into was practicalities of setting up a business - which she had clearly done - and using her as a sounding board so that I remained grounded.

    She also provided very helpful tips on managing 'the home front' as having a spouse at home rather than at work 5 days a week can put strains on relationships!!!

    I've enjoyed the past 20 years doing my own thing and being in charge of my own business destiny. And the counselling was very helpful - and it was also pro bono.

    Anyway, good on you for being bold and decisive, and for putting your health first, bailing out without a parachute. I wish you success for the future.

    Harvey

  • in reply to Harvey Bennett

    Elaine, these are the sorts of things people say about working with a professional Career Coach:  

    Here's to your new career adventure!  

    All the very best,

    Jools x

Reply Children
No Data