Who Needs Us?

What is career coaching?

An athletic coach studies her/his players and shapes strategies that enable each one to play to her/his strengths as an individual while blending into a successful team. In the same way, a career coach works with clients to improve their career performance and their potential for success in the job market. Career coaches specialize in developing strategies which enable clients to maximize their career potential, whether they are in transition—looking for a new job or career change—or looking at the challenge of advancement in their current organization.

What is at the heart of career coaching?

The goal of career coaching is to provide a client with the tools to define an ideal outcome for advancement or career change, and the ability to take the steps needed to achieve that outcome.

Who is a candidate for career coaching?

People who will benefit from working with a career coach: include those who are

> actively working to change careers or organizations
> looking to advance in their current organizations
> coping with change of employment issues, such as downsizing, forced early retirement or separation, including analyzing severance packages for maximum benefit
> seeking to enhance their experience as mature workers in a competitive marketplace
> advancing into management positions from “line” jobs
> working to enhance their image as executives, including resume reshaping, professional network building and clothing
> moving from other countries and are unfamiliar with American business techniques
> leaving self-employment to move into an organizational environment
> retiring from the military and entering civilian employment
> returning to the workforce after a hiatus of two or more years
> planning to move from the non-profit to the corporate sector, or vice versa
> returning to work after retirement because of financial necessity

What are the differences among career coaches, career counselors, and career placement and headhunter services?

Career counselors, in most instances, work with individuals through testing and counseling to help them determine the careers for which they are best suited. Career placement experts and/or headhunters usually work with both employers and prospective employees to place clients in a particular position. Career coaches help the individual client clarify her/his goals and career priorities, and helps the client build a roadmap for getting there.

What does a career coach do?

A career coach meets one-on-one with clients and helps them establish new goals, and the skills and talents they have to help achieve them. Coaches work with clients on and on-going basis to empower them with new strategies and skills to make them effective and successful job hunters and employees. They are experienced in

> evaluating clients and helping them define their career milestones and individual needs; and reorganize their resumes and personal presentations to emphasize those skills, talents and traits that are most important to each prospective employer and manager.

> designing effective resumes and empowering clients to make confident and knowledgeable presentations in interviews and negotiations

> monitoring client performance on an on-going basis to make certain her/his resume remains up-to-date and personal presentation remains focused on professional and personal goals

Is career coaching a successful tool for the job hunter?

Yes. 80% of Blackwell Career Management clients over the past 15 years have been successful in meeting their goals in the job market.

How does it work, and how much time will it take?

Blackwell Career Management works with a client on an on-going basis, beginning with a first evaluation and goal-setting session that usually takes about one-and-a-half hours, followed by additional sessions on an as-needed basis. We also offer a unique Annual Career Check-up to make certain the client’s resume is up-to-date, the steps that need to be taken to achieve the established goals are on track, and the client remains confident and committed to achieving success.