Frequently Asked Questions - Career Coaching Programmes
What are Career Coaching Programmes?
The Career Coaching Progammes are an opportunity to work on your career issue with myself Diana Dawson, a qualified Career Psychologist. We will use combination of one to one career counselling, coaching and training, as well as psychometric testing and informal exercises where appropriate. The programme will be tailored to your issue, whether it is wanting to know which career path to take or wanting more from your current role.
Rather than telling you what to do, the process is one of giving you the tools of self understanding, so you can make an informed choice or decision about the next steps you take.
How do the Career Coaching Programmes work?
Career Coaching Programmes depend on the issue to be worked on but we start by finding out what those issues are and what you want to achieve from career counselling and coaching. For the career choice, change and development programmes, we then find out more about you and what you want from your career. This factors are what your previous experiences of work are, what interests you, what your strengths are and what gives work meaning to you. Through the process we general ideas for your career and then evaluate them with action plans as to how you are going to move forward. A follow up session is also included in these programmes to ensure you are moving forward and keeping on track.
For the Find and Get a Job Coaching Programmes, we have a look at a strategy to get a new job such a how to market yourself, including looking at your CV, interview skills and how to access the job market.
What are the benefits of the Programmes?
The Career Coaching Programmes allow you to make more informed choices about your work decisions. This gives you more self confidence and motivation when you take your next steps. It also gives you more information about what you want to gain from future roles and your future direction, including action planning.
Is it for me?
In order for career coaching and counselling to be effective, you need to be motivated to work hard at finding a solution to your career issue. If you have tried to solve an issue by your self and it has not worked – for example trying to decide on a future direction for your career, I have developed a Programme that will help you.
Which programme should I do?
If you are leaving school or university and do not know what career path to choose, the Career Choice Coaching Programme is for you. If you have already had some work experience but not happy with what you do, then you should think about the Career Change Programme where as if you want more from your job, try the Career Development Coaching Programme. The Find and Get a Job Programme is for those who know what they want to do but need to be successful in looking for and getting a job.
In order to discuss your requirements, I offer a free of charge first meeting to explain the process in more depth.
How long do they take?
The Career Coaching Programmes depend on your timescales and the career issues you have. Some career issues can be resolved in a few sessions whereas the Career Choice, Change and Development Career Coaching Programmes involve several weekly meetings. For those who need to make a quicker decision, it is possible to do an intense two day Programme.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the Career Coaching Programmes depends on the Programme required. In the initial free of charge meeting, you will discuss your career issues and the cost of the Programme will be given.
Where do we meet?
Diana works from a serviced office in the New Town in Edinburgh. The meetings will be in an office environment.
What are psychometric tests?
Psychometric tests are way of finding out more about yourself and can help in finding a career path for you. In the Career Choice, Change and Development Coaching Programmes, we use two powerful psychometric tests: the Highlands Ability Battery and Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire. The Highlands Ability Battery investigates your natural strengths whilst Myers Briggs finds your personality preferences.
These tests are not the same as the free ones you get on line and can only be administered by qualified individuals. Diana is qualified in Level A and B psychometric testing and adheres to the British Psychological Society rules and regulations for psychometric testing.
Can I just do the tests?
It is possible to only do the Highlands Ability Battery if you wish to know more about your innate strengths. A feedback with Diana about the results is necessary and an integral part of the test process for interpreting your unique results.
Do you have to do the programme face to face or can it be done by telephone?
The Programmes are usually carried out face to face but they can be done by email and telephone if required. If you do not live locally to Edinburgh, I can also tailor the Programmes to suit you if you want to stay in Edinburgh for a couple of days.
How do I start?
Click on the contacts us page to email or telephone us for a free initial consultation to discuss your particular career needs.
Page last updated on Tue, 7 September 2010
© Working Career2010, Career Services, Hudson House, 8 Albany Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3QB, Scotland.