Career Coaching
How it works
My approach works because it focuses on something most career advice ignores: you’ve changed, but your career goals haven’t caught up.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or uncertain about what’s next, it’s not because you lack ambition or opportunities; it’s because you’re still working from an outdated career script.
What do I mean by an outdated career script? I help you catch up to who you’ve become in the decades since you first started your career, and then translate that into a career path that fits where you are now.
Catching Up
What you really need to do is consciously catch up on all the unconscious evolving you've been doing, and translate that into your career and life goals before trying to take action. Catching up can be challenging because it’s self-reflective, and people don’t often get a lot of guidance on how to do that. When they lack guidance, they often become impatient and leap into action too soon, which results in stuckness, confusion, and frustration. When you catch up first, it’s actually more efficient and effective, as counterintuitive as that may sound.
4 elements of Catching Up
-
“To thine own self be true.”
-William ShakespeareOver decades we change in significant ways, and often so slowly that we don’t really notice. During that time, we're rarely supported to reassess how our sense of what matters has matured or shifted focus from when we were young adults. There are powerful ways to reassess that bring awareness to aspects of ourselves we don’t usually focus on. This awareness is what keeps us from repeating the mistakes of our youth as we come to know the foundation we're standing on now.
-
“Careers are not ladders to climb. They are jungle gyms to explore.”
-Sheryl SandbergFocusing too much on the next rung of the career ladder limits us to what’s immediately visible: a promotion, a lateral move, or more of the same. There’s an ease to linear thinking, especially in the face of both too many options and options that aren’t visible at all. That said, stepping off the ladder and onto the jungle gym opens up new perspectives, letting you swing, climb, and discover paths you never considered. By expanding how you see your career, you create space for possibilities that once felt out of reach. Let’s find the playfulness in exploration and make space for a future that feels right for you.
-
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
-John WoodenOver decades we change in significant ways, and often so slowly that we don’t really notice. During that time, we're rarely supported to reassess how our sense of what matters has matured or shifted focus from when we were young adults. There are powerful ways to reassess that bring awareness to aspects of ourselves we don’t usually focus on. This awareness is what keeps us from repeating the mistakes of our youth as we come to know the foundation we're standing on now.
-
“It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it, and appropriately act on it.”
-Stephen CoveyBringing your career vision to life means bridging the gap between imagination and reality. You’ve explored new possibilities, built confidence, and redefined what’s possible—but are your new ideas just fantasy? Before leaping into interviews, testing your ideas and dreams in safer, easier ways than applying for jobs can boost your confidence and ensure you're truly prepared for success on your new path
Only after you’ve caught up does it make sense to take action.
Taking Action
You’re probably more familiar with this step, which includes updating your resume and LinkedIn, reaching out to first and second connections, and engaging with sometimes lengthy interview loops in order to get the role that aligns with your values and career trajectory. And what do all of these actions require? Good storytelling. Let’s look at the 4 elements of taking action.
4 elements of Taking Action
-
“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.”
-attributed to Oprah WinfreyFrom the candidate-market fit step, you have all the pieces of your story. Now it’s time to put them all together. It can be more challenging than it sounds. When it comes time to tell the story, we often add too many details, or too few. We may forget to connect to our values, or we may have a vision of our career that’s too vague even if it’s clear in our heads. We might also forget our audience and what they really care about. This step will help you tell the right story at the right time to the right people.
-
“People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.”
-Bob MerrillWe’re social creatures; we thrive on connection, and job searching is no different. The truth is, we rarely land jobs through close contacts or cold applications. Instead, opportunities often come from second and third-degree connections. The key is leveraging your network to reach people you don’t yet know. We’ll work together to make those connections.
-
“Our working identity is not something we find, but rather something we create.”
-attributed to Herminia IbarraUpdating your public-facing resources is a powerful step in clarifying and owning your professional identity. It ensures your outward presence reflects your evolving story. When your narrative is clear and consistent, you attract the right opportunities and connections. This process isn’t just about visibility; it’s about stepping fully into the next chapter of your career.
-
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”
-Arthur AsheThen, you get into an interview loop. It’s the moment when you get to share your story and test whether the organization might be a good place to advance your career. We’ll prepare through mock interviews to ensure you’re ready not only to answer questions but to ask them. When you get an offer, we’ll work together to negotiate what’s important to you.
While this process does take a bit longer than just leaping into action and getting into another role that doesn’t feel quite right, it doesn’t get lost in some hall of mirrors with endless reflections. With focus and a pragmatic approach, we can get you caught up and, with new found confidence, make substantial progress.