Began an active job search

“This was my first time doing any coaching and I’m not usually the most self-reflective but I felt very lost and unsure about how to make a start on returning to the workforce after a career break.

The best thing about working with Nicola is that I have recovered my confidence, banished most of my fears and concerns about returning to work and I am genuinely looking forward to the next chapter in my career.

I am now clear on what career path I want to take. I have started to apply for new roles and I also have the confidence to establish my own self-worth and my boundaries when it comes to a new role.

Coaching has been a great experience for me. It has helped me remember the professional I once was and to recognise the skills I have gained during my career break. I feel really positive about my future career!”

“I felt stuck in my job as a lecturer. I felt undervalued, overworked and fed up with the cyclic nature of the academic year. Despite feeling this, I had no clue what to do next or how to effectively explore career options. I invested in coaching to help me identify alternative career paths and to have the confidence to pivot and apply for other jobs.

Nicola’s coaching was personable and tailored. Nicola listened well and had real insight into my interests and skills. She drew links between points I’d raised in previous meetings and pulled it all together to share with me a new or alternative perspective that I’d not seen or considered before. The coaching also delivered in manageable chunks which helped me feel like I was making progress at and between each session. I have clarity on my values, strengths and skills which has given me confidence to explore alternative careers and apply for jobs. Nicola’s coaching has also made me aware of the wide opportunities available to me which I couldn’t see or believe in previously.

As a direct result of Nicola’s coaching, I have reached out and spoken to people in other sectors, I’ve extended my activity and network on LinkedIn and I’ve applied for jobs. Funnily enough, I’ve also become more satisfied in my current post as I appreciate more the aspects I enjoy, and Nicola provided me with tools to help manage the aspects I least enjoy. I also feel more empowered to know there are other careers out there for me. The insight and tools Nicola has equipped me with will stay with me for life.

I highly recommend Nicola’s coaching to anyone feeling lost in their career and unsure what to do next or how to explore it.”

“I signed up for a My Ideal Career Starter Session with Nicola because I’d like to change careers out of teaching.

I’m clearer about my values as a result of the session and I got useful tips (e.g., make a list of possible jobs and from each specification list what I like or don’t like). The session has also motivated me to be more active on LinkedIn and I’ve already started a list of jobs that I like the sound of.

I’m glad I invested in the coaching session with Nicola!”

“I felt very stuck in my current career and couldn’t see a way forward. I knew I needed some help to identify skills, to help reframe my negative thinking and to overall build my confidence that change is possible.

Working with Nicola gave me accountability which helped me keep on track. I appreciated the flexibility of the coaching too - not all career coaches are available at 4pm on a Friday or 10am on a Saturday which is when teachers are most likely to be available.

I’m more aware of the importance of ‘doing’ in the career change process. I would have been a passive ‘researcher’ prior to the coaching but am now more inclined to ‘do’ and to realise that if I find it’s not for me, that’s not a failure - it’s a step closer to success. It’s narrowing the options and focussing the search. I’m also much more aware of the importance of ‘networking’ and that this doesn’t have to take the traditional form of going to large gatherings of strangers. My mindset has shifted. You helped me to identify skills I was unaware of and that I now have a newfound appreciation of. Thank you Nicola for your time, guidance and patience throughout the sessions. I enjoyed the process and have learned a lot from it.”