Career Development

"One of the greatest tragedies of life is that so many men and women go to their graves with the music still in them" Olive Wendell Holmes

Organisational development, changes brought about by mergers and acquisitions as well as the need to provide key employees with support through a change of role or career are often catalysts which inspire companies or individuals to seek coaching.

There is also an increasing trend for individuals to take greater responsibility for their personal and professional development and even those who are employed in large organisations are no longer relying on employers to provide them with all or some of their career development needs.

The last time most of us had any career advice was either at school or university. Discussions were invariably centred on vocational type qualifications and which organisations provided the best graduate training.

We set out on a career path with a clear starting point, a vague mid phase and beyond that usually a complete unknown. Yet promotions follow, head hunters call, offers are accepted and life goes on.

Then at some point, often triggered by a change in personal circumstances, a major birthday or significant external event such as redundancy or restructure, we reach a career crossroads and ask ourselves:

• Am I going to continue what I have been doing for the rest of my working life?
• Is a change of direction even feasible?
• What do I really want to do?
• How will I make the transition?
• How do I get back into the job market, and quickly?

So we must take stock of where we are, think about where we would like to be and figure out what it will take to get there. We need to examine our skills, marketability and personal preferences. Then decide what to do next and develop a strategy to make it happen.

Baker Coaching Services specialises in career coaching, working with clients to help them identify and realise their career ambitions, and fulfil their potential.

Whether you find there are too many confusing choices - or feel that you haven't found your "niche", coaching can help. Through coaching we can help you analyse your skills and strengths, focus on what really motivates you, and find the career direction that will suit you best.

Career coaching aims to help you take a journey from uncertainty about your present career and not knowing what your next step might be, through to having a clear vision of a career that is absolutely right for you, and a plan for how to create it.

A New Direction?

Research shows that those who are most satisfied and motivated by their work are in careers which reflect who they really are; careers which reflect their true nature and their real passions; careers which draw on their natural strengths and employ their favourite skills; careers which allow them to complement their deeply-held values.

With the support of your coach we will take an in depth look at who you are. This is the explore phase; and during this phase, you'll get a clear idea of

• your core values
• what you specifically want to achieve in life
• your most positive attributes
• your personal strengths
• your interests and passions
• your personal achievements
• Everything you need in your life to be happy and fulfilled.

This knowledge is about you as a person, your life as a whole, understanding yourself, identifying your true purpose and making the right choice.

We can support you in:

• Career direction and development
• Skills and strengths analysis
• Goal setting and attainment
• Improved work/life balance
• Time and stress management
• Redundancy
• Executive coaching
• Achieving promotion
• Managing after promotion
• Managing your boss
• Managing conflict in the workplace
• CV considerations and CV writing
• Job hunting, selecting recruitment agencies
• Interview planning and preparation
• Evaluating the job offer