What to expect at your first career coaching session.
Congratulations! If you are reading this, you made a bold move and invested in your career. The first conversation you have with your coach will be informative, valuable and productive but you should come ready to be open to have a direct discussion to get the most out of it.
Maria Pentkovski is a highly experienced career coach with a direct, honest, and strategic approach to helping her clients achieve their professional and compensation goals. Maria will work closely with you to understand your unique needs and provide personalized advice and support that is tailored to your specific circumstances–even after the very first session you can expect to walk away with a high-level strategic plan to meet your immediate goals, and non-obligatory recommendations on future cadence for engaging with her. Maria will want to get know you, hear your career journey up to this point, understand your goals, ambitions and challenges you may be facing at the moment.
Here are some of the things you will likely cover during your first meeting with your career coach at careercoach.design:
Introduction: Your coach will typically introduce themselves and explain their coaching process. They may also ask you to share a bit about your background and your current situation.
Goals: Your coach will help you identify your short-term and long-term career goals. This may involve discussing your interests, values, skills, and experiences.
Career History: Your coach may ask you to share your work history, including previous jobs and any relevant education or training.
Challenges: Your coach may ask you to identify any challenges or obstacles you are currently facing in your career and job search (if that’s relevant), such as a lack of motivation, difficulty with networking, not passing interviews, or uncertainty about next steps.
Motivators: Your coach will want to learn about what motivates you when it comes to finding the right role. Is it compensation, title, growth opportunities, product value? Try to think of these in advance as you prepare.
Action Plan: Based on the above information, your coach will work with you to develop an action plan that outlines specific steps you can take to achieve your immediate goals. This may include things like redesigning your portfolio, developing new skills, networking with industry professionals, or exploring different job opportunities.
It's important to note that the first meeting with a career coach is typically just the beginning of a longer coaching relationship. Subsequent sessions may focus on specific topics in more depth or involve ongoing support as you work toward your goals as well as provide an oversight to ensure you are taking full advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
Here are some tips to help you ensure that your first meeting with a career coach is successful:
Come prepared: Before the meeting, take some time to reflect on your career goals, challenges, motivators, and expectations. Think about what you hope to get out of the coaching process, and come prepared to share this information with the coach.
Be open and honest: The success of the coaching process depends on your willingness to be open and honest with the coach. Be transparent about your strengths, weaknesses, and any concerns you may have about your career. This will help your coach provide you with tailored guidance and support.
Listen and ask questions: Listen actively to the coach's questions and feedback, and ask questions if you need clarification or additional information. This will help you better understand the coaching process and get the most out of the session.
Be open to feedback and suggestions: Be receptive to the coach's feedback and suggestions, even if they may challenge your assumptions or beliefs about your career. Remember that the coach has your best interests in mind and is committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Take ownership of the process: Coaching is a collaborative process, and it's important that you take ownership of the process and the results. Be proactive about following through on the coach's recommendations and taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your first meeting with a career coach is successful and lays the foundation for a productive coaching relationship. Overall, the first consultation is an opportunity for you to get to know the coach, share your career goals, and start developing a plan of action to achieve those goals.
