4 top tips to prepare for a consultation call with a career coach.

What’s next? After plucking up the courage to find out more about coaching, you have found a career coach that you like (very important to get this right) and your consultation call is scheduled. But you have no idea what to expect. Here are some tips to get you off to a great start.

1. Be prepared to tell your story

You have the benefit of a professional listening expert to focus on you, which can be a transformational experience, but your coach does not have mind-reading powers. They will only know as much about you as you tell them. In this context, it is useful to share where you are in your career, how you got there and what direction you think you might want to go next. It’s okay not to have all the answers, after all that’s why you are here in the first place.

2. Have questions ready

Reflecting in advance what you want to get out of your coaching experience helps shape the questions you may want answered. These could be “big picture” questions about your career values or granular details such as how to end your covering letter. The size of the question is not important – but having some idea of what it is you are looking for will help you get more from your first call.

3. Make notes

It is very common for coaches to make some notes during your sessions, especially as it aids as a memory-jogger of something to come back to and therefore avoids interruptions when you are talking. Having the resources to hand to take your own notes is especially valuable as often things will come to mind when you are talking. So, note down anything that resonates, strikes you as interesting or simply pops into your mind – these notes will aid your reflection and success.

4. Have realistic expectations

Goals should be aspirational but how realistic is your dream? Think about the time-frame you are hoping to achieve your goals, the resources you already have and the things you still need to reach your dream. Do you think that one meeting with a career coach will make you a multi-millionaire by the end of the session or shoot you to instant fame? No, but your coach will help you set reasonable steps and strategies to work realistically towards your dream goals. You will almost certainly have tangible takeaways – some obvious ones such as an action plan or tips and strategies – but many others are less obvious. Expect lots of self-reflection and you should be leaving your session with a better sense of what your interests, skills and values are, too.

With the right steps, we have unlimited possibilities.

Book your free consultation to get your dreams started.

#LiveDaringDreams

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Professional


I first worked with Will whilst I was a junior member of a teaching team. I worked closely with him for around three years and he became a true mentor to me. During this time Will helped encourage me to discover my own leadership style and he mapped out what it takes to be successful. I highly recommend Will for life and career coaching.

Will is a professional, natural leader who manages to make you feel at ease. He manages to be both emphatic and encouraging, whilst also managing to challenge you to find your own answers. Will’s approach is totally non-judgmental and the sessions are really focused on you and on what you want to achieve. Working with Will has allowed me to address challenges I was facing and he brought a wealth of resources and practical tools to help me set goals, clarify my values, and explore avenues right away. Even though I left teaching 5 years ago, I still seek out Will for his help and guidance and I appreciate his versatility as a thought partner, ally, and coach. Our sessions are always productive and efficiently run, which is perfect for someone who is juggling many priorities! Will brings great communication, professionalism and quality to his work and I highly recommend him as a life/business coach.
- Jamie T (Leadership Coaching)

Highly recommended


I am so glad I found Mapleleaf Vision! Will has been super supportive and understood exactly what I needed to help me to redirect my focus. I now have fresh enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
- Greg M (Life Coaching)

Friendly


Will at Mapleleaf vision fitted me in for a last minute decision-making session that I needed to make ASAP re. a job offer / career change. He was friendly, professional, and really knew his stuff! He unpicked things that I could never have done on my own. I’m so grateful to him & will be highly recommending him to everyone! Where there is a ‘Will’, there’s a way! Thank you, Will. You truly have a gift.
- Cat K (Career Coaching)