Career Consulting Firm - Why Choose Me? Career
consulting firms can be very corporate and pitched towards male, business
executives. Our career consulting services are suitable for all ages, genders
and backgrounds.
As
a career change specialist, the women I have seen seeking to change include
women returners whose children have flown
the nest, divorcees and widows needing to return to work because they do not
have someone supporting them anymore, women who accompanied their husband round
the world with his work and who have therefore been unable to progress their own career, such as
wives of army personnel and international business executives, and even women
who have a life-threatening illness who want to ensure that they make the most
of the time they have left.
People
stay younger for longer these days. With maturity, women may grow in confidence
and demand more; midlife can be a good time to re-evaluate, (one could still
have at least 30 + years of active working life remaining). Often free of children,
they are able to consider their own needs for the first time. In terms of
career theory, 40-45yr (sometimes, a period of mid-life crisis) is a natural point
to question life and self. They may no longer feel that they need to align with
anyone else’s needs, desires or agenda. They may now be sufficiently secure financially
(perhaps, having no school fees or mortgage, and a partner working at senior
level), to be able to risk starting a small enterprise. The increase in numbers of career consulting
firms reflects this greater demand.
A
desire for a career change may reflect a need for greater satisfaction and
fulfilment in work or for greater quality of life. Clients may be wanting to shift
up or down a gear. They may be seeking greater freedom and control (e.g. possibly
dreaming of starting their own business), or greater satisfaction (e.g. through
turning a hobby into a career, a 45yr old executive PA progressed her love of gardening
and became a garden designer – she subsequently won two awards at Chelsea). After
20yrs in the same career, people may be bored – I see successful clients thinking
‘OK, done that, now what?’.
Whatever
the motivation for career change – it is important to consider why a change
appeals, (sometimes the client needs a divorce rather than a career change!) –
and the process should begin with in depth self-assessment. Our career
consulting services will help you:
- Assess motivation - What am I interested in and what is important
to me? Valued elements may include scope for intellectual stimulation,
meaningful work, power and status, material rewards or creativity. What do I want from work and how driven and ambitious
am I?
- Assess ability – What are my natural aptitudes? What are my skills
, experience and qualifications? Where are these transferable?
- Assess personality – Do I prefer working with people or things?
Fact-oriented or feelings-driven? Change or maintain oriented? Team-player or
loner? Any leadership potential? How
organised, assertive, daring or analytical am I?
- Assess external factors . Who else’s needs and views do I need to
consider? where would i like to live? what commitments or restrictions are there?
Once
clear about all this, it is necessary to match career options and consider
practical implications. Again, this is where our career consulting services can
help:
- Which fields match who I am ?
- Does
this fit with needs and wishes of others
in my life ?
- What
experience will I need to get? What qualifications , if any? How can I finance this change (expense of
study and possible loss of income)? Am I
prepared to make that sacrifice? Are those closest willing to support me? If
no, is there a compromise solution?
- Whom in my network can advise or help?
Unlike
other career consulting firms, we will identify who you really are; we do not
care how successful you may have been to date, we want to maximise your
potential and to show you what you can be in the future!
Seven Reasons Why You Should Choose Me 1. A Chartered Psychologist; BPS and HPC registered.
Many clients are at low ebb when they attend. Psychometric measures need to be interpreted by properly trained and qualified professionals. The service often identifies personal development and counselling needs in addition to study or career matches. For example, many of my clients are perfectionists who may never be happy until they learn the concept "good enough". Many clients are sent by private hospitals following stress, control or addiction-related illness. Many have special educational needs (Asperger's Syndrome, deafness, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, etc.) Having initially trained as an Educational Psychologist, I am unfazed by disabilities (I work with Help for Heroes advising ex-service personnel). Then again, some clients may actually have a relationship issue impacting their sense of wellbeing rather than a career one!
2. A Individual Service
At Sherridan Hughes I only see one client per day, so I do not have to rush because there is someone else waiting in the wings to be seen. I can give my full time and attention to you all day. I write a bespoke report, so there is no computer generated narrative. We start the afternoon counselling session with just the test profiles as tools and talking points.
3. A Comprehensive, Objective Approach
The thorough assessment (motivation, ability and personal qualities), and the in-depth, personal counselling and dialogue ensure total buy-in and instil the direction and confidence you need to feel empowered to act. Clients feel reassured through seeing graphs with results so clearly displayed in front of them. I may not tell you anything that you do not already know about yourself (after all, you are the one who has told me about yourself through the questionnaires), but I should confirm your thinking. I add value by interpreting and then matching results to potential careers and exploring the implications of what has emerged.
4. Solid Track Record
I have nearly 28 years experience and a solid track record of positive feedback and recommendations.
5. Competitive Fees
Through working from home and as a self-employed freelancer (I am charged out for significantly more by other agencies), I have vastly reduced overheads and can pass savings on to you (especially given that there is no additional VAT as a health professional).
Fees include lunch and a two year contact or mentoring period, during which you might contact me for academic references, further tips and advice (rarely required) at no further cost.
6. A Recognised Expert
I am a recognised career change expert often put forward by the BPS press department and quoted in media and broadsheets (try "googling" my name).
7. Published Author of Well-Received Career Guide
Contact Me ☎