Hiring A Coach
Second Careers is a specialist career coaching company. Our purpose is to help you define a crystal-clear career goal and then to work with you to achieve it. It's supposed to be a pleasant, collaborative process - but rest assured it's definitely not just a cosy chat over coffee!
In the New Life Network, Janet Davies warns that "many coaches are rebranding themselves as career coaches to pick up on the increasing opportunities created by the economic downturn. Please be careful of such coaches as advising people on their career options when they've been made redundant is a rather different scenario if they don't have any track record in this regard." We are happy to provide recommendations from previous clients, as well as the ones you will see throughout this site.
"When you meet Zena you immediately recognise that she really knows her stuff and, more importantly, is willing to share it with you in a constructive way. If I were in the market for career coaching I would definitely consider hiring her as my coach."
— Janet Davies , Director, New Life Network 
Getting the Most Out of Your Coaching Relationship
- Make the most of your coaching time. Please come with an idea of what you want from each session, as well as your longer-term goal. Come with your questions or concerns.
- Tell the coach what you want to achieve at the end of each session.
- Keep an action plan so you remain focused – and can tick off your achievements as we progress. We don't record your actions for you – they are your responsibility.
- Be clear on what you want. Career coaching is easy to measure as it is generally focused on a career outcome. Define it and put timescales on it. Stick it up in writing where it's visible and don't become distracted.
- Shop around. We expect you to talk to other providers of outplacement or career coaching services, to make sure you find someone with the right experience, qualifications and personality. Ask for success stories. It has to feel like a partnership.
- Be careful about your investment. Our work is 100% guaranteed. If you feel that we are not achieving the objectives agreed, or not working in a professional or ethical manner, than our agreement will be terminated immediately and we will only invoice you for any time that we have already worked that remains unpaid.
"Due to the current financial climate, I suffered an unsuspected redundancy after 15 years in the same organisation. Meeting Zena has helped me towards rebuilding my professional life. Zena's expertise and passion for what she does become very clear during our first session. Although my work history is complex, atypical and multidisciplinary, she was able to clarity and identify patterns in my past experience as well as giving me great insights into the reality and competitiveness of today's work market. She helped me think through my history with a new light and have helped me to regain confidence and value in my professional potential."