Our approach 

Is to...

• listen to understand the particular challenges being faced, in the context of your unique organizational culture, values and objectives,

• evaluate your particular requirements, identifying and agreeing the essential parameters with you,

• create a bespoke programme of targeted and cost-effective input, focused on your needs;

• work constructively and adaptively with all the relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes.

 

What we do…

• We provide professional career assessment, development and transition services, individually tailored, to provide you with the expert input required to enable you to make rapid progress towards your career and personal objectives. 

• We work with clients from diverse backgrounds (including mid and late career changers and new graduates), helping them to unlock their potential and make well informed and successful career transitions.

We understand the tough challenges people face and just how difficult it can be to keep confident, positive and motivated – whether you are disaffected with your current role and looking for greater job satisfaction, a graduate striving to achieve an appropriate opening, or you are coping with the practical and psychological challenges of redundancy and the need to re-align your career.

• The strength of our approach is a powerful combination of:

(i) professional assessment designed to help you recognise and enhance the key career management and employability attributes needed for effective development and career transition;

(ii) a clear understanding of employer recruitment and selection methods and how you can play the "recruitment game" to maximise your chances of being shortlisted, succeeding at interview and achieving the job you really want.

Our services for individuals

We provide a very flexible service, on a modular basis. You only engage with what you need. Your starting point in the process depends on your needs, experience and awareness of career transition factors. Some people find it most useful to progress through sequentially, completing modules 1 to 4 (below), others complete individual modules or combine relevant modules (e.g. 2 and 3).  You can enter at any stage to address your current circumstances and pressing needs.

If you are unclear, not sure of your way forward, or just feel overwhelmed, we would suggest:

(1) a comprehensive "taking stock", through a detailed personal career review using a range of career assessment and exploration tools, to enhance your knowledge and self-awareness, as a firm foundation for further action.

Where you are clear on what you want to focus on we will work intensively with you on areas such as :

(2) Job search strategies. 
(3) Tailoring CVs and applications.
(4) Practical interview skills.
(5) Enhancing your personal effectiveness in your current role.

We are happy to advise on what might best suit you.  Do call us for a FREE, no obligation, initial telephone discussion to establish your requirements. 01865-450383 or use our contact form.

The modules in more detail...

1. Career assessment module:  identifying your strengths, building awareness of critical factors for career success and the possibilities open to you. By clarifying your goals, exploring your current circumstances (where you are now) and aspirations (where you might be going) we help you to identify your strengths, explore possibilities, weigh up options and make effective career decisions, creating a plan of how to realise your goals. We use a variety of reflective tools and exercises to enable you to build a comprehensive career profile. Industry leading psychometric assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®), TDI®,  FIRO-B®, 16PF®, Strong Interest Inventory® and motivation and ability assessments can be used to give you clearer insights into your personal style, personality characteristics, values, motivations and capabilities.

2. Job search strategy module: developing effective techniques and skills for success.  Focused support to enhance your insight into a range of approaches to job search. This will include how to access the un-advertised or “hidden" job market through speculative approaches and by developing and applying practical networking skills. We will encourage you to extend yourself beyond the reactive methods used by most people, through adopting a more pro-active, multi-strategy, job search approach, which is more likely to yield the desired outcomes. 

3. Applications module: creating effective applications, CVs and cover letters to maximise your chances of getting shortlisted.  Busy recruiters often spend less than 60 seconds deciding on whether to shortlist an applicant - you have to make an immediate impact. It is critically important
for you to be able to "positively differentiate" yourself from the other applicants, competing for the jobs you want. Emphasis will be given to the different styles and approaches to writing effective CVs, cover letters and applications. You will be given the insights and tools to create well researched and thought through applications, tailored and targeted to hit the 'selection criteria' with the appropriate evidence, thereby engaging and creating the right impression with selectors.

4. Interview skills module: understanding the game, honing your practical skills to build confidence and presence at interviews and assessment centres. The focus here is on giving you clear insights and practice in how to handle the interview process effectively and create a professional impression.  We start by identifying and address your concerns (e.g. what to expect from different types of interview, how to research and prepare effectively, the importance of first impressions, dress codes and body language, coping with nerves and fear, the types of question and assessments you may face, how to handle difficult questions and assessments, questions you might ask the interviewers, exiting and follow up; as well as handling informal aspects such as lunches, tours and dinners).

We build on this by conducting a focused practice 1:1 interview with you. Based on an analysis of the job requirements we conduct a realistic interview role-play scenario, complete with challenging questions tailored to the role. After the interview we will give you a thorough de-brief, with feedback on how to improve your performance, highlighting relevant resources to assist you in developing your interview skills and maintaining self-confidence. 

5. Personal effectiveness module: coaching to enhance your professional performance. The modern workplace is one of challenge, change and pressure. As well as having excellent technical skills, individuals are increasingly called upon to utilise a range of soft, transferable, skills to get the best out of themselves and their relationships with both colleagues and clients. We will work with you to further develop your skills in areas such as: communicating with influence and impact, enhancing relationships at work, developing  team and leadership skills, handling difficult conversations and people who present challenges, time management and problem solving, etc. Psychometric instruments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®), TDI®, FIRO-B®, and 16PF® can be used as part of this process to give you a deeper understanding of your inter-personal style, personality preferences, and your needs and wants in the inter-personal arena.