CAREER COACHING AGREEMENT

This career coaching agreement is between ___________WendyPackard____________ (“Career Coach”),  and _____________________________(“Client”). The career coaching session will begin on _________TBD_______ and will consist of an individual session or one of the packages provided (Select one below).  Both parties agree to the following:

Commitment:

Career coaching is an ongoing relationship and structure that facilitates the process and /or professional development between a Career Coach and a Client.  The Client and Career Coach agree to design the coaching relationship together.

As a career coach I will provide coaching in a way that involves a holistic approach to finding a career path.  This is a solution – focused approach with concrete steps to meet the clients’ goals.  Career coaching may also involve looking at past job history, values, assessing skills, strengths and weaknesses, brainstorming, 360 – feedback, and assess if any behavioral issues could be hindering the clients’ goals.  Note: Career coaching is NOT a substitute for any mental health service. Only a qualified doctor or psychotherapist is legally allowed to diagnose a patient.

Career coaching may address specific personal projects such as taking assessments, working on cover letters, resumes, and references.  Additionally, homework such as setting up or revising LinkedIn accounts, joining networking groups, and getting a professional picture may be given. Other tasks may include applying for a job, using resources provided, tracking jobs you have applied for, and mock-interviews.  By entering this agreement, the career Coach and Client acknowledge that the Client wants to make significant progress and change in his/her life.  The Career Coach works with a wide range of clients and offers a highly personalized approach tailored to everyone. 

In support of atmosphere, the Career Coach helps the Client attain the professional and personal growth they’re striving for.  Because progress and change happen at rates that are unique to each individual, it is highly recommended that the Client commit to working with the Career Coach for at least three sessions.  This allows the coaching relationship the necessary time to develop and progress through objectives and obstacles.  Thus, opportunity for success dramatically increases during this process.

Coaching Session Procedures:

All career-coaching sessions are approximately 60 – minutes long and are conducted by telephone, zoom, or in-person(if-local) and arranged with the Career Coach.  If scheduled by phone or Zoom, the Client agrees to call the Career Coach at an agreed upon number or will arrive 10 minutes early if sessions are in person. The Career Coach and Client commit to start and finish each session on time.  If the Client is more then 10 minutes late for a coaching session, that Career Coach will assume the session is cancelled and the Client will forfeit the session unless there is proof of an emergency.  Rescheduling a session is easily done with appropriate notice.  Please make appointment changes or cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment time as this could cost the Career Coach an opportunity to see other clients.  If the Client fails to cancel an appointment or make appointment changes within 12 hours the Client a $25 late fee will be charged or added to the next appointment.

Opening Session – a free consultation session may be provided to introduce the career coaching process to the potential Client.  After this, the Career Coach and the Client can discuss entering a career coaching relationship.

Packages

Packages and prices may vary and are subject to change at any time. Individual sessions are offered as well as packages that include up to 12 sessions.  The client may cancel this agreement in writing at any time but will not be eligible for a full refund for paid services.  The Career Coach may also cancel the contract if the Client oversteps boundaries, shows misconduct, displays inappropriate behavior, and/or fails to show up for scheduled appointments after the Career Coach has warned the client.  There are no refunds if either the Client or the Career Coach cancels this agreement. 

Confidentiality:

Throughout the working relationship the Career Coach will engage in direct and personal conversations. The coaching relationship is built on trust and honesty.  The Career Coach agrees to keep all conversations and information with the Client private and strictly confidential unless it is unlawful.  No personal ideas, information or thoughts expressed will be shared with anyone except with the permission of the Client.

 Terms of Service:

___ I understand and accept that career coaching is a process of personal empowerment

___I understand and accept that my full and honest participation in career coaching is requires.

___I am healthy and reasonable enough to engage in career coaching.

___I understand and accept that career coaching does not substitute for counseling.

___I understand and accept that any results or outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Client will understand and comply with our 7 Agreements.

1.  Show up – mentally and physically.

2.  Be 100% responsible for actions.

3.  Be in communication.

4.  Be on time.

5.  Be coachable – open to new ideas and hard task.

6.  Willing to believe you can achieve the intended goal.

7.  GO FOR IT!

Payments can be made via PayPal, Zelle, or Check (mailed).  The Career Coach will forward a PayPal billing statement that is required to be paid before the first working session.

Our signatures on this agreement indicate a full understanding of the agreement with the information outlined.  If you do not agree to the terms and conditions, please do not sign.  The agreement becomes null and void if it is not signed by both parties within 48 hours of the first scheduled appointment date and time, which also voids any special pricing, offers, discounts and/or coupons.

____________________________________________________   ____________________

Client Name (please print)                     Signature                                       Date

____________________________________________________  _____________________

Wendy Baird Packard                          Signature                                            Date

5 Ways People Sabotage Their Career Changes and How a Coach Can Help!

1.       Not having a clear plan

2.       Not working daily to find a new job/career.

3.       Not looking for opportunities (before you make the change) 

       to update or add new skills.

4.       Panicking and reverting to the old job, feeling you can’t  

        have what you want.

5.       Limited belief, core values that say they cannot have the job they want.

1.       Not having a clear long-term plan—depending on how quickly you want or need to change careers. Just saying you want a new career and applying for a random job is not enough. Job/career changes take planning, research, correct expectations, and preparation. A career coach can walk you through the process, mapping out time frames and tasks to keep you moving toward the goal.

2.       Not working daily to find a new job/career—If unemployed, you should work 4 to 6 hours a day to find a job, and if employed, an hour per day to find a new career.

This time should be spent on networking, researching companies, beefing up your social media (LinkedIn), volunteering, and curating a wardrobe that will match the new job you want.  Did you work in an office and now you will be working on a farm, start looking for great deals on what you will need to wear in the next job (#hint – Goodwill is great for low budgets when changing jobs).

 A Coach will help you understand networking trends and a company's “why,” search for job openings and keep you accountable and motivated.

3.       Not looking for opportunities (before you make the change) to update or add new skills.

Not working on finding a job or reskilling for a new career daily! If you are a dental hygienist and want to be a vet tech, you have a lot of transferable skills, but you do not have experience with the customers in a Veterinary office…. the animals, you would be a better candidate if you had some experience in that area.  A good way to gain experience in a new career is to volunteer with an organization that mirrors the career you are going to. Volunteering once a week for 6mths at an animal shelter will help you.  It will help you know if you will like the new job field, learn industry lingo and norms, network with all the local vets, and will look great on a resume, all while benefiting your community!  

Time should be allotted for to add skill sets if needed. This should be done before you leap a career change.  You may have to take an online state test, classes at the local college, or complete a degree. If you do these things after you quit your job, it could be an additional cost you cannot afford without your current income. A Career Coach, if contacted before you leave your current position will help you navigate the timeline before you lose your income, they will also guide you through the resignation process to ensure you are leaving a good reference behind.

1.   Panicking and reverting to the old job, feeling you can’t have what you want. Reverting to safety (applying for only jobs in the same field you have been in).  Keeping the old job field in the present, just in case, can prevent you from believing you can move on or are capable of the new career field.

 It is like losing 40 lbs. but keeping all the clothes that don’t fit.  You are telling yourself you will fail.  Many will fall back to the same job they just left, never taking steps to move forward.  They become defeated and feel trapped in the old way of doing things and take on the belief they can never have the job they really want.   Look before you leap and plan for your departure.

A Career coach can navigate this, meeting you wherever you are in this process.  They can navigate short- or long-term goals, create a clear path to your destination, and provide realistic timelines and expectations for the job change and the job.  They get you past the belief system that has held you back from reaching your goal and keep you accountable for moving forward.

2.    Limited belief, new job/career unobtainable, and giving up too soon.  Having a realistic time frame is critical to success in a career change.  Thinking you will significantly shift your employment in 2 to 3 weeks is not a realistic goal. 

Building a new network in a new area of interest, establishing new skills, preparing financially, and allowing your support system to adjust to the new career change all take time.

 Career change realistic goals are 6 months to 1 year.