Over at kathrynmeisner.com/gca I outline how Guidance Counselling for Adults can help you find the job (and workplace) that’s right for you without relying on resumes but…
Sometimes it’s easier when you hear it from actual clients.
Here are some kind words from clients:
“The best money I have spent in many years. Way better than the career counselling provided at my MBA (no joke).”
“It was practical, tactical and I felt like I was getting value each week. I’m a big skeptic generally but I was happily surprised. It feels like a great exercise to do once a year even if you are not in career crisis! The homework forced accountability on me to really ensure I was deeply reflecting on the work. This was so helpful to crystallize what I am great at, what I want and more importantly what I don’t want.”
–Janice S, VP of Business Development
“I got the job!!!!”
“Thank you for being an absolute soul-saver sent from the universe! Shit, you can’t write this kind of stuff, right?!”
–I helped this client switch industries (from the non-profit world to tech) and land her dream job with a $50k salary increase.
“I got the job! I’ll carry forward the GCA work I did in terms of making the most of this new position and seeking out opportunities within the role that align with my strengths/skills/goals.”
“I wanted to thank you, Kathryn, for your thoughtful work on this course and for the sense of community/collective that you managed to cultivate around GCA. It was a really great experience and one that I will recommend to others for sure.”
–Information management professional
“GCA is like some sort of thought alchemy that transforms struggle/sorrow into hope and possibility.”
“A lot of the material improvements to my work condition are from GCA reminding me of my skills/worth & as well as giving me a good strategy around negotiating and a sense of what normal advocating for yourself in the work place looks like. I have been able to successfully ask for and receive better professional support, take on more projects that interest me (including engaging more freelancers and partnering with a newly-launched author care business)”
–Marketing Manager
“I wanted to let you know that I was offered (and accepted) a permanent position last week!”
“I also wanted to let you know that although it went against every fibre of my being, I ASKED FOR MORE, thanks to your coaching. I really do believe I am likely to thrive in this new role and am very energized (if terrified) to be making this change and stepping away from my previous career for the time being.
So, thank you! GCA definitely helped reassure me through the job search and interview process that I was not ‘jumping ship’ and that I was making an intentional, informed move which I could rightly feel optimistic about.”
–Former lawyer transitioning into a new career
“This is fucking bananas. You are a magical, unicorn woman.”
“I’d be in a very dismal place in my job search without Guidance Counselling for Adults.”
–Guidance Counselling for Adults student
“At the beginning of the pandemic (though not because of it), I left my previous job as a project manager in graphic design, to work as a gardener full time!”
“I now work for a small company doing planting and maintenance of home vegetable gardens for clients.
Our work together helped me articulate my very central need for autonomy (which I now get a TON of), but also for feedback— I really cherish the client connection and coaching/teaching parts of my job. Working outside and being active also really suits me. I got a little hint of this working in a mural nonprofit a few years back, where I got to do site preparation and operations work, and safety training. It’s been a long path to finally recognize that gardening could be a career for me (I first did a farm internship in 2012!) but it’s so worth all the other things I did between then and now, and the different skills I developed along the way.”
–Former non-profit employee now full-time gardener
This is from a GCA alumni who ended up staying at the same company but reshaping her role – that’s another potential outcome in GCA! Sometimes you just need to figure out what you need to change and how to change it (I can help with that).
Two unsolicited blog posts from clients
Both of these clients have had non-linear careers and a seemingly disparate range of experience. We worked on figuring out what they actually wanted out of a job and how to package their transferable skills.
4 women who guided me into tech
No such thing as a classically trained content strategist
“Do it! You won’t regret it! Kathryn is amazing.”
“(In all seriousness, because of GCA, I landed a new role, new title, and 10% salary increase at my current job!). GCA is an amazing way to focus your anxieties, worries, questions, and curiosity about work and your career, and actually *do* something about it. It forces you to think, reflect, digest, and explore in a safe, judgement-free and incredibly supportive environment.”
–Natalie K
“I wish I’d had access to Kathryn back when I was a teen and first making decisions about my career and education.”
“I’m so lucky to have her now! I’d say I was president of the Kathryn Meisner fan club, but I suspect that pretty much everyone who takes GCA is vying for that position.
I feel a renewed sense of confidence in my abilities and believe that I have a lot to offer to a potential employer (and as a human being). GCA is like some sort of thought alchemy that transforms struggle/sorrow into hope and possibility.
Kathryn may not see herself as a therapist but her way of unpacking job searching and careers–and her ability to give you strategies for managing fears, anxiety, and setbacks that go hand-in-hand with job search and career exploration–has been as helpful (if not more helpful to me) as seeing one. (It makes sense–Kathryn is a professional in every sense of the world). GCA pushes you to value yourself and really articulate and own your abilities with concrete and thoughtful homework, ongoing group and one-on-one support, and excellent personalized feedback. Kathryn is a great teacher–she is gentle, kind and open in such a way that it empowers you to rise to the occasion and do your best work. You can tell from the way the program is designed Kathryn cares about people as much as she does match-making them to the best possible job. Kathryn is wise, experienced, and real. She is excellent at asking smart/challenging questions that help you dig deeper and focus on figuring out what you want out of work and outlining the steps to help you get there. She is the best (career) guidance counsellor I could ask for at this transitional time in my life.”
–Marketing Manager
“A great investment in myself.”
“I now have a plan in place to help me find what I want, and criteria to help me judge if an opportunity is going to be a good fit. I’m not just chasing any job that might come along. My challenge was confidence and articulating my strengths. The module about strengths was invaluable – and a great confidence boost! Kathryn, like all good counselors, knows the right kind of questions to ask so that you figure out the answer for yourself and can own and understand it. Having the homework as a means to force myself to do this important but often emotional work is a great accountability tool for me. It helps break it down into manageable pieces, so it’s not overwhelming.”
–Jennifer S.
“I had hoped it would build confidence and clarity and it has.”
“I have felt a huge lack of confidence about my skills in the past couple of years and this was a positive eye opener for me about what I have to offer. I also found the weekly calls enlightening – knowing that so many people struggle with the same career challenges made me feel less alone, less like there’s something wrong with me! I feel more powerful about moving forward with my search.
Kathryn has a very positive and nurturing approach. Also I like the way she considers the importance of one’s personal life in one’s career, no question or concern seemed too small or unimportant. And all of her answers/advice to both myself and others on the calls were creative and not ones I’d have thought of myself.
The homework has really forced me to consider career things I had not previously considered in great detail and will remain as a record that I can refer back to.
A very comprehensive coaching program and almost more beneficial than one on one sessions with a coach because of the group calls, FB group etc. Lots of resources and ongoing support.”
–Marianne W
“Worth every penny I paid.”
“Before I decided to quit my job, I was in a rut. I didn’t know what my future held for me. I had no clue what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. I was lost. I can easily say that this is one of the best personal investments I could have made in myself. I feel like I’m treating myself to a more successful future and that is worth every penny I paid.”
–Social media manager
“Working with Kathryn was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.”
“I had decided that it was time for me to make a career change. My friend referred me to you because working with you had made a big difference in her career transition earlier that year. She immediately recommended you as an excellent career coach, and said that you were a large part of why she was successful in not just finding a job – but finding the right job. I wanted to work with Kathryn because I wasn’t feeling confident and I still didn’t know what I wanted to be when grow up! You validated my actions in this process and improved my confidence. You let me know that I was taking the right steps and that if I continued taking these steps, I would eventually get to my desired result. I had a big “aha moment” when you helped me get over my fear of articulating my strengths. I learned how to talk about my strengths – and own them – without it feeling like just saying buzzwords or bragging. Another benefit of working with you was being held accountable. I know taking action is important, but the homework assignments and our discussions held me accountable for actually doing it. Thank you very much for your support. For me, this was just as much of a self-awareness activity as it was a step in changing careers. Working with you was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.”
–Vice President, at one of the world’s fastest growing IT research and advisory firms
“Now, I’m more confident sharing what my strengths are and what I have to offer.”
“I was in existential crisis mode about my job and, like with many people who confront the question of should I change jobs, the decision comes with so much to consider! A friend posted posted a link to your website on her Facebook wall and I thought: Everything Kathryn offers speaks to me and what I need right now. I struggled with articulating what my professional goals and pursuits are, as well as what my strengths and values are. Now, I’m more confident sharing what my strengths are and what I have to offer. I’m also a lot better at identifying what core issues are at play when I’m feeling negatively about my job/workplace as a whole. It’s so lovely having such a kind, personable career coach – it really makes a difference.”
–Office Coordinator at a non-profit organization
“Kathryn’s approach was so comprehensive and so good at setting up the building blocks to pull out the solutions.”
I was immensely unhappy with my position at work. I hated everything I was doing and was finding it increasingly difficult to work closely with my boss. I knew I needed a change, but had no idea what my options were or what I wanted to change to so I felt incredibly hopeless and very depressed. I remember my friend having previously sung Kathryn’s praises. She was not exaggerating. After our 30 minute preliminary chat, there was no doubt in my mind that this would be a great working relationship! Kathryn was amazing at asking the exact right questions to help me gain clarity. The homework allowed me to make sense of my thoughts, organize them and find a common thread, which ultimately lead to me recognizing what I wanted and the direction I wanted to go. I not only have hope again, but I have an actual plan!
I have come so far from where I was when we started our sessions, and now feel I have the strategies and strength to figure out hurdles as they come up. Whether I was having a terrible day and crying into the phone, or if there had been some very exciting developments, Kathryn always had the perfect thing to say to make me feel strong (or, as she would put it: To recognize my own strength and encourage me to acknowledge it) Kathryn is so funny and authentic! She’s just so real and so good at listening and picking up on the important details when I was so lost.
I was expecting working with Kathryn to be cathartic (and it was!), but I didn’t expect such tangible results. I thought I would have a better idea of things, but didn’t realize what a complete turnaround it would result in for me. Kathryn’s approach was so comprehensive and so good at setting up the building blocks to pull out the solutions. It was easy. Far easier than I thought it would be. I don’t like doing these kinds of things and was very anxious about it, but then as soon as we’d start talking, it was the easiest thing in the world, and I felt better and better after each call – not to mention more and more focused on what next steps were needed. I am so incredibly grateful for the work Kathryn is doing and feel very lucky to have had the privilege to benefit from her expertise.
–Administrative professional
“Working with Kathryn is far better than simply looking for the next job. It’s smarter, more efficient and more fulfilling of a process.”
I came across Kathryn when I watched her free live webinar cohosted with Shannon Lee Simmons of the New School of Finance. The webinar topic was salary negotiation and it was incredibly insightful and helpful. After that, I explored Kathryn’s services and kept it in the back of my mind for quite some time before deciding to take the leap to work with her. I struggled with pinpointing my interests and passions and trying to determine what was next for me. I felt that I was being pulled in all different directions and couldn’t focus on a clear path. I came to realize my true strengths and weaknesses, to recognize and acknowledge my abilities and skills (rather than downplaying them). I feel less trapped by my own feelings of inadequacy.
Kathryn often asked difficult questions that forced me to really stand back and analyze my feelings and the situation. She offered great insight and a fresh perspective to my thoughts. She pushed me to be reflective and was very skilled at picking up subtleties and truths behind my words. But the journey still always felt like it was my own and I never felt forced to go down a path I didn’t want to.
Working with Kathryn is far better than simply looking for the next job. It’s smarter, more efficient and more fulfilling of a process. I’ve learned things about myself that I never knew and this will only benefit me in the future, not just in my career but in all aspects of my life.
–Operations manager
“Working with you was a solid investment.”
My friend recommended your services as an interview coach. I decided to work with you because you seemed to pick up right away on my strengths and weaknesses, and how I could improve in an interview setting. In previous interviews, I tended to get very nervous, and as a result may not have successfully conveyed the enthusiasm I was feeling. I also said “um” a lot and would sometimes ramble. I really appreciated your interview prep planning tool you provided – it helped to organize my preparations and made everything feel more manageable.
I happily achieved my ultimate result of landing the job! On top of that, I feel that I improved my ability to respond with more ease in on-the-spot interactions. Working with you was a solid investment. You are an insightful, practically-minded interview coach with strong communication skills.
You’ve designed a powerful interview planning program that helped me to make the most of my limited time before my interview. You also provided specific feedback on my interview performance that led to noticeable improvements. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire you.
–Economist, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
“I was able to negotiate a non-financial increase worth $25,000”
I was able to negotiate a non-financial increase worth $25,000 – and that’s not including the additional 25 vacation days, the MacBook, the professional development, and the ability to work from home I negotiated. You are very gifted in what you do and have made me more confident in knowing that I am a valuable woman in my role. Through this journey I was able to push my own career objectives and see a bright future.
–This client transformed her company’s performance review process to facilitate the compensation discussion. She was able to achieve these results even after her manager lectured her about “millennials who are too greedy and lazy.”
“I’ve always really struggled with negotiating on my own behalf. Working with Kathryn was transformative.”
I can ask a funder for millions without batting an eye, but I’ve always really struggled with negotiating on my own behalf. Working with Kathryn was transformative. It wasn’t just that her materials are good (they are tremendous, go sign up for her next course right this minute), but having her in your corner changes the entire emotional experience of salary negotiation. Instead of being fraught with dread and anxiety, it helps you clarify your value and, more importantly, your values. With Kathryn’s help, I secured a significant bump in salary and “found my voice” when it comes to asking for what I need and want.
–This is a client in her mid-career who had never negotiated before (it’s never too late to learn!). She was stressed, incredibly nervous but managed her fears and was able to negotiate a 44% increase even after she’d shared her current salary with the employer.
“Not only did Kathryn help me negotiate the company moving to MY city, she helped negotiated a $15k increase and a support staff.”
“My responsibilities were growing AND my company was giving me the ultimatum of moving 1000km or leave my job. Not only did Kathryn help me negotiate the company moving to MY city, she helped negotiated a $15k increase and a support staff.”
–-Executive-level client