What is Career Coaching?

Many of my clients require Career Coaching where the focus is on an individual's career journey whether that might be at the beginning, middle or twilight of such a journey.

For the adult, coaching might arise from questions such as:

how can I get job satisfaction?
how can I get a promotion?
how can I find out what I really want to do?
how can I find a job?
how can I change career direction?
how can I make a contribution?
how can I find purpose?

For the young adult, the questions might be:

where to from here?
what course should I study?
should I enrol in a post-graduate course?
how can I get motivated?
how can I enjoy my job?
how can I get ahead?

Click here to contact Dr. Cross to discuss further

What is Career Guidance?

While coaching generally applies to adults, for adolescents, it is usually a case of providing career guidance. There is a difference between coaching and guidance (see below for details).

However, it is certainly true that an increasing percentage of adults are also now seeking career guidance because they might...

be dis-satisfied in their job
want a career change
have never found their "niche"
have been retrenched
feel that "there is more out there" for them

For the adolescent though, career guidance answers the following questions:

what subjects do I choose at school?
what is my career path?
what are my strengths and talents?
where am I headed?
what do I do after secondary school?
should I go to Uni or TAFE?
should I have a "gap" year"?

Find out Your Career Interests

What are your career interests? What kinds of jobs really appeal to you? What do you like? Which jobs might be those most suited to you? Career interests is a great place to start if you wish to start to explore career options and which direction might best suit you.

The "Vocational Interest Questionnaire" (VIQ) has been authored by Dr Cross and Mr Garry Simcock and was one of the first career tests to be devised for Australian conditions. It also is the only test that dovetails exactly back into the federal government's "Job Guide" providing national job information.

The VIQ is only a click away and can be done for a fee of $27 by going to www.FindACareerPath.com -- at the rear of the report that you will obtain is an Action Plan that helps you to research the jobs most recommended for you.

If however, you'd like more comprehensive career guidance then the 3-Step program outlined below may be best for you.

How Does the Career Guidance Program Work?

Generally the approach to career guidance and planning for both adolescents and adults is a three-step process.

This process can be offered face-to-face, via the phone, or via Skype -- the choice is yours.

1. An Initial Interview
This interview (for about an hour) is an important part of the guidance process, allowing us to meet the individual and essentially to get to know the person. Each individual undertakes vocational guidance for specific reasons and we feel that it is important to have this information before testing occurs.

2. Psychometric Testing

The four main areas of testing are outlined below. The tests are either on-line or pencil and paper and done in the person's own time.

   (i) Interests -- Measures likes and dislikes in relation to work
    (ii) Values/Attitudes -- Examines what motivates people to work and what gives them job satisfaction
    (iii) Personality -- Examines behavioural characteristics and their personality profile
    (iv) Work Style -- Examines work styles and the way people behave at work

3. Counselling / Feedback Session

During this session (for about an hour), the person receives a Summary Report showing the results of the testing along with the various career options and career pathways that are highly recommended and finally, a Career Action Plan is devised. This session usually takes place 5-12 days following the completion of the testing.

Overall, the program is designed to highlight a person's strengths and talents and then find the kinds of jobs that are an extension of who they are as a person; a job that builds on their strengths.

'Round holes, round pegs and square holes, square pegs' as the saying goes.

The cost of the career guidance package is based upon the time involved in providing the advice and the reports requested. This package includes the three-stage process outlined above plus a summary report including test results and job recommendations as discussed in the final counselling session.

As part of the service, further back-up is provided through email support.

Click here to contact Dr. Cross to arrange an initial appointment or to discuss further.

Career Guidance in Schools & Organisations

If you are a teacher/career counsellor, you can also click on www.MyFutureCareer.com.au and register your school/organisation to do career guidance on the internet for your students and clients using the Vocational Interest Questionnaire authored by Dr Darryl Cross and Mr Garry Simcock.

This questionnaire is the only one in Australia which dovetails exactly back into the "Job Guide" which is the job dictionary published by the Federal Government and distributed free to all schools in Australia.

Testimonials about the Career Guidance Program

"With Darryl's career guidance, I went from drudging through life on the factory floor, to a distinction earning student on the way to a professional career. I can attest to his methods as they have worked wonders giving me the drive to achieve my goals. I would recommend Darryl's services to anyone looking for more in life, we only live once, live it well."
Michael Anderson
GRANGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

"We were greatly impressed at the way Darryl was able to isolate our daughter's strengths and potentials for employment. Our daughter now approaches years 11 and 12 with high motivation and clear goals ....we cannot recommend you enough."
Jacqui and Richard Banham
STIRLING, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

My search led me to Dr Darryl Cross, Crossways Consulting, to whom I posed the statement “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”. After an initial consultation, Darryl suggested I undergo a series of assessments.
Dubiously I filled in the tests and an extremely detailed analysis on specific career recommendations was personally prepared for me - focusing on my professional interests along with my personal strengths and weaknesses. I could not believe the depth of information gleaned from my answering a series of questions in a relatively short period of time. Career recommendations that I had past considered but rejected for one reason or another were presented to me along with several recommendations that I would never have dreamt of pursuing. This is what I had been seeking – constructive vocational direction.
A second consultation with Darryl provided me with insight into the depth of the report and strategies for taking this information further, turning the questionnaire into a positive step toward a new pathway. Upon Darryl’s advice and guidance I ranked the career recommendations I received in the report and narrowed my choices.
I have since applied for, and was successful in obtaining, a position at Uni studying my first preference, Behavioral Science (Psych.). As a mature age entry student I am excited by the challenges, rewards and opportunities that lie ahead.
“Don’t know what you want to be when you grow up?” Take the tests………………………discover what your future holds."
Catherine Mallett

"I would like to thank you for your coaching and guidance during my recent meetings with you. I found your assessment, information and resources to be clear and concise and am now motivated to further my career through study and self-development. I would recommend your services to anyone who is planning or changing their career path, are unsure which direction to take or to those who require coaching in their current careers. Thank you again for your invaluable advice and information."
Claire Lawler
ST AGNES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

"I went to Darryl Cross for career guidance because I wasn’t sure which course I wanted to study after school and which year 11 and 12 subjects were right for me. We discussed my interests and I did some exercises which explained my personality style; this then helped to guide me to an area of interest for tertiary study which I feel comfortable with."
Alice Altree
ST PETERS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA