7 Unique Tips For Career Coaches & Résumé Writers

Success leaves clues. This is what I was taught over 30 years ago; a message that changed my life when my life was anything but a success.

Hang out with successful people, study them, replicate them, and then find ways to do what they do better, I was advised.

Below are 7 of the top coaching strategies I was taught by highly successful people. Long ago, they became my set-in-stone coaching culture. My coaching style, if you will.

Yes, I could write a book on each of the 7 points. But for now, I'll just throw out a few ideas to give a little taste. And then perhaps, you'll find ways to do it better, like I was advised.

?1) I Make Everything Inspirational

• ?This is the cornerstone of what I do. And this is what our industry, at large, has never done. Seriously, enjoy the prospect of job searching? YES!
• Mindset optimizes skills set. What good is a kick-ass resume in the hands of a depressed and fearful job seeker? Even when I criticize clients - it's inspirational.

?I don't motivate, I empower. I leave motivation to my clients.

2) I Change the Verbiage

• ?Throughout society, words and phrases are changed to inspire greater emotion, thus, greater achievement:?Stewardess/Flight Attendant. Dying/Passing Away. Salesman/Team Associate. Trash Collector/Sanitation Engineer.
• But the career & employment industry continues to cling to antiquated words and jargon that result in fear, pain, and underachievement. Some of the verbiage I've altered:

A résumé is a hiring proposal

Networking is creating a personal sales force

An interview is a win-win success meeting

a job search (or hunt) is a design your future, on your terms, 'campaign'

Unemployed is simply a state of career (workplace) transition

?3) I Help Identify Reasons to Propel Action

• ?This is my secret weapon. I ask clients to write down 3 MAJOR things they will be able to do when they get a job, that they cannot do now; things that would revolutionize the quality of their life for the better.

When job seekers work hard at their job campaigns, it's because they envision a better life; not simply a better way to pay the bills.

?4) I Empower, I Don't Just Educate

• ?"I am too old to get a job," the guy says.
• "Do you know this to be true?" I ask.
• "Well, I think so," he replies.
• "Where did you get that information," I ask.
• "Ya know, media, friends, and stuff like that," he responds.
• "What if I could prove to you that there's never been a better time for someone your age to land a great job - would you be open to changing your mind to land a great job - quickly?"
• "Show me, I'm from Missouri," he says.
• I then present credible articles/testimonials to empower a new belief.?

Empowerment takes time.?Clients must come up with the answers on their own.?So the quality of questions I ask, determines the quality of answers they come up with.?And this, ultimately, determines the level of confidence and determination they invest in their campaigns.?So this leads to #5...

5) I Sharpen My Questions

• ?When we ask a better question, we'll get a better answer. Just ask Socrates. Why me? Why do I have to go through this? Why can't things be easier? Not good questions.
• Who do I need to recruit to help me through these times? How many hours do I need to invest a day, so my future is secure??How do I stay in optimal health to achieve my goals quickly??High quality questions.

It's a good mantra: "Ask a better question."

?6) I Help Control Focus

• ?So, 10 good things happen to you today - and just 1 bad thing. If you're like most people, you'll return home and burden your family and yourself with the 1 bad thing - totally forgetting the good stuff. Can you relate? But remember, what we focus on becomes the foundation for our future.

?What are job seekers focusing on?

• The employment rate or unemployment rate?
• The future or the present and past?
• Problems or solutions?
• Reruns of CSI on TV or networking?

?Another good mantra: "Change your focus."

7) I Demand Action and Accountability

• ?I'm a coach, not a therapist. Yes, I am compassionate, empathetic, and caring. But I can never want more for my clients than they want for themselves. So I let all my clients know that high achievement requires disciplined action and self-accountability.?

In the end, it’s up to them.?If it's going to be, it's NOT up to me.?They are the captains of their own ships. I’m their first mate.?Yes, I direct them on how best to navigate stormy seas. But hey, they must do the navigating; the work.?

Sports and musical coaches, as a for instance, don't go out and perform for their players/students.?They empower them to be accountable for their own performances - and producing the result they truly aspire to.

Same for all of us.