It goes without saying, but we’ve all definitely seen better days. In just a few short months, we’ve gone from one of the strongest job markets in our history, to record-breaking unemployment rates with the futures of many industries hanging precariously in the balance. We sat down with Rachel Fagnant-Fassler, President and Co-owner of CFW Careers, to discuss the launch of CFW’s Career Coaching practice, the evolving role of career coaches in a shrinking job market, and, especially in times of uncertainty, the value of a coaching approach that emphasizes multiple, fulfilling career paths.
What prompted CFW Careers to launch a career coaching practice?
We actually started as a career school back in the 70s when David King founded the firm, so career coaching has been in our DNA throughout our firm's history. We started putting together some more formal programming after the financial crisis, taking select cases and also referring to close friends of the firm for transition coaching. In the past couple months, the need for coaching at all levels has sky-rocketed, and we want to be able to support the community we've built over all of these years. Our depth of experience in career services means we’re uniquely positioned to help individuals chart their career course through this strange era we’ve entered into, and take measures to be prepared for their next move in this changing economy.
What’s distinguishes CFW Careers coaching program from others?
A key differentiator for us is our career pathing approach. We don't believe in one true "calling." We believe there are several career paths an individual could walk down that would fulfill them and allow them to reach their goals. Because of this, we insist that individuals identify and explore several different paths so that they can open the possibilities and better project where those opportunities may lead.
I also think the value of recruiting industry experience cannot be understated in the career coaching process. We understand how hiring works, how hiring managers and companies think, and we can advise based on the reality of the current environment. I also happen to have training in career counseling, so the combination of counseling best practices and hiring market expertise really sets us apart.
What do you enjoy most about career coaching?
I love the ah-ha moments that come with great facilitated thought. I've always loved learning about people's lives, their stories. The career journey is so integral to your life that you can't just examine career decisions alone. But, unlike other parts of life (relationships, emotional turmoil, etc), career decisions can change your daily reality and level of happiness almost overnight. Working on this tangible, impactful goal with someone, and seeing them progress, is a real pleasure.
It’s a really rough job market. What can individuals expect to take away?
Now is not the time to do career coaching so you can land a job in the next two weeks. We're in a new era and a rapidly changing one at that. That said, we've noticed two types of jobseekers in the past few weeks--those who are looking for a new job as though things will go back to normal in a month, and those who are evaluating the new landscape and trying to figure out where they will fit into it moving forward. Our work with individuals will be on the latter. The goal of coaching work right now is to give individuals the concrete tools they need to strategically work through the months ahead so they are ready when opportunity arises and so they know how to identify that opportunity in the first place. It's not an easy time, but proactive self-reflection and preparation will make some more well-positioned than others in the months ahead.
Are you currently starting to ponder of prepare for your next career move? Please reach out to us at careersteam@cfwcareers.com for more on our career coaching services.