Sample Career Coaching Session

What follows is the complete transcript of an actual coaching session with one of my clients -- performed completely using an instant messaging system. The coaching time was prearranged via email.

CareerDocHansen: Hey Kristi. Congrats on the second interview with Rubbermaid!
Client: thanks, i am kinda excited
CareerDocHansen: Did you tell me you had or had not read that Fortune article about them?
Client: no i havent
CareerDocHansen: You might want to go to Fortune.com and see if you can search their article archives. I think it ran in November or December 2002. Powerful article...and it could help you tomorrow.
CareerDocHansen: Or you could use the library database -- ABI Inform -- and search there for it.
Client: okay i definetly do that before tomorrow's interview
Client: they also gave me a 7 question form to fill out
Client: it has questions about your experiences
CareerDocHansen: What types of questions about your experiences?
Client: its not hard, but i would do better talking about them, rather then writing them
CareerDocHansen: Are they asking for specific examples of certain types of experience?
Client: no questions like my greatest accomplishment
Client: and i would like to use soccer and working hard to earn a starting position
Client: or just getting on the team
Client: but i dont know if they'd rather have something school or work related
CareerDocHansen: Good. I know Rubbermaid loves to hire athletes -- because of the team aspect/mentality.
Client: oh yeah? so maybe if i use soccer it would be okay
CareerDocHansen: Are all the questions focused on that one thing? Or can you discuss others?
CareerDocHansen: And do you know how they plan to use it?
Client: also i am using a stats project for the question of describe a situation where you worked independently on a complex project and achieved good results
Client: but i didnt get a grade
Client: and i only got a b in the class
CareerDocHansen: Did you have standard interview questions today?
Client: yes
Client: very informal
Client: he threw a tricky one in there about my favorite ride at disney
CareerDocHansen: Sounds like this question sheet is getting at behavioral interviewing type questions -- getting you to tell stories about specific events in your past.
Client: yes they ask for examples
CareerDocHansen: Oh. cool. I love odd questions, like if you were a fruit, which one would you be.
CareerDocHansen: What ride did you say?
Client: i was honest...i said Winnie the Pooh
Client: cause its fun and colorful
Client: not a good reason, but i was honest
CareerDocHansen: Those types of questions are partly to see how you think are your feet -- because all the other ones like strengths and weaknesses you can plan for.
Client: it wasnt really a huge part of the interview
Client: just kinda thrown in there
Client: there is a question on the sheet about a time when i went above and beyond the call of duty to accomplish a task or goal
CareerDocHansen: All these questions are really looking for things like your problem-solving abilities, your reactions to bad situations, and how you react....make sure in your answers you focus on the positive -- and ALWAYS show what lesson you learned -- and how you grew as a person.
Client: i know its just hard to find specific examples
Client: like solving a difficult problem?
CareerDocHansen: The two richest sources for you are going to be soccer and group work from classes.
Client: i really dont know if i had one
Client: well i guess i could stretch situations to find answers
CareerDocHansen: You've never had to overcome a bad group leader?
Client: very true
Client: but i already used Advertising for one example in the interview
CareerDocHansen: Don't worry so much about using the same class or soccer too many times -- as long as they are different scenarios.
CareerDocHansen: And did they say anything more about what to expect in tomorrow's interview?
Client: no
Client: felicia gave me her number and i left her a message
Client: i think itll much like today
CareerDocHansen: Based on the question sheet, I would expect some of these questions, but maybe not...
Client: for the question concerning me influencing a group to support and idea important to me...could i use a marketing management case like me convincing the group to use my alternative?
CareerDocHansen: Felicia would be a great source, so I hope she calls you back.
CareerDocHansen: Yeah -- the situation is not nearly as important as the tools you show you used to influence and sway others' decision-making.
CareerDocHansen: Be sure to be specific in your answers -- not about the situation -- but about your ACTIONS, your SKILLS, your STRENGTHS.
CareerDocHansen: There's a section on QuintCareers.com about the STAR method of answering these types of questions.
Client: yeah situation....something.....action...response
CareerDocHansen: Here's the URL: http://www.quintcareers.com/STAR_interviewing.html
CareerDocHansen: Situation - Action - Results...
Client: ahh, thats why i didnt remember the T part
Client: how can i find the sample answers
Client: i always have trouble navigating to them
CareerDocHansen: The T is silent! (For task)
CareerDocHansen: We have some great examples on the site...so you might see how others set them up.
CareerDocHansen: So, anything more on Rubbermaid? Try to do a little more research tonight, if possible...and talk with Felicia.
Client: no Rubbermaid is good
CareerDocHansen: Do you want to talk about AmSouth -- or save that for over the weekend or something so you can concentrate on Rubbermaid?
Client: i will do more research
Client: nah i am more worried about AmSouth
Client: the lady didnt call me back
CareerDocHansen: Don't sweat it...she could have been in meetings, left early for the day, or a thousand other things...
Client: i know, i just dont want to do anything to mess it up
CareerDocHansen: We have a great article on QC about the company visit -- here's the URL: http://www.quintcareers.com/mastering_onsite_interviews.html
CareerDocHansen: The key is getting a lot of rest the day and night before -- since the day of the interviews and testing is going to be LONG.
Client: yes i think i would fly in the night before so i would be in a hotel...which wont really be comfortable
CareerDocHansen: And you'll want to make sure you totally understand the travel plans and issues like misc. costs that should be reimbursed.
Client: how do you think it would go over if i missed a day of classes?
Client: do you think teachers would understand
CareerDocHansen: In general, yes. The ideal situation is for all seniors to have a job upon graduation...and I would be disappointed if any of your profs gave you a hard time.
Client: well it would just be Mueller or Nicholson or Mieres
CareerDocHansen: Just let them know as soon as you and AmSouth set the dates -- and be prepared to work around tests, quizzes, etc.
CareerDocHansen: Nicholson -- no problem. Mueller shouldn't be; let me know if she does and I'll talk with her. Mieres I don't know well enough...but that is supposed to be one of the reasons to attend Stetson -- because faculty care about you and your future, right??
Client: yes, i think that Mieres would have the least problem
CareerDocHansen: We can talk more about these things after you set the dates and read the article...but the other thing you'll want to think about -- even for tomorrow's interview -- is at the end of the interview, you should ask about the next step in the process. Some would say you should be bold enough -- if you really want the job -- to ask for the job. I know with Rubbermaid, though, that the next step is a company visit, right?
Client: i honestly dont know
CareerDocHansen: I think so.
Client: today they asked for a final "plea" of why you are the best candidate
Client: i think i did well on that
CareerDocHansen: Good.
CareerDocHansen: And with AmSouth, though, you will need to be prepared to talk about a job offer.
Client: i think its just to get into the training program
CareerDocHansen: I know -- but that's just a lead-in to a position -- the company is going to invest a lot of money in the people they bring in to the training program.
Client: so i should come up with an area of the bank that interests me
CareerDocHansen: Just like in soccer, remember that you need to be a little aggressive. Go to the ball.
Client: a few peopel ihave talked with who were in the program said that they wanted to do it cause they didnt know what they wanted to do
CareerDocHansen: Yeah...though they may have you rotate through to learn more about the various departments/jobs.
CareerDocHansen: I'm glad you have a few irons in the fire...it's not always good to take something just for the sake of having a job...
CareerDocHansen: But also remember that the stats for the number of grads that change jobs and employers after one year is extremely high....
Client: yes i agree, it seems like 2 weeks ago i was going no where, and now i feel like at least some people are interested
CareerDocHansen: So, should we end this so you can focus on Rubbermaid for a bit...and then we can regroup about AmSouth in a few days -- or next week?
Client: i will e mail you when i know when the interview is...and then can we set up our mock interview
CareerDocHansen: Sounds good to me.
CareerDocHansen: I hope you got some good ideas for tomorrow's interview.
Client: i did, thank you
CareerDocHansen: OK. I'm out of here. Good luck tomorrow -- and email me when you're done with it -- or stop by my office. I'll be in from about 10 to 1...when is your interview?
Client: 11:15
Client: so maybe ill stop by
CareerDocHansen: OK. Have a good night. Don't worry about AmSouth and kick butt with Rubbermaid tomorrow.
Client: thanks!

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