FlexCareers is passionate about supporting our employer partners and our community to be the best that they can be. We offer a range of training and coaching services in areas such as career transition and outplacement, parental leave, return to work, managing flexibility, interview skills, leadership and management, positive psychology, and diversity & inclusion – to name a few.
In this series, we introduce you to our panel of FlexCoaches, each who offer a complimentary 30-minute chemistry session to our community.
1. Jo, tell us about your career history?
I have 15 years’ experience as a human resources specialist working in government, not-for-profit, small business and professional and financial services.
2.What was your motivation to become a coach?
After having my second child, I navigated my own career transition to find work that was both flexible and rewarding and wanted to help other people to do the same. I undertook postgraduate study in Careers Education and Development and I now work with a range of clients at different stages of their careers including university students and recent graduates, parents re-entering the workforce, and adults navigating a career transition.
3.Do you have any particular areas of coaching expertise?
I specialise in working with clients to identify their skills, strengths and values, helping them to research and identify career opportunities, make decisions, and take action. I have extensive experience in resume building, writing cover letters and selection criteria, LinkedIn profile development, as well as preparing clients for behavioural interviews.
I am passionate about supporting parents to return to work and assisting them to negotiate flexible work arrangements. As a mother to two young children, I understand first-hand the challenges associated with finding flexible work, returning to the workforce after maternity leave, and navigating a career change.
4.What do you love most about coaching?
I really enjoy getting to know my clients and helping them uncover their hidden skills, realise their full potential and get their confidence back. I love helping clients to create practical solutions to problems they are facing and watching someone have a ‘light-bulb’ moment when they rediscover something about themselves or see a plan of action start to unfold.
5.How do you define success?
For me, success is about being able to identify your dreams and goals, putting a plan of action together to meet those goals and having the courage to pursue them.
6.What is your vision for women in the workplace?
My vision for women in the workplace is one where flexibility is the norm and reward is based on outcomes, not just the number of hours you sit at a desk. I am passionate about workplace gender equality and believe that women should receive equal pay to their male counterparts and that increasing the number of women at management levels in organisations is paramount to achieving equality in the workplace.
About Jo
A professionally qualified Careers Consultant and Human Resources practitioner, Jo‘s experience spans the not for profit, financial services, education, government and professional service sectors. She is passionate about assisting people to manage their careers and supporting organisations for positive growth. Her areas of expertise include career coaching, Resume writing, Job search strategies, Redeployment Case Management and HR Consulting among others.
FlexCareers offers a FREE 30-minute introductory meeting with our FlexCoaches, to help you establish if coaching is right for you. You can contact Jo through FlexCareers here.
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