A Coaching Model Created by George Goh
(Career Coach, SINGAPORE)
What does a career coach do when his client’s goal is to find a job?
(Examples given are from Singapore’s context but the general principles are applicable in any country)
What is coaching?
Coaching aims to enhance the performance and learning of others. It involves feedback but also uses motivation, questioning and matching your style to the client’s readiness to undertake a particular task. It is based on helping the client to help himself. Max Landsberg
Significance of the “i..GROW” coaching model
In the area of career coaching, the career coach can use the “i..GROW” blended coaching model to coach a client who is looking for a job. The Blue Skies and lush greenery in the picture above represent the fertile ground, conducive and supportive environment provided by the career coach, where the client is able to discover his own strengths and talents to grow and develop himself to his fullest potential.
The “i..GROW” career coaching model represents the “left to right” phases a client goes through in his growth journey, with the support of the coach, to discover himself, his skill sets, work experience and knowledge, in order to find the right job. The client may begin with feeling lost and confused in the state he is in. But he will grow “taller and taller” with greater self-confidence as he journeys through each phase of the model, to understand himself better and where his true capabilities lie.
Starting from the left, the client needs to allow the humble “i” in him to let go of his past underlying beliefs or limiting beliefs. He needs to “unlearn” and let go of the things that don’t serve him well in the past and “re-learn” new things about himself – his interests, job skills, career values, academic and skill qualifications, knowledge, past experience and aptitude.
After the deep “cleansing”, the client is ready to establish his new career goal, update his resume using the latest format, explore his career options and start his work/job search using the latest job search tools available in the market.
Steps in the “i..GROW” Career Coaching Model framework
When coaching a client whose goal is to find a job, the career coach can use the “i..GROW” Career Coaching Model as a guide to coach his client through the coaching process (as outlined below).
The career coaching process starts with the coach spending some time inquiring about the client, his current job situation and the issues he is facing. The coach then uses the following framework in his coaching process :
i – Initial Assessment
G – Goal
R – Resume Review
Same Job, Same Industry
Same Job, Different Industry
Subject Matter Expert (Parallel career path)
Startups/New Business
Career Switch
W – Work Search
Job portals
Government Schemes in Singapore (examples)
Adapt and Grow Initiative
a) Career Guidance:
For career guidance and employment assistance, job seekers can visit any of the 5 career centres located across Singapore.
b) Career Transition:
c) Job Search:
Jobs Bank(www.mycareersfuture.sg) – a national government job database that put Singapore citizens first. It gives access to an extensive number of jobs in a variety of industries.
Industry events (http://www.visitsingapore.com/mice/en/events-calendar/)
Attending industry events, trade conferences& exhibitions is a good way to connect with people in the target industry over the same setting. The event, however, has to be targeted for it to be meaningful. For example, if the client is looking to enter into the maritime and offshore industry, it would make sense to visit “Sea Asia” trade exhibition(sea-asia.com).
Networking
Finding Overseas Jobs