I do career coaching with leaders and professionals with ADHD in two primary areas: Career Direction and Career Transition. Because of the nature of some of this work, my role can be that of a consultant – more directive and more subject matter focused – and as a coach. I can help you figure out what you want, develop an awesome resume you'll be proud of, and then support you as seek and land the opportunity that's perfect for you.
Career Direction Coaching
This work is typically centered on a question like "what do I want to do when I grow up?" or "I don't want to do this work any more, but what is it I do want to do next?" These questions typically surface for my clients mid-career, but they can emerge at any time. I can help you identify and land the opportunity you want by designing a program for you that would likely involved the following steps:
Assessment: Similar to my Superpower-Led Coaching, we start with identifying your strengths and superpowers through the StrengthsProfile and VIA Character Strengths assessments. We also identify your career values using an online card sort assessment.
Career Narrative: We capture the story of your life and career through a shared Google Doc questionnaire that will help us identify your desires, natural interests, aptitudes, personal qualities, and assets, as well as any possibilities you have already identified or considered in the past.
Career Sketch: We then discuss all of the above information and capture it and any insights that emerge in our discussion in a a shared Google Doc as your "Career Sketch."
Career Statement: You draft two statements that fully describe what you want in your next opportunity and future career. The first one is "internal", written just for you, unedited and as fully authentic as possible. The second is is "external", for you to use in speaking with others as you explore possibilities. This version will evolve as you progress in your journey, learning more and refining what you want by talking to other people.
Marketing Materials: Based on your career history and your Career Statement, we draft (or revise) and polish your resume. Then we use that content to update your LinkedIn Profile, and then we polish that profile as well.
Exploring Possibilities: I help you develop a plan to explore the possibilities for bringing the career you want into reality. I support you as you go out and "network," talking to as many people as you can to evolve what you want based on what you learn from others. In this case networking is about learning, not self promotion.
Opportunity Seeking: As your goal becomes more refined, your networking effort becomes more about seeking the opportunity you want, and I support you through that process, including preparing for interviews, assessing opportunities, and negotiating offers.
In a client’s own words…
“David made quite an impact on my life and career with his ADHD coaching – I came to him amidst turmoil in my personal life and growing competition in my professional life. David was open about his own experiences with ADHD and shared techniques and tools that helped me focus and improve the consistency of my work; even more importantly he shifted my attitude about my self and my capabilities. Working with him, my attention span is noticeably improved, and my sales increased over 20% in one quarter resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales.”
Career Transition Coaching
Career transition work assumes that you know what kind of work you want to do next, and generally follows steps 4 – 7 in Career Direction. I serve as your supportive partner in your search, helping to make sure you stay positive and focused. A career transition program designed for you would likely look something like this:
Orientation: We develop an understanding of why you left your last job or why you want to leave the job you have, and we develop an statement that that you can use to explain that to others in a positive and concise way.
Assessment: As above, we start with identifying your strengths and superpowers through the StrengthsProfile and VIA Character Strengths assessments. We also identify your career values using an online card sort assessment.
Career Statement: You draft two statements that fully describe what you want in your next opportunity and future career. The first one is "internal", written just for you, unedited and as fully authentic as possible. The second is is "external", for you to use in speaking with others as you explore possibilities.
Marketing Materials: Based on your career history and your Career Statement, we draft (or revise) and polish your resume. Then we use that content to update your LinkedIn Profile, and then we polish that profile as well.
Marketing Plan: I help you develop a plan to bring the opportunity you want into reality, identifying target companies and job titles. We identify people in your network that might be of help to you, and develop strategies for asking them for help.
Opportunity Seeking: I support you through this process, including networking, preparing for interviews, assessing opportunities, negotiating offers, and landing the job you want.
