Author: Ozleyis Cantekin

What is coaching, and career coaching in particular?

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job, unsure of your next move, or torn between what you’re doing and what you really want to do, career coaching might be exactly what you need. Career coaching is not about someone telling you what to do or handing you a blueprint for success.

It’s about working with a professional to intentionally, willingly, and with full self-awareness move forward from your current situation to a place where you’re doing what you truly want — rather than what you feel you “should.”

Coaching – My Calling

Throughout my career as a Recruiter, my mission has always been clear: to help people find their next opportunity. Supporting others in taking that next step in their professional journey has always given me a deep sense of purpose.

Over time, I noticed that my conversations with candidates went far beyond job descriptions and interviews. Increasingly, they turned into coaching moments — exploring strengths, values, and what truly motivates them. These experiences opened my eyes to how powerful it is to help people gain clarity and confidence, not just in their job search, but in their lives. That realization inspired me to pursue my path as a Career Coach and beyond!

Who might find value in career coaching?

Anyone can benefit from career coaching — it’s for anyone ready to grow, reflect, and take the next step forward. But it can be especially powerful for those standing at a crossroads in their professional journey. A mid-career  professional might realise that the current role no longer feels fulfilling, career coaching offers a safe and supportive space to rediscover clarity, purpose, and direction. It’s about reconnecting with what truly matters to you — and building the confidence to move toward it.

Common misconceptions about career coaching

There are several common misconceptions about career coaching. Some people think anyone can be a coach or that mentoring, advising, or providing guidance is the same as coaching. Others believe that coaches need to be experts in life or their chosen area to help others, or that coaches will provide the “solution” or give advice. Coaching is about helping you find your own answers and guiding you to make decisions that align with your values and goals.

What is it like to experience a career coaching session?

Every career coaching session is as unique as the person being coached. Not everything discussed will be directly career-related, as many other aspects of life intersect with job satisfaction.

The focus is on helping you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, envision the future you want, uncover and move past what’s holding you back, and create a clear, achievable path forward.

It takes less than 1 second to make a First impression:

• Be prepared
• Be a STAR
• Be Your Best Self

Be Prepared

Being prepared can help you convince the interviewer that you’re the best candidate and help increase your potential to get invited to the next round.

Explain yourself, what did you do?

Be ready to explain past job changes in a positive light and provide examples of your work. Consider the work you’ve done that shows you have the experience doing the work which relates to the job advertised.

Be a STAR (L)

Frame and practice your answers using the STAR framework. Its a great technique to help your interviewer quickly understand all the great things you’ve achieved.

• Situation – What was the situation in which you were involve?
• Task – What was the task you needed to accomplish?
• Action – What action did you take to address the situation?
• Result – What was the result of your action(s)?
• Learnings – What did you learn from this experience?

Be Your Best Self

In an interview, always act like you want the job and when answering questions think positively, be concise, authentic and confident.

Work your way through the question

Your thought process is often just as important as answering correctly, so if you get stuck, explain what you’re thinking.

Body language is important

Great body language can project your confidence. Poor body language, at best, can be a distraction or, at worst,
a reason not to invite you to the next round.

Ask questions. Interviews are a two-way street

Hiring Leaders want to know that you’re thinking seriously about
what it would be like to work in their team… so ask them questions.