What is career coaching?

Career coaching is a structured, evidence-based process delivered by a qualified professional. Through a series of collaborative one-to-one conversations, a career coach helps you understand your values, motivations and goals, and supports you to develop your own best plan of action. It is different from careers advice, job coaching or employment support.

What is the difference between a career coach and a careers adviser?

A careers adviser is trained at postgraduate level to offer impartial guidance, primarily in schools and colleges, drawing on knowledge of the education system and qualifications. A career coach works with adults in a deeper, more reflective process, helping them explore their values, motivations and longer-term goals rather than providing information or guidance.

How is career coaching different from a job coach?

A job coach works specifically with people with disabilities to help them learn job tasks and develop workplace interpersonal skills. Career coaching is a broader professional development process for adults at any stage of their working life who want clarity, direction or a change in their career.

Who is career coaching suitable for?

Career coaching is suitable for anyone who feels stuck, unfulfilled or uncertain about their career direction. It is also valuable for people preparing for promotion, facing redundancy, considering a career change or wanting to align their work more closely with their personal values. You do not need to have a clear goal to start.

How many career coaching sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies depending on your situation and goals. Some clients benefit from a single focused session while others work with Elizabeth over a longer period. The process is tailored to you. The best starting point is a free introductory session to discuss your situation and decide what would work best.

Is there a free introductory session?

Yes. Straight Talk Coaching and Consultancy offers a free introductory session with no obligation. This is an opportunity to meet Elizabeth, explain your current situation and ask any questions about the coaching process before committing to anything.

Where is Straight Talk Coaching and Consultancy based?

Straight Talk Coaching and Consultancy is based in Newcastle upon Tyne and serves clients across the North East of England, including Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham. Sessions are available in person and remotely.

What qualifications does Elizabeth Harding-Massey hold?

Elizabeth Harding-Massey is a qualified careers adviser and teacher with a specialism in literacy, language and special educational needs. She is a member of the British School of Coaching, the Career Development Institute, the Institute of Leadership and Management and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), and abides by the EMCC Global Code of Ethics. She is also DBS checked.

Does Straight Talk Coaching offer corporate or management coaching?

Yes. Straight Talk Coaching and Consultancy works with organisations as well as individuals. Corporate services include staff development coaching, productivity improvement, communication skills and diversity and inclusion support. Packages range from single workshop sessions to ongoing development programmes.

How do I book career coaching in Newcastle?

You can book a free introductory session with Elizabeth Harding-Massey by calling 0191 466 1190 or by using the contact form at straighttalkcoaching.co.uk. There is no obligation attached to the introductory session.

Straight Talk Career Coaching & Consultancy

Working With A Disability

Unlock your potential

Having a disability can, at times, make you feel isolated in the workplace. This can have an effect on your productivity, self-esteem and confidence. Often as an employee, it is difficult to know who to turn to, and it can also be very difficult for employers to also know what to do, where to begin and what solutions are available. Here at Straight Talk Career Coaching and Consultancy, we understand the impact that this can have overall on your general well–being and mental health.

We have experience of working extensively with clients who have a range of disabilities. This includes work as part of a specialist team supporting clients in education, work and training to remove barriers they are facing and improve their outcomes.

We can help equip you with the skills and techniques you need to succeed in the workplace such as:

Confidence to discuss any adaptations or additional needs with an employer
Techniques for communicating with colleagues
Identifying the barriers you face in the workplace

Use the contact button below to get in touch and book a free introductory session to discuss your needs.

About Elizabeth Harding-Massey

Over the course of her career Elizabeth Harding-Massey has lived and worked in the Middle East fulfilling a life – long dream. Working for the British Council in Kuwait was the pivotal turning point in her own career saying: “working within a multicultural society in Kuwait was immensely rewarding yet also challenging and was where my own career journey started.”

She has also spent over twenty years in education firstly qualifying as a careers adviser in education, specialising with clients who had special educational needs. Later in her career she qualified as a teacher with a literacy and language specialism. She is a member of the British School of Coaching which for her is fulfilling a life – long passion. She wants clients to achieve and succeed, to enable them to fulfil their own dreams and ambitions, and, in the process, support them on their own career journey.

She says: “I want real results for my clients.” It’s the learning relationship between coach and client that brings about change. Not just an intervention, an event or an opportunity but one where two people meet, they share knowledge, values, attitudes, skills and experience. They relate to one another. They connect.

I’m the person who is going to stand in your corner, work with you, challenge you and value you to enable you to succeed.”

Discover what our clients say about us...

“Liz has worked with us for two years. In this time I have respected Liz’s great communication skills, her intelligence shown when dealing with very complex young people who are often at a crisis point in their lives. She has worked with possibly some of the most challenging young people in secondary education from across the UK. She has a good understanding of working within the GATSBY principles and spends time to investigate local opportunities and offers in local areas.”

Neil E

Assistant Head & SENCO

“I would not hesitate to recommend Elizabeth to friends or colleagues thinking of having career coaching. Elizabeth helped guide me through the options of a career change, whilst assisting with updating my CV. I now feel I have a much clearer understanding of what I am looking for and what skills I have that could transfer to an alternative role.”

Martin H

Newcastle upon Tyne

“Having recently used Elizabeth’s services for job coaching and evaluating my current career alongside potential changes, I have recently been offered the opportunity of promotion within my current role. Where I would have been hesitant and doubted myself in believing I could advance my career, Elizabeth’s help has allowed me to grow in confidence, recognising my strengths and areas of development, which has meant I now feel confident in moving forward and embracing the opportunity ahead.”

KB

Customer and Trading Manager

“I highly recommend Elizabeth to anyone facing career challenges. About a year and a half ago, Elizabeth helped me prepare for a successful promotion. Recently, I sought her coaching again to boost my confidence for leadership roles. Elizabeth’s skilful approach of asking probing questions and challenging me to reflect sparked numerous ‘eureka’ moments in just a few sessions, giving me fresh perspectives. I will definitely reach out to Elizabeth again and am pleased to share that I’ve already recommended her to two friends who have started their coaching sessions with her.”

Frederik W

Senior Research Officer, Civil Service

“It was a pleasure to work with Elizabeth to unravel where I am now in my career and where I would like to be. Her coaching style is empathetic and warm which suited my needs. She helped me reveal the possibilities for the latter part of my career journey. I would recommend her services for other people who find themselves unclear about where to go next in their career.”

Fiona R

DPhil (Oxon), Senior Researcher