About Me
Chichester & online across the UK · Firework® Licensed Career Coach · Association for Coaching member · 25 years’ experience
Who I am
I tend to see possibilities in people that they don’t always see in themselves.
I find it fascinating to understand what makes people tick, what matters to them and what they are capable of. That curiosity has been a thread throughout my working life, first in education and now as a career coach.
My own career hasn’t followed a straight line either. After my second redundancy in 2022, I had to face some fairly big questions about what I wanted from the next stage of my working life. Since then, I’ve developed my own portfolio career. You can read more about my journey into coaching here.
Curiosity spills over into the rest of my life too. Since moving to the South Coast in 2017, I’ve taught myself how to level ground, mix cement, lay patios, prune trees and look after a 17th-century cottage.
When I’m not working, you’ll most often find me in the garden or cooking for a houseful of people.
Why I coach this way
It can be surprisingly difficult to see our own value. We get used to the things we’re good at, overlook strengths that come naturally to us and sometimes become so caught up in what we think we should be doing that it’s difficult to work out what we actually want.
That’s one of the things coaching gives you: the time and space to look at yourself differently. I listen closely, ask questions and notice things that you may have overlooked or dismissed. I’ll support you, but I’ll also challenge you when I think it will help. Together, we start to build a clearer picture of what you bring, what matters to you and what you want from your working life.
That might mean helping you recognise and articulate your value in an application or interview. Or it might mean exploring whether the work you’re doing still works for you.
And if you don’t know what comes next, you don’t have to know the answer before you start. We will follow your curiosity, test possibilities and learn from what happens. One conversation, application, course, introduction or experiment can reveal something you couldn’t have worked out by sitting at home thinking harder.
“What I’ve appreciated most is Jess’s ability to listen deeply, ask insightful questions, and offer practical, actionable advice without losing sight of the bigger picture. Jess’s style is warm, encouraging, and full of positive energy, which made me feel supported while also challenged to stretch beyond my comfort zone.”
Hamza, from teaching to fine art
Practical details
- Sessions last 60 minutes and can take place in person or online.
- Any exercises are tailored to you.
- Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on your needs and schedule.
- We will agree the likely number of sessions together.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. The consultation is an opportunity for you to talk about what is happening and decide whether coaching with me feels like the right next step.
The consultation is a confidential 30-minute online meeting, with no obligation to continue.
