Client stories
People come to career coaching for many different reasons. Read about how my clients have found direction, rebuilt their confidence, made changes to their working lives and secured new opportunities.
Explore stories about:
A better role or way of working
Job applications and interviews
Career change and direction
Harry
From sales to a business partnership in the stamp trade
Harry was unhappy in sales, worn down by constant pressure to meet targets. Exploring his values helped him understand what was missing and what he wanted from his day-to-day work. Conversations with people in different fields opened up new possibilities, including a connection in the stamp trade that led to a business partnership.
“The daunting job search became much easier to narrow down and ‘job hunting’ became much more about finding a role that suited me, rather than a role that I ‘could get if I wanted to’.”
In Harry's own words
Jess was very supportive, and her guidance has made me think hard about what my next steps are and how to achieve the right role for me. I was stuck in a rut and unsure of my future direction and Jess’s coaching programme has helped me through the decision-making process. I found the values exercises the most helpful as they really helped me to clarify what’s important to me. This meant that the daunting job search became much easier to narrow down and ‘job hunting’ became much more about finding a role that suited me, rather than a role that I ‘could get if I wanted to’.
Working with Jess has helped me to understand why I’ve not been connecting to the work I was doing and why I felt bored and frustrated. I now have clarity on what my strengths and skills are and the type of work that I find fulfilling.
Thank you so much Jess, I’ve finally found a role I find fulfilling and enjoyable and that’s down to our work together on my job ‘must-haves’.
Charlotte
Securing a place on a clinical psychology doctorate
Charlotte was working as an assistant clinical psychologist but hadn’t secured the doctorate place she wanted. She came to coaching to explore a backup plan, but this confirmed how much she wanted to pursue her original goal. We then focused on interview practice and managing her anxiety, helping her approach the next round feeling prepared. She went on to secure a place on a clinical psychology doctorate.
“Reflecting on the whole process now, the sessions provided the security I needed. I hadn’t needed a plan B!”
In Charlotte's own words
At the start of our sessions the aim was to explore a plan B. I wanted to get a place on a doctorate in clinical psychology, but I’d already tried twice and I was feeling unsure of myself. I was on maternity leave, and I felt stuck and having Jess to help me on my journey was really positive. The values task and ‘ask a friend’ exercise were particularly helpful in understanding the direction I wanted to go in and give me confidence in the decisions I was making about my future. Reflecting on the whole process now, the sessions provided the security I needed. I hadn’t needed a plan B! With Jess’s support, I finally overcame my nerves and secured the place I so wanted on a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Hamza
From teaching to fine art
Hamza was unhappy in international teaching and wanted to give his art and writing a more central place in his working life. Coaching helped him build the confidence to promote his artwork and take practical steps towards this. He went on to secure a commission for a hotel foyer.
“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.”
In Hamza's own words
Working with Jess as my coach has been a truly transformative experience. Before we started our sessions, I often felt unclear about how to connect my creative ambitions with practical steps forward. Through Jess’s guidance, I’ve gained both clarity and confidence.
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.
Oli
From logistics to a manager role in distribution
Oli was working as a delivery driver and felt unsure what direction to take. Conversations with people in different roles helped him explore logistics, and we rebuilt his CV to show what he could offer. His first three applications brought three job offers. He joined a cocktail start-up in distribution, where he has since been promoted.
“Jess has helped give me direction and define my career goals. She has built my confidence to network which has led to exploring a range of possibilities and discovering what really interests me.”
In Oli's own words
When I started working with Jess, I had no idea what sort of job I wanted or how to begin thinking about my career. She has been instrumental in helping me discover critical things about myself – what motivates me, my strengths, my skills and my values. Both the sessions and tools were inspiring and have helped me uncover what my interests are and what’s important to me.
Jess has helped give me direction and define my career goals. She has built my confidence to network which has led to exploring a range of possibilities and discovering what really interests me. She is passionate and approachable, both in sessions and beyond. She creates a space where it’s easy to be open and honest, and her genuine enthusiasm makes the whole process feel exciting and achievable.
My experience with Jess has been transformative. I went from feeling lost and unsure to having a clear sense of direction and the practical tools to pursue it. Thanks to her support, I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and a powerful CV. I’m now genuinely excited about my job search and future career.
Rosie
From lab technician to a communications role in the charity sector
Rosie had thought her future lay in science, but the role she’d been excited about turned out not to suit her. After leaving, she felt unsure what could come next. We explored her strengths, skills and what she needed from work, helping her recognise opportunities beyond the lab. She secured a communications role with a charity, impressing them so much at interview that they offered her a higher salary than advertised.
“With Jess’s support, I worked on defining my purpose and producing a set of criteria to help guide my evaluation of whether a role would be a good fit or not.”
In Rosie's own words
Working with Jess has really changed how I see myself and my career. Before I started career coaching I felt lost, overwhelmed, and defeated. I have always prided myself on being driven and ambitious, particularly in my professional life, so when my ideal job left me burned out and deflated I didn’t know where to turn.
From the start, Jess was great at listening to what I wanted to get out of the sessions and tailoring them to my specific needs. She helped me feel less overwhelmed by breaking down the process into smaller, more manageable steps and focused on helping me discover my personal and professional values. With Jess’s support, I also worked on defining my purpose and producing a set of criteria to help guide my evaluation of whether a role would be a good fit or not. Her support throughout this process has boosted my confidence massively and having clear, customised guidelines has helped me feel much more equipped to make important career decisions.
Jess is such a pleasure to work with. She’s kind and understanding and makes you feel comfortable right from the first session. She has been extremely patient even when I felt really hesitant and uncertain, she soon helped me feel clearer in my convictions and empowered to take the first steps towards a new career.
Issy
From accountant to psychology masters
Issy was fed up with accountancy and wanted to find a different direction. Through coaching, she explored her interest in people and what makes them tick, and decided to pursue psychology. A master’s in psychology became her next step towards that change.
Jess’s ability to summarise and recap my often incoherent rambling was really powerful and energising, I would always come away with clarity and clear actions.
In Issy's own words
Apart from being personable, kind and funny, Jess is a calm, natural and non-judgemental listener and I have thoroughly enjoyed my career change coaching journey with her. She takes the time to ask thoughtful, probing and relevant questions, and has a special spark you don’t find in all coaches – I think partly because of her own experience living a career change. I felt pushed yet supported.
I wanted to do the homework! It was always tailored, relevant and refreshing. Jess creates and provides great resources to accompany and enhance the coaching sessions, in a variety of formats and styles – to suit everyone’s approach!
Jess’s ability to summarise and recap my often incoherent rambling was really powerful and energising, I would always come away with clarity and clear actions.
I couldn’t have done it without her! Jess was always proud of my insights, achievements and progress, and was genuinely on this journey with me. She reassuringly held me accountable and her approach meant that I was always challenging myself, sometimes without realising!
I’m excited for the people working with Jess and what they will get out of the relationship, and for them to feel as empowered as I have.
Hilary
From deputy headteacher to leading programmes for refugees
Hilary had left a deputy headteacher role after a difficult experience at work and struggled to recognise the value of her career. Coaching helped her acknowledge what she’d achieved and reconsider what success meant to her. Her passion for supporting refugees to settle into their new community became a new focus. She now runs local programmes, has secured funding to develop more, and continues to teach alongside this work.
“Jess is insightful, supportive, non-judgemental. I had previously internalised my disappointments and lack of confidence that I had in my working life and Jess enabled me to move on from this.”
In Hilary's own words
I was supported by Jess during an unsettling time in my career when I had moved from teaching and was looking for other work opportunities. The sessions I had with Jess were calm and organised. She immediately put me at ease with her friendly smile and open and relaxed manner.
She was always clear about the focus of the sessions and was sensitive in her approach, listening and helping me move ideas forward. Jess is insightful, supportive, non-judgemental. I had previously internalised my disappointments and lack of confidence that I had in my working life and Jess enabled me to move on from this.
Jess was instrumental in supporting me to finding the answers to my challenges. I would really recommend Jess to anyone looking for some guidance and clarification.
Lucy
Returning to paid work and starting a business
Lucy needed to return to paid work but had no idea where to begin. The working world felt unfamiliar, and she worried she was too old to find her place in it. Coaching helped her recognise the value of her skills as a mother and managing a household. She built the confidence to put those strengths and skills to use and began freelance work as a virtual assistant.
“Jess’s calm demeanour and skilful advice helped me to navigate my way through the process of discovering where my skills and abilities lay.”
In Lucy's own words
Having had a lucky opportunity to stay at home and raise my four children for 25 years, I found myself in the unexpected position of having to earn a living. Jess’s calm demeanour and skilful advice helped me to navigate my way through the process of discovering where my skills and abilities lay.
She also helped me realise that I had a wide range of talents, honed over the years of running a household and, as a result, I am developing my own virtual PA business.
Thinking about a change in your own working life?
You don’t need to know what you want to do next before we begin. Find out how career change and direction coaching could help you explore your options and work out your next steps.
Explore career change and direction coaching →
3 sessions £450 · 6 sessions £875
A free 30-minute online conversation
A better role or way of working
Lily
A new accountancy role within a thriving start-up
After qualifying in accountancy, Lily missed having a clear goal to work towards. Limited guidance and opportunities in her firm left her unsure how she was doing, and her confidence began to slip. Coaching helped her clarify what she wanted from her next role. She joined the finance team of a growing start-up whose product she believed in, with a substantial pay rise and clear opportunities to progress.
“It has been an incredible investment in myself and my career. The main benefit is the clarity and perspective that Jess is able to offer, which has been hugely valuable to me.”
In Lily's own words
Fran
Return to work in a new role
Fran came to coaching during a long period of sick leave, feeling anxious about returning to work. Although highly valued by her employer, she had become overwhelmed by the demands of her role and working hours that left little room to recover. Coaching gave her space to talk through her concerns and work out what she needed. When she was offered a new role, we worked together on negotiating a manageable return and setting boundaries to support her ability to be successful in her new role as well as support her wellbeing.
“Over our six sessions, Jess helped me build my confidence gradually and gave me the space to work through what was really important to me.”
In Fran's own words
Featured client story
Claire
When Claire first came to coaching, she felt deeply unfulfilled at work. The organisation’s values did not match her own, and the experience had begun to drain her energy and confidence. She felt stuck, without a clear plan for what to do next. She described it as feeling like a jigsaw piece in the wrong puzzle.
During our work together, Claire also experienced redundancy. Coaching gave her a place to slow things down, make sense of what had happened and recognise that the problem was not a lack of ability. We explored what mattered to her, the strengths she had been overlooking and the kind of working life she wanted to create.
In Claire's own words
Before working with Jess, I was in a very unfulfilling role and working for a company whose values didn’t match my own. Work was boring, frustrating and sapping my energy and confidence. I felt as though I was banging my head against a brick wall. It affected my life outside work too: I felt despondent and stopped engaging with things.
Jess helped me get everything that had been frustrating me out of my head and onto paper. That simple step helped me understand why I didn’t fit and realise that it wasn’t my fault. I was a jigsaw piece in the wrong jigsaw.
Our sessions have become a safe place where I can focus on myself without the noise of everything else. Jess picks out the things I say and reflects their importance back to me. She finds the essence of who I am in my experiences – the values and strengths I have brought to different parts of my life – and helps me see them positively.
When my thoughts feel like one big “aaahhh”, she helps my brain slow down and take one step at a time. Each time I come back, I feel as though I’ve been wound back up and set off in the right direction again, particularly when things have gone awry. Her suggestions, exercises and practical resources act like an anchor and give me a reason to make time for myself between sessions.
Jess grasps very quickly what I’m trying to achieve and what is blocking me. She gives me time when everything feels overwhelming and always gives me a choice about whether I’m ready to move forward. Along the way, she says these wonderful sentences that feel like little drops of rescue remedy. I have felt seen for the first time in a very long time.
I now appreciate myself more and understand what I can bring to a company. I feel much more empowered and more in control of my path, rather than simply applying for any job. I’ve developed the confidence to pursue roles that genuinely fit who I am.
During our time together, I was also made redundant. At another point in my life, that might have reinforced my belief that I had failed or made a mess of my career. With Jess’s support, I have been able to approach what comes next differently.
I have now secured a part-time role which gives me the security of earning again while leaving me time to explore starting my own creative business. Rather than applying for anything because I’m frightened, I feel as though I am making deliberate choices and beginning to create a working life that suits me.
I look forward to every meeting with Jess because I know I’ll be heard and can bring all of myself. It isn’t therapy, but it is somewhere I don’t have to hide parts of who I am. Jess offers reflection and understanding alongside real, practical help. She has helped me make much more sense of what I want, who I am and what I can do next.
Claire, now combining a part-time role with plans for her own creative business
Simone
A transition to a new role and improved work-life balance
Simone came to coaching during a difficult time, feeling overwhelmed by work and unsure how to move forward. She cared deeply about doing a good job but needed things to change. Together, we clarified what needed to change and how she could ask her employer for the support she needed. She renegotiated her role and established clearer boundaries, creating a more manageable balance between work and life.
“Jess was there every step of the way, offering warmth, insight, and encouragement. Her support was invaluable in helping me establish healthy boundaries.”
In Simone's own words
Working with Jess has been transformative. She guided me in uncovering my core values, clarifying my purpose, and setting meaningful goals, which has given me a renewed sense of direction and motivation. Jess was there every step of the way, offering warmth, insight, and encouragement. Her support was invaluable in helping me establish healthy boundaries, which has brought balance and focus into my life. I now feel empowered and confident in making decisions aligned with my true self. I highly recommend Jess to anyone seeking clarity and growth in their career and personal life.
Iona
From managing events to a promotion in project management
Iona enjoyed her work running international sporting events but could see limited opportunities to progress. Coaching helped her recognise her strengths and articulate what she could bring to a different role. She secured a promotion into project management at head office and has since used what she learnt through coaching to support others in her new role.
“Jess helped me look closely at the work I’d done, recognise where I’d made a difference and find the words to describe it.”
In Iona's own words
When I started working with Jess, I knew I wanted to progress in my career, but I struggled to explain what I had to offer. I talked about my skills and strengths in quite general terms. Jess helped me look closely at the work I’d done, recognise where I’d made a difference and find the words to describe it.
That gave me much more confidence in speaking about what I could bring to a new role, and I went on to secure a promotion. The exercises were thought-provoking, particularly the work we did on finding joy in my career. I’ve since used Jess’s approach with people in my new role who are thinking about their own next move. It’s stayed with me well beyond our coaching sessions.
Emily
Shaping an academic role with more room for research
Emily was a respected senior lecturer who had recently completed her PhD, but her workload left little room for the research she wanted to pursue. She came to coaching wondering whether to change jobs or take a different career direction. Our work helped her decide she wanted to stay and shape her existing role. She built the confidence to say no to competing demands and agree a clearer focus for her role with her manager, gaining approval to pursue her research and apply for funding.
“Jess has a wonderful way of both putting you at ease and holding you to account for the actions that you have decided to take”
In Emily's own words
Want more from your working life?
You might enjoy parts of your work but want a better role, more opportunity or a way of working that suits you better. Find out how coaching could help you decide what needs to change and take steps towards it.
Explore a better role or way of working →
3 sessions £450 · 6 sessions £875
A free 30-minute online conversation
Job applications and interviews
Chloe
From retail to the charity sector
Chloe was doing well in retail but felt unsure how to move towards work that made fuller use of her skills. When an opportunity arose with a charity, we focused on recognising what she could offer, expressing it clearly and practising for the interview. She applied for a temporary role, but the charity was so impressed that they offered her a permanent position.
“Jess helped me recognise the value of my previous experience and identify examples that demonstrated my strengths and the impact I had made.“
In Chloe's own words
Working with Jess made an enormous difference to my interview preparation. She helped me recognise the value of my previous experience and identify examples that demonstrated my strengths and the impact I had made.
Jess introduced me to a range of practical techniques and frameworks for answering different types of interview questions. I found the STAR technique particularly helpful. She emphasised the importance of explaining the result and impact of my actions, rather than simply describing what had happened, and I kept reminding myself of this during the interview.
The mock interview was especially valuable. It gave me the opportunity to practise answering realistic questions, receive honest and constructive feedback and improve the way I communicated my experience. By the time I attended the interview, I felt much more prepared and confident in what I had to offer.
I was so pleased to be offered the job and I know that Jess’s support and preparation played an important part in helping me achieve that result. I would highly recommend her interview coaching.
Emma
From sports data analyst to insurance start-up
Emma initially found it difficult to put her strengths and ambitions into words. Working together over time, she learnt to recognise what she did well, build clear examples using the STAR approach and present herself with greater confidence at interview. She has since flourished in a new role, putting those strengths into practice.
“Jess was especially valuable when helping me put together my CV and write cover letters. She always had such a good understanding of what the employer might be looking for and how to cater your application to the role and company. “
In Emma's own words
I recently started a new role and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without Jess, she was so kind and patient and I came out of every session with a new confidence and excitement for the future. Jess was especially valuable when helping me put together my CV and write cover letters. She always had such a good understanding of what the employer might be looking for and how to cater your application to the role and company. Through tailoring my CV to specific roles I was able to make my application stand out. Throughout the whole interview process Jess always went out of her way to organise practice interviews at times that suited, often very last minute. These practice interviews were so valuable and made me feel so confident and well prepared when it came to the real thing. Jess has such a great ability to come up with the right questions to practice and really delved into the role and company to make it as realistic as possible, often with her questions coming up during the actual interview. Her dedication and kindness during the whole process made a huge difference and it made what is often a difficult and stressful experience as easy and positive as possible.
Janet
Reaching the final round for a CEO role
Janet came to coaching after a difficult experience at work had shaken her confidence. We explored her leadership strengths and reconnected with what mattered to her about education and learning. As she prepared for a CEO recruitment process, she became clearer about what she could offer and what she wanted from her next role. She reached the final round, but also recognised that the position wasn’t the right fit for her.
“Jess is a lovely warm person to work with, and I very much appreciated the combination of her kindness/cheerleading with a thorough approach – she definitely put me through my paces!“
In Janet's own words
When I met Jess my confidence was low after some challenging situations in my professional and personal life. I knew I needed to look for a new role, but I had a scattergun approach to applying for jobs, which was wasting my time and leaving me disheartened when I was not successful. I was also unable to adequately articulate the decades of experience and skills I had built up.
With Jess’s support I completely revamped my CV and cover letter, as well as my approach to interviews. As a result, I managed to get through to the final round of interviews for a CEO role – for the first job I applied for after I had been coached by Jess! Although I wasn’t successful, I learned that the role wasn’t right for me through the application process. This insight has been so useful in my subsequent job search, as Jess’s support has restored my confidence to trust my intuition.
Jess is a lovely warm person to work with, and I very much appreciated the combination of her kindness/cheerleading with a thorough approach – she definitely put me through my paces! There were plenty of practical tips, but I most appreciated the provocation to reflect on what I really wanted from my career and life, and the challenge to some beliefs that were limiting my ambition.
Jaslina
Securing a scholarship place on an MBA
Jaslina was working in a GP surgery but struggled to see the value of her experience or where it could take her. Coaching helped her recognise how much she was already contributing beyond her role, from training colleagues and improving processes to helping more patients access care. She learnt to articulate these strengths and realised that she wanted to pursue a career in global healthcare. She secured a scholarship place on an MBA to take that ambition forward.
“The activities we did helped me identify the qualities that matter most to me, and her feedback on my applications was invaluable.“
In Jaslina's own words
It has been incredible working with Jess! When we first started, I had little confidence in my own abilities and felt uncertain about the direction I was heading. Jess created an encouraging, positive, and supportive environment where I could explore my strengths. The activities we did helped me identify the qualities that matter most to me, and her feedback on my application documents was invaluable.
Thanks to her guidance, I am now more confident, have greater clarity about the direction I’m heading in my career. With her support on my application and interview techniques, I have been admitted to a postgraduate course that I’m excited to begin! I highly recommend Jess for career coaching.
Kristian
From PhD to associate scientist
Kristian wanted to communicate his skills more clearly in job applications. Coaching helped him identify his strengths, explore what mattered to him in his longer-term career and present his experience more effectively in his CV and covering letters. He developed a clearer approach to tailoring each application to the role.
“Jess helped firstly to identify my main skillsets and how to reframe these to stand out better in both CV and covering letter formats. “
In Kristian's own words
Jess’ approach to career coaching provides a highly personable and clear platform that enables open and honest discussion.
In particular, Jess helped firstly to identify my main skillsets and how to reframe these to stand out better in both CV and covering letter formats. A big part of this process was determining values that are important to me, finding purpose in regard to long-term career aspirations and tailoring applications to each individual job description.
Want to feel more confident about your next application or interview?
Whether you’re updating your CV or preparing for an interview, coaching can help you recognise what you offer and communicate it clearly. Find out how we could work together to help you approach your next opportunity with confidence.
Explore job applications and interview coaching →
CV coaching £350 · Interview preparation £350 · Combined package £675
A free 30-minute online conversation
