Client Success Story: Staying True To Yourself During the JobSearch

What's your name?

Tali Demassi

What's your title or function?

Manager, Client Partnerships

What industry do you work in?

Marketing

What led you to reach out for help with your career? What was going on in your life at the time?

All of this happened post Covid - as I was re-entering the job market. I thought it was a great time to re-evaluate my career, and plan for my future. I think I typed ‘Career Coach’ into my LinkedIn search engine, and came across Jennifer’s profile.

What did you feel about getting matched to your coach and why did you ultimately decide to work with her?

It must’ve been the accent! JK. Honestly, when I looked at Sarah’s experience, I was happy to see that she had crossover in the Creative Agency world. This was relevant experience for connecting with my personal story. I was honestly also very excited to find out that she was living in Ireland, and was also a mom, so felt like we’d connect on many levels.

What were your hesitations about hiring a career coach?

Certainly there is always the financial component in considering, especially when I wasn’t employed at the time. However, I knew that this experience would help me define my career path, and ultimately I felt the investment would pay off within the first year of employment.

The leap of faith was really recognizing that I didn’t have the answers. That I was going to have to do some hard work to get where I wanted to go.

What made you take the leap of faith to work with a coach?

The leap of faith was really recognizing that I didn’t have the answers. That I was going to have to do some hard work to get where I wanted to go. It was a very vulnerable experience, and I was faced with ALL my insecurities, and knew the only way to get over them would be to face them (oh dear, how cliche - but true!)

What was the process like working with your coach?

Sarah had excellent structure in our sessions. I knew that she had a planned process that she was going to lead me through, but was also very pleased, that this adjusted depending on me, and where we landed at each session. I believe half way through, we pivoted to explore a different angle, and then when I landed a job close to my final sessions, we also tailored my final session to what would be most beneficial for where I was.

"I’m pretty sure I didn’t think I was as cool as I actually am. Sarah really helped me see what my strengths were, and celebrated those with me. That was a huge part of this process, and super vulnerable.

What, if anything, surprised you?

I’m pretty sure I didn’t think I was as cool as I actually am. Sarah really helped me see what my strengths were, and celebrated those with me. That was a huge part of this process, and super vulnerable.

What was the most difficult part of the coaching process and how did you alleviate it with your coach?

It’s pretty easy to lie to yourself, just based on where you think you should be. Sarah was fantastic in asking so many of the right questions, that made me be completely honest - which is why I think we were so successful in the end.

What were the three most impactful lessons you learned during the coaching process?

Always Negotiate Salary.

Celebrate and keep note of your successes (brag file).

You can find the right match in a position, and work shouldn’t feel like work.

What was the outcome of coaching? Did it meet your expectations?

Blew my expectations. I found a position that was perfect for me in the moment, and had a lot of clarity around my own career and how I’d like to see it play out.

Beyond the outcome of coaching, the process is often the most powerful part? Did you find that to be true for you?

Yes, I’d say so. I certainly started my sessions with a foregone conclusion, and was absolutely stunned to see where we landed, because it was contrary to where we began.

What's the most exciting part of the work you're doing right now?

I’ve recently just accepted another job that continues down the path of the vision I have for my career. I’ve stayed true to myself, and not let anyone push me into a direction that feels contrary.

What would you say to people who are on the fence of working with a Fink Development coach?

It’s a journey worth taking. The investment will pay off both personally and in my case financially.

"Don’t do what you think is right. Do what you know to be right for you. There is a place for everyone, and every personality type out there, in almost every industry. Stick to your strengths, and leverage that."

Navigating your career is challenging. What piece of advice would you give to other jobseekers or professionals trying to be intentional with their career?

Don’t do what you think is right. Do what you know to be right for you. There is a place for everyone, and every personality type out there, in almost every industry. Stick to your strengths, and leverage that.

What else do you want to share, that we haven't asked you?

Can I gush again about Sarah! Not only did we have very meaningful sessions, where I felt it was a safe place to be vulnerable and explore, but I genuinely feel like she still cares about where I am in my process, as she’ll send me a note here and there. I intend to re-engage Sarah down the road too, when I might need her perspective / help to further me along the path.