Find out more about our career coaching service with the FAQs below, along with some top tips from Breandan, one of our career coaches, and anecdotes from Rachel, a coaching candidate. Read on to find out how career coaching could benefit you, too.
Career coaching at Evenbreak
Our career coaching service aims to boost disabled candidates’ confidence to get back to work, understand and explore their options, and know how to get to their next goal. All our coaches have lived experience of disability and an understanding of the challenges faced and strengths possessed by disabled candidates.
Do I have to pay for the coaching sessions?
No, we are a social enterprise, and our career coaching is completely free. If you are put forward for career coaching, then you will receive an initial three sessions with the possibility of a further three sessions depending on your circumstances.
I am Blind/Deaf, can I still have coaching?
Yes, absolutely. We can provide a BSL interpreter for online sessions or arrange your coaching to be via a phone call.
Where does the coaching take place?
Coaching sessions can take place using your preferred choice of Zoom, email or phone.
How many coaching sessions will I have?
You will receive an initial 3 sessions with the possibility of a further 3 sessions depending on your circumstances.
What are the next steps after I submit the form?
You will receive a reply within three days. This will either lead to coaching, or if we think that another organisation can better support you, we’ll signpost you first. If you don’t hear back within that time or decide that on reflection it’s not for you and want to cancel your request, please get back in touch.
Advice from our coach, Breandan
We caught up with Breandan, one of our career coaches, to find out from his experience of being both a coach and disabled. He talked about how discrimination becomes internalised, and that challenges and treatment that are hard to bear give the message that there is something wrong with us as disabled people. He described how it’s important to dig deep into Core Values, as there is a risk of victimhood. In his experience, candidates who were not employed felt difficulties more acutely, as being paid is a sign you’re worth something. The biggest challenge of those who were employed was finding it hard to navigate internal progression, as well as second-guessing. Career coaching can help both those not currently in employment by boosting confidence to get into work and those already in employment who want to progress by helping to navigate the next goal.
Breandan’s Top Tips
- Don’t disallow hurt experienced from being a disabled candidate
- Share your experience with someone
- Be forgiving of self, focus on being more nurturing, and find one thing to do that’s realistic.
Breandan’s key messages to potential candidates
- Companies desperately need your skillsets
- Skillsets of disabled candidates being – more authentic, adaptable, alternative in thinking, willing to speak up
- Extent of disabled candidate talent is extraordinary
- Candidates should rate and recognise their key skills.
The unique challenges faced by disabled candidates often give them unique skills for the world of work. Sitting down with a remarkable candidate who has navigated the complex landscape of career and job search with resilience and determination, is a great reminder of this.
Meet Rachel, a trailblazer in her own right, who shares her background and the story of how she overcame barriers in her career with the help of her Evenbreak Career Coach – Caroline.
Tell me about yourself?
My name is Rachel, I’m 54. I was a sales administrator for a medical company that manufactured Neo-Natal ventilators. I looked after Europe and the Middle East sorting all purchase orders, collections and all relevant documentation needed to send the goods making sure all orders were delivered correctly and within lead time. My disability is Balo’s/ MS. I was diagnosed in 2017 when I lost my eyesight. I can see now but not in the way other people see, [for example, with] my peripheral vision, I don’t see width and depth and numerous other things.
How were you feeling about your career and job search journey before you met with a coach?
Before I met Caroline, I can’t lie, I felt a fear of ‘what am I going to do now?’. [I thought] no-one’s going to employ me, [it was] the lowest I have ever felt. I had changed from this vibrant person into being invisible.
What skills or strengths have you developed?
The skills I have picked up are to never give up on yourself, believe in your ability to be able to achieve all your goals, and to be yourself.
What tips do you have for other disabled people looking for work?
Be yourself, you’re strong, you’re beautiful and you can do whatever you want to do
What’s your experience of Evenbreak’s job board and Career Hive?
The job board and career hive are a fantastic tool for finding jobs. [Along with Caroline] I’m very thankful for another lady called Sheila for introducing me to Evenbreak, without these ladies, well there’s no words that can express how thankful I am.
Find out more about Career Coaching at Evenbreak
