Your client wants career growth, but their skills aren't there. How do you help them bridge the gap?

To add value beyond the basic steps of bridging the skills gap for career growth, offer tailored learning pathways, exclusive resources, AI-powered platforms, skill tracking apps, peer support groups, a mentorship network, personal branding workshops, real-world exposure through industry partnerships and case studies, continuous improvement with regular feedback, future-proofing skills, comprehensive well-being support, stress management resources, and inspirational elements like success stories and vision board sessions.

I’d say first things first: the client needs to come with an open-mind. Open to receiving feedback, open to unlearning & relearning, where necessary. I had a client who struggled with his career growth, but was so frustrated that he hadn’t taken the time to do a self assessment to gauge where he was at and where he wanted to be (based on his goals/ desires). I needed him to first be open to receiving feedback from others and not just himself, as a sort of 360-degrees assessment will help him better understand what skills he thought he was proficient in but was not necessarily scratching the surface. I needed him to start off with less burden/ pressure and have an open mindset so that what was being discussed was well received.

All you need is a strategic approach. - Let's get crystal clear on the specific job title or industry you're aiming for. - Skill Gap Analysis, this involves assessing three key areas: Technical Skill, Transferable and Soft Skill. Identify the missing skills and explore ways to acquire them. Here are some options: LinkedIn Learning, Mentorship and Internships - Creating a tangible roadmap is key. We’ll outline clear steps and milestones to track your progress and keep you motivated. - Don't forget the power of LinkedIn! Connect with people in your target industry, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions. By following this structured approach, clients can bridge their skill gaps and move confidently towards their career goals.

Using GROW coaching framework [1) Goal, 2) Reality, 3) Obstacles (or Options), and 4) Way Forward (or Will)], I will help them 1) define their goals in a SMART way, 2) find out where they are now / have done, then let them 3) identify areas for improvements (through informational interviews) / come up with other options to achieve their goals. Of course, 4) having a Career Action Plan (be it online course / short term projects to bridge skills gaps / networking) will also help them get from point A (now) to point B (goal) more purposefully.

If their skills are not there yet, it means some sort of assessment has been done to arrive at a benchmark. The next thing is to create an action plan that highlights where they are where they need to be and how to get there. In the past I've helped engineers on my team level up by creating an action plan with checkpoints and relevant courses as well as project ideas to help them learn and do to reinforce the learning. Within the context of a company, work hours can also be dedicated to the action plan with clear checkpoints and KPIs agreed ahead of time.

Como o meu cliente saberá que desenvolveu a nova habilidade? No planejamento estabelecemos metas SMART, portanto a meta deve ser mensurável, atingível e com data para realização. Essa etapa é de extrema importância para o resultado do cliente.

What I have found most helpful as a career coach that have guided over 800 individuals to move swiftly into careers is getting personal and customized. No two individuals or careers for that matter are alike. Some goal setting steps after defining and identifying skills can include: getting in front of people at networking events! Practice communicating your unique value and elevator pitch in person. Optimize your LinkedIn profile - the right strategy on LinkedIn can literally get you in front of recruiters before your competition. Lastly, choose skill areas to strengthen that will set you apart from other candidates and work with the career coach to identify a certification that is credible and will engage hiring managers.

Set goals and continuous improvements for carrer growth are vital for professional development. However there must be an structured approach to start such journey: 1. Define your visión, you must have a clear idea of your long term aspirations. 2. Set SMART goals, this will allow you to track progress and keep motivated throughout the process. 3. Créate a realistic and achivable action plan. This should include tasks, timeline and resources needed. 4. Monitor progress, to stay organize you must use tools like, but not limited to journals, calendars, trackers or apps. 5. Seek for feedback, this will help you to identify areas of improvement and get new perspectives. 6. Adapt and Evolve, change is always helpfull.

Gosto de definir indicadores específicos que possam ser monitorados ao longo do processo das metas. Esses indicadores devem estar relacionados aos resultados que você deseja alcançar, portanto indicadores como novas responsabilidades assumidas, resultados das últimas avaliações, tempo entre promoções, participação em novos projetos, contribuições reconhecidas, resultados estratégicos alcançados; devem fazer parte das avaliações estruturadas nas sessões de acompanhamento e devolutivas.

Las metas son alcanzables cuando existe una planificación de manera objetiva y clara al objeto que queremos llegar, siempre con el pensamiento mirando al horizonte.

Yes, up-skilling is essential, not only when seeking a job, but also to continually stay updated in latest advances. These new skills can be relevant to the candidate’s career but it can also serve as a powerful step towards pivoting towards a new career.

It is important for the client to do a comprehensive skill gap assessment to understand the skills and knowledge that needs to be built to ensure the achievement of the end goal or the career growth plan. Once these skills and experiences are identified, it is important to create a clear, measurable and actionable development plan with realistic timelines. The development plan can include on the job experience, additional projects, secondment opportunities, short term assignments, volunteer opportunities and training programs. It is also critical to ensure that your client has regular check-in conversations to understand how the development plan is going, if things are progressing and if any further support and coaching is needed.

A personalized learning plan is a simple yet powerful way to accelerate your career growth and acquire new skills to reach your objectives. Here's how you can get started: 1. Set Clear Goals: Clarity is key. If you're a visual learner, opt for video tutorials. If you thrive in interactive settings, workshops might be your best bet. 2. Seek Guidance: A coach can help you pinpoint effective resources, learning methods, and keep you accountable. 4. Track Your Progress: Regularly review your plan. Celebrate small wins and adjust your strategy as needed. The journey to career growth is a marathon, not a sprint. But a personalized learning plan makes the journey smoother and more rewarding.

Begin by conducting a comprehensive skills assessment. This could involve self-evaluation tools, industry reports on in-demand skills or even informational interviews with professionals in their desired career path. For example, a client interested in transitioning from graphic design to user experience (UX) design might take online assessments to identify key UX skills like user research and prototyping. Encourage the client to subscribe to relevant industry publications, attend conferences, and participate in online communities. For example, a client subscribes to UX design blogs, joins online UX design communities, and attends industry conferences to network and learn from thought leaders in the field.

Map your skills and then look at the skills of the future of work for that role or area of interest (you can get inspiration from LinkedIn and the WEF reports or by talking to people working in those positions). Then identify your skill gap and outline a learning plan that includes multiple strategies, such as: - Enrolling in online courses to upskill - Doing some shadowing to a colleague at the job - Working with a mentor - Volunteering in initiatives aligned with your area of growth Remember that you are in the driver's seat of your career growth and you just need to focus on the very next step to make progress!

The best thing you can do to upskill is to have direct communication with your current employer on where you are looking to take your career path and understand internally if there are opportunities you can leverage new learnings from through programs or mentoring from within your company, raise your hand for stretch assignments or a volunteer to work in a new department. Closed mouths don’t get fed, so tell those who can help you get on the path you desire about your goals, what you’re looking for and tap into those resources from your current company… you never know where an ask can lead.

Encourage them to seek volunteer opportunities within organizations relevant to their desired career path. For example, a client volunteers their UX design skills at a non-profit organization, redesigning their website to improve user experience for donors and volunteers. Freelance work can offer valuable experience and portfolio-building opportunities. Guide them on identifying freelance platforms or reaching out to potential clients who may need their developing skill set on smaller projects. For example, a client takes on freelance UI/UX design projects for startups or small businesses, expanding their portfolio and gaining practical experience working with real clients.

Cuanto mayor sea la experiencia será un factor favorable para alcanzar el objetivo. Aplicar acciones qué se consideran primordiales hará cumplir los objetivos y superar los obstáculos.

Practicing new skills is especially important for building confidence. Seeking out opportunities to get that experience whether that is volunteering those skills at work or seeking out external opportunities within the community to share these skills.

Há habilidades que só se desenvolvem com o tempo e a maturidade profissional, por isto é importante que o profissional esteja atento a toda oportunidade em que possa desenvolver estas habilidades de maneira consistente, durante sua trajetória de carreira. Porém se há habilidades urgentes a serem desenvolvidas, uma sugestão é envolver-se em projetos de curto prazo, que possibilitem a prática destas.

Some effective networking strategies as below- Attend Industry Events: Always be ready to engage in conferences, seminars, and workshops relevant to your field. Utilize LinkedIn: Actively connect with professionals, join groups, and participate in discussions for personal branding. Informational Interviews: Don't be shy to seek advice from professionals in desired roles or industries, you want that job, right?! Volunteer: Be willing to offer skills at industry-relevant events or causes as a showcase of your knowledge & skills. Follow-up: Maintain connections through periodic updates and gestures of appreciation to remind others of your expertise and think of you when right opportunity comes along.

Networking is a huge part of career growth. I like to go to "netlearning" events where you can learn and grow and perhaps pick up CPD credits too. If you network you can write about the events and your learnings and insights and share on social media. You can also network online and find and connect with thought leaders in your field too.

Encourage clients to conduct informational interviews with professionals in their desired career path. They provide valuable insights into the skills required and potential career paths. For example, a client connects with UX designers on LinkedIn and requests informational interviews, learning more about the day-to-day responsibilities, necessary skills & potential career paths within the UX design field. Help clients identify potential mentors within their network or explore mentorship programs offered by professional organizations. For example, a client connects with a senior UX designer at a networking event, establishing a mentorship relationship to gain insights and advice on navigating a career transition into UX design.

Um Coach de carreira saberá utilizar ferramentas importantes para estruturar as ações de fortalecimento e ampliação do networking. Iniciando por identificar e relacionar as pessoas ou profissionais que são importantes para atingir esses objetivos. Além disso, apoiará a desenvolver a presença nas redes sociais, desenvolver a habilidade de comunicação, indicar projetos colaborativos, tipos de eventos e apoio em relacionamentos mais alinhados ao momento de carreira.

It's easy to hide behind qualifications, brand names and be focused on the 'doing' to reach the next step. Making time for networking, coffee chats and growing your connections with people in your industry / function is as important. It's often neglected and seen as optional or a nice to. As a coach it's one of the main tips I Gove my clients - stay in touch, ask for referrals and make the time to build meaningful connections and friendships for the long term.

However one decides to address skill development to address a specific deficit, there is a bigger picture to consider. Whatever your skillset today, understand that the world is changing and it's your responsibility to stay current. Become a life-long learner, stay curious about new ideas, and most important, try new things. Upgrading skills isn't something to do when the need arises, it should be an ongoing part of your week - every week. Learn something new, challenge yourself, and make it a point to get out of your comfort zone on a regular basis.

Como você sabe que você está evoluindo e direção ao que você deseja? Essa resposta pode parecer simples... entretanto eu diria que pode ser um tanto quanto complexa (se você se permitir). Primeiro você precisa saber o que você deseja - Qual o seu objetivo no formato SMART? Como você mede a sua evolução? Quais são os indicadores que vão te mostrar se você está melhorando ao longo do tempo.

To help a client bridge the gap between their current skills and career aspirations, start by crafting a personalized development plan that aligns with their goals. Encourage them to engage in continuous learning through targeted courses, mentorship, and hands-on projects. Celebrate milestones to maintain motivation, and use setbacks as opportunities for growth. Regularly reassess their progress and adapt the plan as needed, providing a tailored approach that evolves with their career journey. Utilizing your expertise and offering constructive feedback can make a significant impact on their professional development

Reflection is key to growth. I wholeheartedly believe that by reflecting on (especially) the negative experiences that didn’t go the way you want is your best tool for learning and growing from them. This will allow you to take more productive steps towards your goal moving forward. It’s so important, however to work with a coach during this process of navigating through your career to reflect by asking yourself the right questions. If you didn’t get the job offer in your last interview, a career coach can ask you prompting questions and give you custom strategies to change and pivot how you present yourself in interviews moving forward. Without reflection, we tend to do the same things over and over again expecting different results.

A terapia é um caminho! Este processo gera reflexões, que possibilitam colocar em prática estratégias que ajudam no desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional.