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FAQs


Career Coaching Questions

Resume Questions

Networking Questions

Career Assessment Questions

General Questions

CAREER COACHING QUESTIONS

How can I know for sure that career coaching will help me?

Good question. First, we take time to understand your situation and what you want to accomplish. If we can’t help you, we’ll tell you that – our reputation is at stake and we want a successful outcome for ourselves and our clients. Once its determined that our services can help you, we’ll fulfill our commitment by providing you the best services possible, ensuring that you get the personalized approach that you deserve. Our knowledge + your commitment = Your Career Success!

How can I get the most out of career coaching?

Your commitment is critical. To get the most out of coaching, be prepared to do some research and self-reflection, especially if you are considering a career or job change. In some situations it is helpful to keep an open mind to new ideas and opportunities and to be willing to try new things.

What happens after I decide on career coaching?

You and your Career Coach will schedule an appointment and a method for your first meeting (by phone, Skype or in person). You may be asked to complete a short confidential Overview form which gives your coach some important background information prior to your first meeting.

If I start career coaching, how many sessions will I need and how often?

The pace at which you proceed is up to you. Your Career Coach can suggest the number of sessions that will be needed to achieve your goals, but you are the ultimate decision maker. Generally speaking, the more often you meet with your coach, the sooner you will achieve your goals.

I haven’t had a career coach before and don’t know what I want. Can a coach help me?

Most definitely! We will help you to figure out what it is that you want in your next position and how to get there. Our Career Coaches have the experience, knowledge and tools to help you get where you want to be……faster.  We can offer recommendations for you to consider and guide you throughout your journey.

I know what I want to do; I just haven’t found a new position. Can you still help me?

Yes, we can. There are many aspects to the entire job search process and we can guide you through all of them. First we’ll discuss your career goals and what you’ve been doing to reach them. Then we’ll talk about areas to focus on which might include revamping your resume, new networking ideas, practicing interview questions, etc. Our coaching time is spent on exactly what you want and need.

Where does the coaching take place?

Career Coaching is very flexible by nature and it is our goal for you to be as comfortable as possible. We can coach by phone, Skype, live chat or meet in our office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How much does career coaching cost?

Our goal is to offer great services at a fair price. For this reason we won’t sell you a big package with services and products that you don’t need. You purchase only what you need and want at the moment. Career coaching can be as little as $ 99.00 and all services can be purchased on a pay-as-you-go basis. Be sure to watch for our “Specials” !

What if I feel I’m not connecting with my coach?

We want every client to have a good experience. If you feel your coach relationship is not working for you, just contact our office and request a change. We have a variety of experienced coaches with different backgrounds, expertise and personalities. Together, we will find a coach with whom you are comfortable.

For more information on Career Coaching, click here.

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RESUME QUESTIONS

Does a professional resume really make a difference?

Yes! Hiring managers may get hundreds of resumes for a single open position. Many of the resumes they receive were written by a professional resume writer, and they are your competition. Getting professional help is one more way that you can stand out in the crowd. Not only will you receive a resume that effectively markets you to others, but the process of gathering resume information prepares you for other job seeking activities such as interviewing.  Are you curious about how a professional resume looks?  Click Here for a sample.

Will you write my resume for me?

Many of our clients prefer that we do the writing and formatting. However, this does not mean that we can do all the work – we work very closely with our clients to get the details of previous employment, accomplishments and skills that should be highlighted on the resume. We need you to work with us, so we’ll ask a lot of questions to ensure that all the important information is included. It’s not done until you are satisfied – You will have the final approval.

If you prepare my resume, will it only be one page?

Everything we do at Career Summit is personalized to your situation, so we don’t have a standard resume length. Your resume must tell your story. We will work with you to decide the length of the resume after we discuss your background and your career goals.

I’ve heard that resumes shouldn’t have an Objective Statement. What’s your recommendation?

Using an Objective Statement, which usually focuses on your goals, may be too limiting. We recommend using the space at the top of your resume for a Profile statement, which sells your skills, experience and the value you bring. The person reading your resume will then know what you have done, what you do well and what you have accomplished.

Every time I ask someone to critique my resume I get different advice. Why is that?

We know that this can be frustrating. Everyone has an opinion. The fact is, resume creation is a bit of an art and every professional adds their own personal style. What makes our services stand out is that we don’t use a standard template – we create your customized resume from scratch and use a format that will best enhance your background and accomplish your goals.

How can I compare resume services to find the best one for me?

Here are some questions you can ask any resume writing service:  Are their resumes customized or do they use a standard format?  What does their process involve?  Does it include an interview to gather as much information as possible?  Are they an established business?  Do they have an office building and professional web site?  Do they have a good reputation, such as accreditation by the Better Business Bureau?  What is their price for your resume?  Be aware that some companies charge lower rates because they use a template and don’t offer personalized services.  There may only be a $75 difference between a mediocre resume and a really good one.

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NETWORKING QUESTIONS

I hear a lot about the importance of networking. What is it exactly?

Networking has become the #1 way that jobs are landed today. In a nutshell, Wikipedia defines networking as a “marketing method by which business opportunities are created”. For individuals, networking happens in a wide variety of situations that can range from planned activities to spur of the moment opportunities. Examples of networking include organized networking groups, professional associations, reaching out to people you know (online or in person) and even unplanned meetings in the grocery store!

If networking is basically being social, why would I need to hire a coach for that?

For at least two reasons: 1) Some people exhaust their networking ideas very quickly because they haven’t been in the job market for awhile or haven’t kept up with their professional network. As a result, people just stop trying or get frustrated. 2) Our Career Coaches have creative suggestions and ideas because we specialize in this area and we stay current on networking techniques and options.

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CAREER ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

What is a career assessment? It sounds like a test.

Career assessments are sometimes compared to tests because there are questions that need to be answered. However, assessment questions focus on how you think and act as well as your preferences for work, not on what you know or how you perform. We offer a wide variety of assessments which allows us to recommend the most appropriate ones for you and your career goals. Most of our assessments (career choices, interest, personality and values, to name a few) are available online and all are insightful and help you understand who you are and plan your strategy for the future.

If I take an assessment, will it tell me what my next job should be?

Depending on the type of assessment, your results might get you close to identifying a new career, but the main purpose of career assessments is to give you ideas and options for further discovery. Usually the results will reveal new and interesting occupations that only you can decide to pursue.

Can’t I take free assessments online?

Yes, there are some free career assessments offered online. Generally, these assessments are short snapshots which do not provide much depth or consistency. Our assessments are time-tested and delivered by certified specialists. Plus, we provide career coaching and interpretation with the assessment, so you get an in-depth coaching session along with your printed report to ensure that you understand and know how to apply the information you receive.

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GENERAL QUESTIONS

When can I contact you?  What are your hours?

Our office is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, and we can set up appointments for evenings or weekends as needed.  We are not limited to office hours as our services are easily delivered by phone, Skype and email and we strive to provide convenient times for each of our clients.

What type of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express), checks and cash.

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Do you have a question we didn’t answer?  Please contact us at info@careersummit.com.

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testimonials

Thank you for your sincere and honest assistance with shaping my career path. I wish we would have talked earlier in life. But, I am grateful for the short time spent with you recently to help focus my job search on what's important. Your approach to handling the tougher job search issues was well appreciated, and your assistance went way beyond what I would call coaching. I felt like you really cared about how I was proceeding with my well being and my job search. - Bryan R.

Thank you for all of your help in my adjustment from being employed person to a role of active job-searching. I appreciated your ideas, advice, and especially all the time spent compiling and revising my resume. I couldn't have done it without your input. - Dean G.

I would like to thank you for all your help these past months not only in my search for employment, but also by your understanding and friendly words of encouragement. My resume displays the professionalism of your qualities and skills. - Karen B.

Your articulate and methodological approach to job search gave me the edge that I needed to obtain my new position. You motivated me and the enthusiasm that you showed toward your work encouraged me to keep working hard, even during my low days. - Rene S.

What can I say but a very sincere thank you. Thanks a million for all the support and concern you have given me during the past eight months. It was very good for me to have you as my coach, encouraging me "to get focused," "get five more companies", and all of the rest. - Les F.

It took a long time Dave, but boy was it worth it, and there is no doubt in my mind that more than any other individual you are responsible for it. Your continuous support and exceptional advice and council were in valuable to me. - Bob R.

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