Career Coach for Job Search - Volunteer in Gerrards Cross

Careers Springboard is a registered charity, founded in 1991, which helps and coaches job seekers who are trying to get back into employment. We are seeking 1-2 more volunteer qualified and experienced HR coaches to join our team.

Your input will make a very positive impact on those who are seeking help to pull themselves back into employment. You will shape how we present ourselves to our service users. With your help, we will be able to continue to promote our coaching services for the benefit of our end users - the job seekers. You will help us reach out and spread the word of Careers Springboard 1-2-1 services. Your networking and contacts will help amplify the work already being done by an excellent team of volunteers. You can provide online personalised support, guidance and encouragement to job seekers who join Careers Springboard. Our informal self-help group helps job seekers to come to grips with their situation, generating confidence and demonstrating how a job search is best managed.

Coaching sessions usually last one hour. Follow-up coaching sessions may also be provided in some instances. Several of our coaches have progressed to establish their own successful coaching consultancy business. The voluntary coaching work with Careers Springboard is a sound and meaningful base for coaching experience.

• Provide online personalised coaching and guidance to job seekers who join Careers Springboard.
• Deliver coaching sessions (usually about one hour) and follow-up sessions as needed.
• Participate in online coaching meetings and supervision to ensure quality and consistency.
• Contribute to the development and promotion of Careers Springboard 1-2-1 services.
• Engage with the Careers Springboard team and Executive Committee as required.

Most job seekers are management and professionals, plus some graduates. Volunteer coaches should be highly focused on qualities necessary for successful online coaching: patience, flexibility, sensitivity, confidentiality, perseverance, responsiveness. This coach opportunity requires at least three years of professional experience in coaching. Volunteer coaches are required to have completed a recognised Coaching qualification, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), or the Association for Coaching (AC), or individual Accreditation. These courses are typically taken over 4-6 months with client and supervision hours and a final assessment. Evidence of the qualification and experience will be required.

Coaches will be asked to attend a Careers Springboard Programme (Jan–Apr, May–Jul, Sep–Dec) to gain understanding of topics, concerns and questions of Careers Springboard members. During this discovery period, the volunteer coach will meet 2-3 other Coaches and Careers Springboard Executive Committee members. Coaches will abide by relevant Careers Springboard policies including Data protection, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Complaints and the Volunteer Policy. Coaches are expected to abide by a Code of Ethics as set out by one of the following accrediting bodies: ICF, EMCC, AC, or other recognized accreditation.

Careers Springboard is based at Gerrards Cross, South Bucks, but coaching sessions and contact with job seekers take place online from anywhere in the UK. We hold a weekly online Zoom meeting on a Monday evening with a presentation on a job search topic. Attendance on a Monday evening averages 80+. Over the past 35 years, we have helped over 4,000 job seekers to secure new employment. Job seekers can apply for coaching using a simple application process outlined on our website. Applications for coaching are initially handled by coordinators who obtain a picture of what coaching is being requested before contacting our volunteer coaches to take the application forward. Recruitment aims to maintain high standards for volunteer coaches, with equal opportunities adhered to in recruiting.

To safeguard our volunteers and members, a risk assessment is in place. Careers Springboard Gerrards Cross provides professional indemnity insurance. Volunteer coach applicants are interviewed online and formally approved by the Executive Committee to join the Coaching Team. Post-recruitment, coaches are supported through coach meetings and coaching supervision. Coaches are required to attend Zoom coach meetings and supervision sessions each year (at least one per year). Volunteer coach coordinators oversee scheduling of coaching sessions in close liaison with qualified coaches and are the first point of contact for concerns or complaints.

The work is based online, with the option to participate from anywhere in the UK. The organization is based in Gerrards Cross, South Bucks. Equal opportunities principles will be adhered to in recruiting volunteer coaches.

Please note: This description reflects ongoing volunteer opportunities and is not a paid position.