CCMC Career Transition & Change Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stage of Prochaska's Transtheoretical Model describes a client who is actively researching new career options but has not yet made any changes?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation (Correct answer)
- Action
Correct answer: Preparation
The Preparation stage involves planning and gathering information in anticipation of change, distinct from the Action stage where change is actually implemented.
Question 2: A client transitioning from military to civilian employment should FIRST be helped to:
- Translate military occupational specialty (MOS) skills into civilian language (Correct answer)
- Remove all military experience from the resume
- Target only government contractor positions
- Apply exclusively to federal job openings
Correct answer: Translate military occupational specialty (MOS) skills into civilian language
Military experience is highly valuable, but terminology must be translated into civilian equivalents so hiring managers can clearly understand the client's competencies.
Question 3: Which of the following describes a 'bridge employment' strategy in career transition coaching?
- Taking a part-time or temporary role in a new field while transitioning (Correct answer)
- Burning bridges with a former employer by leaving without notice
- Applying only to senior-level positions in a new industry
- Refusing any offers below a target salary
Correct answer: Taking a part-time or temporary role in a new field while transitioning
Bridge employment involves accepting interim work that helps gain experience or income in a target field while completing the full career transition.
Question 4: When a client is considering a career change but fears financial instability, what is the MOST appropriate coaching response?
- Dismiss the concern as irrational fear
- Co-create a financial contingency plan as part of the transition strategy (Correct answer)
- Tell the client to wait until they are debt-free
- Recommend the client stay in the current career regardless of dissatisfaction
Correct answer: Co-create a financial contingency plan as part of the transition strategy
Acknowledging and planning for financial risk empowers clients to pursue transition with realistic safeguards, making change more sustainable and less anxiety-provoking.
Question 5: A client who was laid off is experiencing grief about their former role. According to Kübler-Ross, which stage follows anger in the grief cycle?
- Denial
- Bargaining (Correct answer)
- Acceptance
- Depression
Correct answer: Bargaining
In Kübler-Ross's model, the stages proceed as Denial → Anger → Bargaining → Depression → Acceptance, so Bargaining follows Anger.
Question 6: Which tool is MOST useful for helping a client identify whether a new career field aligns with their core values?
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
- Values card sort exercise (Correct answer)
- Salary comparison website
- Job description keyword analyzer
Correct answer: Values card sort exercise
A values card sort exercise directly surfaces and prioritizes a client's core values, making it highly effective for evaluating career-field alignment.
Question 7: In career transition, 'informational interviewing' is BEST described as:
- A formal job interview with a hiring manager
- Conversations with professionals to gather insights about a target field (Correct answer)
- Negotiating salary before a job offer
- A structured assessment of a client's skills
Correct answer: Conversations with professionals to gather insights about a target field
Informational interviewing involves speaking with people already working in a desired field to learn about roles, culture, and pathways—without the pressure of a formal job interview.
CCMC Career Transition & Change Management 2
Which stage of Prochaska's Transtheoretical Model describes a client who is actively researching new career options but has not yet made any changes?