CPC Career & Life Transition Coaching Flashcards

What distinguishes a 'career coach' from a 'life coach' in practice?

Answer: Career coaching focuses specifically on work-related goals, while life coaching addresses broader life domains—though both may overlap

Career coaching zooms in on professional goals, job transitions, and workplace challenges, while life coaching takes a whole-life view—though many coaches integrate both.

What is William Bridges' Transitions Model and how does it apply to coaching clients?

Answer: A three-phase framework describing ending, neutral zone, and new beginning as the psychological process of change

Bridges' model identifies that successful transitions begin with an ending, pass through an uncertain 'neutral zone,' and culminate in a new beginning—each phase requiring different support.

What is 'career values clarification' and why is it a priority early in career coaching?

Answer: Identifying what a client most needs from their work (e.g., autonomy, impact, security) to guide career decisions

Understanding career values ensures that job targets and decisions align with what truly motivates the client, reducing the risk of landing in the wrong role again.

What is 'informational interviewing' and how might a career coach use it as a client tool?

Answer: A structured conversation with someone in a target field to gain insight and build professional connections

Informational interviews help clients explore career paths, build networks, and gather insider knowledge before making formal applications or major transitions.

Which assessment is commonly used in career coaching to help clients identify natural strengths?

Answer: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder)

Tools like MBTI and CliftonStrengths help clients gain self-awareness about their natural preferences and talents, which informs career direction.

What is 'job crafting' and how can a coach use this concept with clients?

Answer: Proactively reshaping one's current role to better align with strengths, values, and interests without changing employers

Job crafting involves adjusting task focus, relationships, or meaning within an existing role to increase engagement and fulfillment without requiring a job change.