I’m noted for my high standard of customer care and my willingness to answer any questions. If you can't quickly find the answer to your questions please get in touch by email or phone. Email often works best as I'm often working with clients, and if my email doesn't answer your query we can then talk by phone.
If you have questions about the assessments you should find the answers here.
Questions about the Gold Career Programe (Winner of National Career Award, 2007)
How does this career programme differ to other career services?
I’ve spoken with numerous providers and researched through the Internet. Very few companies utilise scientifically valid psychometric instruments. Still fewer will use a rigorous ability-testing programme. Too many base their understanding on a self report questionnaire often with little research background. Almost every programme that utilises ability assessments uses the Highlands Ability Battery. I’m not going to say that this career programme is the only one to choose, but it is the one personally lead by a highly qualified psychologist, recognised as an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. (P.S. do watch out when people say they are psychologists. If they are registered with the British Psychological Society, they will be found via the BPS web site.
How long does this process take?
You will spend about 4 ½ hours of testing and 7 hours on one to one contact with Denise. In between you will want to take time for personal reflection and later to do some research. Most people take 6-8 weeks, with ranges from a week to longer than 4 months.
Is this programme suitable for people outside of the United Kingdom?
Denise has personally used this programme with clients from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Denmark, USA, France, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, and South Africa.
Will you find a job for me?
Whilst this career programme is focused on identifying the job you want, about 35% of clients gain a job within weeks of completing the programme. For those who need more support you can choose Job Search Support to guide you through all the necessary stages to find a new job – from developing a personal profile, creating systems to CV and interview guidance and bouncing back from rejection.
I'm interested in self employment or a portfolio career could you help?
Most certainly and a number of my clients have opted to move into consultancy or their own business. Some have a mix of gaining their own clients and associate working or a part time job alongside their own busines. I've gone through this path myself and can help you make the tranisiotn smoothly, but also ensure that it is the right option for you.
I want to get started. What happens next?
Full details on a typical process can be found here but how we work is agreed between us so that it is perfect for you. Read the Gold Leaf Programme Leaflet
Questions about working with Denise
Why should I choose Denise over other career coaches?
There are plenty of career coaches advertising on the Internet, and one may be perfect for you. However, if you seek expert advice alongside excellent careers counselling and career coaching skills plus you want someone with a real depth of understanding then Denise may be the right coach for you.
Denise has been offering careers coaching for over 20 years and as an independent coach since 1999. Working with literally hundreds of clients (now over 1000 so she has stopped counting!) alongside work with companies as an assessor she is the first choice of many.
Denise is not just a qualified career coach/ counsellor but also has extensive experience in business - working as a consultant occupational psychologist, project maanger, strategic projects consultant and lead the Centre for Business Excellence Business Unit in the UK Post Office.
Denise is also an Award Winner – winning a National Career Award for the Gold Career Programme in November 2007 and was the featured career coach on The Tonight Programme, 17th November, ITV1.
What qualifications do you have?
Denise is probably the most qualified and experienced careers coach in the UK. You can read a list of qualifications by clicking here.
Are you a member of any professional bodies?
Denise is:
• Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
• Full member of the Association for Coaching
• Founder member of the Association of Business Psychologists
• Member of the Associations of MBAs
• Member of the Institute of Careers Guidance
• Member of National Career Development Association
• Member of International Association of Career Coaches
• Member of the British Psychological Society, Special Group in Coaching Psychology
General Questions
Why should I pay for this service?
The vast majority of career hunters try to make a decision alone. They may read books and take online personality/career tests and in the end, most still stay in the work they hate! Low cost options are to utilise books, consult with friends, and opt for internet based career tests. Some of my clients have worked through books, some excellent, but still they want help in interpreting what it all means, and of course, no book is going to measure your abilities.
Instead of using our assessment package you could opt for Internet based career tests. However, these are often inaccurate and provide no concrete advice. Any reputable test is going to need to be professionally interpreted to help you get the most from it. Will you actually take action left on your own, or will there always be a reason to delay moving forward? We all seek to avoid change (pain) so having outside support means you have someone to motivate and encourage you.
How do I pay for this service?
You can pay using credit cards, PAYPAL, cheque or cash. If you pay online I use WorldPay which is a secure payment service.
Is paying over the internet safe?
Definitely. We use WorldPay and PAYPAL, and all payments are totally safe. Notice the padlock at the bottom of the screen and the https: in the browser to show it is secure.
Will you recommend a career?
We go further than this, we help you to understand your innate talents so you can look back through your life and recognise why some job were enjoyable and others not. You can then compare possible career paths against these abilities. You will understand why e.g. being a sales person is far better for you than a computer operator or why you should specialize in nursing rather than laboratory work. Once you know your strongest abilities you can look at how these could be used in a number of different careers, and we support you to find out more and make the right decision for you.
Do you work with people from outside of the United Kingdom?
Of course. As assessments are undertaken "on line" and feedback sessions take place by telephone, it doesn't matter where you live in the world. I can also offer video consultations if you have a webcam. I have satisfied clients from USA, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and many European countries.
What if I am not satisfied?
Client satisfaction is of the utmost importance to me, but I am human so if ever you feel a session has not been of value, an additional session will be provided.
I want you to be happy with any product or service you buy from me. If any e-course or telephone class has not met its stated objectives, let me know why and I will cheerfully return your money.
There is plenty of information on all the assessments, so no refund would be available, but you would be able to have an additional feedback session with my compliments.
Can you tell me about your refund policy?
For each of the assessments, you are able to see a copy of the report in advance, so you will be clear on choosing the right assessment for you. Therefore, no refunds are available. However, should you not be satisfied with a feedback discussion, another session will be provided.
Where do you provide coaching?
The office is in Tewkesbury, less than 3 miles from Junction 9 of the M5. Clients travel here from all over the country due to the breadth and depth of my service and my reputation. Many clients are very happy to communicate with me with phone, email and using a webcam.
Does everyone make a significant change?
A lot of my clients do, but for some it can enable them to have clarity and a depth of understanding, and so they can use this information to improve their current situation.
Will my confidentiality be protected?
Conversations and written communication between a client and Denise are in confidence. At times details may be discussed with my supervisor for the purpose of professional development. In this case your name and identifying details will not be disclosed.
Outside of this your details will never be shared with anyone else.
When an organisation is paying for a service, for example, outplacement, details of the number of sessions we have had and general statements on what we have covered will be provided, but not the specific detail.
What industries do your clients work in?
What don't they work in? Over the years I've worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds and from a wide range of companies including Accountacy, Advertising, Aerospace, Arts, Automotive, Aviation .. that's just the A's. Virtually everything I do is transferable across industires, and my consultancy experience is vast.
Job Search Questions
Can you help me with my CV?
Creation of a CV is a useful skill to learn and we have an open learning book to take you through all the stages you need to create an effective one. CVs can be created specifically for you, for those with limited time. Please read about the CV guide here, or contact us for details on CV creation.
Can you help me with interview coaching?
Certainly, I can arrange interview coaching including how to prepare and can arrange practice sessions which can be recorded. I can also provide just in time support on the day, ensuring you are at your optimum performance level.
I've been made redundant and am finding it hard to get a job, can you help me?
If you watched ITV1 on Monday 17th November you would have seen me working with Paul, a graduate who had been unemployed for
well over a year. I clarified what he was looking for, reviewed his CV, helped him structure a clear covering letter and went through interview practice with him. He got a temporary job within a week. I've also worked with Kim, she now has a great CV and covering letter and an active plan to get another job. Already she has been shortlisted for a job that just a few days beforehand, with her previous application she had been immediately rejected. So yes, I can help you, but you must be prepared to put in time and effort yourself.
Business Questions
I would be interested in using this with my team, can you help with this?
The MBTI is particularly well suited for team building. We can generally offer reductions for teams of 10 or more, and in addition to everyone having an individual report, we can produce a team report to show you how the general profile of the team. We can also provide combined forms to compare two people on the MBTI. This can be extremely valuable when two co-workers, or team leader and team member recognise they are not as effective as they could be.
I've still got a question that isn't answered here
If you can't quickly find the answer to your questions please get in touch by email or phone. Email often works best as I'm often working with clients, and if my email doesn't answer your query we can then talk by phone.
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