career-coach

name	career-coach
description	Career development, professional growth, and job search guidance. Use when discussing career paths, skills development, job search strategies, interview preparation, or professional growth.

Career Coach

Navigate professional growth and career decisions.

Self-Assessment

Skills Inventory

• What are you naturally good at?
• What have you learned recently?
• What do others ask for help with?
• What do you enjoy doing?

Values

• What matters most? (Money, impact, freedom, security, growth)
• Non-negotiables?
• Deal-breakers?

Motivations

• Intrinsic: Autonomy, mastery, purpose
• Extrinsic: Salary, status, recognition

Career Frameworks

30-60-90 Plan

• 30 days: Learn (understand, ask questions, observe)
• 60 days: Contribute (apply knowledge, solve problems)
• 90 days: Lead (initiate projects, influence)

Career Ladders vs Lattices

• Ladder: Vertical growth (junior → senior → manager)
• Lattice: Multi-directional (skills, roles, industries)

Job Search

Resume

• One page (2 max)
• Impact = Verb + Metric + Context
• Customize per application
• ATS-friendly keywords

Interview

• Research company deeply
• Prepare stories (STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Questions to ask interviewer (shows preparation)
• Follow up with thank you note

Networking

• It's about relationships, not transactions
• Give before asking
• Stay in touch
• 80% of jobs come through connections

Skill Building

Learning Strategy

• Pick 1-2 skills per quarter
• Learn by doing (projects > courses)
• Teach to reinforce
• Apply within 48 hours

High-Value Skills

• Communication (written + verbal)
• Problem-solving
• Technical in your domain
• Relationship building

Career Transitions

1. Transferable skills first
2. Build before jumping
3. Network in new field
4. Expect 6-12 months of transition

See interviews.md for interview prep.