How Coaching Helped John Transform His Career and Confience
Introduction
The RFS Career Academy Coaching and Mentoring Programme is free to join and provides military spouses and the Armed Forces Community with the confidence, focus, and clarity of direction to achieve personal working goals and create a sustainable future.
The programme recognises that every candidate is at different stages of their journey to finding career satisfaction; by applying a bespoke, person-centred approach, we offer the best possible service to our candidates.
The programme currently has 70 active coaches who generously volunteer their time. Demand for a place on the programme is high— in January 2023, we received over 40 enquiries, with 21 candidates being ‘matched’ with coaches/mentors.
We are now actively recruiting for new coaches/mentors to support the programme and reduce our waiting list times!
Background & Challenge
John, a military spouse and ex-reservist, has been part of the Armed Forces community for the last five years. He has experienced the unique challenges of military family life, including frequent relocations and the constant balancing act between career aspirations and family responsibilities.
CHALLENGE:
Before joining the programme, John felt trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction at work. As a military spouse, the constant relocations and unique stresses of military family life had made it difficult to establish and grow a stable career. While he had valuable experience and skills, John struggled to align these with fulfilling opportunities that could provide long-term satisfaction. This left him feeling frustrated and unsure of how to move forward.
John was paired with an independent volunteer coach. His coach’s experience in project management provided the ideal foundation for supporting his career transition. Together, they worked through a series of coaching sessions aimed at rebuilding John’s confidence, understanding his transferable skills, and exploring new career pathways that aligned with his strengths and aspirations.
Over the course of their sessions, John and his mentor focused on:
Rebuilding confidence:
John gained the confidence to view his experience and skills as assets that could be applied to civilian roles regardless of his current career challenges.
Identifying transferable skills: The mentor helped John recognise and articulate his skills, highlighting those that could easily translate into a variety of career fields, making him a more competitive candidate.
Exploring career pathways: With tailored advice, John was able to explore career paths that were flexible enough to accommodate the demands of military family life, while also being aligned with his long-term professional goals.
Developing a growth mindset: The coaching programme facilitated a significant mindset shift, enabling John to embrace new challenges and opportunities with greater confidence and resilience.
I can’t thank [my coach] enough for his support. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the changes he has helped bring out in me. I feel like a different person.
John
Outcome
Over the course of six months, their sessions provided a supportive environment where John could unpack his challenges and gain clarity about his goals. The coaching helped John achieve a profound mindset shift, equipping him with practical tools to thrive both professionally and personally.
By the end of the programme, John had developed the confidence and perspective needed to navigate his career successfully. Although he remained in the same job, he approached it with a renewed sense of purpose and was better prepared for a sabbatical due to an overseas posting. He described his experience as "life-changing," highlighting how the coaching empowered him to see new possibilities and take actionable steps toward his goals.
Reflecting on his journey, John shared, “I can’t thank [my coach] enough for his support. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the changes he has helped bring out in me. I feel like a different person.” The impact of the programme has gone beyond John’s immediate career goals; it has fundamentally reshaped how he views his potential and opportunities. Armed with a toolkit for success, John is eager to continue applying the lessons learned to achieve his long- term aspirations.
I can highly recommend the RFS Coaching programme. It has helped me
greatly in changing my mindset and giving me a toolkit to work with going
forwards.
John
Purpose
The Coaching and Mentoring Programme is often utilised by candidates who are unemployed due to the transient nature of their partner's employment status in the Armed Forces. Mobility affects not only their employability but also their confidence and mental wellbeing.
Candidates seek support through the programme to evaluate their situation and regain the inner strength needed to achieve their career ambitions.