Published July 18, 2024
One of Challenger’s most valuable assets is our world-class coaching team. Our expert coaches are committed to guiding clients toward their ideal next opportunity, providing personalized support and strategic insights to navigate the job market with confidence and success.
In this post, we celebrate the coaches who received the highest acclaim from their clients in the first quarter. Congratulations to our outstanding coaches on this remarkable achievement!
COACHING EXCELLENCE IN Q1
Eddie L. Johnson
To assist clients in their career transitions, I developed The Transition CARE Approach. This four-step approach, which I use with every client, is designed to provide the supportive and guiding nature often needed during career transitions.
C – Connect: Connect with the client.
A – Acknowledge: Acknowledge the client’s needs and let them know you CARE.
R – Reach: Extend your hand and meet the client where they are.
E – Encourage: Encourage when needed.
Career transitions come with many emotions, and when the proper CARE is given, it helps those who need it the most get to the next place sooner and with excitement.
Bruce Keith
I always share with clients that they will most often secure the interview due to their competence, and they will secure the offer due to their likability. It is an understatement that a candidate needs to be competent, but often it is even more important to demonstrate a high degree of likability. Demonstrating excellent relational skills when networking and interacting with recruiters and prospective employers is critical.
Also, I recommend that clients be the ‘Perfect Guest’ when interviewing. They need to demonstrate sufficient leadership capability but not dominate the interview. I suggest that clients be authentic, genuine, positive, engaging, and succinct when networking and engaging with recruiters and prospective employers. These are also the behaviors I try to exhibit when collaborating with clients.
John Masterson
After 28 years of coaching, it still amazes me to discover that each client is unique and that maximizing and recognizing their uniqueness is often the key to landing their next position. Everyone should learn to embrace their uniqueness.
Kristal Rabb
The most memorable moment I had with a client was when he called me, full of excitement, to thank me for helping him think outside the box. He had never considered himself capable of excelling in leadership roles, despite having all the necessary skills and experience. This surprised me because his hard work and dedication clearly reflected his potential to be a perfect leader.
He wanted to try something different using his transferable skills but didn’t know where to start. After reviewing his background and skill set, I provided him with 17 career options. Among them was Human Resources, a field he had never considered. Intrigued, he applied for an HR role and secured an interview. The interviewer quickly noticed he was overqualified for the position, even though he had no formal HR experience. They suggested he apply for a higher-ranked role. He did, aced the interview, and landed the job with a salary $30k higher than the original role he had considered.
He was so thrilled about the news that he called me immediately to thank me for giving him ’17 reasons why he mattered.’ Moments like these are why I love what I do. If I’m not helping people realize their potential and achieve their dreams, then what am I doing on this earth?
Silvia Weinert
The following is a paragraph from a letter my client sent after completing her program. I love it! I am always surprised by what clients say, and it’s just so fulfilling.
‘I can’t say enough about Silvia. She knew what to say at all the right times, whether I was feeling my perkiest or not. Her knowledge about finding the right job helped me finesse my resume, my interviewing skills, my job negotiation, and my overall job-hunting strategy. She solidified what makes my personal brand distinctive and special, and how to powerfully convey my skills to the hiring company. Getting laid off was a very difficult moment in my life. And I loved meeting Silvia, who turned my life around and brought me to my dream job.’
Heather Dart
Heather is incredible with her clients, as evidenced in this recent review:
“Heather Dart was AMAZING. She made me feel heard and it was comforting to have someone explain my struggles to. Her feedback was very helpful and it made the job search easier on my end. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach. Heather was very easy to contact via text/LinkedIn and responded very fast. She had helpful tips that made a difference during the job search. I couldn’t recommend her enough and would work with her again.”
Tommy Isaia
Tommy’s consummate professionalism helps Challenger’s clients reach their goals.
“Tommy’s commitment to assisting others shines through. He dedicated time to understand my needs, a crucial step in refining my resume. His expertise and empathy made the entire process enjoyable, leaving me with a sense of positivity and hope for my future.”
Tammi Peters
Team Challenger; Top Coach in Q1
My focus is to demonstrate to clients their inherent value and how they can be assets to any organization. Maintaining a positive mindset during career transitions can be challenging. However, maintaining determination and perseverance is crucial for achieving their ultimate goals.
Ken Meuser
Ken is a long-time coach whose expertise is consistently valued highly by our clients.
“I have nothing but great things to say about Ken Meuser! I considered him more like a partner through this step in my life. I took the opportunity to pursue an entrepreneurial route which is making progress but not currently something that I could live off of. But what Ken did was encourage me with pursuing the passion while also just being open to looking at and hearing about other opportunities that are out there. He didn’t push me but challenged me…maybe thats where the Challenger name comes from (just kidding – I realize it is a last name). He not only challenged me to think out of the box but I could tell that he was genuinely interested in me, my success and being there in whatever path I chose for myself. He is a gem and am grateful our paths in life crossed!”
Natalie Crossman
Her clients have such stellar reviews of Natalie’s guidance.
“Natalie is an outstanding career coach and advocate. She blends the right amounts of instruction, guidance, support, and coaching to help you realize your potential and market that value. She is approachable, intuitive, and wise to workplace and employer needs to provide you with the right coaching and feedback. Highly recommend!”
“Natalie is the best at what she does because she is able to give you something you didn’t even know someone in her position could… Peace of Mind. My position was dissolved, and my company paid for the services of CGC to help me find a new job. I couldn’t have been happier getting Natalie. She helped me polish my resume, gave me great interviewing advice, helped me with my LinkedIn account, and helped me land my dream job. But with all of that being said, Natalie gave me so much more. She cared about my mental health, my family, my future, my concerns, and she was always available when I needed her most. She was the rock I needed to weather the storm. Thank you, Natalie, for all that you have done for my family and me.”
Laura Meverden
What I love most about working with clients is meeting them where they are and helping them get where they want to go.
I recently had a client who was getting ready for a second interview for a job she really wanted. We could concentrate on interview skills and behavioral interviewing. Then, another client who was just starting his job search journey wanted to dig deep into his resume and really focus on what he was looking for. I know I have been successful when the client’s needs have been met.
Therese Weber
Many clients I’ve worked with share that the job search process, becoming aware of their professional brand, interviewing, networking, etc., becomes a profound journey of self-discovery. Beginning at times with some introspection, individuals can engage in soul-searching that lays the foundation for their new path forward. As a coach, I’ve observed that this reflective phase, crucial for some, may provide insights into how a client views their life, their triumphs, perceived failures, and future aspirations.
A pivotal moment occurs when my client begins to articulate possibilities for their future, stepping into the role of ‘boss’ in their career journey. This is when they identify their true passions, recognize opportunities to make meaningful impacts, and envision new levels of professional satisfaction.
By creating a safe space and actively listening, I support clients in this transformative process, helping them chart a course towards continuing, or at times an even more fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
