What Should I Discuss with a Career Coach?

_{January 14, 2025}

What Should I Discuss with a Career Coach?

A career coach isn’t just someone to “talk things through” with, they’re your strategic partner who helps you gain clarity, explore new possibilities, and move forward with confidence. But to make the most of each session, it’s important to come prepared with the right focus, questions and intentions.

At The Happy Mondays Co., we’ve worked with professionals at every stage of their career —from those feeling stuck in their roles to those stepping into new leadership positions. The secret to a productive coaching session? Ask the right questions to drive clarity, momentum, and action. This allows your coach to offer guidance that moves you forward with purpose.

Here’s how you can make every conversation meaningful and impactful:

The Foundation of a Successful Coaching Session

A productive session starts with transparency. The more openly you share your goals, challenges, and ambitions, the more personalised and effective your coach’s guidance will be. Without this clarity, sessions risk becoming unfocused or generic.

To make every session purposeful, follow this process:

1️ Define your focus areas — What specific challenges, goals, or decisions do you want support with?

2️ Ask action-oriented questions — Turn "I’m stuck" into "What specific step should I take next?"

3️ Be honest and direct — Share the real issues, even if you feel unsure.

4️ End with action steps — Leave with at least one clear action to take before the next session.

5️ Track your progress — Each session builds on the last, so monitor your growth.

Now, let’s explore 7 key focus areas you can discuss in your coaching sessions — and the key questions to ask in each.

1. Aligning Your Goals and Aspirations

Not everyone has a crystal-clear idea of their career goals, and that’s okay! Sometimes, the first step is to understand your personal values, motivators, and what truly drives you. Your coach can help you define these core elements and use them as a compass to create your career roadmap.

If you already have a sense of your next step, like a promotion or a career change, this focus area helps you refine your goals and build a step-by-step plan to get there. But if you’re unsure of what’s next, your coach can guide you to explore your strengths, motivators, and possible career paths.

Questions to Ask:

How can I identify what truly motivates me in my career?

What skills should I prioritise to prepare for a promotion or leadership role in the next 1-3 years?

What short-term and long-term goals would have the biggest impact on my career?

How do I break down my 5-year career plan into actionable steps?

By asking these questions, you’ll gain practical steps to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

2. Identifying Growth Areas

Career growth doesn’t happen by chance. It requires intention, focus, and a clear understanding of where you need to improve. Sometimes, it’s about gaining new technical skills, and other times, it’s about building habits that increase your effectiveness and impact.

If you’re unsure of your growth areas, your coach can help you review performance feedback, spot blind spots, and identify which skills will have the biggest impact on your career progression.

Questions to Ask:

What skills are most in demand for my role or industry right now?

How can I strengthen my leadership abilities based on feedback I’ve received?

Are there any behaviours or habits that could be holding me back from reaching my goals?

What professional development opportunities should I prioritise in the next 6-12 months?

These insights will help you focus on meaningful growth that aligns with your career goals.

3. Building Leadership Skills

Being a leader is more than just managing people — it’s about influence, decision-making, and the ability to inspire others. Your coach can help you build critical leadership skills like executive presence, strategic thinking, and effective delegation.

If you’re already in a leadership position, this focus area can help you sharpen your influence and decision-making. If you’re aspiring to be a leader, your coach can guide you on the steps to get there.

Questions to Ask:

How can I develop my executive presence when leading meetings or presenting to senior leaders?

What steps can I take to strengthen my decision-making under pressure?

How do I build trust and influence with my team and stakeholders?

What leadership frameworks or approaches can I use to better manage my team?

Your coach can help you develop a roadmap to grow into a confident, effective leader.

4. Mastering Networking and Personal Branding

Building a strong network and personal brand can open doors to new roles, promotions, and partnerships. But networking isn’t about "collecting contacts", it’s about building authentic relationships that position you for long-term career growth.

If you’re unsure of where to start, your coach can help you define your personal brand, build your confidence, and create a practical plan for building relationships.

Questions to Ask:

What steps can I take to build a personal brand that reflects my expertise and values?

How can I connect with senior leaders or industry influencers in a meaningful way?

What’s the best way to build authentic, long-term relationships rather than surface-level connections?

How do I position myself as a "go-to" person in my industry or organisation?

With clear strategies, you’ll learn how to network with confidence and purpose.

5. Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

Challenges like burnout, self-doubt, and uncertainty are part of every career journey. The key is learning how to navigate them effectively. Your coach can help you develop tools to manage stress, avoid burnout, and build emotional resilience — so you can stay focused and effective even during tough times.

This focus area is particularly helpful if you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or struggling with imposter syndrome. Your coach can help you shift your mindset, rebuild your energy, and create habits that protect your well-being.

Questions to Ask:

How do I create stronger boundaries to avoid burnout?

What strategies can I use to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome?

How do I stay motivated and maintain momentum when I feel stuck?

What habits or routines can I build to stay energised and focused?

Addressing these challenges head-on is a crucial step toward unlocking your full potential.

6. Boosting Confidence in Salary Negotiations and Career Advancement

Salary conversations can be intimidating, but they’re essential to career growth. Knowing how to negotiate your salary, ask for a promotion, or advocate for your value is a key career skill. Your coach can help you prepare scripts, set clear goals, and practice negotiation techniques that give you confidence.

If you feel nervous about advocating for yourself, this focus area will give you the skills to approach these conversations with confidence.

Questions to Ask:

How do I research salary benchmarks for my role and industry?

What’s the best way to approach a salary conversation during performance reviews?

How do I position my value when negotiating a new job offer?

What steps can I take to prepare for a raise or promotion conversation?

With the right guidance, you’ll approach your job search with clarity and confidence.

7. Navigating Career Transitions and Role Changes

Career transitions can be exciting but also overwhelming. Whether you’re moving to a new role, industry, or company, it’s important to have a plan for navigating the change successfully. Your coach can help you manage uncertainty, build confidence, and create a 30-60-90 day plan for your transition.

This focus area is especially useful if you’re exploring new roles or industries and aren’t sure where to start. Your coach can help you identify transferable skills and position yourself as a strong candidate for new opportunities.

Questions to Ask:

How do I position myself for a role in a new industry or career path?

What should my 30-60-90 day plan look like for starting a new role?

How can I navigate self-doubt or imposter syndrome during this career transition?

What steps can I take to build credibility quickly in a new role or industry?

These questions will empower you to advocate for your worth with confidence.

How to Make the Most of These Focus Areas

Every coaching session is an opportunity to work on one of these focus areas. The key is to identify which area matters most for you right now and bring it into your session. You don’t have to have it all figured out — your coach can help you explore the right focus area based on your current needs.

If you’re unsure where to start, you might ask your coach:

“Which of these focus areas do you think would make the biggest impact for me right now?”

“I’m feeling stuck, and I’m not sure where to start — can we figure out the most useful focus area together?”

The goal isn’t to solve everything in one session — it’s to leave with clarity, confidence, and at least one practical next step.

Start the Conversation with Confidence

Career coaching isn’t just about finding answers—it’s about uncovering the opportunities and strategies that align with your true potential.

At The Happy Mondays Co., we guide you through every step of your journey with our trademark Happy Mondays™ methodology. Whether you’re tackling challenges, refining your goals, or preparing for your next big opportunity, we’re here to support you.