Tools
These are offered within coaching and mentoring, not as one-off tasks.
Set concrete (fact-based), measurable (quantifiable), achievable (time-bound) goals.
Define your own metrics for success: securing internships and jobs, applying for scholarships and courses. Every goal is unique, and I help you assess, break down, and overcome specific challenges, walk you through a realistic schedule, recommend actions, suggest information, and identify skills needed to bridge the gaps.
Focus on your skill set without the fuss.
Writing about yourself can be hard. Defining and selling your profile often takes an outside perspective. With the right questions, I can uncover your hidden skills and shape them into a solid profile.
As a recent graduate, when you think an exam transcript says it all, think again. Courses, projects, self-study, computing skills, coding challenges, awards, prizes, certifications, tutoring, bootcamps, science olympiads, memberships and exchange programmes are some examples that boost your employability.
Even hobbies, sports, and volunteering can speak volumes, once you recognise what they already reveal about you.
Identify unique selling points and untapped potential.
Strong expertise makes someone a valuable team player, but once that expertise has been discovered and nurtured. We identify areas where you can stand out.
Perhaps a passing interest, a book, or a conversation has sparked the curiosity about a new career path. One benefit of mentoring is that 'aha moment', when you set sail for one goal, only to find that curiosity leads to a new destination.
Flesh out a CV with relevant, positive and verifiable facts about you.
Hiring managers spend a few seconds scanning an application. A mention of "knowledge of Python" is an obvious giveaway, whereas "self-taught, object-oriented programming, 100 hours, TensorFlow for 2 projects" speaks their language. Start or refresh your LinkedIn profile with purpose.
Cherry-pick achievements that meet the role in cover letters.
When it is time to shine, you want to convince the panel that you are a strong asset. Think of it like a closing statement or a sales pitch: even when the best evidence is provided to you, how do you craft a compelling and coherent story?
Briefing and debriefing for interviews.
Practise and understand the intent behind common interview questions. Rehearse presentations and receive feedback. Reflect on positive and negative factors afterwards. Learn from them to gear up for the next interview.
Get asked the right questions to dispel doubts, elicit solutions and reveal areas for improvement.
The benefits of mentoring go beyond individual sessions. Reflect on your answers to separate the wheat (potential, facts, accomplishments) from the chaff (inner critic, implicit assumptions, belief systems, naysayers). Use a sounding board to find solutions or make decisions, then execute on that idea to make it a reality.