2025 - Career Image Solutions

14Jun

Career Coaching vs. Career Strategy

Career Coaching vs. Career Strategy: Navigating Your Career Journey

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Career Coaching vs. Career Strategy: Navigating Your Career Journey

When it comes to figuring out your next career move, I’ve often found myself weighing two distinct approaches when working with clients: career coaching and career strategy. Though they sound similar, they serve very different purposes in the journey of working on purpose. Let’s dive into what each one means, how they differ, and why understanding these differences can make all the difference in your career planning.

Career Coaching

Career coaching is all about personal growth and self-discovery. Early on at Career Image Solutions, we were solely providing resumes to countless working professionals. While the results were impressive, it soon became clear that a standout resume was only part of the equation. What good is a resume if the individual doesn’t truly know what they’re called to do or if they aren’t working on purpose?

That realization prompted us to shift our model. We began offering career coaching services to help people uncover who they are and what they genuinely want out of their careers.

The beauty of career coaching lies in its focus on the individual. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about rediscovering and tapping into the internal drivers that move you toward a purposeful career.

Career Strategy

On the flip side, career strategy is all about crafting a targeted career action plan for the direction you’ve already discovered. If coaching serves as an introspective mirror, then strategy is the detailed map that guides you forward. With a solid career strategy, the focus shifts from the internal to the external—analyzing job market trends, identifying key skill gaps, and laying out a clear plan of action to reach your goals.

I began thinking of career strategy as the “game plan” you develop to navigate the often unpredictable job market. This approach might involve steps like:

Skill Building: Deciding which new competencies you need to acquire to stay competitive.
Networking: Strategically building and leveraging your professional connections.
Market Research: Understanding where opportunities exist in your industry.
Goal Setting: Outlining specific, actionable targets that align with your long-term vision.

A well-crafted career strategy not only gives you clear direction but also offers measurable milestones that can be incredibly motivating when you’re facing uncertainty in your career development.

Where They Intersect

While career coaching and career strategy each have their unique benefits, they aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, I’ve found that the most effective career development plans integrate both approaches. Coaching helps you understand why you want to move in a particular direction, while strategy lays out how to get there. Together, they provide a balanced mix of introspection and action.

For example, you might start with career coaching sessions to build self-awareness and confidence, then transition into strategic planning to define actionable steps for career advancement. It’s about building the right mindset before constructing the detailed plans that will lead you to your professional goals.

Which One Do You Need?

Deciding whether you need career coaching or career strategy depends largely on where you are on your professional roadmap. If you’re feeling uncertain about your direction, struggling with self-doubt, or just need someone to help you pinpoint your strengths, career coaching might be the ideal starting point. Conversely, if you already have a clear idea of where you want to go but aren’t sure of the steps to take, developing a solid career strategy could be the key.

In the end, career development is a deeply personal journey. Whether you lean towards the introspective approach of career coaching or the tactical planning of career strategy, the goal remains the same: to create a fulfilling and successful career path that resonates with who you are and what you aspire to be.

About the Author

Hennither Gant is the founder of Career Image Solutions and a passionate advocate for purposeful work. With years of experience guiding professionals to uncover their true calling and craft actionable career strategies, Hennither is dedicated to empowering individuals to work on purpose and build careers that genuinely reflect their unique strengths and aspirations.

22Apr

Should You Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” Feature?

Are you thinking about using LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” badge? It’s a small feature that can make a big difference in how you show up in your job search.

There are two kinds of job seekers:

Active job seekers are applying and interviewing now.
Passive job seekers are open to opportunities but not actively applying.

✅ What Does “Open to Work” Do?

This feature lets you tell recruiters—or your entire LinkedIn network—that you’re open to new roles. You can choose to show it publicly or keep it private by only alerting recruiters.

Many professionals use the feature while they’re still working. It doesn’t always mean someone is unemployed.

👍 Pros of Using “Open to Work”

Better visibility with recruiters
Recruiters can find your profile faster when the feature is turned on.
Support from your network
If you show the badge publicly, your connections may tag you in job posts or refer you.

👎 Cons to Be Aware Of

Job offers that don’t fit
You may receive messages for roles that don’t align with your goals.
Potential bias
Some recruiters prefer candidates who aren’t actively job hunting, depending on the industry.

💡 Best Tips for Job Seekers

Whether you use the badge or not, don’t ignore your personal network. Often, the best leads come from people you already know.

If you activate “Open to Work,” track how your profile performs for 30 days. Are you getting more views? Are recruiters reaching out? Use that data to guide your strategy.

Author: Henntiher Gant
CHRO at Career Image Solutions — helping professionals succeed through expert hiring strategies and workforce development.

22Apr

10 Bible Verses to Sustain You During Your Job Search

Finding the right career can be challenging, no matter your background or experience. Staying motivated and encouraged can be tough, especially when your academic degrees, polished resumes, and experience don’t seem to get you the job. Job seekers face many highs and lows, but these 10 Bible verses can provide strength and hope during your search.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Trust that God has mapped out your life even before you were born, and His plans are designed to guide you toward your full destiny.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Even when life seems uncertain, believe that God is moving with purpose. Surrender your plans to Him, and He will lead you to greater things than you could imagine.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
When motivation runs low, and you’re facing yet another application or interview, remember that God will pull you through. He’ll give you the strength to keep going, even when you feel like giving up.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Let God know you’re ready. Open your heart to His word, and He will guide you to the right opportunities. He’ll equip you for each interview and open every door you seek.
Job 22:28
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”
The power of your words is immense. Declare your intentions with faith: “I am destined for greatness. God has plans to prosper me. I will secure the right job.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Even when it seems like everything is falling apart, hold on to your faith. If you didn’t get that job, trust that God has something even better in store.
James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Faith must be paired with action. You can’t expect a job to fall into your lap without effort. Put in the work, and God will meet you halfway.
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Set aside time each day, even if just ten minutes, for quiet prayer. During this time, focus on the Lord, and ask for what you need with faith.
Romans 8:18
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Be patient. God’s timing is perfect. The challenges you face now will lead to future glory. Stand firm in your faith, knowing that this is a test before your testimony.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
In every situation, give thanks. Gratitude for the small things shows God that you will appreciate the bigger blessings to come.

These verses are a reminder that, despite the challenges, God’s plan is always at work in your life. Stay encouraged and keep your faith strong during your job search.

Written by: Hennither Gant, CHRO of Career Image Solutions

21Apr

Upset manager standing at office door. Annoyed employees leaving shaming woman.

Do this before your employee leaves

Preparing for an Employee’s Departure: What Every Manager Should Know

At Career Image Solutions, we stay in tune with what career professionals say about our services. One key area that comes up often is how to handle employee departures effectively.

Did you know that the end of the year is one of the most common times employees look for new jobs? If you’re facing a staff member’s resignation—or planning to terminate someone—this guide will walk you through what to do next.

✅ What to Do Before an Employee Leaves

Every employee who enters and exits your company can shape your brand. They may act as a positive ambassador—or leave with negative impressions. That’s why handling their departure the right way matters.

Unless the employee is being terminated for gross misconduct, it’s important to treat them with dignity. Final impressions often last the longest.

Here are the three key steps to follow:

1. Schedule an Exit Discussion

It might feel awkward, but having a respectful conversation before the employee leaves is essential. During this talk:

Address any unresolved questions or concerns
Offer well wishes for their next chapter
Be cautious with your words—don’t say anything that could create legal risk

2. Create a Succession Plan

If your team has been communicating effectively, this step should be smooth. You’ll want to:

Decide how the employee’s responsibilities will be managed in the short term
Plan for a long-term replacement or role restructure

This is a good time to involve your HR Advisor or leadership team.

3. Conduct a Thoughtful Exit Interview

Many small businesses skip this—but it’s a mistake. Exit interviews can give you a peek into the culture of your workplace from an insider’s point of view.

They can uncover:

Management gaps
Process flaws
Team morale issues

To encourage honesty, have your HR Advisor or an external consultant conduct the interview.

Final Thoughts

When you treat departing employees with respect and plan their transition carefully, it strengthens your business. You build a better reputation, protect your culture, and gain insights that help you grow.

Author: Hennither Gant
Chief Human Resources Officer, Career Image Solutions
Empowering leaders and businesses with practical HR strategies that work.