Homework is a core part of many coaching and therapeutic approaches - yet in employment support, it’s often overlooked, rushed, or applied in a one-size-fits-all way.

In this episode, Claire explores what we really mean by “homework” in employment coaching, why it matters so much, and how the tasks clients do between sessions can shape motivation, confidence and progress.

She reflects on common mistakes, such as setting standardised tasks or overwhelming clients with too much to do, and explains why homework should always be tailored to the individual.

Claire also introduces her simple Three Cs model for setting effective homework - clarity, commitment and contingency - and explains how using this framework can strengthen the coaching relationship, provide valuable insight into a client’s situation, and help clients move forward in a realistic and sustainable way.

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View our training courses:

https://careerology.org/adviser-training/

In this episode of the Employment Coaching Podcast, Claire tackles a topic that has become increasingly controversial in employment support: volunteering.

With IPS firmly established as a Place-Then-Train model, many services have concluded that supporting clients into volunteering is no longer appropriate.

But is that really what the IPS model says - or have we misunderstood it?

Claire explores where this confusion came from, why volunteering is not the same as pre-vocational training or sheltered employment, and how short, time-limited volunteering placements can support - rather than derail - competitive job outcomes.

Drawing on years of practice and service leadership, she shares three practical rules for using volunteering ethically and effectively within IPS.

This episode is likely to spark debate!

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In this episode, Claire is joined by Mitch Mitchell, a training coordinator and long-standing supported employment practitioner, for a thoughtful conversation about what “everyone can work” really means in practice.

Drawing on decades of experience across supported employment and SEQF, Mitch shares real examples of working with people who don’t present as “immediately employable” - and how creativity, employer engagement and a strong belief in vocational profiling can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

Together, Claire and Mitch explore unconscious bias, organisational fit, employer engagement, and why, under pressure, practitioners sometimes drift away from the very principles that underpin supported employment.

This episode is a timely reminder of why creativity, confidence and belief still matter - perhaps now more than ever.

Want to know more about Mitch’s training courses?

Email him at: [email protected] or find him on LinkedIn.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

Have you ever given a client really solid advice - only to watch them ignore it completely?

In this episode, Claire explores why this happens so often in employment coaching, and why trying to persuade, push, or discharge clients rarely leads to lasting change.

Using a real client example, Claire looks at the psychology behind resistance, avoidance and self-sabotage, and explains how responding with curiosity rather than judgement can unlock insight, engagement and progress.

This episode offers practical ways to work with clients who seem “stuck” - without damaging the coaching relationship.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

As 2025 comes to an end, most employment specialists are helping clients tie up loose ends, set goals, and prepare for the new year.

But how often do we pause and offer ourselves the same support?

In this final episode of the year, we turn the spotlight back onto you - your role, your wellbeing, and your future career goals.

We explore why employment advisers often overlook their own development, how constant busyness masks burnout, and why an end-of-year “career stock take” is essential.

From celebrating your wins (even the small, unseen ones) to reassessing boundaries and work pressures, this episode guides you through a gentle but meaningful reflection on your year.

Whether you're listening before Christmas or in early January, this conversation offers space to breathe, reset, and consider what you want from your work and wellbeing in 2026.

It’s your turn to reflect - because your career matters too.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

In this episode, Claire looks at what really happens after a client starts work - and why so many people fall out of jobs that looked perfect on paper.

Using a real client story, she explains the idea of the psychological contract: the unwritten expectations between employer and employee that can be more powerful than the written contract.

You’ll learn how to spot when that contract has been broken, why it leads to sickness, disengagement and resignations, and how employment coaches can help clients have honest conversations that repair trust and keep them in work.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

In this episode, Claire explores a question that comes up time and time again: does age matter in employment coaching?

From young adults making their first big life choices to mid-career clients juggling family and burnout, and older workers navigating age discrimination and retirement decisions - age can shape the coaching conversation in powerful ways.

Claire breaks down common career challenges at different life stages, why age differences between coach and client don’t have to be a barrier, and how curiosity, empathy and good coaching skills bridge any generational gap.

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In this episode, Claire explains why trawling through job vacancies is not only a waste of time for employment advisers - it can actually harm your clients’ confidence and mental health. Instead, she introduces a far more effective approach: helping clients access the hidden job market.

You’ll learn the difference between job searching and job development, how to build employer relationships, and a simple five-step networking process that even the most introverted clients can use to find real opportunities.

Get weekly employment coaching tips with our free newsletter: https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

In this episode, Claire explores how the people and environments around our clients - including partners, parents, colleagues and even social media algorithms - can shape, sway, or even derail their career decisions. Using real-life examples, Claire explains why influence isn’t inherently bad, but becomes problematic when it pulls clients away from their values, goals or identity.

Discover practical strategies to help clients recognise external influence, explore whether it’s positive or negative, and make confident, informed career decisions based on their wants - not someone else’s expectations.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching

In this episode, Claire explores one of the most common traps in employment support: doing too much for our clients. From writing CVs and calling employers, to “just quickly” fixing things for people in our personal lives, we often jump in with the best intentions - but unintentionally undermine learning, confidence, and long-term progress.

Claire shares why stepping back, teaching skills, and building an internal locus of control can dramatically improve client outcomes, reduce reliance on services, and help advisers hit targets more sustainably.

Expect practical questions, mindset shifts, and a simple technique you can use in your very next coaching conversation.

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https://careerology.kit.com/employment-coaching