My approach as a career consultant
Your career is a vital and central part of your life. But still just a part. It needs to work in the context of other parts of your life: your relationships, your priorities, your material circumstances, and, most importantly, your inner “self.” As a therapist, marriage counselor, ex-businessman, and career coach I am perhaps uniquely able to help move you in a direction that meets all of the above needs, not simply one that “makes sense” given your previous experience or in response to whatever testing results you may have obtained.
Individually Tailored
My work is individually tailored to the issue(s) you are facing. The one aspect of my work common to all my clients is that it is solution-focused (I like to get results: over 99% of my clients have received guidance well exceeding in value their investment in our work together, ranging from improved networking skills and strategies, to guidance on navigating internal organizational politics, to exploring alternative career paths and succeeding in new career directions*).
I will individually tailor a meeting program to accommodate your schedule. My experience over the years has been that 50 minute once-a-week sessions are fine for certain kinds of issues, but that others are more amenable to a schedule of less frequent sessions, allowing adequate time for you to begin taking the steps we decide on in our work together, including reading assignments and action initiatives.
COLLABORATIVE.
I am a strong believer in working collaboratively. We will set concrete, achievable objectives at the beginning of our work together. I frequently assign reading and written exercises, as well as tests, to stimulate new ways of thinking. Subsequently, I will monitor you on a regular basis to gauge your progress; if you’re falling behind, we will explore why, and how to fix the problem.
If, like most of my clients, you are interested in finding either a new career direction or a new job, I will supplement our work towards these goals with techniques on how to improve satisfaction with the current state of things until such time as you are able to make the desired changes.
23
Years as Ad & Non-Profit Executive
20+
Years Career Counseling & Psychotherapy
100s
Clients Helped Across Every Career Stage
4
Successful Careers Lived Firsthand
20+ Years of Experience
For many clients I am proud to serve as a source of information, experience, and insight. For example, I often assist in improving LinkedIn profiles, resumes and cover letters, identifying new resources, perfecting interviewing skills, and suggesting specific networking strategies. Throughout, I will encourage you to provide me with feedback.
I operate from the belief that the best answer to my clients’ problems lie within them. As a result, I see my primary role as helping you tap into your uniquely valuable life experiences and wisdom – what have you felt passionate about, what’s worked for you, and what hasn’t? The “out-of-the-box” thinking I developed during my many years in advertising help me ask the kinds of questions that illuminate undiscovered possibilities, and the objectivity and years of experience I bring to this process enable me to see patterns of success or blocks to progress that are often invisible to my clients.
I know that the career work I do is unique in that it is based on my own background, with success in three entirely different careers, and three entirely different cities (NY, LA, and DC). As a result, I’ve learned a great deal about successful transition from personal experience. I pride myself on being able to listen, question and come to understand my clients in a way most therapists or life coaches simply can’t, because they haven’t been there and don’t know the territory.
If you’re exploring a career change, here’s Jim’s 4-stage process
Develop Your Profile
Jim helps you build a concise narrative capturing everything relevant: who you are, what drives you, and where you want to go.
- Professional history, key experiences, defining traits
- Core strengths and preferred work environments
- Salary range, location, company size, and your real decision criteria
- Your values
Identify Promising Options
Jim identifies paths with clarity including responsibilities, entry points, challenges, and genuine trade-offs.
- Compensation outlook and growth trajectory
- Transition pathways and entry requirements
- Key advantages and honest trade-offs of each path
Evaluate and Prioritize
Jim assesses each path against your strengths and constraints. A prioritized shortlist formed based on logic and AI feedback.
- Alignment with strengths, interests, and real constraints
- Comparison across fit, feasibility, and long-term upside
- A focused finalist list for real-world validation
- Conversations with people doing the actual work being considered
- Research and AI provide validation of choices
Getting the Job
Jim ensures that your networking outreach, resume, LinkedIn profile, elevator speech, and interview performance are superior.
- Network outreach and targeted introductions
- Independent research and industry trend analysis
- Informational conversations with people in those roles
Client Reviews
Working with Jim was a refreshing and positive experience. As a first-timer to working with a coach, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Jim was spot-on in identifying the primary goals and we achieved them within the four weeks he had predicted. His great demeanor made the process effective and easy. Jim is truly delighted in the progress his clients make. This became clear when seeing the broad smile and satisfaction on his face when he realized we achieved our stated goals and that I had the tools to take the next step in my professional and personal success. He’s a great resource to have.
I am so incredibly grateful for Jim’s guidance during a challenging career change. His insight, feedback, and support were essential to my success in landing a dream job. From helping me chart a new course and finding a new passion after burning out in a draining career, to coaching me through final interviews, he was with me every step of the way. I cannot recommend him enough!
As an executive search/headhunter I have been lucky enough to partner with Jim on a number of occasions. I have referred several local and remote (Skype, etc.) mid-level to executive-level candidates to him who have reported back to me with rave reviews. Jim has also consulted with me whenever my executive search expertise has been a helpful element to his full-service thoughtful career advice he provides his clients. 100% class act and worth the investment.
Ready to Begin?
The first step is a complimentary 15–20 minute conversation — completely free, no obligation. Fill out the form and Jim will be in touch personally. No pressure, no scripts, just a genuine exchange about what you need.
Phone
(202) 667-0665
Jim@DCLifeCounseling.com
Main Office · Alexandria, VA
2405 Brentwood Place
Alexandria, VA 22306
Part-Time Office · Washington DC
1633 Q St., NW, Suite 200
Washington D.C. 20009