Chris Makell

A Conversation with Chris Makell,

Transition Strategist and Certified Professional Coach.

**Please take a moment to read this before hiring Chris **

How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be an expert in the area of career change or transitions?

Let’s begin with a defining moment that brought me to where I am today, working with incredible individuals in designing personal and successful strategies for each and every transition they make in their lives and careers, every time.

This defining moment happened in 1999. At this point, I had been working for the same company for 17 years. I awoke from a sound sleep hearing the alarm. I hit the snooze button and took a deep breath, and my heart began pounding. I was choking back tears. The anxiety that welled up in me forced me to lie there, staring at the ceiling. Then the following words made an almost audible trek from my gut to my mouth, reaching my brain only after I heard them. I said, with incredible clarity, “Is this all there is?” Now, I had heard that statement before, but never did it involve me! Here I had 17 years, a decent salary and I was going no where. I was heartbroken. This was not the way I thought my life would turn out. Someone else had been deciding my future, my destiny and I was tired of it! Was this my life or my self made prison?

With 17 years of experience, five physical moves and seven different positions so far, I knew how to make transitions and change in my career, and so I decided to take charge and lead myself in the direction of something more. I began looking for something that would give me more… I really didn’t want to hear or feel that way again! I succeeded at finding a brand new position, received a promotion and took on a bigger challenge, all at the same time. It was all good!

And then in 2003, with two additional positions behind me, I hit the wall…again. Now, instead of “is this all there is”, it became “what can I do, that will allow me to use all I’ve learned and control my own destiny?” And so, from 2004-2005, I participated in a coach certification program in Seattle, WA and thus began my joy, satisfaction and formal entry into the coaching arena.

I know that the different positions I’ve held, the moves I’ve made and clients I’ve coached have given me the expertise and compassion I share with clients experiencing the same career challenges.

Today, I have a business I love and now when I’m looking at the ceiling, it’s to reflect on all of the joy I get from my clients’ success and the fun programs and services I develop to provide more value and service. I am honored to partner with incredibly talented professionals who enjoy less stress and more success as they face their defining moment and decide to make that career change or transition, small or large, to the careers and life that nourish their souls and expand their lives.

Who are your clients?

I thoroughly enjoy working with professionals in all industries, sectors and levels in their careers. My clients have come from healthcare, education, high tech and government positions. This includes physicians, executives, team leaders, teachers, project leaders and full time Moms, etc.

What happens if you haven’t yet worked with people in my field?

I have worked with many clients in various positions, responsibilities, companies and businesses. If I haven’t worked with your particular area or industry, you are not at a disadvantage. I have found that the “pain” or lack of comfort and confidence with making a career transition or change is universal and wide spread. While everyone’s reaction and comfort level is uniquely their own, the process of working through the stages of career transitions can be the same. So both my 25+ years of experience, coaching, mentoring and my proven step by step systems, will help you experience the career that embraces your life.

How are you different from other career and life coaches?

Because a whole, balanced life focus is essential for managing a successful career transition, we will occasionally work on other areas of your career and life. However, I am your career transition strategist. I ONLY work on helping you clarify that “craving” or what you truly want for your career and life, creating the transition plan, finding the resources and achieving results. Period. In other words, I don’t coach or consult on job searching, resume building, or career counseling. I refer people seeking this kind of support to those who have this specialty. Because my focus is so narrow, you get a no nonsense, undiluted level of expertise on what works for professionals experiencing a career transition. I’ve simply become an expert at career transitions and that’s why my clients, groups and customers get great results.

What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?

Career Crossing systems and services were created for those who are ready to take action and experience what it’s like to pursue your career passion. You will achieve the best results if you are open to the possibilities, willing to unhook from the past, ready to ask for what you want and have the courage to always move forward. I don’t want YOU waking up to ask “is this all there is”! I will help you to focus, develop the steps, systems and decisive actions to go from overwhelm to in control.

Being an open and committed coach and strategist who has developed the tools and mindset to manage successful career transitions, I work best with clients who are willing to take action, even baby steps at first, toward the confident and powerful mindset that brings you what you most want. You will be expected to take serious and consistent action. No excuses. You will develop a very different way of thinking about career changes or transitions; and will enjoy full support while you achieve this incredible, exciting and new way of being…to go from fear and uncertainty to powerful and in control of your career.

For what type of professional is this program NOT going to work?

Please know that I am very selective in who I work with and I cherry pick my clients, choosing to (gently) turn away people who aren’t suited for my programs and won’t get the results for which they would have signed up for. (It wouldn’t be fair to them.)

Career Crossing programs are not for those who want an ear to listen to the reasons why you don’t like what’s happening. It’s been my experience that this only serves to stall you in the transition.

If you fall into this category, it’s absolutely OK. We’ve all been there at one point or another. Do yourself 3 favors:

1. Go through some serious introspection to decide if there is another practitioner who can help you to move forward – career counselor, therapist, etc.
2. Sign up for the free “Crossings” newsletter, delivered twice monthly, packed with strategies and tools for career transition. This free information will get you started toward your goals until you’re ready to work with me one-on-one.
3. Make a point to take advantage of the free articles and resources on www.CareerXing.com to learn about successfully making a career transition with less stress.

Doing these three things will really help you get primed for our work. When you’re ready, call me and we’ll get started.

Another type of person I won’t work with (without exception) is the whiner or the chronic skeptic, as well as individuals who consistently make excuses for not getting their assignments done or challenging every aspect of the program. If you are one of these people, I gently and respectfully ask that you not call and I hope you understand why. We’ll probably just not work well together and I wouldn’t want you to waste your time or money. Is that fair?

Does this career transition strategy/coaching really work?

Yes! As a result of our work is that you’ll be very clear and confident about what you truly want from your career. You will identify the options and opportunities and finally (yes, finally!) have a step by step transition plan where you’ll “see” the results you want. This critical step is what helps you create the resume, conduct the job search and gain satisfaction from the job/career you deserve. Miss this step and you will always feel something is missing; you have less job satisfaction and will always be in pursuit of work/life balance.

The plan, roadmap, resources, etc. that lead to your best results, will easily line up for you once you achieve this level of clarity. The actions you take will feel less stressful and more joyful. Imagine being absolutely clear about what you desire and deserve to have in your career that greatly enhances your life!

What can I expect?

You can expect to:

• Achieve greater clarity and expression of your deepest career craving.
• Get unstuck from the fear and apprehension of making a mistake.
• Experience the link between your talents and your passion.
• Create an authentic, simple and elegant transition plan.
• Achieve success on your own terms.

How quickly can I expect results?

This will depend on where you are in the stage of your career transition, how committed you are to working through the process — including the assessments and assignments given to you. That said, virtually all of my clients see results within the first couple of months in the form of a greatest sense of self and identification of options and opportunities as well as the development of a clear plan/roadmap to achieve results.

How can I guarantee myself that I will learn to have less stress and more success in my career transitions…every time?

Do all of your assessments, assignments and fieldwork. Be totally focused, open, willing, ask for what you want, and courageous in your pursuit of being powerful and confident in the midst of change. Understand that it’s not a “quick fix”, it’s not a magic bullet and it will take several months to plan the seeds, grow the tree with strong roots that weather the storm of career transitions. My clients who have diligently applied the lessons and steps of their journey and have successfully managed subsequent career transitions adding more satisfaction to their life in the process. Once the mindset and process are developed your approach is easier, every time!

Chris, based on everything I’ve read and heard about you, I know you’re the one I want to partner with. What are my options for getting started with you?

Congratulations on making a decision for your current and future success! I’m happy to work with you in your career transition and desire to experience a life that embraces your career!

For over 3 years, I’ve offered private coaching programs that were exceedingly successful and worked with clients in 3 month, 6 month and 9 month programs. I no longer offer these multi-month programs and am now offering more intense programs to create even better results, FASTER.

To get started with your success-filled career transition, here is a short description of the different programs I’ve created for you. There are many bonuses, like recorded sessions so that you can fully focus in our strategy discussions to get more value, without focusing on taking notes; that are included depending on the program you enroll in, among others.

• The VIP Private Consulting Program

The design of this program serves to provide more time with me to work with you intensely to gain clarity, uncover the options and create the in-depth, personalized plan/road map for your success. We will dig deep and shift some paradigms quickly to move you forward fast. This is an intense program and not designed for everyone. An application and one-on-one discussion is required to participate in this program.In this program we schedule three 45-minute calls per month, one per week, with focused email coaching included.

• The Fast Track Program

The Fast Track Program is for high achieving go-getters who want to move extraordinarily fast in achieving their career transition goals and have probably begun the process. I roll up my sleeves and get in the trenches with you, to work on each assignment and give you the crucial feedback and tools you’ll need to get moving quickly. This program creates great results, because it is focused, action packed and results driven.In this program, we schedule three 30-minute calls per month, one per week to get you on track and speeding through the process of developing your roadmap and getting results.

• The Basic Program

Participation in the Basic Program is for independent self-starters who can take consistent action in achieving career transition goals and simply want to strategize, collaborate and brainstorm with me on any issues or assignments that come up. In this program clients feel they don’t need to speak every week with me to do this.With this option, we schedule two 30-minute calls per month, one per week, to get you moving quickly, stay on track and eliminate obstacles currently in your way so you can see results faster than you would on your own.

• Power Hour

This one hour strategy session requires your focus, concentration and advanced preparation to make the hour it’s most powerful in developing the strategies that will move you forward faster! This is an intense session where we zero in on 1-2 key issues and develop step by step plans to help you see the results you’ll experience as a result of our time together. It can be lots of fun, too!

Each program includes valuable career change/transition worksheets, lots of practical assignments, proven resources and timesaving recommendations. The tools will be handed to you, ready to make your own.

How long is each program? Clients typically take a minimum of 3 months of working together to apply all the steps, sometimes longer, and enjoy a substantial (often dramatic) increase in confidence and accelerated success in their transitions. Remember, this is only for people who are truly serious about getting results and achieving more satisfaction in their careers.

Does it work? Yes.

The result of our work is an approach to achieving your career goals in transition to a new job, new position or outside of the corporate environment that is proven and achieved by my clients. (See Sample Client Testimonials below). Please note: to see and experience the greatest results, you need to be totally committed to taking action and have the resources – time, energy and drive – to carry you through. This is not a quick fix, it’s not magic and it takes 3-6 months or more for the seeds to grow, but all my clients who have diligently applied every step of our Career Crossing program and systems have successfully transitioned in their careers and now manage change with more resilience and strength than they would have on their own.

OK, I know which program I want. How do we get started?

Great! Did you know that one of the most prominent characteristics of successful people is that they take action?

Here’s what you do:

Send an email to Info@CareerXing.com or call 1.888.822.1408 and request a “Get Acquainted” session. We will schedule time for you and me to start the process. We will talk about what your goals are, what results you want to achieve and then select the program that will serve you best. You will receive a packet of information in preparation for our meeting.

If I’m not sure that I’m ready to get started, how can I sample your work at low cost to see if it’s the right solution for me?

One way to sample Career Crossing programs is by subscribing to Crossings, published twice monthly, our content-rich newsletter offered by Career Crossing, a company dedicated to serving career professionals, globally, who are facing a crossing point in their careers and struggle with identifying the many directions available, choosing the best solution and achieving the greatest results from their actions. Each issue is packed with immediately useful actions, strategies and tools.

You may subscribe by sending a blank email to Newsletter@CareerXing.com or by visiting www.CareerXing.com. You will receive a bonus with each new subscription.

For free articles and other resources, visit www.CareerXing.com today!

OK, I’m ready to invest in myself, but I have more questions. May I call you?

Sounds like you’re ready to move forward fast. Yes, if you have additional questions, just email me at Chris@CareerXing.com or call 1-888-822-1408 to schedule some time to connect. I can’t wait for you to experience the career that embraces your life. I am honored to be the one to help you. Let’s get started!