KEY POINTS:
Name: Chris Robson
Age: 41
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Teaching from Massey University. Now studying Graduate Diploma in Career Development at AUT
Hours: Averages 40 hours a week.
Average salary: Average hourly rate for a session would be $100-$120.
What do you do?
My work as a career agent is to assist people in creating real change in their working lives. This is part of a range of services offered by Quantum Shift to individuals and organisations, including group facilitation, one-to-one coaching and career development.
We assist people to think bigger about themselves, their teams and their businesses. We find that when people think bigger, they love their work, their performance improves and adds to the bottom line, and they align their values and talents to the wider goals of their organisation. When you think about how much time you spend at work every day, it's astonishing that people will spend that much time doing something they don't enjoy.
How do you go about this?
There are several things each of us requires to be satisfied with our lives, so part of my work is getting people to see their careers from a bigger picture perspective and identifying their own "personal brand". I'm assisting people to appreciate their career as a life-long journey and not merely a "job".
I do it by using a range of holistic action learning methods that involve people thinking, feeling and behaviour. At Quantum Shift, we feel these methods create profound learning and help people expand their career possibilities.
Your history?
I have had several significant career changes. After graduating as a teacher, I spent a short time teaching before moving into the recruitment industry. As a recruitment consultant, I developed a strong knowledge of the "world of work", particularly labour market trends and influences. After 10 years, I decided the real satisfaction and meaning in my work came from assisting others to create their own career dreams and achieving their aspirations.
I looked at combining my knowledge of systems thinking, career theory, employment and organisational development. I decided to call myself a career agent, rather than career practitioner, because I saw a gap between career practitioners, recruitment agents and my own approach of helping people make a choice and then walking alongside them until they've made their change.
What kind of clients do you have?
I work with a variety of individuals and organisations. People who want my help have generally had some work experience and are looking for more meaning and satisfaction in their career. They need to be open to expanding their view of themselves and the world, and willing to become active agents to create change in their own lives.
Best part of the job?
Seeing people expand their thinking about themselves and their careers and making career choices that give them greater meaning and satisfaction.
Examples of success?
A woman was nearing 60 and felt stuck in her job, but thought she had no option but to sit it out although it wasn't well paid and didn't recognise her skills. I took her through a process of thinking bigger about her career. By reframing her thoughts, she realised that she was highly experienced and marketable. In the end, she managed to secure a better job in a work environment that acknowledged her postgraduate qualifications and gave an increased salary.
A general manager asked me to run separate sessions with two staff who had applied for a job vacancy. He wanted to know whether the role was right for them. I got them to step back and think about their long-term plans and what they valued and where their strengths lay - and then decide whether it was the right career path. One became clear she wanted it because it moved her towards her long-term future vision.
The other had all the skills but realised his strengths were more in sales. He withdrew his application and waited for an opportunity in sales. That has occurred and he's doing extremely well.
What skills and qualities do you need?
You need a genuine interest in people and strong communication skills. You need knowledge of the world of work and a good mixture of life and work experience.
Challenges?
Juggling the careers work along with marketing and promoting our service. Continuing to develop and improve on systems and processes for the business.
Training and experience?
You need to have solid work experience, as well as academic theory related to career development. I've also done training in role training methods originating from Dr Moreno.
Where would you like to be in five years' time?
Passing on my knowledge and hopefully training others to become career agents.
