Joy Grimes

Cert. Ed, BEd (Part 1), CCS, MBPS

Career Coach

I originally trained as a primary school teacher. I joined the Civil Service as a direct entrant Executive Officer and have enjoyed a long and varied career, gaining recognised specialist knowledge, managing teams of up to 50 and being professionally trained and used as a mentor for one of the MoD’s in-house Development schemes.  

 In 2006, following an individual assessment of my interpersonal skills and coaching methodology, I was selected to establish a Career Consultancy Service for MoD civilians (a potential client base of 55k).

I have since conducted over 600 1:1 career coaching and counselling consultations and designed and delivered career related workshops to more than 1000 individuals, consistently receiving good or excellent feedback.

I have been professionally trained in Career Counselling tools and techniques and have benchmarked my approach with lead providers in the private sector. I gained the Career Counselling Services (CCS) Core Skills Licence and subsequently studied to obtain Occupational Testing Levels A and B, enabling me to administer and provide feedback on psychometrics such as MBTi. I undertake regular CPD including bi-annual Career Coaching Alumni events affiliated to CCS and Kingston University. Accredited (by Oxford Brookes University) as a cross-Government coach I have coached some of the ‘Top 200’ Civil Servants focussing on leadership and Development.

How I work

I am passionate about working with individuals and small groups as a coach. My approach is always supportive but I am equally comfortable challenging preconceptions of a particular situation, dependent on individual need. A good result for me is where the client leaves a session with a clearer sense of direction, increased self-insight, better information or broader understanding of options and increased confidence and motivation. I use various coaching methods including solution-focused and NLP and adapt my approach based on an individual’s preferred learning style. I am particularly interested in working with clients on career-related issues.

As well as face-to-face sessions I regularly provide Skype Coaching and/or telephone sessions tailored to busy professionals travelling globally and young adults at UK or International schools and universities.

Areas of expertise

➢ Career Development & Tools
➢ Personal Statements and CVs
➢ Job Applications & Interview Skills
➢ Leadership
➢ Performance
➢ Prioritisation
➢ Role Transition
➢ Personal Impact

Training & Qualifications

✔ Career Counselling Services (CCS) (affiliated to Kingston University) Core Skills Licence (2006)
✔ Levels A and B Intermediate plus in Occupational Testing (2007). Subject area MBTi and 16pf – Administration, oral and written feedback. Qualified in the use of Wave Focus Styles and 360 feedback (2013)
✔ Advocate of Solution focussed Coaching – attended 2 seminars run by Paul Z Jackson.
✔ Trained and experienced Mentor and a Cross Government coach accredited by Oxford Brookes University (2013)
✔ Certificate of Education (Teaching) – distinction in Education and English
✔ Bachelor of Education (Part 1) (College of St Matthias, affiliated to the University of Bristol)

Languages

English and French

Who I work with

➢ Adolescents (14 to 18)
➢ Students & Graduates
➢ Middle Managers
➢ Senior Managers
➢ Directors

Professional Memberships

✔ British Psychological Society (BPS)
✔ Career Development institute

Psychometric Instruments

✔ MBTI
✔ Wave – Focus Styles and 360
✔ 16pf, Belbin