I first met Keith through the UK’s Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development
(CIPD) Member-to-Member career mentoring scheme in 2020.
I had been working as a Human Resources (HR) manager in a medium-sized company
and was approached by a recruitment agency to apply for what I thought would be a
dream job. It didn't go as planned and I left the new role after a few months. Then the
Covid pandemic started to unfold in the UK; then lockdown happened. I found myself
out of work.
I received an email from Keith in April 2020 to arrange the mentoring sessions and
little did I realise how valuable this would be, especially as events in the world were
unfolding. The pool of jobs that had once been available only one month before had
shrunk considerably, along with my confidence!
Keith helped me remain calm about my situation. We used our on-line sessions to
share ideas about how I could tailor my CV to apply for the limited HR roles available
at the time. Without these sessions, I think I could have easily have descended into a
spiral of despair and hopelessness.
Keith not only helped with the practical side of rewriting my CV, he also helped to
build up my confidence and to break down certain beliefs that I held about myself and
my professional experience at that time.
As a result of the mentoring sessions, and with my newly polished CV and repaired
confidence, I managed to find a new job during the height of the pandemic.
Fast forward 5 years, I now volunteer mentoring support to HR professionals that are
at the start of their careers through the same CIPD mentoring scheme: I volunteer
because I truly understand how valuable this support and guidance can be. I hope that
I can give my mentees the same boost to their individual confidence and careers that
Keith was able to give to me.
I am now myself qualified as a career coach. I have set up a new venture, primarily
coaching women over the age of 50 who have spent years looking after others and
have maybe lost themselves along the way.
I wish Keith and his Tozai Associates all success with their new venture.
Hazel
Editor’s note: If you would like to learn more about Hazel’s venture, please check:
Hazel Keegan Coaching - 50+ Your Best Chapter Yet