Testimonials

Read what others have said...

I am proud to share my testimonials with you. I hope they will help you see how career coaching can help you and will inspire you to seek help for yourself, so that you can get to work on your career issues right now!

What some of my clients have said...

"Thanks to Cherry, I went from a place of complete pessimism about my work situation to one of optimism. I had felt trapped and directionless for years and embarrassed about my descent down the career ladder. A thorough analysis of my skills – many of which I did on autopilot, so had discounted – made me realise that my options were fairly broad. A change in job hunting tactics, (sometimes painful!) and being held to account whenever we met shifted me out of my rut. Although I have yet to secure my ideal job, I am applying from a much more confident standpoint."
SB, London

"Cherry is a great coach. She let me drive the sessions and checked in regularly about how I wished to proceed. Cherry participates in dialogue most thoughtfully and her interventions are always pertinent and well judged, helping me to reflect and think about the action I need, and want, to take. I always appreciated the space and possibility to go anywhere with the conversation, confident that she'd be able to ask or say something pertinent and helpful.

I think the flexibility of approach and openness to letting the sessions happen organically, allowing me to vent, explain, speculate and throw out thoughts and ideas, checking in with me if that fitted and allowing me space to drive the session [was most helpful] …it has definitely helped define a direction, and provided support at crucial times."
CN, London

"I needed to make changes and I knew that working directly with a coach would inspire me and hold me to account rather than allowing plans to slide. Coaching has given me a new, more positive perspective on my abilities and potential as well as definite plans and tips and strategies for moving ahead. It’s energising and goal-based while remaining fun.

Cherry is a fantastic person to have on your side. She combines a very supportive style with the expertise and energy to achieve results. I can't imagine a better choice for making career changes; I'd definitely recommend her to anyone in the same situation as myself."
MC, London

"Coaching with Cherry has given me exactly what I needed – the assistance to decide on a direction and the 'push' to make it a reality.

If you are at a point where you are ready to make a change, career coaching will help you move from just thinking and dreaming about it, to making it happen. My 'one day' is a lot closer thanks to working with Cherry".
LK, Australia

"I really enjoyed my coaching sessions with Cherry. I found her easy to talk to, understanding of my situation, and also challenging at times, helping me think outside my comfort zone which has helped me move forwards. It was helpful being able to say absolutely anything I was thinking even if it sounded silly or didn't make sense. I enjoyed being able to talk through things. It really helped me get clear on where I was at and on some of the options open to me. Thanks."
LP, Australia

"Having achieved the first major career goal which I set with Cherry, I went back to her after 3 years in order to reassess where I was and help me through a few minor blocks.

Working with Cherry has been, yet again, an incredibly valuable process where through her sympathetic questioning and observations, she has helped me identify what I want to achieve in the next few years".
DHP, London

"I had already made the decision to leave finance when I came to see Cherry, but had no clear path or direction in mind of where I wanted to head in photography.

With Cherry's help, I managed to clarify the area of photography I wanted to concentrate on. She has guided me through all the steps of the process, including boosting my confidence to seek out contacts, developing a portfolio of my work and updating my cv. She has also helped me with the early stages of setting up my business from promotion (website/business cards etc) to pricing.

Her patient manner and constant goal setting (both short and long term) always compelled me to challenge myself to do things I would normally have put off or decided against and as I result I feel I have achieved a considerable amount over the last 18 months. I would not hesitate in recommending Cherry to anyone who has a desire to change career."
GW, London

"I came to Cherry because I was frustrated in my job, in a real rut about the situation and I didn't know what to do about it and how to move forward.

Cherry really helped me to understand myself better and what is important to me as a person. She also helped to believe in myself, realise my goals, and made me believe it is possible to make the changes and take the steps to a new career.

Cherry's warm and relaxed manner made me feel very at ease and the sessions were enjoyable. Her expert advice and support was invaluable. I feel very positive and am looking forward to a new chapter in my career."
CC, London

"I went to see Cherry as I was stuck in a complete rut in my current job, and I also kept falling into this same rut each time I got a new job, so I knew it was time to evaluate and completely step back from it to see if I could improve things.

By visiting Cherry it enabled me to really explore ideas and what was really important to me, it also actually helped me not feel so stressed with everything, as sometimes changing direction can feel very overwhelming and 'out of reach'.

Cherry is extremely supportive and inspiring, and I would certainly recommend her to anyone who needs to find their true path. Together we looked at things from a different perspective, and it certainly helped me to believe in myself more.

It is good to have Cherry in my 'contacts' list, and I will have no hesitation in contacting her again, even if it is just for a 'boost' of positive help and advice."
DP, London

"Coaching with Cherry has helped me explore potential career changes and reach informed decisions. As a result of coaching I have widened my job hunting scope/areas and think of my career in terms of short and long term goals, rather than entrenched one way paths. I will now be looking forward - always two jobs ahead - so that I do not get stuck and put up with unhappy working situations.

The most helpful aspect for me was your honest reframing of realistic coaching goals. I found your combined approach of practical and blue sky/ creative approaches useful. I liked your questionnaires and have found myself returning to them and reflecting on the questions. I also found your pragmatic sessions on job applications really useful. I like the way you gently challenged me and highlighted my assumptions, also the free mug of tea was a lovely unexpected bonus!

Cherry's coaching sessions are practical, inspiring and supportive. I highly recommend her services.
RD

"Cherry Douglas changed my life!

Cherry helped me to discover my self-worth, I had been stuck in a job that I hated for a long time, it had started to make me feel depressed, even encroaching on my weekends, every Sunday I would dread the coming Monday, I felt I would never get out of the toxic environment I was in.

Cherry helped me to see the unnecessary corner I had put myself in, she helped me to realise all the avenues I had available to me and just how many great strengths and skills I had and just how employable I was – I had just been focusing on what I thought I couldn't do! After every session I felt elated, which spurred me on to finding a new job.

I was also petrified at the thought of being interviewed! Cherry worked with me on every scenario until I felt confident and ready to answer any question thrown at me.

The result is that I now have a fantastic new job, which I love, I smile on my way to work – I actually woke up a few Sundays ago, feeling sad it wasn't Monday so I could go to work!

I would recommend anyone looking to take the steps for finding a new job to enlist the help of Cherry Douglas; I couldn't have done it without her!

Thank you Cherry!"
CO

"I first worked with Cherry about thirteen years ago when I was choosing a course of further study. I had a couple of options in mind - which would have led to different career paths so it was important that I made the right choice. Cherry offered me invaluable support and sensitively helped me weigh up both options and allowing me to come to my own decision. This decision definitely proved to be the right choice for me.

After I qualified she supported me in applying for jobs by helping me with the application form and providing interview skills training. I turned to her again when I later applied (successfully)for a management role in a new organisation. Cherry has been a tremendous support throughout my career. I feel that by providing regular professional development coaching she has enabled me to develop myself in the job, acquire new skills and gain more confidence in myself and my abilities.

This became particularly invaluable when I was made redundant last year as Cherry's positive and constructive approach helped me see this an opportunity to re-assess my career goals and ambitions. I can now truthfully say that although it was a difficult and challenging situation at the time, I feel that I have gained from this experience and the support that Cherry gave me, and I am happy, confident and fulfilled in my new role.

Overall, I feel that I embarked on a journey with Cherry all those years ago. By working with her she has enabled me to realise a career trajectory which has encompassed different training routes and different jobs. However, my personal and professional development has been a continual focus throughout these changes. I feel that we have created a strong professional relationship, in which Cherry has been able to understand and work with what is important to me in my working life, helping me to establish goals which are right for me. She has sensitively challenged me when appropriate and thus enabled me to develop the courage to make changes when necessary.

Thank you Cherry."
MK

"After 25 years in the Royal Navy and 20 months in my current role, I was ready to conduct this 'working life audit'. It came at the right time and more importantly I was ready mentally for the commitment and the outcome. Being able to talk freely with Cherry was a critical part of getting my mind clear.

Each week we recapped things and then built on them. The sessions were never rushed and the time flew by. There was never any 'clock watching' and I enjoyed her flexibility to allow us to conclude things at a natural break point.

I would recommend Cherry to anyone who is seeking to refresh their thinking about their future life plans."
MF, Hampshire

"I had already done a few aptitude tests when I met Cherry. I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the information and didn't quite know how to put it together. Cherry helped me organize my thoughts by asking pertinent questions and most helpful of all, she brainstormed with me – some ideas resonated and I was able to then go away and build upon those and other ideas I'd never even thought of which also opened up possibilities.

Cherry is a good listener and has some creative ideas. Her relaxed easy manner is very inviting and I felt very comfortable in her presence. Thanks again Cherry for your help."
CvdB