In addition to the inner work, Careers by Design offers concrete, highly strategic support in the external job search process. Looking for expert career coaching in Vancouver? At Careers by Design, we specialize in personalized 1-on-1 coaching to help you discover your career fit, build confidence, and land the job that truly matches your goals. Whether you're starting your professional journey or navigating a major career transition, our highly experienced team offers customized support to guide you every step of the way. Rated 4.8 stars on Google and voted Best Employment Coaching Vancouver we provide services like job search coaching, interview preparation, resume writing, and strategic career counselling in Vancouver. Our proven “Connect Head & Heart” approach helps you align your personal values with career goals, so you can truly love your work—and your life. We work with professionals across all industries, from new graduates to executives, helping them identify strengths, gain clarity, and achieve lasting career satisfaction. Get matched with an ICF-certified career coach Vancouver residents trust and start moving forward—faster.. Resume development is approached as a storytelling exercise that emphasizes the client's accomplishments and value rather than simply listing responsibilities. Coaches teach clients how to tailor each application for the role, ensuring alignment with the company's needs and culture. LinkedIn optimization is a major focus, with clients receiving detailed advice on writing compelling summaries, highlighting results-driven achievements, and using keywords to improve visibility. The platform is positioned not just as a digital resume but as a tool for networking, branding, and opportunity discovery. Careers by Design's Vancouver Career Coaches coaching services go far beyond surface-level advice and basic resume editing; they provide a deeply immersive, individualized experience that helps clients transform not only their careers but their outlook on work and life. The process begins with a no-pressure introductory consultation, where clients are encouraged to open up about their professional history, current dissatisfaction, dreams, and any emotional roadblocks they may be facing. This initial conversation is key because it helps both the coach and the client understand the full scope of the situation-whether the client is feeling stuck in a role that no longer serves them, burned out from years of stress, or uncertain about which direction to pursue next. Many clients come in with feelings of anxiety, confusion, or even shame about their career path, and this first call offers a safe space to unpack those emotions while beginning to envision what a healthier, more fulfilling future might look like.. Clients are coached on how to conduct informational interviews, engage in meaningful online conversations, and reach out to decision-makers with authenticity and confidence.
The company's founder, Shirin Khamisa, plays an active role in shaping the values and direction of the coaching practice. Her vision is grounded in the belief that work should not be a source of stress or compromise but rather a platform for self-expression, growth, and purpose. This philosophy permeates the coaching experience, creating a space where clients feel genuinely heard and supported-not judged or pushed into cookie-cutter career paths. Shirin and her team strive to empower clients to become the architects of their own careers, equipped with both the external tools and internal resilience needed to thrive.
The coaching journey begins with a free initial consultation, which allows prospective clients to share their challenges, aspirations, and concerns in a no-pressure environment. This session is not just a sales pitch; it's designed to establish a genuine connection between the coach and client, ensuring that the process is tailored to each person's unique circumstances. The consultation also allows the coach to assess which specific tools, strategies, and emotional support systems might be most effective for the client. Once the coaching engagement begins, clients participate in structured sessions that are scheduled according to their availability, with the flexibility of virtual meetings that accommodate professionals across Vancouver and other regions.
What makes their approach distinctive is the integration of the “Connect Head & Heart” methodology. This proprietary model encourages clients to align rational planning with emotional clarity, helping them make career decisions that are both smart and soul-satisfying. Tools from HeartMath and conversational intelligence coaching techniques are often incorporated to reduce stress, build resilience, and boost positivity.
Rated 5 Stars on Google – Careers by Design has exceptional client satisfaction and is highly rated online.
Expert Career Coaching in Vancouver – They specialize in personalized 1-on-1 coaching to help clients find the right career path.
Free Initial Consultation – Potential clients can book a free chat to explore services and ask questions.
Career Transition Support – Guidance is available for those making a change in their career direction.
Job Search Coaching – Coaches provide step-by-step support to overcome job search challenges
Resume Writing & Interview Coaching – Services include resume creation, cover letter development, and LinkedIn optimization, along with interview preparation.
Support Across All Career Stages – From new graduates to seasoned executives, the services are tailored for all professionals.
Award-Winning Services – Voted Best Career Coach in Vancouver and Canada; recipient of the 2024 Best of Canada Career Coach Awards.
Client Success Stories – Numerous testimonials show measurable outcomes like new job placements and increased confidence.
Connect Head & Heart Approach – A unique coaching model combining emotional intelligence and practical strategy to drive results.
Certified Career Coaches – The team includes ICF-certified professionals with 20–25+ years of experience.
Customized Career Plans – Each client receives a tailored plan based on their personal strengths, values, and aspirations.
Inclusive of All Industries – The service caters to professionals from healthcare, tech, education, business, and more.
Video Interviews with Coaches – Potential clients can get to know the coaches via video to build trust and transparency.
Emphasis on Mental Wellbeing – Tools like HeartMath are used to reduce stress and enhance focus during job searches.
Proven Results Over 20 Years – Over two decades of helping professionals in Vancouver succeed in meaningful careers.
Highly Rated Testimonials – Success stories from professionals in various roles including urban policy, quality direction, design, coaching, and operations.
Practical Tools & Strategies – The coaching programs are results-focused, offering actionable steps and resources.
Downloadable Career Guide – A free guide titled “5 Steps to More Happy Mondays” is available to help people start transforming their careers.
Holistic & Research-Based Approach – Combines psychology, assessments like MBTI, and modern counselling methods for effective career development.
Once the coaching relationship is formalized, clients embark on a tailored journey that may involve 1-on-1 virtual coaching sessions, self-assessment exercises, emotional intelligence tools, and guided reflection. The sessions are highly structured but flexible in content, allowing coaches to respond to the client's evolving needs. For instance, a client who initially seeks help navigating a career change might later discover that their deeper need lies in healing from a toxic workplace experience, regaining self-worth, and learning to advocate for themselves. In such cases, coaches are trained to hold space for emotional healing while maintaining momentum toward professional advancement. This blend of emotional safety and strategic focus is a hallmark of Careers by Design's approach.
Mock interview preparation is another vital service, designed to help clients refine their narratives, respond effectively to behavioral questions, and present themselves as top candidates. Coaches simulate real interview scenarios, provide feedback on tone, pacing, and word choice, and help clients develop concise, impactful stories that demonstrate results and leadership. For those in transition or re-entering the workforce after a break, there is special emphasis on addressing gaps, overcoming ageism, and rebuilding professional confidence. Entrepreneurs receive coaching on business vision, time management, branding, and client acquisition strategies. Each path is treated as equally valid and deserving of strategic attention, and clients are reminded that their career goals are personal and do not need to follow traditional timelines or definitions of success.
In summary, Careers by Design offers far more than basic career advice-it provides a life-changing experience rooted in empathy, strategy, and self-discovery. Clients leave the program with a clear vision of where they want to go and a practical, step-by-step plan to get there. They gain not just career tools, but a renewed sense of self-belief, purpose, and direction. With its strong record of success, highly trained coaching team, and emotionally intelligent framework, Careers by Design stands as one of Vancouver's most trusted and transformative career coaching services.
The founder, Shirin Khamisa, has instilled a human-centered vision into every aspect of the business. Her belief that work should nourish the soul, not deplete it, shapes the coaching process from beginning to end. She and her team are committed to helping clients experience meaningful transformation, not just transactional progress. This philosophy is reflected in the level of care and attention given to each client's story. Whether someone is stepping into the workforce for the first time, recovering from a layoff, facing burnout, or exploring an entirely new industry, Careers by Design offers a supportive, empowering, and practical path forward-one that enables clients to reclaim their agency, reignite their passion, and step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
Notably, Careers by Design has been consistently recognized for excellence, having been voted Best Career Coach in Vancouver and Canada, and receiving the 2024 Best of Canada Career Coach Award. Testimonials from clients highlight the deep, lasting impact of the coaching experience, with many describing significant transformations in their professional identity, confidence, and ability to secure new opportunities. Former clients have transitioned into roles in top firms, pivoted into new industries, or found renewed satisfaction in their current roles thanks to the clarity and tools provided by their coaches.
In addition to individual coaching sessions, the program provides tools and templates for job search strategies, LinkedIn optimization, and modern resume formatting. These materials are constantly updated to reflect shifts in hiring practices and employer expectations. The coaches, all of whom bring extensive industry experience, are available for real-time advice on adapting strategies to specific job postings or professional fields. For example, a coach working with a tech-sector client may provide insights on how to structure a portfolio and tailor language for hiring managers in that space, while another coach may assist a healthcare professional in transitioning into a leadership role with an emphasis on team-building and empathy-driven management.
Emotional resilience is a cornerstone of the coaching methodology. Careers by Design is one of the few coaching services in Canada that incorporates HeartMath technology into their programs, which uses heart-rate variability biofeedback to train clients in emotional self-regulation. These tools help clients learn how to calm their nervous systems, recover from stress quickly, and make clear, empowered decisions. This becomes especially useful in high-pressure scenarios like job interviews, public speaking, negotiating promotions, or dealing with workplace conflict. Clients learn to recognize their emotional triggers, use breathing techniques to regain composure, and shift from reactive to proactive responses. This emotional mastery often becomes a foundational skill that not only enhances career outcomes but improves relationships, health, and overall well-being.
This transformative experience is rooted in founder Shirin Khamisa's belief that meaningful work is a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Her vision shapes every aspect of the business-from the careful hiring of coaches to the design of client programs-and it is grounded in the idea that career change must be approached as both a strategic process and a healing journey. Clients are not treated as broken or in need of fixing; instead, they are empowered to reclaim their confidence, trust their intuition, and align their external goals with their internal truth. Through Careers by Design, people learn how to navigate their professional lives with more purpose, clarity, and joy.
Each coaching plan is uniquely customized, drawing from a wide variety of evidence-based methods, including HeartMath techniques to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation, personality assessments to highlight strengths and preferences, and goal-setting frameworks that break down long-term ambitions into manageable actions. This holistic approach acknowledges that career growth is not a linear process. For example, a mid-career professional facing burnout might need to reconnect with a sense of purpose before exploring external job opportunities. Similarly, someone entering the workforce might benefit from deep guidance around confidence building and identifying work environments that align with their personality and aspirations.
Clients are encouraged to start their journey by booking a free consultation, where they can ask questions, learn about coaching options, and be matched with a coach who suits their specific needs and goals. The Careers by Design team is committed to creating more "Happy Mondays" for working professionals by helping them discover careers that energize and fulfill them.
It typically starts with an assessment, goal setting, and guided coaching sessions. The process is holistic, supportive, and results-driven.
They provide executive branding, customized resumes, LinkedIn profile writing, and career story development tailored to your industry and role.
They provide one-on-one career counselling, resume writing, job search support, interview coaching, leadership development, and emotional well-being support during career transitions.