Career Coach: How to Choose the Right One (Especially as a Defence Partner)

“How do I know if I’m choosing the right career coach… or just settling again?”

It’s one of the most common questions I get.

And honestly? It’s a good one.

Because not all career coaching is created equal…
And if you’re a Defence partner, the stakes feel even higher.

You’re not just looking for “a job.”
You’re trying to build something that fits around postings, family, and a life that doesn’t stay in one place.

Whether you’re posted to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide or anywhere in between, finding a career coach who understands Defence life can feel exhausting.

So let’s talk about how to actually choose the right career coach, not just the first one that pops up on Google.

First… let’s be honest about what’s really going on

If you’re here, chances are it’s not because you lack skills.

It’s usually because:

• Your career has had to bend around Defence life

• You’ve had to start again more times than you’d like

• You’ve taken roles that “fit at the time” but didn’t really feel like you

• You’re capable of more… but not sure how to move forward

And over time, that can chip away at your confidence.

You start questioning yourself.
The career aspirations you once had? They start to feel harder to hold onto.

You start wondering:

“Is this just how it is for me?”

Let me be really clear on this.

It’s not.

Why choosing the right career coach matters (more than you think)

A lot of people think career coaching is:

👉 “Get a resume done”
👉 “Fix my LinkedIn”
👉 “Help me apply for jobs”
👉 “Only when I need to find a job”
👉 “If I have a job, I should be grateful”

And yes… those things definitely fall under the career coaching banner.

But if that’s all you’re getting?

You’re missing one massive point.

Because, and hear me when I say this… your career isn’t just about a paycheck.

It’s about:

• Your confidence

• Your identity

• Your independence

And when you back yourself in your career, everything shifts.

You walk differently.
You show up differently.
You start making decisions from confidence instead of compromise.

That’s what the right career coaching support should do.

Give you permission to put yourself first… for once.

The problem: most career coaching doesn’t understand Defence life

Here’s where things fall down for a lot of Defence partners across Australia.

Most career coaching out there assumes:

• You’ve stayed in one place

• Your career has been linear

• You haven’t had gaps or pivots

But Defence life?

It’s none of that.

It’s:

• Moving every few years

• Rebuilding networks from scratch

• Explaining your career story over and over again

So if your career coach doesn’t understand that?

You end up feeling like:

👉 “I have to explain everything”
👉 “They don’t quite get it”
👉 “This advice doesn’t actually fit my life”

And that’s where Defence partners start settling.

What to look for in a career coach (especially as a Defence partner)

If you’re going to invest your time, energy (and let’s be real… your $1,500 PEAP funding), you want to make sure you’re choosing well.

Here’s what actually matters:

1. They understand Defence life

Not just in theory.

But in a way that shapes their advice.

They should:

• Understand postings and career disruption

• Know how to position non-linear career paths

• Help you build something flexible and sustainable

2. They focus on YOU — not just your resume

If the entire offer is:

👉 “We’ll write your resume”

That’s a red flag.

Because a resume without clarity? The wheels fall off quickly.

It’s like hitting the road with no destination. Throwing resumes at jobs you’re overqualified for, then getting knocked back again and again.

You want someone who helps you:

• Understand your strengths

• Get clear on direction

• Build confidence in your decisions

• Know how to answer tricky interview questions (like “Why have you moved around so much?”)

3. It’s personalised, not one-size-fits-all

You are not a template. You are not an afterthought.

So your career coaching shouldn’t be either.

Look for:

• One-on-one support

• Tailored strategies

• Someone who actually listens before advising

4. They help you beyond job applications

Applying for jobs is only one part of the process.

A good career coach will help you with:

• Career clarity

• Job search strategy (not just Seek scrolling)

• Networking

• Interview confidence

And be your own personal cheerleader and hype girl along the way, so you know without a doubt you are not alone.

5. They back you (and don’t let you play small)

This one matters more than people realise.

You want someone who:

• Sees your potential

• Calls you forward

• Doesn’t let you settle for “just anything”

Because let’s be honest…

Settling might feel easier in the short term.
But it catches up with you. And it wears you down.

A quick word on PEAP funding (because this matters)

If you’re a Defence partner in Australia, you have access to $1,500 every financial year through PEAP.

And I see this all the time…

People either:

• Don’t use it

• Don’t know about it

• Or use it on something that doesn’t actually move the needle

Or they think it’s “just for a resume.”

It’s not.

The Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) is there to support:

👉 Your growth
👉 Your confidence
👉 Your career direction

And you deserve to use it properly.

This is about putting you and your career back in focus.

This isn’t just about getting a job

This is the part I care about most.

Because when I work with clients across Australia, it’s never just:

👉 “Let’s get you employed”

It’s:

👉 “Let’s get you back in the driver’s seat of your career… and your life”

Because when that shifts?

Everything else follows.

Want help choosing the right coach? Start here 👇

I’ve put together a guide specifically for Defence partners:

“Don’t Settle: $1,500 each year to invest in YOU and your career confidence”  

Inside, I walk you through:

• What PEAP actually is (and how to use it properly)

• The biggest myths holding people back

• What you should expect from career coaching

• A checklist to help you choose the right support

It’s the exact framework I wish more Defence partners had earlier.

👉 Download it here [CLICK HERE]

Or… if you’re ready to talk it through

Sometimes the fastest way to get clarity is just to have a conversation.

If you’re:

• Feeling stuck

• Wondering what your next step looks like

• Navigating another posting or transition

👉 Book a free 15-minute chat

No pressure. No awkward sales pitch.

Just a proper conversation about what you actually want, from someone who has lived the Defence life.

Final Pep Talk from Jo...

You don’t have to keep settling for roles that don’t fit.

You don’t have to keep second-guessing yourself.

And you definitely don’t have to figure this out alone.

Your career matters too.

And it’s allowed to grow with you, wherever Defence life takes you.