Questions About Coaching with John Carnes
You don’t need to know exactly what you need before we talk. These answers may help you take the next step.
Getting started
Explore whether coaching fits, what we can work on, and how to begin. Q: How do I know if we would work well together? A: Are you curious about what success could look like for you? Are you willing to look honestly at where you are and take action? Those are good places to begin. I enjoy working with people who want to explore, question assumptions, and put what they learn into practice. Our first conversation gives us both a chance to see whether working together feels right. Q: What can we work on? A: Whatever matters enough to you to want to change it. That might be a career transition, a leadership challenge, a difficult decision, or a sense that the life you’re living no longer fits what you want. You don’t need to choose a coaching category. We’ll begin with your situation and decide where to focus. Q: Do I need a clear goal before reaching out? A: No. Sometimes the first useful step is figuring out what you actually want. You may know what isn’t working without knowing what comes next. We can explore that together, separate your priorities from other people’s expectations, and identify a place to start. Q: How do I get started? A: Send me a few sentences about what’s on your mind and what you’d like to explore. I’ll read your message and get back to you. You don’t need a polished explanation. Your curiosity is enough to start the conversation.
Career support and ongoing coaching
Explore focused career help and what an ongoing coaching relationship involves. Q: Can you help with my résumé, interviews, or a career change? A: Yes. We can work directly on your résumé, cover letters, interview preparation, or how you explain your experience and strengths. Sometimes focused, practical help is what you need. Other times, a career question opens a larger conversation about purpose, priorities, and the kind of work you want in your life. We’ll focus on what is useful to you. Q: What does an ongoing coaching relationship look like? A: We start with what matters to you and turn that into actions you can take. Along the way, we examine what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what needs to change. I bring questions, perspective, encouragement, and accountability. You bring your experience, curiosity, and willingness to act. Together, we agree on a rhythm and revisit it as your needs evolve.
Fees, accessibility, and availability
Learn about fees, donation-based availability, and the size of my practice. Q: Do I need to purchase a coaching package? A: No package selection is needed to start a conversation. We’ll discuss your needs first, then agree on the scope, frequency, and fee before you decide whether to move forward. The arrangement should serve the work we’re doing together. Q: How much does coaching cost? A: The fee depends on the support and arrangement we agree on. We’ll discuss it clearly before you commit. You’re welcome to ask about cost in your first message. It should be part of an open conversation. Q: Do you offer donation-based coaching? A: I’m developing a donation-based portion of my practice alongside paid coaching. I believe access to mentorship should not depend entirely on someone’s ability to pay. Availability will depend on my capacity and whether I can offer useful support. If affordability is a concern, please mention it so we can discuss what may be possible. Q: How many people do you work with? A: I keep my ongoing coaching practice to no more than ten clients at a time so I can give each relationship the attention it deserves. Availability changes. If you’re interested, reach out and we can discuss whether there’s room and whether we’re a good fit.