Ask the Coach: An Interview with Career Consultant Larysa Grant

At Careerminds, we make career transitions easier by offering personalized guidance, practical advice, and a supportive hand every step of the way. Our coaches are passionate about helping people move forward, and one of those experts is Larysa Grant, a Senior Career Consultant who has guided hundreds of individuals through their job searches with empathy and expertise.

Larysa’s journey began 20 years ago when she moved from Ukraine to Canada. After working in the finance industry, she joined a staffing agency and earned a degree in Psychology, which helped her transition into career coaching. Her diverse background, deep understanding of the job market, and approachable style make her a trusted resource for clients and participants alike.

In this interview, Larysa tells her story, shares career advice, and reflects on her work at Careerminds and within the broader outplacement industry.

My career began far from coaching. In Ukraine, I worked in top administration roles for eight years at the American Embassy in Kyiv, where I gained exposure to North American culture and worked with people from diverse backgrounds. After moving to Canada in 2005, I continued in administration and banking before deciding to delve deeper into human psychology. This led to a psychology degree from York University and a role at a staffing agency, placing professionals in technology, finance, and administration.

This journey deepened my curiosity about people’s career paths and motivations. Working closely with immigrants, I noticed many were exploring careers they were passionate about for the first time. This inspired me to transition from recruitment to career coaching, where I could support job seekers directly. Today, my work consists of private coaching and collaborating with organizations, which ensures I stay updated on the latest job market trends.

I started working with Careerminds in 2022 and my job entails a mix of coaching, consulting, and emotional support. This work aligns with the Careerminds approach to collaboration with companies during layoffs, assisting professionals with cognitive and practical support.

The process begins with a conversation about what’s next. Some participants want to jump straight into job hunting, while others view this as an opportunity for a career change or even starting a business. After clarifying goals, we work on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and personal branding, ensuring individuals are confident and clear about their value propositions.

From there, we strategize job search approaches, including online applications, networking, and reaching out to decision-makers. We also emphasize finding the right work environment – participants reflect on past experiences to identify where they’ll thrive. This preparation helps them to ask the right questions during interviews, to determine cultural fit and growth opportunities.

We also focus on interview preparation, compensation negotiation, and leveraging tools like AI for company research and interview practice. Our goal is to equip individuals with a comprehensive toolkit to navigate their transitions confidently.

Participants who work with Careerminds will access a robust platform with lessons, webinars, and resources tailored to different learning styles. These cover topics like building confidence, preparing for interviews, and crafting a strong professional brand. Our platform combines text, videos, interactive materials, and links to external resources like podcasts and webinars.

With those resources, participants can balance self-paced learning with coaching sessions to discuss progress and tailor strategies. Also, Careerminds offers access to a global community, enabling participants to connect with others for networking and camaraderie.

It starts with listening. In our first session, participants share their stories, goals, and challenges. This first step helps me understand their unique circumstances and expectations. Some are ready to dive into job hunting, while others need time to process their transitions.

Then, I adapt our sessions based on what they share, providing customized advice and resources. For example, if the individual is hesitant about networking, we might focus on building confidence and developing step-by-step strategies. If someone is unsure about their next career move, we explore their skills, passions, and market opportunities together.

Innovation and global reach are the key Careerminds differentiators. We leverage cutting-edge technology and AI to provide the most personalized and efficient support possible. This is especially valuable for tech-savvy participants, since the Careerminds platform’s flexibility allows clients to learn at their own pace while accessing a wealth of resources.

Careerminds also prides itself on being a global organization. This diversity enriches our approach, enabling us to support professionals from varied industries and cultural backgrounds with the utmost efficiency.

I always look forward to every new participant’s conversation with fascination. I enjoy learning about their professional journeys, impactful projects, and achievements. I feel like we are celebrating the amazing work they have done in their lives.

One memorable case involved a senior manager who faced multiple challenges: a frustrating layoff, family responsibilities, and health issues. He sought a role in the sports industry but struggled to secure opportunities, even though he had an extensive network and did many job applications.

We worked together for months, refining his approach and maintaining his motivation. Eventually, he landed a senior role. The email he sent to share his success radiated relief and joy. Moments like these, when clients overcome obstacles and find the right opportunities, make my work with Careerminds deeply rewarding.

Validation is key. Clients need space to share their experiences and emotions, and I feel privileged to be a trusted confidant. After venting, many naturally shift to problem-solving and action planning.

I guide them through practical steps, showing them the support and resources available. Knowing they’re not alone often provides a sense of calm. We also discuss self-care, encouraging balance to avoid burnout. Sometimes, I recommend external resources or strategies for additional support.

Companies are increasingly focusing on retention and employee development, offering mentoring, coaching, and growth opportunities. Initiatives like the “50-30 Challenge” in Canada, which aims for gender parity and increased workplace representation and inclusion by 2030, reflect this shift.

Companies are becoming more supportive when engaging outplacement services, providing generous references, and offering temporary contracts to maintain connections with former employees. This shows a commitment to treating employees well, even during difficult transitions.

Think about your reputation. Today’s job seekers research companies thoroughly, and how you handle layoffs impacts your brand. Partnering with an outplacement firm demonstrates care for your employees and protects your company’s image.

Additionally, offering robust support can foster goodwill. Former employees who feel valued are more likely to return if circumstances allow, contributing to a positive cycle of trust and loyalty.

For job seekers: Trust your abilities and focus on what you can control. Networking, personal branding, and persistence are key. Remember, transitions take time, but success is achievable with the right tools and support.

For companies: Prioritize your people. Supporting employees during layoffs isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an investment in your long-term reputation and success. Together, we can make career transitions smoother and more empowering for everyone involved.

Rafael Spuldar

Rafael is a content writer, editor, and strategist with over 20 years of experience working with digital media, marketing agencies, and Tech companies. He started his career as a journalist: his past jobs included some of the world's most renowned media organizations, such as the BBC and Thomson Reuters. After shifting into content marketing, he specialized in B2B content, mainly in the Tech and SaaS industries. In this field, Rafael could leverage his previously acquired skills (as an interviewer, fact-checker, and copy editor) to create compelling, valuable, and performing content pieces for various companies. Rafael is into cinema, music, literature, food, wine, and sports (mainly soccer, tennis, and NBA).