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  • About
  • Coaching
    • Life coaching
    • Business Coaching
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Half-day coaching intensive
  • Workshops
    • Compassionate Conversations
    • Write Your Life Stories Workshops
    • The Confidence Course
    • Free Monday Talk & Meditation
  • Speaking
  • Retreat
  • Resources
    • Kate’s books
  • Blog
  • Contact
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Career Coaching for Women in Melbourne & Across Australia

Kate James is a career coach in Melbourne, Australia. For over 23 years, she has worked with leaders and business owners to improve confidence, find direction, overcome imposter syndrome and discover their unique values and strengths.

Why Work With a Career Coach?

  • Find your career direction
  • Understand how to play to your unique skills and strengths
  • Improve your mindset
  • Overcome imposter syndrome
  • Build your career confidence and self-belief
  • Feel a greater sense of meaning and purpose in your career
  • Discover your unique leadership style
  • Find a side-project to boost your career satisfaction
  • Transition into your own creative or wellness startup
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career-coach-melbourne

How Career Coaching Sessions Work?

Before we begin, you’ll complete some preparatory paperwork to gain clarity about your most important career coaching objectives. We commence with a free introductory phone call and from there, decide the best way forward.

A standard coaching program includes either three or five one-hour sessions with appointments scheduled fortnightly but you’re also welcome to begin with single sessions.

The career coaching program is designed to be a positive, validating and supportive experience. Clients report feeling a greater degree of career confidence, clarity about their direction and a higher degree of self-awareness. The result is improved motivation and focus, more effective communication, better relationships and a greater sense of balance.

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Who Is Career Coaching For?

Kate is based just outside of Melbourne but works with clients from all over Australia who want clarity and confidence in their career.

  • Get unstuck and move beyond uncertainty
  • Start to design your own career
  • Live and work in alignment with your core values
  • Gain clarity about a direction that inspires you
  • Develop your unique leadership style
  • Feel fulfilled and confident in your career

Kate has coached lawyers, creatives, psychologists, bankers, consultants, leaders from NFPs and government. She’ll work with you to help you to move in your chosen direction as well as helping to build your confidence and self-belief.

Career Coaching Packages & Fees

Single session

Begin with a 60-minute appointment, held online via Zoom or in-person on the Mornington Peninsula.

Fee: $275 AUD (includes GST)

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Three session program

3 x 60-minute appointments held online via Zoom or in-person on the Mornington Peninsula.

Fee: $795 AUD (includes GST)

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Five session program

5 x 60-minute appointments held online via Zoom or in-person. Option to pay in instalments.

Fee: $1,250 AUD (includes GST)

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What Clients Say About Career Coaching In Melbourne

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

‘Hi Kate, it’s a while now since I’ve seen you, so I hope you remember me. I came to see you in the first half of 2005, when I was working at a big corporate law firm and trying to work out what to do with my life – primarily in a career sense, but, of course, that led to all sorts of other questions. As you may remember, with your encouragement I eventually applied for a different role which fit much better with my personal goals and values.

I was so ready to change directions, but I just couldn’t find a way to do it without that support. And the conversations that we had and the resources you gave me – the questions about values and the books you referred me to – were so helpful then and are still helpful now. I really value the experience of working with you, it has made me appreciate the choices I have so much more and realise that whenever I feel like I’m not where I want to be, I can do something to change it.’

Grace, Queensland

Grace, Queensland

‘My thanks to you for your career coaching guidance and direction over the past six weeks. You have provided me with the focus and tools to think deeply and broadly about where I am at and what I want to be and given me insights that have shone a light on what I need to do and how to go about it. It has been a truly rewarding learning experience.’

Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

‘I’m a lawyer and I approached Kate for career coaching to seek direction about my future practice. Kate was fantastic. Together we worked through the ideas and workshopped the different career options available. From our discussion, I decided to start my own law firm which was something I previously had not fully considered. I have not looked back. Through this process, Kate offered advice and assistance from the preparation of the business plan and projected earnings to advising on the branding of the business. Without her assistance, I would not have achieved what I did in such a short space of time. Highly recommended.’

Leader, Sydney

Leader, Sydney

‘When I began career coaching sessions with Kate, I was at a very low point in both my personal and professional life. Kate’s thoughtful guidance has proved to be a turning point. She created an environment of complete trust that allowed me to provide information that was at the heart of the matter. In response, Kate was both kind and firm, as required. Her personal follow-ups created a clear set of practical action items, without losing sight of longer-term life goals. I have now emerged from my darkness, and Kate’s advice continues to guide me toward a more positive future. I strongly recommend Kate James to join your own personal team.’

Executive, Melbourne

Executive, Melbourne

‘I can’t recommend the coaching sessions with Kate James highly enough.  I was very sceptical about them before starting – imagining they would be full of corporate psychology jargon.  But in fact, I gained far more from them than I ever imagined, on both a personal and professional level.  The career coaching sessions are interactive, conducted in a warm and positive manner that encourages honesty and self-reflection, and are extremely practical in focus.  Their great strength is that they focus on your whole life and the way you live it, not just on your role as a manager.  I’ve learned a great deal both in terms of how I lead my life and how I perform in management, the one informing the other.  This holistic, down-to-earth approach has been the most helpful and realistic career counselling I’ve ever had.’

About Kate James – Accredited Career Coach

Kate is a career coach based just outside of Melbourne. She is passionate about helping her clients to find meaningful careers. In her early-30’s she went through a time of career uncertainty and a lack of clarity about her direction. The turning point for her was learning about her personal values and strengths.

These days, Kate works from home on a small acreage on the Mornington Peninsula that she shares with her partner of 40 years. She is a mother and grandmother, who spends her spare time walking in nature, paddleboarding, gardening, cooking and reading.

Kate has worked as a career and business coach for over 23 years. She has a PCC level coaching accreditation from International Coach Academy and was one of the first coaches in Australia to achieve a PCC accreditation with International Coach Federation.

life-coaching-kate-james

Frequently Asked Questions About Career Coaching

What is the difference between a career coach and career counsellor?

Career coaching is similar to career counselling in that you’ll be supported to find a career that you love. Kate’s coaching sessions offer the opportunity to explore your strengths, your values and consider what you want from the whole of your life so you can choose a role that will feel meaningful to you.

Career counselling sessions typically also include psychometric testing, resume writing and interview coaching too. We offer low-cost strengths testing and we’re very happy to review your resume and support you with interview coaching too.

How is Kate different from other Melbourne career coaches?

Kate’s career coaching clients in Melbourne describe her as supportive, compassionate and creative. While Kate is results-driven and she’ll help you work on your goals, her approach is to support you to do things in your own way, rather than push you in any given direction. Her clients describe her as kind, motivating, an excellent listener and someone with a great sense of professional integrity.

I'm not sure of the best career path for me. Can you suggest the best role?

People often come to coaching when they’re unclear about direction so I regularly work with clients to support them to find the right role. More often than not, I’ll be helping you to find your own answers rather than specifically advising you about which role you should take.

Do you offer specific leadership coaching?

I do. I work with leaders who want to build self-awareness, overcome imposter syndrome and build their confidence. Learn more about my leadership coaching here.

I’m not that interested in mindfulness. Does that mean you’re the wrong career coach for me?

Not at all. Not everyone we see is interested in mindfulness but it still influences our approach to working with you. Being mindful is really just another way of saying being present, curious, self-aware and non-judgmental. If those qualities appeal, you’ll enjoy working with us. We are not at all dogmatic in our approach and we’re respectful that it might not be everyone’s thing.

How do I know if Kate is the best career coach for me?

Kate’s clients describe her as being down-to-earth, kind and supportive. She’ll work with you to help you find your own answers and her coaching packages are flexible so you won’t be locked into a long-term commitment. In fact, many clients find that they have clarity about the way forward after just a couple of sessions.

With over 23 years experience, Kate works with clients online from all over Australia and offers in-person career coaching appointments for clients in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. She has coached lawyers, creatives, psychologists, bankers, consultants, technology professionals and leaders from all walks of life. She’ll work with you to help you to move in your chosen direction as well as helping to build your confidence and self-belief.

Have a career coaching question?

If there’s something we haven’t answered, please reach out. We would love to hear from you.

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I’ve been thinking a lot about boundaries lately, mostly after chatting with my wise and insightful daughter, Meg and my wonderful colleague, Catherine. Both of these women know all about setting healthy boundaries. I still find it difficult at times, even though I'm aware how deeply this affects the way that I feel.Healthy boundaries aren’t walls that keep people out. They’re more like an inner framework that helps us stay true to ourselves while staying open to others.When our boundaries are clear and flexible, we can be giving and loving, and we can listen without feeling drained or resentful. When they’re blurred, we can feel overextended, irritable, and even anxious, not because others are asking too much of us, but because we’re not honouring our own limits and needs.If you’re wondering whether your boundaries are healthy, reflect on these questions this week. If you find yourself answering 'yes' to several, consider where you can be a little more true to yourself.✨ Do I say yes when I really mean no?✨ Do I feel guilty when I take time for myself?✨ Do I often feel responsible for other people’s feelings?✨ Do I worry about expressing my own needs and preferences?✨ After spending time with certain people, do I feel somewhat depleted?Healthy boundaries come from a place of self-respect. They’re not about shutting the world out, but about creating the conditions where connection feels safe, sustainable and uplifting.Like anything, our boundaries need care and attention. They can shift as we grow and change. They can strengthen as our self-respect deepens.Working on your boundaries isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about noticing when you feel out of balance, pausing to listen, and making small, honest adjustments that bring you back into alignment. 💛#leadershipgrowth #healthyboundaries #womeninleadership #personaldevelopment #emotionalintelligence #mindfulleadership #selfawareness #confidentleaders
Yesterday I stumbled across some photos from the launch of my first book, Believe in Yourself & Do What You Love, held just over a decade ago. I’d forgotten how magical it was – the celebration of a lifelong dream to become a published author.It got me thinking about how so many of us, introverts in particular, rarely reflect on our best moments. The strength of humility is wonderful, but we can overuse it at times.As I flicked through the photos I remembered the joy of that night and how meaningful it was to share it with so many of my favourite people.So here’s an invitation for you this week. Scroll through old photos, glance back at your CV or spend some time reflecting and see if you can recall a moment you feel genuinely proud of (it doesn't need to be a big thing). And then, rather than keeping it private, share it with someone you trust. Let them know how it felt and allow yourself to re-celebrate. If it feels right, you might even share it more widely – perhaps in a post of your own.A big thank you to everyone who joined me on that fabulous night including my beautiful Meg, @ramaekerskaren, @enaproducts, @thewellbeingcorner, @lbeavan, @sarah.rudledge, @denu_australia, @lizzycphoto, @thegaleriefitzroy and many others I don't have photos of including @naids, @mindfulinmay, @ofkin, @christinaredlich, @louise_weigall, @linda.salo, @simbeever, @theholisticingredient, @corporatechillout, and anyone else I have missed. Special thanks to the gorgeous Sarah from @babylonflowers for making the tables look so stunning and to Emma Murray for the great photos. 🌸#reflection #celebrateyourself #introvertstrengths #joyfulmoments #selfkindness #confidencecoach #womenwhowrite #lifecoachmelbourne #believeinyourself
I’ve been exploring the theme of ‘not good enough’ for a while now, and the more I research, the more I see how deeply it touches every aspect of our lives. It doesn’t just shape the way we see ourselves – it influences our career, health, relationships, friendships, even the way we handle money.I’ll share more on my latest findings in next week’s article but for now, I want to leave you with this beautiful reminder from Hafiz.If you’re doubting yourself, comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you’re falling short in some way, keep these words close this week and remind yourself that you are valuable, loveable, and entirely unique – not because of what you have, how you look or what you achieve, but simply for being yourself. ✨#selfworth #selfkindness #innerlight #confidencecoach #healingjourney #mindsetmatters #notgoodenough #selfacceptance #gentlegrowth #personaldevelopment
I've had so many lovely responses to my recent articles about the four patterns of not feeling good enough and the signs of overfunctioning. It seems that this one is a common pattern for many of us.This week, I've written about why we overfunction and why it can be difficult to change –even when we know we're doing it. These behaviours often feel hard-wired into our being.If this sounds familiar, you might like to read my latest piece (links to all three articles are in my bio). I share the hidden pay-offs and the costs we often overlook, along with journal prompts to help you explore how and why overfunctioning might be showing up in your life.Over the coming weeks, I’ll write about how to transform overfunctioning, as well as exploring the other patterns of avoidance, procrastination and people-pleasing.#overfunctioning #selfdoubt #confidenceforwomen #notgoodenough #journalling #personaldevelopment #womenandwork
Just over a month ago, Chris and I had to move out of our house while it was being repaired from flood damage, so we decided to take a little road trip. We drove across to Mallacoota, up the south coast of NSW, across to Canberra, and back down through the mountains.Usually, in the middle of winter, if we were planning a trip we’d head somewhere warm. This time, we chose the opposite and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful holidays we’ve had.I think it helped that we stopped in so many places where we could immerse ourselves in nature, but I’m also aware that we expected very little. It was a simple trip with lots of home cooking, slow days, and finding delight in small things. When the days were sunny, we were grateful; when it turned cold, we were ready for it.It has me reflecting on how good it feels to do things differently, to challenge the ways we get set in our thinking. Because we loved this trip so much, I came home planning to repeat the same route next year. Then I realised I was missing the point – what made it special wasn’t the path we took, but all the things that were so unexpected.Sometimes real magic unfolds when we change our habits, let go of expectations, and allow ourselves to be a little more adventurous.An invitation for this week: where could you be more curious or open, or let go of one of your usual patterns? ✨📷 @chrisjamesphotos#innercalm #quietconfidence #mindfulleadership #wellbeingjourney #authenticliving #gentlewisdom #selfacceptance #findingpeace #womenempowerment #innerstrength #emotionalwellbeing
“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.” Pico IyerWise and beautiful words from one of my favourite writers.Even in the midst of a busy week, maybe this could be your focus? ✨#slowliving #mindfulmoments #simplewisdom #beingpresent #quietmind #innercalm #thoughtfulquotes #picoiyer #intentionaldays #findingstillness
Last week I wrote a new article in my 'hidden patterns of not feeling good enough' series, this time focusing on five signs you could be overfunctioning. The list could have included many more but these are a few that you might relate to.1. You feel responsible for everythingYou’re the first to notice what needs doing and the first to step in – at work, at home, and in your relationships. This constant responsibility can come from a fear that things will fall apart if you’re not in control.2. You stay busy to avoid feelingsYou fill every spare moment with tasks, even on your days off. Often, this relentless busyness masks uncomfortable feelings that arise when you slow down.3. You always put others firstYou go the extra mile for everyone else, often at the expense of your own needs. Over time, this shifts from kindness to self-abandonment.4. You feel resentful and guiltyYou give endlessly yet feel unseen or unappreciated. Resentment builds, followed quickly by guilt which is a sign that your boundaries may be out of balance.5. You feel anxious when things are out of controlYou plan ahead, double-check details, and rarely drop the ball. But uncertainty makes you uneasy, often triggering a deeper fear of not being enough.Overfunctioning can feel like the only way to keep life running smoothly, but it often comes at the cost of your wellbeing. It keeps you stuck in a cycle of stress and burnout, leaving little space for your own needs or joy. When you start doing less, you create room to breathe, to think clearly, and to feel more connected – both to yourself and the people around you. Small changes can open the door to a calmer, more balanced way of living.I've included a link to the article in my bio if you're keen to read more (and start changing).#overfunctioning #burnoutrecovery #boundariesmatter #emotionalwellbeing #womenandwork #calmoverchaos #mindfulboundaries #stressrecovery #selfworth #peoplepleasing #busymind #highachiever #mentalwellbeing #selfkindness #calmliving #stressmanagementtips #womenover40 #perfectionismrecovery #confidencecoach #coachingforwomen
A few weeks ago, I shared a post about the hidden patterns that show up when we don’t feel good enough. Then last week, I wrote about how exploring our life stories can help us understand ourselves better and give our lives greater meaning.Quite by accident, I’ve just come across a piece of research that brings these two threads together and confirms something I’ve felt for a long time: writing our stories can be transformative.Each of us carries an inner narrative that explains who we are and what’s possible for us. But sometimes that story is skewed or outdated – especially when it tells you you’re not good enough.Rewriting your story isn’t about fixing or changing yourself. It’s about seeing yourself more clearly and holding your experience with greater truth, clarity and compassion.While working on a writing exercise for my Life Stories facilitator training, I stumbled across this old photo of my family. I was around seven years-old and we’d just moved back to Sydney. I was at a new school and hadn’t yet made friends. It was a pretty lonely time in many ways, but after writing, I came to see it very differently. It was when I learned to love spending long hours on my own. Immersing myself in novels, playing alone at the local playground, and learning to love the stillness of nature.Finding that photo helped me see that chapter of my life very differently. Not so much as a time of aloneness but rather, a time of discovery.That’s the power of writing our stories: it gives us the chance to look again and sometimes, to see ourselves and our lives in a completely different light.I've included a link to last week's article about some of the benefits of story writing in my bio. Have a read and try the tips I suggest to help you start writing your stories. ✨#narrativeself #writingtowellbeing #selfworth #womenwhocoach #confidencecoach #lifecoachmelbourne #mindfulleadership
This week I’m sharing an excerpt from a wonderful poem by Andrea Gibson, titled ‘The Lifegiving Benefits of Befriending Our Mortality’.It’s a beautiful reminder to live more in the present moment. You’ll find the full piece on Andrea’s Substack (I’ve included a link below). ✨“But I did not meet this life until I met its brevity. Did not meet my voice until I knew every word could be my last. I did not know what prayer was until I started praying for what I already have. but this is what I know for certain–warming up to the idea of a promised tomorrow is the surest way to give today the cold shoulder. I whisper the words my therapist said years ago, The only thing we have control over in this life is where we put our attention.”Read the full piece here: https://open.substack.com/pub/andreagibson/p/benefits-of-befriending-our-mortality?r=2dpij&utm_medium=ios#livinginthemoment #mindfulliving #gratitude #slowdownandbreathe #hereandnow #groundedinpresence
© Kate James 2025

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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands we live and work on, the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

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