Career Counselling Hamilton | Expert Career Coaching & Counselling
Navigate Hamilton’s healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors with clarity. ICF-certified coaches with 20+ years helping Hamilton professionals find work that fits.
- Find a career that fits Hamilton’s market — precisely.
- Land the job you really want — with confidence.
- One-on-one coaching with ICF-certified coaches.
- Coaching via Practice Better — secure telehealth, scheduled around your day.
“Linda guided me through the process of redefining my career path with clarity and calm. I landed the first job I interviewed for after working with her.”
“This service was a great help — and I landed a great new job within 4 weeks. The coaching gave me the focus and confidence I needed to move quickly.”
Hamilton professionals deserve more than generic career advice
“Hamilton has always punched above its weight — in healthcare with HHS and St. Joseph’s, in research through McMaster, and in a manufacturing sector that is reinventing itself. The professionals we work with here need a coach who understands those specific environments, not just generic career advice.”
Our coaches have direct experience with Hamilton’s dominant industries — healthcare, education, steel and manufacturing, and a growing tech sector anchored by McMaster Innovation Park. We understand the employers, the career paths, and the culture.
Every client gets a structured, personalized plan — not a worksheet or a pep talk. We work through your specific situation and build a realistic step-by-step path forward with you.
All sessions run through Practice Better, our secure telehealth platform. You can work with us from home, the office, or anywhere — without a commute or scheduling friction.
Coaches who know your field
Founder of Careers by Design and a certified career professional with 20+ years of experience. Shirin built this practice on the belief that everyone deserves a career that fits. She brings depth, warmth, and strategic clarity to every client engagement.
Linda is a Licensed Professional Counsellor with a deep background in career development and counselling psychology. Her approach is precise and evidence-based, and clients consistently credit her with helping them land roles that truly fit their strengths and goals.
Jen is a Registered Psychotherapist regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which means her sessions may be covered by Ontario extended health plans — including those at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s, McMaster University, and other major Hamilton employers. She holds a doctorate and brings both clinical depth and practical career expertise.
Career counselling that may be covered by your benefits
Our coach Jen Davies is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Many Ontario extended health plans and EAP programs cover RP services — which means your sessions with Jen may qualify for reimbursement.
This is particularly relevant for Hamilton professionals employed at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, McMaster University, Mohawk College, and other large employers whose group plans include mental health coverage. Common providers include:
Coverage varies by plan and employer. Ask your benefits provider or HR department whether “Registered Psychotherapist (RP)” services are covered under your mental health or counselling benefit.
If your Hamilton employer has an Employee Assistance Program, career counselling sessions may be included — especially when delivered by a regulated health professional like an RP.
All sessions are conducted through Practice Better, our secure telehealth platform. Session documentation is available to support benefits claims where applicable.
Not every plan covers coaching — and that’s fine. We work with clients on a self-pay basis too. A free 20-minute discovery call is the best way to explore options.
We know the sectors that drive Hamilton
Hamilton’s economy is anchored by one of Canada’s largest hospital networks, a major research university, and an industrial base that is actively reinventing itself. Our coaches understand these industries from the inside — the employers, the career paths, and the moves professionals make within them.
Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s & McMaster Medical
Hamilton Health Sciences is one of the largest hospital systems in Canada with over 15,000 employees across six sites, including Juravinski, McMaster Children’s, and Henderson hospitals. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton employs a further 7,000 staff. McMaster University’s medical school and health sciences programs anchor a significant research ecosystem. We help nurses, clinicians, allied health professionals, researchers, and healthcare administrators navigate advancement, sector transitions, and leadership moves within this ecosystem.
McMaster University, Mohawk College & Hamilton-Wentworth DSB
McMaster University is Hamilton’s flagship institution with over 32,000 students and significant research output including DeGroote School of Business and internationally recognized health sciences programs. Mohawk College serves more than 35,000 learners annually. The Hamilton-Wentworth District and Catholic school boards together employ thousands of educators and staff. We work with faculty, administrative staff, and education professionals at all career stages.
Stelco, ArcelorMittal, McMaster Innovation Park & Hamilton’s Tech Sector
Hamilton’s steel heritage continues with Stelco and Cleveland-Cliffs (formerly ArcelorMittal Dofasco) — both significant employers. At the same time, McMaster Innovation Park has seeded a growing tech and life sciences cluster. The City of Hamilton and surrounding region also host manufacturing in food processing, automotive components, and logistics. Our coaches help professionals in all these sectors navigate transitions, advancement, and reinvention.
TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, and First Ontario Credit Union employ significant numbers of Hamilton professionals whose career needs are often underserved.
Hamilton’s thriving arts scene — from James Street North galleries to the Hamilton Philharmonic — and its active non-profit sector create real career transition needs.
Thousands of graduates enter Hamilton’s job market each year and need real career guidance — not just a resume template — to land roles that match their goals.
The City of Hamilton is one of the region’s largest employers. Career moves within and out of the public sector require a specific strategic approach we understand well.
Everything you need to move forward
All programs are delivered one-on-one via Practice Better — our secure telehealth platform — and designed around your specific situation, career stage, and goals.
Clarify what you actually want from your career — not just what looks good on paper. A structured program that gets to the heart of your strengths, values, and direction.
Learn more →A strategic, step-by-step job search program — from positioning and networking to offers and negotiation. Built for Hamilton’s specific market and professional culture.
Learn more →Prepare for the interviews that matter. Practice with real scenarios and get targeted feedback so you walk in confident and walk out with offers.
Learn more →A professionally written resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that gets noticed by Hamilton and Greater Golden Horseshoe employers. Written by experienced career professionals — not templates.
Learn more →Senior-level resumes and executive profiles that communicate your full scope of leadership impact. Tailored for director, VP, and C-suite roles in Hamilton and beyond.
Learn more →Compassionate, practical outplacement support for Hamilton organisations and their departing employees. One-on-one coaching helps professionals land well and move forward with confidence.
Learn more →Three steps to career clarity
Connect with us to share where you are, what you’re looking for, and whether we’re the right fit. There’s no pitch — just a real conversation about your situation and the options available to you.
Book Free ChatYour first session happens on Practice Better — our secure telehealth platform — at a time that fits your schedule. Bring your goals and your challenges. Your coach will listen carefully and build a step-by-step strategy with you.
Continue in one of our structured coaching programs and have an experienced coach guide you every step of the way — from clarity on direction through to landing the right role and thriving in it.
What clients say about working with us
“This service was a great help — and I landed a great new job within 4 weeks. The coaching gave me the focus and confidence I needed to move quickly and decisively.”
Heather Nicholas Clinical Risk & Quality Director“Linda guided me through the process of redefining my career path, helping me step back and assess my needs and priorities with clarity. I landed the first job I interviewed for after working with her.”
“Jen is an exceptional career development practitioner. Her authenticity, determination and heart in anything she undertakes is refreshing.”
“Coaching at Careers by Design helped me achieve the confidence and self-worth I always had but never was able to realize before.”
“Linda guided me in gaining a deeper understanding of myself, which has been instrumental in shaping my career goals. I’ve successfully secured my aspirational role.”
“Participating in the career coaching program at Careers by Design gave me the tools to feel more positive and boosted my confidence so I could take the next steps with clarity.”
Questions about career coaching in Hamilton
What does career counselling in Hamilton actually involve?
Career counselling at Careers by Design is a structured, one-on-one process — not generic advice or templates. Sessions are delivered through Practice Better, our secure telehealth platform, so there’s no commute and scheduling fits around your life. We work with you to clarify direction, identify your strengths, and build a realistic plan for your next move — whether that’s a promotion within Hamilton Health Sciences, a pivot out of manufacturing, or a transition into McMaster’s research ecosystem. The first step is a free 20-minute call to see if we’re the right fit.
Which Hamilton employers and sectors do you have the most experience with?
We work extensively with Hamilton’s largest sectors: healthcare (Hamilton Health Sciences — including Juravinski, McMaster Children’s and Henderson hospitals — and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton), education (McMaster University, Mohawk College, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic DSB), manufacturing and steel (Stelco, Cleveland-Cliffs/ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Linamar, Stryker), and public sector (City of Hamilton). We also work with professionals in the tech and innovation cluster around McMaster Innovation Park, and financial services professionals at TD, RBC, Scotiabank, and First Ontario Credit Union.
How long does a typical coaching program take?
Most clients complete a structured program over 8–12 weeks, with sessions spaced to allow time for reflection, job search activities, and applying what you’ve learned between appointments. Some clients work with us for a focused sprint of 4–6 weeks; others prefer extended support of 3–6 months depending on the complexity of their transition. We’ll discuss the right approach on your free intro call.
Can I use my Ontario benefits or EAP to pay for career coaching?
Quite possibly, yes. Our coach Jen Davies holds an RP designation — Registered Psychotherapist — regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Many Ontario group plans cover RP services under mental health or counselling benefits. Common providers include Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield Canada, Blue Cross Ontario, and Desjardins. EAP programs at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s, McMaster University, and other large Hamilton employers may also include career counselling when delivered by a regulated professional. Check with your HR department or benefits provider before your first session. Self-pay is also always an option.
Book a free 20-minute coaching chat
Not sure where to start? Talk to one of our coaches. This is a real conversation — about where you are, what you’re looking for, and whether we’re the right fit. No pitch, no pressure, no commitment.
Book Free Chat
Careers by Design
Serving Hamilton and the Greater Golden Horseshoe
All coaching is delivered remotely via Practice Better — our secure telehealth platform — so you can work with us from anywhere in Hamilton or the surrounding region without a commute.
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