We’re all guilty of it.
The second we hear, “I’m struggling in my job search,” we flip into fixer mode. Resume? Keywords? Interview prep? Let’s go!
It’s natural—we’re here to help, after all—but in our eagerness to solve problems, we can skip the most powerful step in a coaching conversation: curiosity.
What if your best opportunity to serve your clients, especially job seekers, lied in what wasn’t being said? What if you’re leaving value on the table by jumping into an overly prescriptive approach instead of listening a little more and diagnosing a little less?
Pause the Pitch. Ask the Question.
We’ve all been on the other end of a sales call with a prospective client or in the first session with a new client and felt the urge to show value right out of the gate. We need to feel immediately useful, and since we’ve “seen it before,” we know what works, and we have our tools next to us, ready to weird.
Guess what?
→ Every other career coach or resume writer out there does, too.
Job seekers are bombarded with advice. Free or paid, it’s often conflicting and confusing, so there’s real power – and profit – in slowing down, getting curious, and meeting the human where they need it most.
Getting curious is a differentiator in all walks of life, especially in coaching and career services. When we ask thoughtful questions, we signal, “I actually want to understand you before I give advice.”
That genuine interest converts us from just career professionals to partners in someone’s journey.
The Science Behind Curiosity
If you’re sitting over there thinking, “Where’s pragmatic Angie gone, and what have you done with her,” stay with me. This isn’t as “woo” as it may seem!
A Harvard Business Review study found that when someone feels genuinely listened to, their brain releases oxytocin—the same chemical that fosters trust and connection in strong personal relationships. Additionally, research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who ask more (and better) questions are perceived as more competent and more likable.
That’s the kind of energy I want to bring into every client call. Don’t you!?
Curiosity Builds Trust (and Better Coaching Outcomes)
When we approach intake calls, discovery sessions, or even resume consultations with curiosity, we create space. Space for honesty. Space for emotion. Space to uncover the real problem behind the perceived one.
Sure, someone might come to us saying they want a new résumé. But what if the résumé isn’t the real issue? What if it’s a lack of clarity, a dip in confidence, or a messy career narrative?
Curiosity helps us get past the obvious pain point and into the real work.
What if, instead of leading with, “What jobs are you applying to?” or “Let’s talk about your résumé,” what if we asked:
- “What does a win look like for you six months from now?”
- “What’s the hardest part about this job search right now?”
- “Where are you feeling most stuck?” Follow up with, “And why do you think that is?”
- “Where do you need support?” Follow up with, “Where else do you need support?”
These kinds of questions don’t just build trust; they open doors.
Strategic Curiosity: Steer the Conversation Without Hijacking It
The goal of this approach isn’t just to ask more questions—it’s to ask better ones and to use the information you receive to guide the conversation, not control it.
That means listening to the answer and asking a follow-up that deepens the insight instead of shifting the topic.
Try these prompts in your next coaching session or intake call:
- “What does success look like to you in this next chapter?”
- “What’s a non-negotiable in your next role?” and then “Why is that important to you?”
- “What would make this coaching relationship feel valuable to you?”
The goal here isn’t to be clever—it’s to be curious with purpose; to unlock insights, build trust, and help clients discover their answers before we deliver them.
Curiosity as a Competitive Advantage
AHA moment: when someone feels heard, they become more open to hearing you.
In a crowded industry, your ability to genuinely connect with clients is your differentiator, and curiosity is the key to building the kinds of relationships that help us go deeper and deliver solutions that are tailored to the person in front of you—not just the persona you thought you were speaking to.
When you provide guidance that is more relevant, personalized, and empowering, you get better outcomes.
Better outcomes mean more referrals.
More referrals mean better business.
Better business means greater impact.
And the circle continues!
I like that lead-generation strategy 😉
The Bottom Line: Ask Before You Answer
Our job is to help people. That won’t change.
But how we start that process matters more than we think it does.
Here’s your challenge: Try it out.
In your next consultation, intake call, or coaching session, ask one more question before you offer a solution. Take it a step further and ask even one more question.
When we ask before we answer, we don’t just show up as experts—we show up as trusted partners, and trust, my friends, is what sets us apart.
I’m excited for you to lean into curiosity and see what happens.
Your Friend and Coach,
Angie Callen, CPRW, CPCC
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