A central theme throughout the coaching journey is agency. Clients come to understand that while they may not control every circumstance, they always have a choice in how they respond. This realization is incredibly liberating. It shifts the focus from helplessness or blame to ownership and creativity. Are you ready to take the next step in your professional journey? Careers by Design offers personalized 1-on-1 coaching that empowers professionals to find clarity, confidence, and direction in their careers. Whether you're stuck in a job that no longer fulfills you, planning a career switch, or simply want to achieve more in your current role, our Career Coaching Toronto team is here to help. With a 4.8-star Google rating and recognition as the Best Career Coach in Toronto 2024, Careers by Design has earned a reputation for delivering real, lasting results. Our expert coaches work with you to define clear goals, uncover your strengths, and craft a strategy that aligns with both your head and heart. From recent graduates to executives, thousands have transformed their careers through our innovative coaching programs. We offer support in all areas of career development—from resume writing and interview preparation to career transitions and leadership growth. Clients like Andre Darmanin and Heather Nicholas have praised our services for helping them achieve meaningful progress in just weeks. With flexible virtual sessions, psychometric assessments, and a proven method grounded in HeartMath tools, you’ll gain actionable insights that fast-track your success.. Whether navigating a toxic work culture, recovering from a professional setback, or stepping into leadership for the first time, clients begin to approach challenges as opportunities for growth rather than evidence of inadequacy.
Another major transformation that occurs is the way clients perceive their role in the broader context of their work or community. As they become more aligned with their own values and purpose, they are better able to recognize how they can contribute to the collective. This often leads to a greater sense of responsibility, not just for their own success but for the well-being of those around them. Clients become more inclined to lead by example, showing others how to balance ambition with kindness, success with humility, and achievement with authenticity. In doing so, they begin to shift the culture within their organizations or social circles, promoting an environment of growth, support, and collaboration.
Hi, I’m Shirin – thank you for visiting our Team page! Here, you’ll discover more about the incredible individuals who make up our coaching, resume writing, and management teams. Each of our career counsellors is extensively trained in our unique Connect Head & Heart approach, a method we developed to guide clients through meaningful and lasting career transformations. Before joining Careers by Design, every coach completes a thorough selection and certification process. Together, our team brings decades of combined experience in career and leadership coaching, with proven success across industries in both Canada and the U.S. Our certified coaches have worked with individuals at all stages of their professional journeys and have helped clients achieve clarity, confidence, and success. Careers by Design has been proudly featured in major media outlets including CBC, CTV, Global News, The Globe & Mail, and The National. We invite you to explore each bio and get to know the warm, skilled professionals behind the success of our clients. Whether you’re seeking coaching or personal branding support, we’re here to help..Our commitment to quality is reflected in our awards and reviews. With over 300 five-star reviews on Google and accolades like the 2024 Best Career Coach in Toronto and Canada, we are proud of the trust and respect we've earned from the community. These recognitions are a testament to the positive impact we have made in the lives of our clients.
We recognize that the journey to a fulfilling career is rarely linear. Life circumstances, economic shifts, evolving interests, and personal growth all play a role in shaping one's professional path. That's why our coaching extends beyond job titles and salaries; we explore your motivations, clarify your long-term vision, and help you understand what truly drives you. This depth of understanding creates a foundation for authentic decisions that lead to lasting satisfaction, not just short-term success.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google for career coaching services in Toronto.
Personalized 1-on-1 career coaching tailored to help you find the right job and career fit.
Free chat consultations available to help you get started on your career transformation.
Career coaching for professionals at all levels, including executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Toronto-based career coaching service specializing in job search, resume writing, interview preparation, and career transition.
Career services designed to boost confidence and help clients realize their potential.
Proven success: Many clients have landed new jobs in as little as 4 weeks.
Award-winning services, recognized as the Best Career Coach in Canada and Toronto in 2024.
Career transition coaching for those looking to switch roles or industries.
Job search support includes crafting standout resumes, mastering interviews, and networking strategies.
Over 20 years of experience helping professionals achieve career success in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Connect Head & Heart approach integrates emotional intelligence with career coaching for greater success.
ICF-certified career coaches with extensive training and experience in various sectors.
HeartMath tools help clients manage negative thinking and focus on positive outcomes.
Comprehensive coaching programs for clients at different career stages, from new graduates to senior executives.
Specialized support for leadership development, entrepreneurship, and mid-career transitions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) coaching for BIPOC professionals and inclusive leadership.
Psychometric assessments and licensed feedback to aid in career decision-making.
Career coaching designed to fit into busy schedules, offering virtual sessions via Zoom and phone.
Client testimonials showcase real success stories from professionals across various industries who have achieved their career goals.
What sets us apart is our dedication to individualized care and sustainable results. We don't offer generic solutions. Instead, we provide thoughtful, structured guidance that reflects your aspirations and helps you move forward with purpose. From resume development and interview coaching to leadership development and emotional intelligence training, every aspect of our program is crafted to bring out your best.
Many of our clients come to us at critical turning points-feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure of what comes next. Some are high-achieving professionals who have hit a plateau and want to redefine success on their own terms. Others may be returning to the workforce after a break, navigating a layoff, or questioning whether their current role aligns with their evolving values. Whatever your situation, we provide a safe, supportive environment to explore possibilities and move forward with intention.
We invite you to experience the difference that compassionate, strategic coaching can make. Whether you're ready to take the first step or still exploring your options, we welcome your curiosity and are here to answer any questions. Every career has the potential to be extraordinary when approached with the right mindset, tools, and support. Let us walk alongside you as you create the next chapter of your career story-one that reflects who you truly are and where you truly want to go.
We don't just measure success by external achievements like job offers, promotions, or salary increases-though those certainly matter. We measure success by how empowered you feel to make decisions, how aligned your life feels, and how much ownership you have over your path. When you're able to wake up feeling energized about your work, speak with clarity about your goals, and advocate for your needs without apology, that's when we know something profound has shifted.
The coaching process is not about giving advice or offering cookie-cutter solutions. It's about collaboration. You bring your lived experience, your ambitions, your doubts, and your expertise in your own life. We bring structure, insight, deep listening, and the ability to challenge you in ways that are constructive and growth-oriented. This mutual respect creates a powerful space where real transformation can happen-not through pressure, but through clarity and choice.
Our clients often express how transformative the experience is-not just in terms of their careers, but in how they relate to themselves. They leave with a stronger sense of self-worth, greater clarity around their personal and professional identity, and a renewed enthusiasm for their future. Many go on to make bold moves they had previously only dreamed about, whether it's launching a business, changing industries, or stepping into a leadership role that once felt out of reach.
And so, the work continues-not as a one-time fix, but as an ongoing practice of becoming. The tools and insights gained through coaching remain long after the sessions end. Clients often report that they return to their notes, their journals, or their coaching metaphors years down the line when faced with a new decision or a fresh challenge. The impact of coaching, when it is done with depth, care, and intentionality, echoes far beyond the confines of a single goal. It becomes a catalyst for lifelong transformation.
The process also emphasizes the importance of embodiment. Change isn't just intellectual-it must be felt and practiced. A client learning to set boundaries, for example, might rehearse difficult conversations in coaching sessions, explore the sensations of discomfort in their body, and notice how old patterns of people-pleasing try to reassert themselves. By bringing awareness to these moments, clients can interrupt automatic responses and choose behaviors that better align with their goals and integrity. Over time, these new behaviors become part of who they are, not just what they do.
Clients receive assistance in key areas such as career path planning, job searching, interview preparation, resume writing, and navigating career transitions. The coaching process typically begins with a complimentary consultation, where prospective clients can discuss their goals and challenges with a certified coach. Once enrolled, clients meet virtually with an experienced career counsellor who listens closely and builds a personalized strategy, guiding them through each step of their transformation journey.
We offer support across a wide range of career scenarios, including career change, re-entering the workforce, transitioning from academia, moving into leadership roles, and navigating the complexities of mid-career adjustments. Many of our clients come from diverse industries such as finance, healthcare, education, law, tech, public service, and creative fields. We also work with new graduates, young professionals, and those who are simply at a crossroads in their career journey.
Yes. Careers by Design uses scientifically-backed tools to help clients manage stress, build emotional resilience, and boost well-being.
Careers by Design is a professional career coaching and resume writing service that helps individuals and organizations create fulfilling career paths through personalized, holistic support. They've been in business for over 20 years across Canada and the US.
Shirin Khamisa is the founder and practice leader. She’s a career counselling expert and thought leader featured in outlets like CBC, CTV, and The Globe & Mail.