About Mike as a Career and Job Search Coach

Transition from Military to civilian. "This workshop enabled me to make great progress efficiently and conserve my time, energy and money. As a Military Police officer about to make the transition to the civilian job market, this workshop appealed to me. Although I had some general ideas, I did not know what kind of jobs to pursue nor did I know how to pursue them. Mike helped me use some state-of-the-art career assessment instruments to explore a large number of potential jobs. In the workshop I learned how to decide among them to obtain a small list of a few that fit me. I was able to move at my own pace. Then I learned how to identify the potential civilian work environments where I would thrive."

Recent Workshop Participant
"In short, the Intensive Life/Career Planning Workshop was incredibly worthwhile and I wish more folks would take the opportunity to clarify for themselves what they most want to do and how to get there, whether that means appreciating more what they are already doing, tweaking their current job to better match their skills, interests and values, preparing now for a change in the future, etc."
- Manager of a Technical Group

Recently employed
"If you are looking for a career change and job search coach, the best around is Mike Thomas. Honestly, he is THE very best in the Triangle."
- Recently employed technical specialist

Former Nortel employee
"I want to let you know how much I appreciated your words of wisdom and encouragement! It meant a lot to me during a time in my life when I really needed it. I know you have helped countless other people. I am very glad there are people like you in the world".
- Former Nortel employee. Now a realtor

Former Director of Operations
"It is certainly a wonderful thing to have a friend or spouse listen to your job search woes. When this passive approach no longer yields results --- Mike is the man to call. Mike listens and then, better still, comments. He provides real suggestions that translate into solutions. I treat my meetings with Mike as an investment in my future. I suspect that he is carving valuable time off of my job search!"

Graduate Student
"After only 45 minutes on the phone with you, I had a big surge of energy. Your questions, suggestions, information resources, and job search rules gave me were energizing! I felt more clear yesterday, and more positive about my future, than I have in many months. I am so grateful that you offered to help. I live a very solitary life, and your offer of help fell into a still pool --- the ripples of energy from your guidance have spread."
- Graduate student seeking a full-time research position.

Former ABD
"A key benefit of my coaching experience is perspective. Mike has helped me to take a step back and ask important questions about the process and my attitudes. Itís trite, but it is very easy to not see the forest for the treesí (For Ph.D. research, itís easy to concentrate just on the leaves of a single tree!) I'm considering what standards I'm using to evaluate my work, which tasks are critical and which arenít, what patterns (both positive and negative) I have in my work habits, and how to acknowledge and celebrate achievements. It has been helpful to have someone removed from the situation (i.e. not an advisor) available to offer suggestions, resources, and encouragement."
- Former ABD. Now Ph.D. (Engineering)

About Mike as a Executive Coach

President & CEO
"Dr. Mike Thomas is one of the most knowledgeable experts in his field. More importantly, he is pragmatic and gets results. He is dedicated to the people he helps and passionate about his work. He genuinely wants to help people better themselves. I continue to be amazed at the breadth of his experience and sincere dedication to coaching. In my many years in the corporate world, he is the best management consultant I have encountered. I recommend him to anyone who is thinking about a change in job or career."
- President and CEO of a business association who was formerly an attorney and corporate executive.

Senior Executive, United Kingdom
"If your management team members are not talking to each other, call Mike. If your team is lacking focus and they are back-biting, call Mike. Need to re-team who to keep, who to prune call Mike. In addition to my business responsibility, I do some writing and occasionally get stuck writer is block, you guessed it call Mike. Of recent, we set my calls up permanently. I call him each week and proactively sort through factors blocking excellence. I have found this more profitable than waiting for a problem. Through three manufacturing sites/organizations in the US and two sites in the UK, my approach has been to call Mike I recommend this approach without reservation."

Middle Manager
"The world is progressing at an ever-accelerating pace and the stress for corporate change can be awesome. Mike Thomas always seems to be there at the right moment with appropriate coaching and counseling, relevant training programs, world-class resourcing skills, and a great sense of humor. Mike has positively impacted both my work and my personal life and he has my highest recommendation."
- Middle Manager, Large US Corporation

About Mike as a Small Business Coach

Small Business Owner
"Working closely with Mike has helped me to create a new sense of organization in how I think about project and business management. After 15 years of self-employment, I was becoming overwhelmed in my thinking; now I have more creative energy for my work and my life."
- Small Business Owner, Graphic Design

"Our owner wanted to promote our newest mold maker to General Foreman over several others who held seniority. Mike Thomas helped us become a team and the senior mold makers supported our decision. In addition, all of our senior people went out of their way to make sure the new General Foreman would be successful."
"We simply would not have had such a positive transition without the professional consultation of Dr. Mike Thomas."
- CFO, a tool making family firm.

About Mike as a Solo Business Coach

Senior Manufacturing Consultant
"Your questions have helped clarify my thought process in deciding how I am going to work with these clients. You have helped me understand that as well as the significance of really evaluating the audience. Where do I want to leave them, what do I want them to do with this info. etc."

Product Development Consultant
"I have worked for other companies developing products for years yet have dreamed of owning my own small consulting business all that time. Mike helped me see that making small, consistent progress towards that dream was the key. He encouraged me as I achieved each manageable step. As Mike encouraged me with my first client, I began to believe that I could make it. Mike is a catalyst for change and I recommend him to anyone that wants to create change in their business or career."