Next Chapter Careers

Agreement

This Agreement for professional coaching services is between Next Chapter Careers LLC (hereinafter “Coach”) and the natural person that uses the professional advice or services of the Coach (hereinafter “Client”).

The Coach represents and warrants that the Coach has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide the Services.  The Coach commits to a coaching mindset and professional quality encompassing responsibility, respect, integrity, competence, and excellence.  The Coach commits to being humane, kind, compassionate and respectful toward others, and to use a coaching mindset to explore and understand the needs of the Client and to always practice equitable processes and create equality for all.  The Coach agrees that during the term of this Agreement, the Coach will provide the Services described below for the Client.  

Wherefore, the parties each agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions of the relationship:

1. Coaching and the Coach-Client Relationship

• The Coach will explain and ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, the Client understands the nature and potential value of coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other terms of the coaching agreement.  The Coach will maintain the strictest level of confidentiality that both parties agree upon, and the Coach and Client will respect and comply with all applicable laws that pertain to personal data and communications.   

• Coaching is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional, or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals.

• At all times during the rendering of professional coaching services by the Coach, the Client shall be solely responsible for creating and implementing his or her own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions, and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship between the Coach and the Client.  The Client understands that the Coach is not a licensed therapist, financial advisor, or medical professional. The Client acknowledges and agrees that the Coach shall not be liable or responsible for any action or inaction or for any direct or indirect result of the professional coaching services provided by the Coach.  

• The Client acknowledges that coaching is a comprehensive process that involves different areas of the Client’s life, including his or her work, finances, health, relationships, education, and recreation.   The Client agrees that the decision as to how to handle or address these issues, the incorporation of coaching principles into those areas, and the implementation of choices rests solely and exclusively with the Client and not the Coach.  

• The Client acknowledges that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association and that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, or other professional advice by legal, medical, financial or other qualified professionals and that it is the Client’s exclusive responsibility to seek such independent professional guidance and advice as needed.  If the Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, it is strongly recommended that he/she promptly inform the mental health care provider of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship agreed to by the Client and the Coach. 

• The Client understands and agrees that in order to enhance and maximize the coaching relationship, he/she must communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance, and create the time and energy to participate fully in it. 

2. Term and Scope of Services  

The Client retains the Coach to provide the Client with professional coaching services for one or any of the following programs.  These programs are in effect from the day the Coach receives payment until the end of the number of weeks the program is designed for or as agreed by both parties.   If the Coach is unavailable for support during these weeks, the Client will be informed in advance by the Coach, and the Coach will extend the program for the number of weeks the Client signed up for.  The three programs available are the Career Clarity Program, the Career Progression Program, and the Personal Branding Program. The definitions, conditions, terms, and scope of services related to each program are defined as follows: 

(1) Career Clarity Program: This program gives the Client access to pre-recorded video materials, workbooks, exercises, and weekly emails divided into modules. It also includes a personalized Resume and LinkedIn review from the Coach.  The Client also has access to the Career Clarity Community on the online Thinkific platform to get answers to their questions directly from the Coach, engage with a supportive group of mid-career professionals to build their network and share wins, resources, feedback, support, and attend up to a maximum of three monthly Group Career Coaching Calls with the Coach.  The Client also has access to an individual Clifton Strengths 34 Assessment: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx. The Client can also purchase an add-on of six (6) one-on-one coaching calls with the Coach which includes a customized Career Clarity strategy.  The Client understands that if the Client wants additional one-on-one coaching call(s) or individual email support, that level of support, accountability, and extra scope of services rendered by the Coach can be purchased for additional fees.

1. All Career Clarity Program Group Career Coaching Calls are scheduled at least two weeks in advance by the Coach and added to the Career Clarity Community online platform.  The Client may attend up to three (3) Group Career Coaching Calls a month.  The duration of the calls is a maximum of one hour.  The Client will attend those online Group Career Coaching Calls with other Clients of the Career Clarity Program, and therefore, all Clients and the Coach must respect the confidentiality of all information, conversation, questions, and comments shared during those calls.  If the Client registers for the Career Clarity Program in the middle of the end of a calendar month and therefore cannot attend three Group Career Coaching Calls, that Client may attend a total of four (4) Group Career Coaching Calls the month after he/she registered for the Career Clarity Program.  Although participation in the Group Career Coaching Calls is not required it is highly recommended to maximize the Client’s success.

2. Career Clarity Program Clients are encouraged to engage in the virtual Career Clarity Community through the Thinkific Platform.  The Client can ask questions, participate in engagement challenges, and share any progress made within the program and/or their career journey.  The questions will be answered by the Coach and sometimes by any other Career Clarity Program Client.  It is strongly recommended to engage and participate in the community as it is created to maximize the Client’s success in reaching their own goals, and the Coach strongly believes that having a community helps create an environment of networking and encouragement through the process of reaching the Client’s own personal goals.  Therefore, the Client and the Coach acknowledge and agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of any information, discussion, comment, conversation, and/or questions shared through the virtual community on the Career Clarity Community online platform of the Career Clarity Program. 

3. The Client can ask questions in the Career Clarity Community, and the Coach will respond within one (1) to three (3) business days. 

4. The Career Clarity Program is a twelve (12) weeks program (payment in full to start the program or divided in three (3) equal payments). If the Client wants additional support beyond 12 weeks with access to the group calls and the Career Clarity Community on Thinkific they can subscribe on a monthly basis (4 weeks) with an additional monthly payment.  The access will be granted after payment is received. 

5. The Client will have access to the online courses, including the videos and the workbook, from the day the payment is received up to a full year.  The Client has access to the community on the Thinkific platform for a period of twelve (12) weeks (duration of the program). 

6. If the Client wishes to have one-on-one Career Coaching Calls, the Client can purchase at additional fees an add-on of six (6) one-on-one coaching calls of one hour each call.  The Coach offers this add-on of 6 calls to allow time for a customized strategy.  This add-on also includes personalized notes and action items from the Coach after each of the 6 Career Coaching Calls and email and LinkedIn messenger support for questions and accountability.

7. Each one-on-one Career Coaching Call lasts a maximum of an hour.  If the Client has to reschedule a one-on-one Career Coaching Call, he/she must reschedule or cancel their call using Calendly at least 48 hours before the scheduled call. It is the Client’s responsibility to reschedule the call using the Calendly link.   In the rare and unfortunate event that the Coach must reschedule a call, the Coach will advise the Client by email at least 48 hours before the scheduled call.  Coach has up to seven (7) business days to reschedule that Career Coaching Call.

8. The Client can purchase additional professional services from the Coach at additional fees. Any service not included in the Career Clarity Program will be available for additional fees, including, but not limited to, one-on-one Career Coaching Calls. Any request for additional service must be approved by the Coach, who will determine the timeline in which those additional services will be rendered based on schedules.

9. Any expansion or alteration of the scope of coaching services by the Coach must be confirmed in writing and will require additional fees.  

(2) Career Progression Program: This program helps leverage the Client’s strengths to create a personalized professional development plan.  The Client’s first step in this program is to take the Clifton Strengths Assessment + 34 Strengths Report included in the program: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx. After taking the Clifton Strengths Assessment, the Client has a 90-minute Strengths Profile coaching session with the Coach.  After this initial Strengths Profile coaching session, the Client has a total of eight (8) one-on-one coaching sessions of one hour each with the Coach.  It is recommended that these one-hour coaching calls be scheduled bi-weekly to optimize the Client’s professional development plan.  This program offers a customized plan and action items to set and reach the Client’s professional goals, including success on the job, job crafting, strengthening leadership skills, and growth within the Client’s company.  This program includes Professional Brand Development, Resume and LinkedIn review and editing, and four (4) months of priority coaching support (priority scheduling and email support between sessions).  The Career Progression Program also includes access to online resources on Personal Branding, Proposing a New Role, Job Crafting, Negotiation, Success on the Job, and Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth.

1. If the Client has to reschedule a one-on-one Career Coaching Call, he/she must reschedule or cancel their call using Calendly at least 48 hours before the scheduled call. It is the Client’s responsibility to reschedule the call using the Calendly link.  In the rare and unfortunate event that the Coach must reschedule a call, the Coach will advise the Client by email at least 48 hours before the scheduled call, and the Coach has up to seven (7) business days to reschedule that Career Coaching Call.

2. The Client understands and agrees that it is in the Client’s best interest to provide complete, accurate, and detailed information.  All requested documents by the Coach should be uploaded to the Client’s assigned Google Drive folder at least two business days prior to the scheduled first coaching call or as communicated and agreed by both parties. 

3. To maximize the success of the Career Progression Program throughout the process, the Client agrees to respond promptly to all questions, drafts, revisions and approval requests of Personal Branding Documents (resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile review) from the Coach.  The Client’s response needs to be delivered via email or Google Doc comments.   The Client understands and agrees that failure to respond within four (4) months will mean closure and completion of the Client’s Career Progression Program.

4. The Coach will be available to the Client via electronic mail for communications.   Any phone conversation and/or video conference one-on-one meeting with the Coach requested by the Client that is not included in the paid Career Progression Program service will be available with additional fees and scheduled within both parties’ availability.  Those additional conversations and/or online one-on-one meetings will be scheduled after payment and subject to be rescheduled by both parties with 48 hours' notice before the scheduled appointment.  That appointment will be rescheduled within seven (7) business days of the initial scheduled appointment.

• Any expansion or alteration of the scope of coaching services by the Coach must be confirmed in writing and will require additional fees.  

(3) Personal Branding Program: This program includes a resume rewrite for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), content, and narrative.  It also includes a LinkedIn profile review and writing and a Cover Letter editing for up to three (3) Cover Letters.  The Personal Branding Program also gives access to the Clifton Strengths Assessment + 34 Strengths Report https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx.  With this program, the Client also has a total of three (3) one-on-one coaching calls of a maximum of one hour each focused on the job search strategy, developing a career narrative, and evaluating/adjusting strategy to advance a successful job search.  Email support is also provided between the coaching calls as needed for three (3) months.  The program includes a bonus resource: the video workshop, Uplevel Your LinkedIn.

1. This service is offered as a one-to-one coaching program with work completed live and asynchronously between the Coach and Client.

2. The Client understands and agrees that it is in the Client’s best interest to provide complete, accurate, and detailed information to ensure the best possible outcome of the personal branding process. All requested documents by the Coach should be uploaded in the shared Google Drive folder.

3. The Coach will be available to the Client via electronic mail for communications.   Any phone conversation and/or video conference one-on-one meeting with the Coach requested by the Client that is not included in the program will be available with additional fees and scheduled within both parties’ availability.  Those additional conversations and/or online one-on-one meetings will be scheduled after payment and subject to be rescheduled by both parties with 48 hours’ notice before the scheduled appointment.  That appointment will be rescheduled within 7 business days of the initial scheduled appointment.

• Any expansion or alteration of the scope of coaching services by the Coach must be confirmed in writing and will require additional fees.  

3. Applicable Law. 

• This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States of America according to the state of Massachusetts.

4. Limited Liability.   

• Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, with respect to the coaching services negotiated, agreed upon, and rendered.  In no event shall the Coach be liable to the Client for any indirect, consequential, or special damages.  The Coach does not guarantee job placement as the success of the Client is directly based on the commitment, engagement, effort, and follow-up they incorporate into their job search campaign.

• When applicable by the program, the Coach will proofread all produced resumes and personal branding products to ensure all errors are caught and corrected.  The Coach doesn’t guarantee that all products that have been proofread are perfect and error-free. The Client is responsible for reviewing and proofreading all documents and must communicate any needed changes or corrections in an email before accepting and distributing final copies. The Coach will not be held responsible for any damages for any errors in the Client’s documentation related to their job search campaign.  The Client agrees it is the Client’s responsibility to ensure his/her documentation is reviewed by the Client before the Client uses his/her documentation in their job search campaign.

5. Intellectual Property.

• The Coach and Client agree that all inventions, trade secrets, confidential and/or proprietary information, and work-product conceived, created, or developed by each of the Parties, respectively, will be the sole and exclusive property of the Party to whom the information originally belonged.  There shall be no transfer of intellectual property through this Agreement.

• All copyrights, patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property shall stay with the original Party owner.

• The Coach retains property ownership of all work produced. Each personal branding project is crafted to ensure individual marketing needs are met. The Client is allowed to reproduce additional copies and alter their own documents. The Client is not permitted to transfer any documentation from the Coach to another party or permit them to use the document as a template.

• The Client gives the Coach permission for the content of their resume/LinkedIn profile/cover letters and other documentation related to the services provided to be fictionalized and published in; articles, columns, podcasts, books, and industry-related publications, and as samples on the Coach’ website at the discretion of the Coach with the understanding that all identifying information (name, address, email, phone number and employer names) will be fictionalized to protect confidentiality.

• All online modules, videos, program content, templates, and materials provided for educational purposes and/or for any purpose related to the Client Coach relationship to the Client by the Coach, including Career Clarity Program content, Career Progression Program content, and additional materials and exercises provided to the Client via email, LinkedIn messenger, Thinkific or Google drive, are confidential and the Client agrees not to share any of this information with third parties.

6. Confidentiality.

• The Coach will uphold and maintain Client confidentiality upon collecting information regarding performance reviews, salary information, conditions of previous employment and/or termination, and terms of discharge from all previous employment.  Trust and confidentiality of the Client-Coach relationship are of paramount importance.  The Coach will uphold the utmost respect for confidentiality, ensuring that any information shared by the Client remains private according to the law. The Client can rest assured that personal insights, goals, and challenges will not be disclosed to the HR department or any employer without the client’s explicit consent.  The commitment is to create a safe and supportive environment where the Client can freely explore career aspirations and receive guidance tailored to their unique journey.  

• By engaging in Career Clarity Program Group Career Coaching Calls and online forum on Thinkific Platform, the Client agrees that given the group format of the Career Clarity Program, the information provided or shared with the Coach and other Clients, whether in the form of written comments, questions, discussions, conversations in Program related forums, Group Career Coaching Calls, Webcasts, or otherwise are confidential.  

• The parties recognize that the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (such as with one’s physician or attorney), and thus, communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognized privilege.  

• The Coach will not disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written permission. The Coach will not disclose the Client’s name as a reference without the Client’s permission. 

• Confidential Information does not include information that 1) was in the Coach’s possession prior to being furnished by the Client to the Coach; 2) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry; 3) Is obtained by the Coach from a third party (not the Client), without a breach of any obligation to the Client; 4) is independently developed by the Coach without the use or reference to the Client’s confidential information; 5) the Coach is required by law, statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose; 6) is disclosed to the Coach by the Client and as a result of such disclosure the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and 7) involves illegal or criminal activity. 

• The Client acknowledges and agrees that the Coach will not confirm or attempt to verify any information provided by the Client for any writing services. The Coach will not be responsible for the accuracy or truthfulness of any information provided by the Client.

• The Coach will request certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify the Client. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: email address, first and last name, phone number, and residential address.  The Coach may use your personal data to contact you with newsletters, marketing and/or promotional materials, and any other information that may be of interest.  The Client’s information will not be shared with third parties without explicit written consent from the Client.

• The Client acknowledges his/her continuing duty to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner. 

7. Fees Rates and Expenses.

• The Client has two (2) payment options for the Career Clarity Program.  The Client may choose to access the Career Clarity Program for a total of twelve (12) weeks for one full payment of $1247.  The Client will have access to the Career Clarity Program as soon as the payment is received by the Coach.  The Client can also opt for three (3) equal payments of $447, giving the Client full access to the Career Clarity Program as soon as the payment is received by the Coach.  The additional two (2) payments of $447 are due after four (4) weeks of access to the program and after eight (8) weeks of access to the program.  When selecting the monthly payment plan option, Clients agree to submit all three (3) monthly payments of $447 each. If a payment fails, Clients will have up to 30 days from the day the prior payment was received by the Coach to submit payment. Late payments submitted 30 days after they are due will be subject to a late fee of $75.

• The Client who wishes to add on six (6) one-on-one coaching calls of one hour each to the Career Clarity Program can do so for a total amount of $2000.  These six (6) calls include a customized strategy and ongoing accountability.  The calls will be scheduled, and material will be sent and/or reviewed after receiving the full payment of $2000 for this individualized program add-on.

• The Client has two (2) payment options for the Career Progression Program.  The Client may choose to pay one full payment of $4,200 to have access to the program or pay on a monthly basis an amount of $1100 per month for four (4) months.  The Client will have access to the program and may schedule one-on-one calls after the payment is received by the Coach.  When selecting the monthly payment plan option, Clients agree to submit all four (4) monthly payments of $1100 each. If a payment fails, Clients will have up to 30 days from the day the prior payment was received by the Coach to submit payment. Late payments submitted 30 days after they are due will be subject to a late fee of $75.

• The Client can purchase the Personal Branding Program for the price of $2000. The Client may schedule the kickoff call only after full payment is received by the Coach.

• The Client is responsible for all recurring monthly fees or any recurring future fees for any of the programs described above associated with a purchased coaching program and/or package.   The Client is also responsible for all associated coaching fees prior to scheduling coaching sessions.  

• The fees related to any services described in this Agreement are final and non-refundable.   All collected fees and applicable recurring payments are non-refundable.  No refunds will be given for unused coaching sessions from a coaching package.  

• The Client shall not be entitled to any refund under this Agreement.  If the Client wishes to terminate this Agreement prior to its planned expiration, the Client will forfeit each of the fees until then paid to the Coach.

• If the Client fails to attend a one-on-one scheduled Career Coaching Call without prior notice at least 48 hours in advance to the Coach, the Client will be charged a fee of $75.00 to compensate the Coach for the loss of scheduled time that would have been available for other Clients.

8. Holidays and Vacation.

• The Coach will be unavailable on the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (+ Day Before and After Thanksgiving), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Holiday list is subject to change with prior notice.

• The Coach will notify the Client in advance of any vacation taken and extend the Client’s timeline of services in accordance with the Coach’s scheduled vacation.

9. Force Majeure.

• The Coach is not liable for any failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control including but not limited to, sickness, acts of God, acts of civil authorities, acts of military authorities, riots, embargoes, acts of nature and natural disasters, and other acts which may be due to unforeseen circumstances.

10. Entire Agreement.

• This document reflects the entire agreement between the Coach and the Client and reflects a complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The Agreement may not be amended, altered or supplemented except in writing signed by the Coach and the Client.

By signing up for a Program, completing the purchase, and clicking the box labeled Terms of Use, the Client states that he/she read, understands, and agrees to the Terms of Use of the Agreement. Please retain a copy of this Agreement for your records.