Helping outliers, overthinkers, career changers, neurodivergent humans, and people who don’t fit into society’s little boxes figure out what the hell to do with their careers… and actually make it happen.
Feeling stuck in your career?
Maybe you:
- dread Mondays;
- feel completely lost about what to do next;
- keep overthinking every career decision;
- feel burnt out, bored, underchallenged, or underestimated;
- want more meaning from your work;
- are navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, or workplace challenges;
- keep wondering whether you’re wasting your potential;
- or simply know you’re meant for “more” but can’t quite figure out what that means yet.
Working with Bec was fantastic. I was at a place in my career where I really wasn’t happy with what I was doing but didn’t know where to go next. Bec’s coaching and advice really helped clarify my interests, strengths, and priorities and gave me the confidence to take charge of my career (and my life!) and carve a path that truly suits me. Now I’m excited for what the future holds. Highly recommended to anyone. Thanks Bec!
Eleanor - Public Servant
You’re not alone.
I’m Bec McFarland, a Canberra career coach with a background in recruitment, HR, leadership development, and workplace strategy. Since 2015, I’ve helped people from all walks of life navigate career change, job searching, workplace challenges, leadership growth, and career clarity.
And honestly? Most of my clients aren’t lazy, unmotivated, or incapable.
They’re overwhelmed, burnt out, overthinking everything, or trying to force themselves into careers, workplaces, and expectations that were never designed for them in the first place.
Career coach for the outliers
I work best with people who don’t fit neatly into boxes.
Over the years, I naturally attracted:
- the neurodivergent legends;
- the deep thinkers;
- the gifted weirdos;
- the quiet achievers;
- the rebels and misfits;
- the people craving more meaning and alignment from their work.
Some of my clients are:
- changing careers;
- applying for APS roles;
- returning to work after burnout;
- navigating toxic workplaces;
- trying to build confidence;
- preparing for interviews;
- stepping into leadership;
- exploring side hustles;
- or simply trying to reconnect with themselves again.
There’s no one-size-fits-all process here.
I don’t believe in forcing people through generic personality tests and spitting out a list of “suitable careers.”
Career coaching should feel human.
Common Reasons People Reach Out To A Career Coach
People come to career coaching for all sorts of reasons. Some are actively job searching, while others simply feel stuck, lost, burnt out, or unsure what they want anymore.
You might be:
- considering a career change but terrified of making the wrong decision;
- feeling deeply unfulfilled in your current role;
- struggling with confidence or imposter syndrome;
- returning to work after burnout, illness, parenting, or a major life transition;
- navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, or workplace overwhelm;
- unsure whether to stay in your current workplace or leave;
- craving more purpose or alignment from your career;
- trying to step into leadership more confidently;
- applying for APS or government roles;
- overwhelmed by resumes, interviews, or applications;
- trying to balance ambition with wellbeing;
- or feeling like you’ve “outgrown” your current role but don’t know what comes next.
Career coaching creates space to slow down, reflect, untangle your thoughts, and move forward more intentionally.
How I can help
Career Clarity & Direction
Feeling lost, stuck, bored, burnt out, or unsure what’s next? We’ll unpack your strengths, values, patterns, goals, and blockers to help you gain clarity and momentum.
Job Applications, Resumes & Interviews
With almost 20 years of recruitment and HR experience, I can help you position yourself strategically and communicate your value clearly and confidently.
APS & Government Careers
As someone who has worked in recruitment and assessment within government environments, I understand APS applications, selection criteria, interview panels, and what employers are actually looking for.
Workplace Strategy & Confidence
Not every client is looking for a new job. Some need help navigating workplace conflict, confidence issues, leadership challenges, communication struggles, or difficult career decisions.
Leadership Development
Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or trying to develop a leadership style that feels authentic to you, coaching can help you build confidence and self-awareness.
Career Coaching For APS & Government Professionals
As a Canberra career coach with experience across recruitment, HR, and government assessment processes, I work with many clients from APS and government backgrounds.
This may include:
- navigating career progression within the APS;
- applying for government roles;
- interview preparation;
- selection criteria support;
- leadership development;
- workplace challenges;
- burnout and wellbeing;
- confidence building;
- career transitions;
- or figuring out whether government work is still aligned with your goals.
I also understand the unique pressures that can come with government environments, including:
- high-performing workplace cultures;
- bureaucracy and politics;
- restructures and uncertainty;
- imposter syndrome;
- perfectionism;
- burnout;
- and feeling trapped in a career path that no longer feels fulfilling.
Career coaching can help you reconnect with your strengths, values, confidence, and direction while also developing practical strategies for career growth and change.
Ready to take the next step?
Career Change Coaching Canberra
Changing careers can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing financial pressure, identity, burnout, self-doubt, or fear of making the wrong decision.
Many people come to career coaching because they:
- know they can’t keep doing what they’re doing;
- feel trapped in a career path they’ve outgrown;
- want more meaningful work;
- are returning to study;
- are navigating redundancy or burnout;
- or simply want a career that fits who they are now, not who they were ten years ago.
Career change coaching can help you explore possibilities, identify transferable strengths, rebuild confidence, and create a practical plan for moving forward.
Why work with me?
I bring both strategy and humanity.
There are plenty of career coaches who:
- only focus on mindset;
- only focus on resumes;
- or only focus on “following your passion.”
I take a more practical, holistic approach.
My background spans:
- recruitment;
- HR;
- leadership development;
- behavioural profiling;
- coaching;
- interviewing and panel assessment;
- employer branding;
- workplace strategy;
- and career development.
- recruitment;
- HR;
- leadership development;
- behavioural profiling;
- coaching;
- interviewing and panel assessment;
- employer branding;
- workplace strategy;
- and career development.
Which means I understand both:
- the human side of careers;
- and how hiring/workplaces actually work behind the scenes.
I’m also not interested in pretending to be a polished corporate robot.
You’ll get honesty, warmth, strategy, encouragement, and practical support… without the fluff.
Which means I understand both:
- the human side of careers;
- and how hiring/workplaces actually work behind the scenes.
I’m also not interested in pretending to be a polished corporate robot.
You’ll get honesty, warmth, strategy, encouragement, and practical support… without the fluff.
Career Coaching That Feels Human
I’m probably not the right career coach for you if you’re looking for:
- rigid corporate jargon;
- generic motivational fluff;
- personality tests that magically tell you your destiny;
- or a one-size-fits-all coaching process.
My approach is collaborative, strategic, practical, and deeply human.
Why I Started Pop Your Career
Back in 2015, I was already working in recruitment and genuinely loved what I did.
I loved helping people uncover their strengths, build confidence, navigate career decisions, and move towards work that felt more aligned and fulfilling.
But something was missing.
I missed creativity.
I missed deeper conversations.
I missed the human side of career development.
At the same time, I kept seeing the same thing over and over again:
career support that felt cold, corporate, overly polished, and honestly… a bit boring.
Everything felt so serious.
There were rigid frameworks, generic personality tests, and coaches speaking in polished corporate jargon that didn’t feel relatable or human at all.
I wanted to create something different.
I wanted career coaching to feel:
- warm;
- practical;
- strategic;
- empowering;
- creative;
- and genuinely enjoyable.
I wanted people to feel safe showing up as themselves, not like they needed to become a polished corporate robot in order to succeed.
So I started Pop Your Career.
Since then, the business has evolved a lot, but the heart of it has stayed the same:
helping people build careers that feel more meaningful, sustainable, authentic, and aligned with who they actually are.
Especially the people who don’t fit neatly into society’s little boxes.
What Happens During Career Coaching?
Every coaching journey is different because every person is different.
Some clients arrive with a very clear goal, while others simply know that something feels “off” and want help figuring out what comes next.
Depending on your situation, coaching sessions may involve:
- exploring strengths, values, interests, and patterns;
- unpacking fears, overthinking, or confidence issues;
- identifying career directions and opportunities;
- resume, LinkedIn, or interview support;
- workplace strategy and communication;
- leadership development;
- navigating burnout or career transitions;
- behavioural profiling tools such as DISC;
- practical action planning and accountability;
- or simply creating space to think clearly again.
Career coaching isn’t about forcing you into a rigid framework or telling you what career you “should” pursue.
It’s about helping you better understand yourself, your options, and what a meaningful, sustainable career might look like for you.
Canberra Career Coaching
Based in Canberra. Available Australia-wide via Zoom.
I work with clients across Canberra and Australia, both in person and online.
Many of my clients work in:
- the APS;
- government;
- education;
- healthcare;
- community services;
- tech;
- small business;
- leadership roles;
- and creative industries.
Whether you’re navigating career change, burnout, leadership growth, interview preparation, workplace challenges, or simply trying to figure out your next step, career coaching can help you move forward with more confidence and clarity.
Working with Bec was fantastic. I was at a place in my career where I really wasn’t happy with what I was doing but didn’t know where to go next. Bec’s coaching and advice really helped clarify my interests, strengths, and priorities and gave me the confidence to take charge of my career (and my life!) and carve a path that truly suits me. Now I’m excited for what the future holds. Highly recommended to anyone. Thanks Bec!
Eleanor - Public Servant
Why career coaching can be so powerful
Many people spend years trying to think their way through career decisions alone.
But when you’re overwhelmed, burnt out, stuck in survival mode, or constantly second-guessing yourself, it can be incredibly difficult to see clearly.
Career coaching provides:
- perspective;
- accountability;
- support;
- strategy;
- and a safe space to untangle the noise.
Sometimes the goal is clarity.
Sometimes it’s confidence.
Sometimes it’s practical job search support.
Sometimes it’s permission to stop forcing yourself into a version of success that no longer fits.
Often, it’s a combination of all of the above.
Frequently asked questions
Are you an outlier? Well, as far as I'm concerned, there are no hard and fast rules. You might hate me for saying this, but being an outlier is more about a feeeeeling!
Have you ever felt like you just don't quite "fit"? Perhaps you see the model society proposes as "normal" and you can't quite relate? Maybe you've faced adversity in your life and you feel like in some situations you're on the outside looking in, as a result? If you said "yes" to any of these questions, then you're probably what I'd call an "outlier". You can read more about my thoughts on this here.
That's okay! Before we start working together, I'll ask you to read and agree to my coaching terms and conditions. In that document, I explain that if you complete one session with me and you don't want to proceed, I'll happily offer you a refund of any unused sessions and/or cancel any invoices for unused sessions. I'm not the kind of gal to force a relationship, so I'll do my best to ensure that we can go our separate ways with minimal fuss.
With that in mind, this has never happened - I've never had a client attend a single session and decide we're not right for each other. This is mostly due to the fact that I only work with clients who I've done a consult with first, and after more than 10 years of coaching and behavioural profiling, I'm pretty good at knowing when someone isn't a good fit and referring them to another career coach who meets their needs.
I hate saying it, because it makes me feel hella old, but I've been in the Human Resources industry for 20 years now. And you can bet that during that time, I've seen a lot! I've also coached private clients for 10 of those years and have supported people with a whole range of different challenges, hopes and dreams. I'd recommend being clear during our consult chat about what you're looking for support with. This gives me an opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with you and confirm whether or not I could be a suitable wing-woman!
I sure can! Lots of my clients have their career coaching funded by their employers and usually it's pretty easy to arrange. If you'd like some more information about the process, I'd suggest checking out my handy guide on how to get your employer to pay for your career coaching, which you can find here.
Absolutely! I'm not an NDIS registered provider - it might be something I look into in the future, but right now it's not a priority for me. With that said, I do have a number of clients who have had their coaching funded by NDIS. Most of these clients access coaching through their "capacity building" budget, but I am really no expert when it comes to the world of NDIS, so best to chat with your Plan Manager about the nuances and how to seek approval.
Amazing! I'm really looking forward to working with you. For a full breakdown of the onboarding process, click here. I've tried to make this as easy as possible with as few unnecessary barriers to entry as possible, but if any stage of the process feels a little tricky, just let me know and I'll do everything I can to accommodate you.
Ready to figure out your next step?
Book a free 15-minute consult and let’s chat about where you’re at, where you want to go, and how I might be able to help.