Ascend Career and Life Strategies Blog
Bad Results in Your Job Search? There’s a Good Chance You’ve Been “Ghosted”
Anyone who has been single and in the dating scene for the past few years is well familiar with the term “ghosting.” Ghosting, according to Wikipedia, is a term which describes the practice of ending all communication and contact with another person without any...
Do I Need a Career Coach or a Career Therapist?
The following post was written by Ascend Senior Career Coach, Marcy Fletchall: Many individuals seek guidance and support from professionals specializing in job search strategy, career development, and career transition activities when navigating career choices and...
Five Coping Strategies for Surviving—and Thriving—When You Have a Bad Boss
Pop culture loves to make fun of bad bosses, from the bungling boss in the Dilbert comic strip, to the inept Steve Carell from The Office, to the banal, overtly boring boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole) from the hilarious movie Office Space. But bad bosses are no...
Top 5 Career Killers
A positive reputation, especially at work, can take a long time to build. And once built, it needs to be properly maintained. Things like gossiping, breaking company rules, or failing to show up for work will certainly diminish your career prospects. But workers need...
5 Keys for Surviving a Layoff
US employees have been with their current employer for an average of only 4.1 years. Workforce reduction is an ongoing event in many major industries, especially technology. Today’s economic model is one of capricious ebbs and flows with companies needing to change...
Top 5 Reasons Employees are Fired
Most people start their jobs with the best of intentions, trying to do the best they can, and never thinking they could be fired. Besides, getting fired is a fate primarily for incompetent employees and workers caught with their hand in the company cookie jar, right?...
Top 4 Job Search Scams for 2023
Record hiring. Mass layoffs. 2023 has been a mixed bag so far for job seekers and career changers. Overall Job growth has been strong but growth among the top higher-paying "white collar" jobs is mediocre at best. Inflation is high, news of layoffs (especially in the...
Mind the Gap! How to Explain a Current or Recent Gap on a Resume During the Interview
If you’ve ever been to London and taken public rail transportation known as The Tube, you’re well aware of the written platform warning and automated voice that blares over the loudspeaker “Mind the gap!” It’s become iconic whereas you can purchase t-shirts,...
Proven Tips for Outsmarting Your Brain and Landing Your Next Job During Uncertain Times
The following post was written by Ascend Executive Career Coach, Joan Runnheim-Olson: Searching for a job can be challenging during good times and that challenge can be compounded during uncertain times. Today with the triple health threat of Covid, the flu, and RSV...
Game day! 3 must-dos for the day of your interview no one ever taught you—until now.
Over the course of my 21-year coaching career, I’ve found the vast majority of our clients find the interview process nerve wracking, intimidating, and for some, downright scary. Job interviews are like a mini presentation, and public speaking always scores as one of...