
Time management is the demon that destroys a carefully executed job search. One client of recent memory spent seven hours a day at the computer sending emails, requests for introductions and participating in various LinkedIn groups. After three months he had only made five new connections that referred him to opportunities. And not one of the opportunities was right for him. He was demoralized. The demon was elated. Continue reading 'Six tricks to subdue your job search time management demon'»
career advice, coaching, Executive topics, Job Security, networking, Uncategorized, Warnings
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career advice, executive careers, LinkedIn, Rita Ashley, time management
I published this blog last year and it resonated with a lot of senior executives who, in their private moments, admit to feelings of being an impostor. Yesterday, I mounted my first photography exhibit and when it was finished, I was overwhelmed with feelings of self doubt. What made me think I had any right to pass myself off as a photographer? In dealing with these feelings, I confronted my own ‘impostor.’
Continue reading 'Are you a Fraud? Silence your internal critic.'»
Commonly accepted wisdom says, if you want to succeed, you need to know your competition. As with most things common, it is rarely true for those who want to excel rather than merely participate. There are those who say, it is good to know what your competition knows, work as smart as your competition, and find an edge over (an offering which is better than) your competition. Continue reading 'Competition doesn’t matter'»
Get promoted, fast.
TEN STEPS TO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
It’s not rocket science. Many people master the art of strong leadership, mostly by trial and error, some through mentors and others by way of a career coach. Here’s a primer of basic leadership techniques. You still may want a coach to help you implement, but this heads-up will alert you to where to put your effort. Continue reading 'Fast track to successful executive leadership'»
career advice, coaching, Executive topics, Job Security, Mentor, team building, Warnings
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career advice, executive careers, executive coaching, leadership, mission statement, promotion, Rita Ashley, strategy, tactics, transparency, vision statement
Why executives should avoid being part of the herd.
[Experience has taught me this sort of look behind the curtain enrages many recruiters who do not engage in these activities. This report is about some recruiters, not all. It is a warning to job seekers to avoid these parasites and put them out of business. It is not a condemnation of recruiters.]
Recruiter Cattle calls and recruiting open houses are on the rise. Are they great tools or just another way to get burned in your job search? You be the judge. Continue reading 'Don’t respond to Recruiters'»
First step to business success, find the man behind the curtain.
Today I read three posts on the importance of state-supported seed funding. The mortality statistics on seed-funded efforts makes one wonder why we even try. Here’s what I think is the best insurance for success for any new venture, seed funded or otherwise. Continue reading 'Why seed funding fails'»
Control your resume. A friend of mine expressed disbelief than any executive would even consider using a job board. He knows job boards don’t work. He maintained that no executive is so naive to believe an anonymous resource like a job board could be considered as a tool by any executive who has ever hired anyone. I couldn’t agree more. Continue reading 'Why employers post on job boards'»
Don’t underestimate the power of a mentor. The earliest of leaders, into ancient Greece and beyond, all had mentors; people to guide and provide insights as we find our way to success. It is not a step to be overlooked in building a career and is sometimes the difference between mediocrity and greatness. Continue reading 'Importance of role models and mentors'»
Ageism, Ask a question, career advice, coaching, Job Security, Mentor, networking, Uncategorized
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career advice, mentor, Rita Ashley, role model, RuPaul
Employees succeed at the hardest tasks because you expect them to.
Here’s the straight scoop. I will help you discover why employees become unmotivated. I have spent a lot of time supporting high tech executives and I have seen what works and what doesn’t work to attract and retain excellent employees; employees who become proactive because they feel part of the team. I have noted, analyzed and now hope to articulate, what I have observed over the last 20+ years. Continue reading 'Turn unmotivated employees into high performers'»
They get what they need from their coach or, an homage to my clients…
Some clients invite my support for job search or promotion, others as an ongoing career coach for leadership, problem solving and career refinement. Here’s what I learned from over ten years of coaching executives.
Continue reading 'What makes a successful career coaching client?'»

Don’t spit the dummy.
None of that is important for your job search.
It’s easy to get angry. The media feeds us fodder for frustration. The statistics are horrible. Over 10% unemployment with no end in sight. We hear of bankruptcies, foreclosures and all manner of frightening financial predictions.
Ageism, Branding, career advice, coaching, Interview, Job Security, networking, resume, Uncategorized
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agism, career advice, executive jobs, interview, over 50, overqualified, resume, Rita Ashley, unemployed
Scale the ‘Overqualified’ hurdle

Few comments by employers are as demoralizing to executive candidates than, “We like you but you are overqualified for this job.” This post addresses what employers actually believe and gives you the career advice you need to overcome their objections. Continue reading 'Overqualified doesn’t mean unemployable'»
Ageism, Branding, career advice, coaching, Interview, Job Security, recruiters, resume, Uncategorized
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ageism, agism, career advice, executive careers, over 50, overqualified, Rita Ashley
Combat Agism, unemployment, and career stagnation.
Jobs are like busses, if you get on the right one, you arrive at your destination
Abstract: Executive career planning for job security – Visibility, choosing the right employer, your professional brand and importance of a Personal Board of Directors. Continue reading 'Job Security – Advanced techniques'»
Ageism, Branding, career advice, coaching, Interview, Job Security, networking, recruiters, resume, Uncategorized
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ageism, career advice, executive jobs, personal board of directors, personal branding, Rita Ashley
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR JOB SEARCH FOR 2011.
The new year looms and seems only moments away. 2011 can be your best year ever. All it takes is good planning and assessing what works and getting rid of what doesn’t. Ok, and some luck and the stars aligning. But do your part. Recognize that what you have been doing is not working or you’d have a new job or promotion. Time to revise your process and control what you can. Continue reading 'Get control over your job search'»
Ageism, Ask a question, career advice, coaching, Interview, Job Security, networking, resume, Uncategorized
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career advice, executive careers, executive jobs, Rita Ashley
Passion Smashion – A contrarian speaks.
Commonly accepted wisdom on career advice: Find your passion and the jobs/money will come.
Hogwash. Continue reading 'Success without passion'»