Blog
Debra Wheatman, President of Careers Done Write, provides expert insight to the job search process that puts your career in gear with tips for interviewing, networking, job search strategies and how to create a winning resume and cover letter.
Ask Deb: What Do I Do About My Boss’s Habit of Blaming Me?
Hi Deb:
We have a new VP who came into our organization about 6 months ago. He is building out a large team, bringing in people from his network, and shaking things up. He is the kind of guy that my grandfather would have said “talks out of both sides of his mouth.” When I’ve tried to bring up these issues, he just talks and talks and talks without saying anything. What do you suggest I do about being constantly thrown under the bus here?….
Ask Deb: How to Handle a Rude (and Bizarre) Interviewer
Hi Deb:
I need some advice about a situation that recently occurred. I’ve been interviewing here and there but not actively looking. A few weeks ago, a recruiter contacted me about a role with a company that is regarded as a leader in my industry. I responded and met with the recruiter, the hiring manager, and two people on the team. They were all great, and I was psyched to learn more, so when the recruiter asked me to do a video interview with another stakeholder, I said sure. This person would be the internal client for the role for which I was interviewing.
To say this was a weird experience is to make a gross understatement….
Ask Deb: What should I do when people interrupt me in meetings?
Hi Deb:
I love working remotely. I really do. But one thing I’ve noticed during the last 2 years is that there are more meetings than ever before. And with those meetings come more interruptions than I have ever experienced in my career. I have tried asking people not to interrupt me and to allow me to speak, but it continues. In fact, it’s getting worse. Do you have any tactics that are effective in stopping interruptions?
Thanks,
Alicia….
Ask Deb: What do you think about double-dipping?
I’ve been “double-dipping” for nearly 8 months now. I have two full-time salaries, two comprehensive benefits packages, and two bosses. At first, it wasn’t difficult to maintain the two roles, but the further I get into the second role, the more unwieldy it’s becoming. There are pros and cons to this situation, but I’m feeling overwhelmed. What would you advise?….
Ask Deb: Deciding between two job offers
Hi Deb:
I find myself in the enviable position of entertaining two very good offers from two very different hiring companies. One is a large, well-known company that is making an entrée into a niche market. The other is a relatively new company that’s been around for 3 years that deals exclusively with this same market. I have a wealth of experience in the industry to which each of them is trying to sell their solutions, and both of these companies pursued me rather aggressively. The money on the offers is pretty similar. I really like BOTH companies, and I’m confused as to who I pick between the two of them. What do you advise?….
Ask Deb: Should I go back to school?
Hi Deb:
I was laid off from my job of the last five years. It has been over 10 months, and I still do not have a full-time role. I’m beginning to think that maybe I should go back to school for my law degree….
What should I delete from my resume?
I spend a lot of time telling clients and followers about what they should be doing. Maybe I’m not expending enough effort advising them on what not to do. That changes today….
Ask Deb: Should I minimize my accomplishments?
Hi Deb:
I recently took an early retirement from the company I’ve worked at since I graduated college. I have a great package and while I don’t need to work for survival, I feel that, at age 55, I still have many more years before I’m ready to fully embrace retirement….
Should I put my job search on hold during this pandemic?
I made a New Year’s resolution to make a concerted effort to find a new role. However, when the gravity of the global pandemic became widely publicized, and many states issued stay-at-home orders, everything dried up. I’m curious as to your thoughts on searching for a job during a global health crisis.….
Denied for a Job for Unknown Reasons
Dear Deb: I interviewed for a position recently, only to receive an email stating that they went with a candidate who was a “better cultural fit” for the role. I don’t understand what that means, and I would like to reach out to the hiring team for clarification. Is this advised? What is “cultural fit”?…