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.
Office Party Etiquette
The holiday season and the end of the calendar year are times of celebration, which means that the office holiday party season is upon us. Some people love corporate holiday parties. Others loathe them. Some people attend out of a sense of obligation. By far, the number one question I get about office holiday parties is, “Do I really have to go?” No. Of course, you do not have to go. Attendance is not required. However, you should at least put in an appearance if you can do it without real hardship. Even managers who say the party is optional often care on some level if you skip it (especially if you skip it multiple years in a row), and you risk being perceived as less engaged with your job or team. With that in mind, here are some tips about office party etiquette to get you through the evening and ensure your reputation remains intact the following day….
Mastering LinkedIn: Strategies for Presenting Your Best Professional Self
Every day, I scroll through LinkedIn and see more and more job seekers positioning themselves as job beggars. You’ve seen it, too. These folks post lengthy screeds on the platform, detailing the horrors of their job searches. They will describe applying for hundreds of jobs, being ghosted, getting no offers, and getting the run around from employers. Their stories are not unique. We know that this is the way job searches go….
The Virtual Interview Overreach: When Privacy Takes a Backseat to Transparency
Job interviews are inherently awkward and vulnerable situations. Sitting down in front of a stranger and basically saying, “My financial stability is in your hands,” never gets any less stressful, no matter how many jobs you apply for. These days, most initial interviews are being conducted via video conference. This medium can make the whole interview process more nerve-racking because it can be difficult to read body language when you’re not in the same room as the interviewer….
Should I Go to HR?
I have an issue with my manager right now. He is verbally abusive to me and my coworkers. I have documented instances of his abuse, and I want to go to HR, but I am afraid that he will retaliate against me if he knows that I reported him. How can I ensure that what I say to HR remains confidential?….
Up Your Game and Give a Great Presentation
You’ve been there. You’re sitting in a meeting room, and a presenter gets up and announces that he has 72 slides to get through in 45 minutes. A collective groan ensues. You know that you’re in for an interminable 45 minutes….
Ask Deb: Must I Attend the Team Building Event?
Everyone hates team-building exercises. They are universally reviled by people at all levels of the organization. Who wants to spend three days with coworkers while not doing any actual work? Team-building exercises are pointless because they suggest that if your team members spent more time doing silly things and solving group problems together, climbing trees, and rolling around on the floor, they would work more effectively together the rest of the time. There is absolutely zero research that supports this belief. Employees work to get a job done and, more importantly, to get paid, not to play inane games with coworkers….
Interviewing for Schrödinger’s Job
I had a conversation with a client today about her job search. She has been doing several interviews, and her persona is quite polished and professional. During today’s call, she told me about an odd experience she had recently. I will paraphrase for you….
It’s Time to End Unpaid Internships
Internships should be learning experiences designed to expose students to a company’s people, products, and processes. They are intended, ostensibly, to give students a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the workforce. Well, a key part of being in the workforce is being compensated! Labor should always have dignity, which requires a decent wage payment. I am not against volunteerism; that’s great. However, organizations that have resources and ask people to work in real jobs for no money should be ashamed of themselves. Exchanging labor for “experience” only on a resume is the definition of exploitation....
An Open Letter to Gen Z and Those Who Employ Them
Dear GenZ:
I see you in the headlines. They’re saying that you’re “challenging” and “difficult” to work with. They say you’re lazy and don’t take direction well. You lack work ethic, and you have attitudes, And you’re getting fired at a rate higher than your counterparts from other generations....
Interview Prep: Your Key to Success in the Job Search
The job interview should be a conversation between interested parties to determine whether or not working together might be mutually beneficial. Candidates often go into interviews with little preparation and just wing it. You want to be sure that you tell a compelling, coherent story about your professional history and the value that you bring to the role. Here are my top tips for preparing for your next interview....