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.
Black History Month: The Famous Entrepreneur You’ve Probably Never Heard About
Last week, I devoted my blog to Black entrepreneurs’ often-overlooked contributions to American history. This week, I’d like to tell you about a famous Black entrepreneur of whom you are probably unaware. She also happens to be a woman….
The Vital Role of Black Entrepreneurship in US History
Black-owned businesses have a long and rich history in the United States. But today, minority-owned businesses have a harder time getting access to capital and, therefore, have higher rates of failure compared to white-owned businesses. The plight of minority businesses in the US is finally being recognized and addressed. In 2024, the federal government put $30B into a Small Business Opportunity Fund for minority-owned businesses. In the wake of social protests in 2020, companies like Citi and JPMorgan Chase pledged millions of dollars in funding to uplift Black and Hispanic-owned businesses. These actions are the first steps on a long road to equitable opportunity for all businesses….
Why DEI Matters for Everyone
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are on the chopping block, which should concern everyone. One by one, DEI programs at some of the country’s biggest companies began falling apart in 2024, and efforts to reverse DEI initiatives are ramping up in 2025. Major companies, including Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Ford, Toyota, Meta, and Amazon, heeded the calls and dialed back their DEI programs, particularly after social media-driven campaigns by conservative influencers. This means ending racial training programs for staff and evaluations designed to boost supplier diversity and withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index….
Why You Should Hire Former Teachers
If you’re a hiring manager looking to fill a role with high-performing top talent, you should consider hiring a former teacher. No, teachers will not have industry experience, won’t know specific software programs, and will not speak in the corporate lexicon. What they do have are finely honed soft skills, which are often challenging to assess during the interview process but are unquestionably crucial to success in any role. Here are ten attributes that classroom teachers have that can make a profound impact on your business….
Managing During a Natural Disaster
Like most Americans, I have been watching the coverage of the California wildfires, and I am horrified. California’s wildfires typically occur in the more rural parts of the state. These fires are especially deadly because they are raging through highly populated areas of Los Angeles. Powerful winds spread embers, resulting in more fires, and people have evacuated their homes. In California, workers are protected by SB 1044, which gives employees the right to refuse to go to work during emergency conditions. This law protects those who work in jobs that must report to a physical location but does not specify anything regarding white-collar workers who can work remotely….
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….
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….
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….
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....
Delta Airlines Dictates Guidelines for Candidates’ Underwear and Other Stupid Things
I was astounded to come across this article about Delta Airlines’ new guidelines for candidates’ grooming, hair, jewelry, and clothing—and its specific requirements for candidates’ undergarments. According to the memo, those interviewed for flight attendant roles should not wear athletic shoes and must wear heels, slingbacks, or closed-toe flats instead. Candidates must wear “appropriate” underwear that is not visible. Dresses and skirts must be knee-length or lower. Hair and eyelashes must be “natural looking,” fingernails must be “neutral,” (no neon colors, airbrushed, or long fingernails are permitted,” tattoos must be covered either with clothing or waterproof makeup, and only two earrings per ear are allowed. Whew. Interestingly, the only appearance edict specific to male flight attendants is that they must wear collared button-down shirts and ties....