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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.

The Bear and the Big, Bad Boss
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

The Bear and the Big, Bad Boss

It’s been a little less than a month since the third season of The Bear was released on Hulu to a warm ovation. For many, it hits too close to home. Carmy, we feel your pain. Everyone has that one toxic boss or workplace from your past that you wish you could forget. In Carmy’s case, it was David Fields, the abusive chef from New York. Carmy describes him as “very probably mentally ill. Dead inside. Cold. Never turns it off. Accomplishes more by 10 a.m. than most people do in a lifetime.” In an Emmy-worthy scene, Carmy finally has the chance to tell David how he feels….

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Why Employee Surveillance Backfires
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Why Employee Surveillance Backfires

Last week, Wells Fargo fired several staff members after claiming they were faking keyboard activity to make it appear like they were working when they were not. The bank said that its staff had either been fired or resigned “after review of allegations involving simulation of keyboard activity creating impression of active work,” according to the BBC….

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Why Your Boss Wants You Back in the Office
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Why Your Boss Wants You Back in the Office

Many leaders have established long-standing cultures of control and monitoring. They genuinely believe the only way to ensure hard work and productivity is through micromanaging and physical conversations. Remote work gives employees a high level of autonomy, and executives are worried this could make them slack off or break the rules. I would characterize it as a form of cognitive dissonance. The truth is evident and is supported with facts, yet they can’t accept the new reality. These decisions are based entirely on emotion rather than logic and reason….

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Think Your Boss is Bad? Wait Until You Hear About ‘Mr. Jones’
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Think Your Boss is Bad? Wait Until You Hear About ‘Mr. Jones’

In my 20 years as a career coach, I’ve talked to thousands of people and have heard countless stories about bad bosses, irritating coworkers, and overly demanding customers. While I never assume that any story I hear is the most shocking, I am always shocked at the bad behavior of people in general. This week, I received an email from a client describing her boss’s behavior….

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Stop Giving Useless Feedback
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Stop Giving Useless Feedback

Criticism like “You didn’t spend enough time on this” does nothing to help an employee improve their performance. Useful feedback is constructive, specific, and actionable. If your feedback does not check these three boxes, do not offer it. Keep your mouth shut and work on crafting some valid feedback that will help your employees improve….

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Bad CEO Behavior Continues: Work from Home Edition
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Bad CEO Behavior Continues: Work from Home Edition

This month’s contender for Worst CEO Behavior is Raul Vargas, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group. Mr. Vargas is the company’s new CEO, and one of his first orders of business was to reverse his predecessor’s stance on remote work. Employees hired as full-time remote employees now have until September to present themselves in the office thrice weekly. What’s driving this decision? Collaboration. And innovation….

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Most Egregious of 2022: Employer Edition
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Most Egregious of 2022: Employer Edition

It’s the end of the year and time for me to do my annual retrospectives. This one is dedicated to the most awful things I’ve heard about employers during this year. Remember, I talk to a LOT of people, so these are from a variety of industries and fields. It would be impossible for me to make this up. I’m just not that creative….

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How to Handle a Rude Interviewer
Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman

How to Handle a Rude Interviewer

What is the best way to handle a rude interviewer? The interview process should be a free-flowing discussion between two parties on ways to solve a business problem. Unfortunately, there are many bad managers out there and many, many people who have not received training on how to interview. This behavior does not merely sour candidates on certain companies, but it will impact the company’s brand….

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How to Spot a Bad Boss
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

How to Spot a Bad Boss

A good leader possesses soft skills like effective communication, a commitment to teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Good leaders motivate and inspire their employees to become better workers, which improves the company’s bottom line while reducing turnover. However, excellent leaders are rare, and bad bosses are everywhere; I don’t know a working professional who has not had an experience with a bad boss. Here are some bad boss behaviors that you should be on the lookout for….

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