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.
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….
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....
What Companies Get Wrong When It Comes to DEI
Ask any CEO about DEI, and they will inevitably say that DEI is a key business imperative. But make no mistake, companies do not implement DEI programs out of altruism. Businesses started caring a lot more about diversity after a series of high-profile lawsuits rocked the financial industry. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Morgan Stanley shelled out $54 million—and Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch more than $100 million each—to settle sex discrimination claims. In 2007, Morgan was back at the table, facing a new class action, which cost the company $46 million. In 2013, Bank of America Merrill Lynch settled a race discrimination suit for $160 million. Cases like these brought Merrill’s total 15-year payout to nearly half a billion dollars. In short, CEOs care about DEI because not caring costs them – big time….
Ask Deb: Should I Work for Free to Receive an Offer?
I have been in the workforce for decades, and this is not my first time looking for a job. This week, I was asked to work for free in advance of an offer. I don’t mean that they want me to do a project or make a presentation. They want me to spend three days working with the team. I would have to be completely accessible on Slack and responsive to emails during this time….
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….
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….
Considering Taking a “Hush Trip”? You May Want to Reconsider.
The biggest learning from the pandemic has been that being present in one physical workplace is not essential for every job. In other words, work from home works just fine. As offices have reopened, many workers continue to work remotely. Enter the phenomenon of the “hush trip….”
Ask Deb: How Many Rounds Are Too Many?
Dear Deb:
I have been laid off for over 6 months and am beginning to feel a bit hopeless. Compounding my feelings is that I have been getting multiple interviews, yet no offers. The interview processes that I’ve encountered are nothing like anything I’ve seen before in my career.
I recently went through 7—yes 7—rounds of interviews for a role for which I was more than qualified. The first round was with the recruiter. Second round with the hiring manager. Third round with other members of the team. Fourth round was a panel interview for which I had to prepare a presentation. Fifth round was with the hiring manager again. Sixth round was one of the hiring manager’s peers. Seventh was with the CEO, who did not know who I was or why we were meeting and thought I was already hired….
Save Us from the Mansplaining
Mansplaining is alive and well and can be seen everywhere, from the driving range to X (formerly Twitter). Every woman has endured mansplaining at some point. It’s as if these men just can’t help themselves or restrain their mouths. The portmanteau describes the act of a man’s unsolicited explaining, generally to a woman, something he thinks he knows more about than she does — occasionally at anesthetizing length — whether he knows anything or not….
Follow-Up on Bad Boss, “Mr. Jones”
I shared a client’s story about her horrible boss, Mr. Jones, a few months ago. I just received an update, and I thought you might be intrigued….