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: At a Crossroads of a Ph.D. Journey: Seeking Direction and Purpose
Hi Deb:
You recently helped me with my C.V., for which I am immensely thankful. As I prepare to defend my dissertation, I feel I’m at a crossroads. I’ve always struggled with low self-confidence. After spending the last 8 years in graduate school and finally completing my Ph.D. in chemical engineering, I am at a loss as to what I can do with my life….
Mind Your Own Business
“Mind your own business,” or MYOB, is often the best advice in many situations. While actions have consequences, when you don’t MYOB, you often involve yourself in a situation where the outcome does not impact you. Additionally, you take on their mental load if you’re constantly worried about others’ problems. MYOB demonstrates respect and authority. No one likes it when others interfere in their affairs. MYOB is a way of recognizing other people’s privacy while also protecting your own. MYOB also lets you be more efficient in the workplace because you’re not focused on what other people are doing….
Critical Areas of Focus for Job Seekers
During the course of my career, I have counseled thousands of people. Some people seek assistance in writing a resume. Some want help crafting a succinct elevator pitch. Many want advice as to how to move their careers forward and how to achieve their end goal. Almost invariably, I give my clients the same pieces of core advice. Now, I’m going to share that advice, gleaned from many years and my experience with various people, with you….
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
As you know, I have counseled thousands of job seekers and people looking to manage their careers. I sometimes speak with hundreds of people each month. Although I advise my clients on strategies to optimize their job searches and advance their careers, I am not the one out there doing the work, networking, and meeting potential employers. Fortunately, my clients love to share their stories with me; I, in turn, aggregate, analyze, and share the trends I hear and see with you. Here are some of the good things that I’ve heard about lately….
Keep Up With the Times, Career Edition
If you watch Miami Vice now, you need to suspend reality to get on board. And that is perfectly okay. As much as we know it would never work in practice, those of us “of a certain age” also understand that it was perfectly reasonable that architect Mike Brady designed a home for his blended family in which six children shared one bathroom. We do not question it. At all.
You may wonder what any of this nostalgia has to do with your career? Glad you asked. Here’s the thing. We can quickly and easily point out elements of the culture that have not stood the test of time, but we are often loath to let go of these when they are endemic to our personal and professional lives. Here are a few examples….
The admissions essay—a.k.a. Lazy Recruiting
The numbers are out. The job market is hot. Top candidates are in high demand. The current market is one in which Lazy Recruiting—a top peeve of mine—has no place. And yet, it continues to be SOP at many hiring companies. Lazy Recruiting has many facets. In its most common form, Lazy Recruiting is when…
Becoming Self-Aware
In my job as a career coach and advisor, I have had the opportunity to speak with literally thousands of people from all over the world, with different experiences and backgrounds, who have different end goals. Some clients come to me to rework a résumé or build out a social media plan. Others seek counsel…
Are you conflict-resistant?
You probably are. At least to some extent, most of us like to avoid conflict rather than face it head on. But conflict is a necessary and unavoidable part of the human experience, and avoiding it can be detrimental. What do you do if you are conflict averse, but a big part of your job…
Must job searching be a full-time job?
At some point in their careers, many people will find themselves on the wrong side of a conversation with HR and will be victims of a layoff. This is a traumatic event, to be sure, and friends and family are likely to offer some well-meaning, but misguided, advice. One such piece of worn out advice…
My Occupation Is Changing -- What Should I Do?
Dear Deb: I have been in my industry for 27 years. I am a media buyer, mostly cable and infomercials. My occupation is changing and when my previous employer was bought by a large international company, I was downsized. The problem is that companies are using more sophisticated specialized software and reporting systems. In the…