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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.

Words Matter: Connotation & Denotation
Last week, I devoted my blog to how to structure an argument, frame your values, and gain consensus and buy-in. Equally important is knowing when and how to use these two types of language. Denotation is the literal meaning of the word. It’s what the entry in the Oxford English Dictionary states. Connotation refers to the idea or feeling a word carries within a cultural context. Denotation is finite; a word means what a word means. Connotation can be negative or positive. For example, the word “frugal” means economical with money, but it has a strongly positive connotation. When you describe someone as frugal, the underlying meaning is that they are wise and savvy with their money. It’s a good thing, a positive attribute. In contrast, although the word “cheap” denotes economical, the feeling associated with “cheap” is that someone is miserly or tries to save money in negative ways….

Frame Your Argument to Influence Others
Whether it’s in a business meeting, a classroom discussion, or a political debate, the ability to articulate your thoughts and persuade others is invaluable. However, many people struggle with this task and often feel frustrated or defeated in such situations. Consider the following scenario: You’re at a family dinner and the conversation turns to politics. Your uncle begins passionately arguing his point of view, and you find yourself disagreeing with him. You want to express your own beliefs, but you’re unsure how to do so without coming across as confrontational or aggressive. Sound familiar? The ability to confidently articulate your thoughts, stay focused on the issue at hand, and effectively counter opposing views is a critical life skill, so let’s talk about how you can do just that….

The Importance of Communicating with Clarity
I spoke with a client today about poor communication, which seems ubiquitous in both written and verbal communication. If you want to improve your communication, here are some things you can do….

Skip the Prelude: Why LinkedIn Doesn’t Need a ‘Let Me Explain’ Disclaimer
For unknown reasons, many so-called LinkedIn experts love sharing the most ordinary statement ever, followed by “let me explain.” This phenomenon seems limited to LinkedIn and is most often used by influencers looking to build their presence on LinkedIn. I guarantee that whatever the opening statement is, it is nothing extraordinary or earth-shattering. Instead, it is likely to be mundane and dull. Let me explain….

How Effective Is Your Style of Communication?
Effective communication requires more than merely selecting the right words. After all, we all know that most communication is not about WHAT but HOW it’s said and, more importantly, how it’s received. To grow your career, you need to adopt a style of communication that will avoid misunderstanding and encourage an honest and free flow of ideas. Clear communication is critical to keeping your team performance at optimal levels, yet many people struggle with this more than any other soft skill….

Easy tips to help you improve workplace communication
The workplace is a social entity. Like all human interactions, it is built upon communication. Healthy, honest communication is the foundation of long- and short-term success. It is how you build relationships and get things done. Here are some quick tips that can help you better communicate with your colleagues, customers, and prospects….

Become a great listener and people will LOVE talking to you
You may have noticed that many, if not most, people are not very skilled communicators. This puts the onus on you, as the listener, to untangle the meaning of what is being conveyed. This can be difficult and arduous. Even if the speaker is clear and cogent, there may be concepts that are still hard to grasp. We tend to think of listening as a passive activity, but nothing could be further from the truth. Good listeners know they must listen intently and actively and ask questions when they need clarification. Here are some tips to help you become a great listener….
Network vs. Contact
I’ve noticed that many people use the terms “network” and “contacts” interchangeably. This is incorrect, as they are two related, but distinct groups. Your contacts are people you may have met in real life or online. You may have common interests or goals. However, you are not invested in your contacts’ lives, their successes, or…
You Really Did Learn Everything You Need to Know about Effective Business Writing from Your English Teacher
Remember when you were in school, and your English teacher assigned an essay? Everyone groaned and complained. Maybe some people opined that writing a five paragraph essay was a waste of time and not something that you’d ever have to do out in the “real world.” Then you got out into that “real world” and…
Careers Done Write Workshop on the Go: Soft Skills Part IV: Communication
This month we have been discussing soft skills. We were prompted by Millennial Branding’s survey of 225 employers using Experience Inc.’s data pool of over 100,000 U.S. companies. Of the employers surveyed, 98% said that adaptability is one of the top five skills they are seeking in new employees. Yet, 91% of this same…