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.
Redefining the role of higher education in the new world order
Undeniably, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended everyone’s life. There is no one on the planet who has not been touched by it, whether by contracting the virus itself or just by the unprecedented lifestyle changes brought about by more stringent health and safety protocols. The pandemic has defined not only the idea of the workplace but that of work itself. White-collar work is no longer predominantly performed in office buildings with cubicle farms. Now, such work is mainly being conducted remotely, and, unsurprisingly, in all but a few sectors, business has thrived. What does this mean for the next generation of developing talent? What kinds of skills and experiences will they need to flourish in this new world? And what role will higher education play?….
Translating jargon into plain English
As linguists know, language is, by its nature, constantly evolving. Language is also supposed to be communicative and cohesive. However, we all know that corporate lingo is an entity unto itself and that quite often, this particular lexicon does little to provide clarity, direction, or, quite frankly, sense. That is why I am providing my readers with this condensed translation guide, organized by corporate context….
Bad advice from your college’s career center
The problem with college career centers is that there is a significant disconnect between the advice they tend to dispense and the business climate's reality. In fact, most people who work in college career centers have never worked in a corporate environment. Without direct experience in the corporate workforce, how can they properly advise students, especially undergraduates, on transferring their skills and knowledge to that environment? Here is some of the bad advice regularly dispensed to students. You have my permission to ignore all of it….
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…
No degree—Is it a problem?
During the period following World War II, until the late 1970s, the American economy experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the middle class. About half of those among the postwar middle class were blue collar workers. Buoyed by strong wages and often protected by labor unions, the working class was also the middle class. The factory…
Words, words, words
Undergraduates who have chosen to major in the liberal arts will inevitably be faced with the question, “What are you going to do with THAT?” I am sympathetic to them because when I was a non-STEM, non-business major, that same exact question was posed to me. In an age in which it seems that STEM…
Bad writing reflects poorly on you
I remember teachers always impressing upon students the importance of being able to write clearly and cogently. I was a strong writer, and banging out a quick five paragraph essay posed no problem for me, only minor inconvenience. I knew that not everyone was as adept at writing as I, but I also recognized that…
Resume Help: Are You Sure about How to Present Your Education?
Education is an important qualification on the resume. Therefore, it is important to present your education in the proper format and in a position to balance your education and experience. Today’s example resume could be improved by changing the location of the education and editing the actual content in the education category. 1.) Move the…
Resume Help: Education Quandaries
In today’s Resume Help example, we examine the education portion of this resume. Normally, the education portion of the resume is the easiest to write. The candidate notes the name of the college, degree, field of study, and honors. It can get tricky when a candidate has incomplete degrees or studies not related to their…
Resume Help: Showing Skills & Education
Today’s candidate has the skills and education required to excel in a graphic design career. His resume is holding him back for several reasons. All of the items can be easily corrected. 1.) Always use the actual name of the certificate or degree. Instead of saying vocational certificate, state the actual program, such as “Certificate: …