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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.

Mastering the Art of Resume Writing: Tips to Craft Your Winning Personal Brand
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Mastering the Art of Resume Writing: Tips to Craft Your Winning Personal Brand

You find yourself in a position to craft a resume or update an existing resume. This can be a daunting challenge for many people. So much resume advice floats around out there, and so much is outdated, outdated, or simply flawed. I’ve worked with thousands of clients across a myriad of industries, and I’m going to share with you my top 10 tips for effectively and efficiently writing a winning resume….

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Use Resume Metrics to Improve Your Job Search
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Use Resume Metrics to Improve Your Job Search

I have said it many times, but it bears repeating: a resume is a marketing tool. As such, it’s important to understand your audience. Far too many job seekers operate under the assumption that a resume should list the tasks associated with your previous roles. Nothing could be further than the truth. For a resume to be effective, it needs to highlight your achievements. Those achievements should be quantified whenever possible….

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Overhaul your job search in 2021
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Overhaul your job search in 2021

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, as attested to by celebrations worldwide and the return of annual blooms. It marks a noticeable change in the earth’s position relative to the sun and is seen as an opportunity for new beginnings. With that said, spring is an apt time to overhaul your job search and career management strategies. So, if you’ve been doing the same thing and getting the same results, it’s time to try a new approach….

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Handling Conflicting Resume Advice

Dear Debra: It seems like every person that reviews my resume gives me new advice. I’ve gone through about five major overhauls. One said, “Lose the summary.” A former manager told me I must present my 16 years of project management history on one page. Then there are the endless comments about font, all bullets,…

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How Long Should a Resume Be?

Dear Deb: Is it true that anything over a page means you are including too much fluff on your resume? I read that each job should consist of two to three short bullets. Also, how far back should I go in my work history? I have worked for 21 years. Thank you for your advice,…

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Resume Help: Is Your Resume off to a Good Start?

Today’s candidate is not “off to a good start” with this resume. Let’s examine the top portion of the resume (below). There are two major problems with the top area of her resume. First there is an objective statement that does not sell and second, a summary statement that is loaded with clichés. Objective: Seeking…

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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…

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Resume Help: Bullets Lead to Boredom

Today’s resume for review is an experienced, credentialed tax accountant.  The biggest problem with the resume is that each section consists of a long list of bullets.  There are several reasons why a resume heavy with bullets is not effective.  Aesthetically, it resembles a shopping list.  Secondly, when a resume is heavy with bullets, readers…

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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…

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