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.
Recent Grads Face a Tough Employment Market
This year’s college graduates are entering a tougher job market than last year’s. The Federal Reserve reports that the unemployment rate for recent grads was 5.8% as of March, up from 4.6% a year ago. The share of new graduates working jobs that don’t require their degrees — a situation known as “underemployment” — hit 41.2% in March, rising from 40.6% that same month in 2024. Although young grads have lower unemployment rates than the broader labor market, The Atlantic points out that this gap has narrowed to a record low, making some newly minted grads question the benefits of a bachelor’s degree….
De-center Work and Live Better
The idea of work and what it entails has changed, yet the workweek has only become longer. The 1960s were characterized by rapid workforce growth, economic transformation from automation, and policy attention to poverty alleviation through―Great Society programs. The deindustrialization of the 1980s, along with the ensuing Digital Age, the capacity for connectedness has made it possible for us to be accessible and able to work anywhere, anytime. In the past century, the American conception of work has shifted from jobs to careers to callings—from necessity to status to meaning….
Consensus vs. Agreement: What It Means for Better Business and Hiring Decisions
“Agreement” and “consensus” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings—especially in the context of decision-making. Consensus is reached when most people in a group support or can live with a decision, even if they do not fully agree with every aspect. This differs from unanimous agreement, which requires full support from every individual. In consensus, the final decision is acceptable to all involved, but the depth of agreement may vary. Everyone agrees to move forward, even if it is not their personal first choice….
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….
ATS Provider Workday Faces Class-Action Discrimination Lawsuit
Derek Mobley and four other plaintiffs have filed a discrimination lawsuit against Workday in the United States District Court of the Northern District of California. Mobley – a 40-year-old Black man – claims that he had been turned down for more than 100 jobs he applied for through Workday’s platform, blaming the AI algorithms’ biases for this occurrence. Thousands of organizations use Workday’s AI-based applicant screening tools, which can automatically reject or advance applicants….
Should You Remove DEI Work from Your Resume?
In today’s anti-DEI world, is it possible that work-related to DEI initiatives are red flags to potential employers? The short answer is that it might be. However, aside from the moral imperative to stand behind this important work, it’s just never a good idea to omit accomplishments on your résumé. If your job title included DEI, changing it or leaving it off of your résumé is a deceit that is easy for a future employer to discover. If you have significant accomplishments from DEI work, you should leave those on, especially if you can talk in specific terms about how they helped your company get better results in its work….
Dealing With a Bad Boss
What do bad bosses do? Frequently cited grievances include micromanaging, bullying, avoiding conflict, ducking decisions, stealing credit, shifting blame, hoarding information, failing to listen, setting a poor example, slacking, and not developing staff. Such dysfunctional behavior would make anyone unhappy and unproductive. However, whatever sins your boss commits, managing your relationship with him or her is a critical part of your job. Doing it well is a key indicator of how effective you are….
Make LinkedIn Work for You
LinkedIn serves nearly a billion members – and presents an even greater number of opportunities for those who understand how to leverage the platform’s power. Many people take a passive approach to the platform, simply putting up a profile and waiting for recruiters to contact them or leads to roll in. This is a mistake. If you want LinkedIn to work for you, you must work it yourself. Here are some tips to help optimize your LinkedIn experience….
Media Literacy in the Digital Age
Media literacy has become an essential skill in the digital age, where the internet and various forms of media play a pivotal role in the daily lives of individuals. The ability to critically evaluate content across diverse media platforms empowers individuals to actively navigate the complex landscape of modern information rather than consume it passively. The abundance of sources and the speed at which information spreads online demand that one possesses the skills to distinguish between credible and misleading or biased content….
Don’t Get Scammed!
Employment scams are becoming more common, and job seekers continue to be a target of cunning scammers. If you’re looking for a new job, be alert to these scams by learning what to watch out for to better safeguard yourself against them. Criminals will pose as reputable companies and post fictitious job descriptions on fake websites that look like the real thing. They will then make fraudulent job offers to job seekers. Sometimes, they ask for money, banking details, or other personally identifiable information….