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.
Increasing Self-Confidence in the Workplace
One thing that I have learned from my years of working closely with people is that one of the biggest assets, not just in your career but in life, is self-confidence. In particular, developing confidence in the workplace is not easy. It requires work, time, and dedication. If you struggle with gaining confidence in the workplace, here are some tips….
Career Strategies for the New Year
I know that we are all bombarded with “new year, new you” messages everywhere during this final week of December. We all know that New Year's resolutions are notoriously difficult to maintain and that most of them fall by the wayside by mid-February. So I’m not going to advise you to make monumental shifts in your career management strategy. I do want to point out that you are the CEO of your own career, and as such, it’s incumbent upon you to manage your career just as you would any team or project. Here is what I suggest for 2023….
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Language matters; it is a critical component of communication. We all know people who just seem to be exceptionally gifted with the spoken and written word. They always seem to use the perfect words at the right time, conveying messages clearly and succinctly. Part of this skill is tapping into a large and varied vocabulary. I’m not necessarily talking about “big” words, although those have their place and purpose. But every day, plain, clear words are just as important. The problem is that many people misunderstand language and misuse words. This will make you appear less credible than you are. If you want a quick and easy way to up your game and get people to take you more seriously, be sure you’re using these words correctly and in the proper context….
8 Things to do differently in 2022 to improve your job search and your career
The job market is hot right now. Employers, regardless of industry, are having trouble recruiting and retaining the talent they need, and candidates have more interview options than ever before. While this is an excellent environment for job seekers, it’s putting a strain on hiring companies and employees trying to execute on goals amid constant uncertainty and chaos. The pace of voluntary turnover shows no sign of slowing down, nor do the hiring needs of companies in all industries and fields. Add to this the ongoing pandemic; to say these are uncertain times is a gross understatement. Here are some things you can do to improve your focus and optimize your brand, your job search, and your current company….
What we learned from the crazy train that has been 2020
There’s no way around it. This year has been one for the history books. This has been a trying year for sure, the most difficult on record for many, if not most of us. But there have been many important lessons we have learned about managing our careers and our lives this past year….
Ask Deb: Help! I hate my new job!
I recently started a new job within my industry. I was so excited by the opportunity and I left a job I liked to pursue it. I am sad to say that, 6 weeks in, I have come to realize that this was a colossal mistake. I absolutely hate it. The culture is toxic, my manager is an extreme micromanager, and the job itself is nothing like what I was led to believe. The executive leadership is abysmal, and is focused on maintaining the status quo rather than fixing any part of this broken system. I feel like there is no way that I can possibly succeed in this role.…
Seven things you do that your boss hates
When you’re in a white-collar, corporate job, your role, at a high level, is to make things easier for your boss. That’s why she hired you—to solve problems and take the burden off of her. However, too many people either don’t realize this or forget that this is the case, and they do things—intentionally or otherwise—that make things more difficult for their boss. Here are the top 7 offenses, as reported by managers….
The mischaracterization of “average”
Average. It’s a word that is representative of the whole. However, its connotation has somehow morphed into meaning that something or someone is sub-par. Nothing could be further from the truth….
Craziest Calls I’ve Had
I speak with literally thousands of people each year. I often listen to their laments about their peers, coworkers, and interviewers. But, as you can imagine, not all of my client calls remain strictly in the professional domain….