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.

Debunking the Myth of Hard Work
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Debunking the Myth of Hard Work

Have you ever wondered why Americans are obsessed with the idea of hard work? And that if something is not working out, you just need to try harder? Perhaps unsurprisingly, this mentality has its roots in the Puritan culture of the Reformation, a culture that shaped the current culture of America. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the European Renaissance and the Reformation brought about a period of religious and political upheaval. Two leaders who were instrumental in the development of Western culture were Martin Luther and John Calvin….

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Mind Your Own Business
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Mind Your Own Business

“Mind your own business,” or MYOB, is often the best advice in many situations. While actions have consequences, when you don’t MYOB, you often involve yourself in a situation where the outcome does not impact you. Additionally, you take on their mental load if you’re constantly worried about others’ problems. MYOB demonstrates respect and authority. No one likes it when others interfere in their affairs. MYOB is a way of recognizing other people’s privacy while also protecting your own. MYOB also lets you be more efficient in the workplace because you’re not focused on what other people are doing….

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Bad CEO Behavior Continues: Work from Home Edition
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Bad CEO Behavior Continues: Work from Home Edition

This month’s contender for Worst CEO Behavior is Raul Vargas, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group. Mr. Vargas is the company’s new CEO, and one of his first orders of business was to reverse his predecessor’s stance on remote work. Employees hired as full-time remote employees now have until September to present themselves in the office thrice weekly. What’s driving this decision? Collaboration. And innovation….

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What The Sopranos Can Teach Us about Gen Z
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

What The Sopranos Can Teach Us about Gen Z

Gen Z only knows the world of high-quality, prestige TV. They never experienced the struggle of having nothing to watch but reruns of Gilligan’s Island or mandatory commercials. They expect to be able to watch what they want when they want, and most don’t even use a television, opting to watch on their laptops or phones. They are shaping this into a different world, and a fresh crop will graduate in a few weeks. If your business wants to keep up and attract young talent, you must learn from Hollywood’s mistakes and adapt.

Here’s what Gen Z wants out of work….

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I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

As you know, I have counseled thousands of job seekers and people looking to manage their careers. I sometimes speak with hundreds of people each month. Although I advise my clients on strategies to optimize their job searches and advance their careers, I am not the one out there doing the work, networking, and meeting potential employers. Fortunately, my clients love to share their stories with me; I, in turn, aggregate, analyze, and share the trends I hear and see with you. Here are some of the good things that I’ve heard about lately….

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A Hiring Company’s Lament
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

A Hiring Company’s Lament

Hiring Company: We can’t find any qualified candidates for our open roles. Why doesn’t anyone apply to work at our company?

Candidates: Your application system requires us to create an account, record a one-way video, and enter all of the information that’s already on the resume….

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Quiet Quitting: This Is Not A Thing
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Quiet Quitting: This Is Not A Thing

Over the last few weeks, a trend that began on TikTok has made its way to LinkedIn and mainstream media. “Quiet quitting” is everywhere, and everyone is acting like this is some new revelation. To my understanding, quiet quitting is when employees choose not to go above and beyond their jobs, including refusing to answer emails during evenings or weekends or skipping extra assignments that fall outside their core duties. Reading all of these articles and seeing these videos, I couldn’t help but wonder why this is newsworthy….

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