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.
Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Overcoming a Bad Performance Review
There are times when an employee nervously enters the performance review anticipating bad news; he has seen the signs. Other times, employees are completely blind-sided and shocked to receive a poor or below-satisfactory evaluation. Either way, it stings. Before you get defensive and catapult a situation from bad to worse, take a deep breath and…
5 Tips on Improving Your Professional Profile
February is almost over, which means that the end of the first quarter is right around the corner. If you are positioning yourself for a promotion this year or considering a job switch, here are five things you can start doing today to increase your professional profile and make yourself more attractive to new managers…
Thank You Letter Help: A Second Chance to Sell Yourself
A thank you letter should be a part of your job search routine. Erin follows this advice and sends a thank you letter immediately following every interview. The problem is that her thank you letter is so weak. She merely thanks the interviewer and she does not take advantage of the chance to pitch herself…
Career Lessons from AMC’s The Walking Dead
After great anticipation, Walking Dead fans were treated recently to the mid-season premiere. It is no surprise that this drama is so popular. As you might have guessed, there are career lessons to be gleaned from the series. As you watch the post-apocalyptic battle of the undead and survivors unfold, see you if you can…
Guest Post: Springboard a Healthcare Career As A Nursing Aide
Thank you to Chris Salvato for his guest post on "Springboard a Healthcare Career As A Nursing Aide Have you ever wanted to be a nurse, but didn't know how to get started? Interested in nursing, but you aren't sure if it's right for you? There's actually a job that's perfect for you - a…
The Goldilocks Principle & Resumes for Candidates over Age 45
Remember Goldilocks? She is the ever-curious child known for breaking and entering into the three bears’ home. She tested the bears’ beds and porridge in search of accommodations and dinner that was “just right.” She did not want a bed that was too soft or porridge that was too hot. A resume must follow the…
Do You Need a Summary Paragraph on Your Resume?
I received this question this week from a client who has not updated her resume since 2001. As a general rule, you should include a summary paragraph on your resume. This summary area is a great way to showcase, by way of example, what you have done in the past that will serve as an…
Questions to Ask when Networking
When you meet someone new who could potentially point you in the right direction toward a new job or opportunity, you have to ask the right questions to maximize your time and the value of the meeting. You should think carefully about the purpose of your meeting is – is it to ask for a…
Brand Names Add Credibility and Weight to Your Resume
A common component of the critiques I provide often include discussion around highlighting ‘brand’ names that are sometimes buried or otherwise obscured by poor formatting and / or composition. I recently reviewed a document submitted by a mid-career professional who attended Columbia University’s Teacher’s College; she failed to mention this anywhere on her first page…
Update Your Resume with 2013 Achievements
As the holidays wind down over the next few days, consider updating your resume with all of the achievements you accomplished this past year. Doing so will allow you to get ahead of a potential job search in January and February. So what kinds of achievements should you include? Here are three tips. Promotions. This…