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.
Bewitched by Your Uniqueness
When I think about the show now, bad special effects aside, I realize that Bewitched started a conversation about the empowerment of women and how that was represented in different generations during the 1960s. The show clearly invites a conversation about female issues and female empowerment as it centers on strong women characters. This is quite impressive, considering the time period. Samantha’s somewhat adherence to Darrin’s edict isolated and marginalized her. Fundamentally, Bewitched is a show about being unable to be yourself and hiding who you really are….
Skip the Prelude: Why LinkedIn Doesn’t Need a ‘Let Me Explain’ Disclaimer
For unknown reasons, many so-called LinkedIn experts love sharing the most ordinary statement ever, followed by “let me explain.” This phenomenon seems limited to LinkedIn and is most often used by influencers looking to build their presence on LinkedIn. I guarantee that whatever the opening statement is, it is nothing extraordinary or earth-shattering. Instead, it is likely to be mundane and dull. Let me explain….
AI Writing: Missing the Human Spark in the Story of Communication
There is a lot of talk about how ChatGPT and other AI tools can easily and cheaply replace humans. Undoubtedly, this is true. And for many people, ChatGPT is good enough. But that’s just it. It’s “good enough,” which means mediocre or barely passable. Written material that ChatGPT produces is easy to spot—it’s bland, has no voice, and is not compelling. In other words, it lacks a human element….
When Should You Seek Out an Employment Law Attorney?
If you are a member of a protected class—race, religion, gender, national origin, or age--and think you are experiencing discrimination in the workplace is one of the most obvious. But here are a few more scenarios in which you might consider seeking legal counsel….
Think Your Boss is Bad? Wait Until You Hear About ‘Mr. Jones’
In my 20 years as a career coach, I’ve talked to thousands of people and have heard countless stories about bad bosses, irritating coworkers, and overly demanding customers. While I never assume that any story I hear is the most shocking, I am always shocked at the bad behavior of people in general. This week, I received an email from a client describing her boss’s behavior….
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….
Stop Giving Useless Feedback
Criticism like “You didn’t spend enough time on this” does nothing to help an employee improve their performance. Useful feedback is constructive, specific, and actionable. If your feedback does not check these three boxes, do not offer it. Keep your mouth shut and work on crafting some valid feedback that will help your employees improve….
Creating Shareable Content
You know you should create compelling, relevant content as part of your overall personal branding strategy. But is your effective, relevant content being shared with others on social media? Probably not. Most people don’t want to share your content. In fact, a study of social transmission across millions of Twitter accounts revealed that the majority of users are passive and rarely share their information with their network. The average Twitter user only retweets one in every 300 tweets they read. Content that moves is content that effectively markets you and promotes your brand….
How Effective Is Your Style of Communication?
Effective communication requires more than merely selecting the right words. After all, we all know that most communication is not about WHAT but HOW it’s said and, more importantly, how it’s received. To grow your career, you need to adopt a style of communication that will avoid misunderstanding and encourage an honest and free flow of ideas. Clear communication is critical to keeping your team performance at optimal levels, yet many people struggle with this more than any other soft skill….
SEO, Branding, and Your Career
As a personal branding consultant, I frequently field questions about what branding is and how to effectively execute a personal branding strategy. Branding embodies the captivating experience you curate and the lasting impression you leave upon every interaction. It becomes a powerful essence that defines your identity in the minds of those with whom you engage. Why is it so important to have a strong brand? In this ever-evolving world of work, the paradigm of lifetime employment with a single company has shifted. Embracing this new reality, it becomes imperative to adopt the mindset of a CEO for your own career, strategically marketing your most vital product—YOU. By taking charge of your professional journey and proactively shaping your personal brand, you pave the way for limitless opportunities and extraordinary growth.
Creating a successful personal branding strategy has three main components: Content, Context, and Consistency….