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.
Ten Pioneering American Women You Have Never Heard About
Founded in 1910 by feminist Clara Zetkin, International Women’s Day is a day to recognize women’s contributions to industry and society and their work outside of the home. Many women who have impacted American history are well known, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth. However, too many pioneering women have been left out of the conversation for too long.
How well do you know the history of women’s contributions in the US? Are any of these names familiar?….
Is Your Team Quietly Screaming? Unmasking the Abilene Paradox in Your Workplace
We hear and engage in fallacies every day. They often form the keystones of our arguments. These logical fallacies are leaps of logic that lead us to an unsupported conclusion. People may unintentionally commit a logical fallacy due to poor reasoning or intentionally to manipulate others. Common logical fallacies include the red herring, ad hominem, causation/correlation, straw man, and the anecdotal evidence fallacy. However, there is one particularly insidious fallacy that we want to take extra care to avoid, and that is the one known as the Abilene Paradox….
Signs that It May Be Time to Move On
Dread going to work? Worried you’re going to lose your job? Feeling burned out or left out at the office? How do you know when the trouble is just a little blip you’ll soon get past, or when it’s time to dust off your resume and start perusing job postings? Check out these signs that you might want to consider leaving your job….
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
During the Second World War, women proved they could do “men’s” work and do it well. With men away to serve in the military and demands for war materials increasing, manufacturing jobs opened up to women and upped their earning power. Yet, women’s employment was only encouraged as long as the war was on. Once the war was over, federal and civilian policies replaced women workers with men….
Confident or Arrogant? Do You Know the Difference?
While confidence and arrogance may seem to be opposite forms of expression, there is often a fine line between them. Confidence positively expresses your abilities, while arrogance is often associated with believing you’re more intelligent and capable than those around you. Knowing the difference between the two is essential to ensure you remain confident, resourceful, and collaborative at work….
My Holiday Wish
The end of the calendar year brings with it holidays from multiple cultures and belief systems. From the most obvious, Christmas, to Hanukkah, the widely known Jewish celebration of lights, to the pagan celebration of Winter Solstice, December is the month of multiple celebrations. These holiday observations contain a unifying message- one of peace and unity….
Lessons in Innovation from a Pet Rock
No effort. No allergies. No cleanup. In the early 1970s, Gary Dahl, a freelance advertising copywriter, was having drinks at a bar with friends when the conversation turned to the destructive nature of pets. Dogs and cats chewed and clawed. Gerbils need to live in packs of 2 or more. Pet fish means regular cleaning of the tank. Then there was the fact that pets required constant attention—they must be walked, played with, fed, and cleaned up after. Dahl said he didn’t have to worry about that because he had a “pet rock.” ….
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….
Follow-Up on Bad Boss, “Mr. Jones”
I shared a client’s story about her horrible boss, Mr. Jones, a few months ago. I just received an update, and I thought you might be intrigued….
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….