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.
From Apology to Assertiveness: Transforming Your Communication Style
Um, yeah, hi, like it would be really great if I could, like have your attention. Please? Sorry, but you know, this is uh an uh really important topic and like sort of important, so could you please pay attention?
These two sentences are perfect examples of apologetic, non-assertive language. Aside from the use of meaningless garbage fillers such as “like,” “um,” and “you know,” also included is one of the worst words that you can use in your business communications: “SORRY.” Nothing tanks a message like a “sorry” does. Why? Because the word has become so overused and milquetoast that it signals the oncoming lame and unnecessarily apologetic screed. No one has time for that….
The Inception of Collaboration Tools
Setting: A corporate America conference room, complete with whiteboard and glass walls.
Characters: Developers/Engineers; Clueless Boss; Users (silent role)
Scene: An average day at MacroBurst, maker of widely used business software known for its extremely non-intuitive, frustrating pseudo-solutions….
Chipotle CEO's Bizarre Interview Highlights the Critical Need for Media Training in Business!
Chipotle was all the rage a few years ago. The fast-casual chain offered ample portions, speedy service, and reasonable prices. Recently, the chain has fallen out of favor with its target market, who claim that the portion sizes have shrunk while the prices have skyrocketed. In response to the public outcry (and declining business), Chipotle CEO Brian Nicoll took to cable news to set the record straight. What ensued was a bizarre interview….
What You Need to Know About the Class of 2024
This year’s class faces a tougher job market than last year’s grads, with only a small percentage graduating with employment already lined up. Nonetheless, they’re inevitably going to be your colleagues, peers, and direct reports. Here is what they want from their employers….
Bullies, Mean Girls, and Remaining Professional When Things Get Personal
Bullies from high school often grow up to become bullies in the workplace (as well as outside of work), resulting in many of us finding ourselves in situations that are unfortunately similar to our dark days of adolescence. The worst part – these bullies are much stronger and vindictive. Workplace bullying takes many forms; it includes behavior that intimidates, offends, degrades, or humiliates an employee, possibly in front of coworkers and clients….
Don’t Be a Martyr for the Cause
You need to think of yourself as the CEO of your career, which means always thinking about what is best for you. You are a free agent.
The most essential asset in your career is you. Prioritize your well-being, set boundaries, and ensure your professional journey aligns with your personal values and health. Do not sacrifice yourself for an employer. Ever….
Good Riddance to Non-Compete Agreements!
On Tuesday, April 23, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled effectively banning non-competes for most employees. This will prevent for-profit employers from issuing new non-competes to anyone, making existing agreements unenforceable after the rule’s effective date. However, companies will still be able to issue and enforce non-competes for executives, defined as employees “in policy-making positions” who make at least $151,164 annually. It also orders employers to notify nonexecutive employees bound by an existing non-compete that it will no longer be enforceable. However, employment lawyers expect there to be legal pushback from employers and business groups that may delay enforcement of the rule while it is challenged in court and possibly prevent it from ever going into effect….
Beware of Job Scammers
A job scam is a fraudulent work offer intended to mislead people seeking legitimate employment. Often, the objective of scammers is to deceive job seekers into giving money, divulging personal information, or providing free labor. When looking for a new job, distinguishing between a scam and a valid opportunity can keep you safe and spare you a great deal of hassle….
The First American Woman CEO
The 2018 film The Post tells the story of attempts by journalists to publish the Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force’s report, now colloquially known as the Pentagon Papers. One of the film’s main characters, played by Meryl Streep, was Katharine Graham. Katharine Graham began working at the Post in 1938 as a beat reporter. Her father, Eugene Meyer, was the publisher of the paper, who, upon retirement, handed over the newspaper to Philip Graham, his son-in-law, and Katharine’s husband. Upon Philip’s death in 1963, Katharine assumed leadership of the Post and stepped into the role of company President and Publisher. Expectations of her were extremely low, as you might imagine, given the time. Publishing and journalism were male-dominated fields, and Katharine feared that she was unsuited for the job….
Save Us from the Mansplaining
Mansplaining is alive and well and can be seen everywhere, from the driving range to X (formerly Twitter). Every woman has endured mansplaining at some point. It’s as if these men just can’t help themselves or restrain their mouths. The portmanteau describes the act of a man’s unsolicited explaining, generally to a woman, something he thinks he knows more about than she does — occasionally at anesthetizing length — whether he knows anything or not….