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.
How much personal information should I disclose when interviewing?
A reader writes: Dear Deb: I have recently re-entered the job market, after being in my previous position for nearly ten years. One of the reasons that I stayed in that role for so long was that it offered enormous flexibility of schedule. I have a special needs child, and I really need the ability…
Ten Things You Should Never Do in a Job Interview
I devote much of my writing to advising my readers on what they should be doing in their job search, but today, I’m going to tell you what you should avoid. This is a partial list, and in no particular order, but a good starting point. Take a phone interview while you are driving. This…
Five lame interview questions, and how to handle them
For all of the time and effort that candidates invest in interview preparation, there is a wholesale lack of reciprocity on the part of most interviewers. Considering that turnover replacement costs are at least 30% of an individual’s base compensation—and the higher level and specialized the person is, the higher those costs are—it is astounding…
What is Your Biggest Weakness?
Dear Deb: How should I answer the interview question about describing my biggest weakness? Thank you, Elliot Dear Elliot: I applaud you for preparing for one of the most common interview questions. Don’t avoid the question asking for your weakness by saying, "I don't have a weakness." That is disingenuous and shows a lack of…
Interview Tips from the Presidential Debates
This year, more than past years, Americans are drawn to the Republican and Democratic debates. Perhaps it is the celebrity of Donald Trump, or maybe it is the unique background of this season’s candidates. Whatever the reason, the debates are drawing record-breaking viewership. We can learn a lot from debates, including the major issues of…
Interviewers Behaving Badly: Job Interview Nightmares
Today’s blog can be summed up with a quote from the classic sitcom, Seinfeld, in which George admonishes a rude woman: “You know, we're living in a society!” Many times I have wanted to say that to someone. It seems that people have become desensitized to the feelings of others. There are careless and callous…
A+ Internship Interviews
It is time to apply for a summer internships. The most dreaded part of the process for most candidates is the interview. Interviewing causes anxiety for almost everyone. However, with some practice, interviewing becomes easier. Here are five simple suggestions to help you ace the interview for your dream internship. Be Authentic The interviewer wants…
Interview Dilemma Resolved: Explaining a Career Blip
One of the most common dilemmas in a job search is the handling of a blip in your career. The concern is that an employer may think less of a candidate who has taken a wrong turn. Sometimes a candidate accepts a job and once in that new positions realizes this job is far from…
Body Language Miscues
Body language is critically important. Small movements that you make …movements you probably aren't aware of … could be the key to whether others trust you … or not. Train yourself not to make the four gestures demonstrated in the infographic below to ensure trust in those around you. Why is buying Instagram likes profitable and…
Tricky Interview Questions: Are You a Risk Taker?
Perhaps the one interview question that reveals a candidate’s true nature more than any other is the frequent question: “Do you consider yourself a risk-taker?” There is an adage: No risk; no reward. That is true in many situations. However, risky behavior is perilous and uncertain by definition. So, what is the “right” answer to…