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.
What is leadership?
It seems such a simple question, yet it still confuses managers, employees, consultants, and journalists. We all know that leaders are necessary. After all, someone must be accountable for driving results. But what happens all too often in companies is that there is a distinct gap between managers and leaders. Some managers are good leaders,…
Personal Branding and Content
You know that I’m all about content, and all about using content as a way to define, promote, and grow your personal brand. But do you think of things like the presentations you give, that thirty-second elevator pitch, or your answer to that often-asked interview question, “So, tell me about yourself” as “content”? Probably not.…
Keep It Simple
I recently had to have some work done on my car. When I picked it up, the mechanic told me what problems he found and what he did to fix them. He didn’t go into a lengthy discussion about how the air conditioning system works or the benefits of which particular parts he chose to…
Tips for managing your boss
It’s important to do your job and to do it well. But that is only one component of your career success. Obviously, it’s a critical one, but also important is your ability to work well with others, to be seen as a resource that can be depended upon, and one that isn’t talked about very…
Do I have to use my old boss as a reference?
Dear Deb: I have a question about references. Do they have to be from a previous manager? I’m concerned because my last boss was kind of. . . odd. Sometimes he would be really friendly and jovial, and tell everyone how great they were doing. Other times he would be verbally abusive and tell…
Building Brand Awareness
You know you need to build a professional brand to effectively market yourself in your career. But how do you build awareness of your brand? Branding is one of those things that we like to make really difficult. It doesn’t have to be; it’s actually quite simple. Let’s start with what branding is not. It…
Body Language Mistakes to Avoid
We all know that body language is of critical importance in all human interactions. This is especially true when interviewing. When you are being interviewed, you are being evaluated on not only what you say, but how you say it. With that in mind, here are the most common body language mistakes people make, and…
Four Things That Can Destroy Your Brand
You know that one of my favorite topics is personal branding, and how it is imperative that you have a strong one. Building a personal brand takes time, effort, and consistency. It is an ongoing process that requires nurturing. But all of your work can be destroyed relatively quickly and easily by making these mistakes.…
Image Impacts Your Brand
Many people conflate “image” with “personal brand,” when, in reality, they are two separate things. Your personal brand is the experience that people have with you, and the story you tell about who you are and what you do. Your image is your visual representation, and it is a crucial component of your brand. Before…
Personal Branding—an Exercise in Content Marketing
Having a personal brand is not optional. Perhaps you think you don’t have a personal brand, but you do. And if you don’t know what your brand is, your brand is neither strong nor polished. Having a strong personal brand is critical to managing your career, and you want to be sure that you are…