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.

Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: More to the Story

Below we have shared a portion of Rocco’s résumé.  Rocco is a successful leader with recent success building a start-up from a very early stage through five years (and counting) of prosperity. However, he is very vague about his achievements.  I know there is more to Rocco’s story! He merely hints at the functions he…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Copied from the Job Description

Is your résumé comprised of information copied directly from your company-provided job description?  Worse yet, have you copied and pasted information from the job posting for the job to which you are applying?  That is the case with this candidate.  Her information is cut from her description and does not contain any information unique to…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Elementary School on Your Résumé?

Karen’s résumé is starting with some of her least impressive information.  A prospective employer or a recruiter will likely delete Karen’s résumé before he or she gets to through the first half of page one.  First, the objective she has can be replaced with a summary statement to overview her relevant skills and characteristics.  The…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Highlighting the Education

Today’s candidate had quite a few issues with her résumé. However, the area that caught my attention was the fact that she mixed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas in with several one-day workshops and seminars she attended.  It is practically buried in the other content, so that when the…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Professional Experience Revamp

The professional experience section is critical because it backs up the promise a candidate makes in the profile summary and core competencies (areas of expertise) sections. This is the candidate’s opportunity to present the scope of his or her responsibility and examples of specific accomplishments.  It is important to quantify the responsibility and the accomplishments. …

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Accountant Lacking Details and Order

Résumés for candidates in certain professions and industries will be judged with greater scrutiny.  For example, a résumé for a designer will be evaluated for creativity.  A résumé for an accountant will be scrutinized for organization, details, and accuracy.  This particular accountant, Jordan, is lacking details in critical areas, such as the Professional Experience section. …

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Sometimes You Need a Résumé Overhaul

Many times a candidate will gather tips from friends and co-workers.  They make sure to add what they think are “the” buzzwords, include more language than needed, and paste in their job descriptions to be accurate. Some candidates get lucky and actually get interviews with a résumé like that.  However, I wonder what great opportunities…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Everything but the Kitchen Sink!

What if we write our résumé and omit one of the key skills that our dream employer requires?  We could be eliminated from the running and lose our chance at the job.  Perhaps, but is the solution to brainstorm and include every possible skill we have and for good measure toss in every cliché describing…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Get to the Point

The résumé that we are reviewing today shows a common mistake.  However, unchecked this mistake will cost you interviews.  This client has started each one of her bulleted statements with a fluffy description of the skills she used to perform a function.  In a few of these statements, she actually included an accomplishment. Unfortunately, the…

Read More
Resume Help Debra Wheatman Resume Help Debra Wheatman

Résumé Help: Is That “Other Information” Overkill?

Recently I saw a woman walk into a store with excessive accessories.  Maybe it was the red rose clip in her hair, or it could have been the 1980s-style bangles and matching chandelier earrings.  It was a sight to behold.  If she had stopped with the earrings, she would have looked terrific.  Under the barrage…

Read More