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.
Résumé Help: What Not to Do: Part 1 of 2
Many résumés that we receive to critique are “solid B” résumés. As you know, many times a “B” is not good enough to get the interview. So, I point out ways to elevate those résumé up to an “A.” Lately, I have received some résumés in need of a complete overhaul. At first I wondered…
Résumé Help: References on a Résumé?
I focused on the reference portion of this candidate’s résumé. He had a second page that only contained his references. Let’s take a few minutes to review this example and identify how to share references in your initial resume submission. It is almost always best to create an addendum to your résumé when showcasing references. An…
Résumé Help: Format Only Matters When It Is Wrong
In this example, we are highlighting a few areas and offering advice on how to create a clean, appropriate format that is aligned with résumé writing standards. There are several aspects of your résumé that are black or white. There is no in-between. For example, if you spell everything right on your résumé, don’t expect…
Résumé Help: Hope for the Hopeless
I have to admit that when I first saw this document, I thought, “This one is hopeless!” Delfina is talented and I wanted to help her. My initial reaction was “I hope she allows us to re-write it.” That would be easier than trying to give tips. Hey wait…the purpose of this blog is to…
Résumé Help: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Julia Hart has strong accomplishments that are excellent evidence that she would be successful in her target job as a recruiting consultant. However, she risks losing the reader’s attention by starting her résumé with a long summary that is about 50% fluff. If she removes the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter,…
Résumé Help: Choose Your Words Carefully
Luis has had an impressive career spanning 25 years. He has controlled large budgets and high-profile operations in an international setting. However, his profile is so busy and cluttered that it discourages reading. After drudging through the words, I found much repetition and overlap. Streamlining the summary language would be a great first step to…
Résumé Help: Proper Way to Submit Education on Résumé
For many of us, our college degrees are some of our most significant achievements. If that is true, why do some people rush over this section when preparing our résumé. When properly formatted and placed appropriately on the résumé, it can be the anchor to the résumé. It can be quite annoying for an HR…
Résumé Help: Editing for Content, Flow, & Accuracy
Eva wrote to me because she has not had a response to her résumé. After reviewing Eva’s history, it is clear that she is an accomplished leader. However, most recruiters and hiring employers will not forgive her for her many errors. Eva’s résumé appears to be a good rough draft. If you click on the…
Résumé Help: Be Strategic About Your Content
When you review the sample below, you may think I am too rough on today’s candidate. Like too many candidates, Eric is not sharing the more compelling details of his career history. This is a classic undersell. No worries! We can help Eric create a new résumé strategy. Eric will be smiling all the way…
Résumé Help: Sorting Out the Summary & Career Highlights Categories
Bert sent us his résumé for a review. After reviewing, I notice that Bert is a top notch pharmaceutical sales representative. However, he has hidden his accomplishments in a long bulleted list with other items, including job duties and skills. We recommend that Bert revamp the structure of the résumé first page. We suggest replacing…