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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.

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Salary Negotiation and Negotiating Job Offers

Even though getting a job offer can be great news, everyone dreads going to the negotiation table. After all, it is not quite as enjoyable as the Thanksgiving table. Asking for more money isn’t easy, especially in today’s economy, but don’t sell yourself short. If you identify a position that you think is appropriate, but…

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Resume Help - Highlight Best Job Experience

Dear Deb: I've had a discussion with a few people about a CV writing issue; and because it seems to be a popular and interesting one, I thought I'd share it with you. When a person is currently doing several things ("to present") -- ex: CEO of one company, sitting on several Boards, doing consulting,…

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Resume Help - Interior Design

This week’s résumé critique spotlights an early career Interior Design graduate. Let’s call her Jasmine. Jasmine chose a very artistic header which is not depicted here. While this would not have been appropriate for an investment banker, in a field like Interior Design it was an excellent choice. The logo is very nice; but, Jasmine’s…

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Include a Cover Letter with your Resume

I just received an email from a client who forwarded me a note from another résumé writing company. The headline indicated that “you don’t need a cover letter.” This is not exactly the way it was written, but I am going to protect the guilty here. I have to beg to differ! A cover letter…

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Resume Help - Objective and Summary Format

For today's résumé critique, we are going to look at the first few sections of the résumé for a sales executive who also has management experience. We will call him Jerome. In its present state, Jerome's résumé does not nearly reflect the caliber of his expertise. He has put together his document himself by following…

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Professional Resume Writing Services Yield Results

Q. I love to read your blog and am enjoying your new résumé critique section on Monday mornings.  The only thing that I wonder is why people don’t consult a résumé expert sooner? WG, San Francisco, CA A. This is an excellent question.  Often, when a new client comes to me for a résumé revision,…

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Resume Help - Education Section Format

Hello again readers: Following is a look at the 3rd part of the résumé which typically includes education, training, certifications, and affiliations.  Meet James. This is the education, activities and community service section of his résumé. Overall Impression: Weak presentation. Reason: In addition to punctuation errors, James has used improper verb tenses and pronouns. He…

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Internships Beat Interviews for Job Changes

Q. I want to change careers and have been looking for months to move into a marketing role. For the past several years, I have been a customer service specialist. I recently interviewed for a marketing position, but it’s an internship for six months. I am not making very much money in the customer service…

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Resume Help - Experience Section Format

Hello again readers: I am pleased to offer the second installment of the résumé critique. Today we are going to take a look at a section of a professional experience section of a client’s résumé. Meet Sharlene. This is part of the professional experience section of her résumé. Overall Impression: Needs a lot of work.…

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