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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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Executive Marketing Mom Re-enters Workforce

Dear Deb, Q. I have a four-year gap on my résumé because I chose to stay at home and raise my young children after spending 15 years as an executive level marketing professional. I am ready to go back to work now and was wondering how to address this on my résumé? With the current unemployment…

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Résumé Help - Talented Graphic Art Director

Today’s Résumé Help focuses on the résumé of a graphic artist that has substantial experience directing high-level projects on behalf of major corporations.  She has done a good amount of freelance work, in addition to having been a full-time employee at several highly reputable firms. We have redacted specific details to protect her identity.  June…

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Purpose of a Professional Bio

Dear Deb, Q. I recently had my résumé written by Careers Done Write. My writer did an awesome job and now I am ready to have my professional biography done. I wanted to better understand the purpose of a professional bio. Would you explain the difference between a résumé and a bio and give me…

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5 Ways to Use LinkedIn Groups for Personal Branding

When sending a résumé to a prospective employer, there is a strong likelihood they will look you up on LinkedIn.  LinkedIn has become a widely used tool to learn about candidates’ backgrounds and make a determination regarding competencies that fit with a potential role. This means that the information you have on your resume must match the…

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Cover Letter Help That Gets the Job

I often say that sending a résumé without a cover letter is like leaving your house with a shirt and no pants. A cover letter is part of your presentation – the entire package. It must accompany your résumé. The proper presentation early on in your search process will yield stronger results. You wouldn’t consider leaving your…

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Résumé Help - Legal Vice President

Whenever I see an executive level résumé that needs a tremendous overhaul, it makes me pause and wonder.  Senior level professionals must take care to create a job search document that is highly professional. Today we are going to take a look at the first portion of a résumé for a Vice President and legal…

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Should I Work on Holidays

Dear Deb, Q. My boss just came to me and asked me to work on Monday, which is a holiday - my family had plans to go away for the long weekend.  It's not like we have any looming deadlines, she is trying to get us caught up on some projects. Should I do it? …

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Do you need to get certified to further your career and your brand?

Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, or assessment. There are numerous types of professional certifications. Some are required for particular jobs, such as a CPA being a requirement for working in the…

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Résumé Help - Big 4 Consulting Valuation Director

Today we will review a portion of a résumé submitted by a client with Big 4 experience. Sarah is a director level candidate; clearly the bullets underneath her experience, in which she has served since 2006 do not nearly convey the depth or breadth of her experience. If Sarah wishes to generate interest from hiring…

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