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.
Obtaining a loan to pay for grad school?
Dear Deb: I was accepted to grad school and I am convinced the MPA will be essential for my career. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for grants or scholarships. My parents paid for undergraduate studies for me and my three sisters. They are not paying for graduate school. Should I obtain a loan to pay…
Don’t Twitter Away Your Opportunities
Twitter is wonderful. I LOVE Twitter! In some cases, it has been the downfall of careers through hasty posts, unmentionable photos, and awkward requests for job search help. You can avoid these hazards and leverage Twitter to support your career management goals. It is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these straight-forward tips. 1.) Establish Your…
Résumé Help - Media Account Manager
Matthew is an accomplished account manager, but we would not know this by reading his résumé. His résumé is similar to many candidates early in their career who have not crafted a new résumé since college graduation. Many times a candidate will simply add on experience without a holistic view of their résumé and current…
Getting Ready Now for Job Search 2012
It is easy to dream up excuses around holiday time and tell yourself you will start your new job search after January 1st, but the holidays are actually an excellent time to make preparations for the New Year so you can hit the ground running. During the holiday season, most people have a little more…
Do the Latest Job Numbers Mean the Economy is Turning Around?
The most recent job numbers just came out and on the surface they look great - but is the reality as good as the first glance shows? A few quick highlights and my thoughts. The overall rate dropped to 8.6%, the lowest since March 2009. The decrease from 9% in October is the biggest decrease…
Online Résumés
Dear Deb, Is it necessary to create an online résumé? There are so many resumes online. Mine will be lost in the sea of resumes. Also, I am concerned about Spam. Isn’t it better for me to apply to jobs that I like? ~ Madison K., Albuquerque, NM Dear Madison, It is wise to perform…
New Mothers Returning to the Workforce - The Data is In
On November 10, 2011 the U.S. Census Bureau issued a report concerning working mothers, including levels of paid maternity leave and details of working mothers’ return to work. Interestingly, about 8 of 10 mothers returned to work with their same employer and 7 of 10 returned to a position at the same skill level and pay. Of…
Résumé Help - Executive Retail Sales Manager
The candidate we are helping today is an executive sales manager with retail experience as well as experience in the mortgage industry. He has some notable accomplishments, but his résumé does not convey these in a way that highlights his strengths. Todd should have a headline, a summary statement, and a core competency section to…
How conduct an East Coast job search from the West Coast?
Dear Deb: I am located on the West Coast. I reside in Bellevue, WA but work in CA during the week. Due to family developments, I may need to move to the East Coast. How can I represent on my LinkedIN profile that I am willing to relocate without raising a red flag for employers? …
Résumé Help - Here Comes the Judge
As a professional résumé writer, I come upon so many really impressive candidates who struggle to create a résumé that does them justice. In this case, we are reviewing a portion of the résumé of a highly regarded Judge. He has done a good job by adding an opening summary statement and including a list…