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.
How to get co-workers to reply to emails
Dear Deb: There are a couple of co-workers who do not reply to my email messages. Even when I kindly ask for a reply or when I am asking who is able to attend a presentation, I get no response from certain people. I follow the rules of netiquette. I keep my emails brief, on-topic,…
Need More Experience? Try an Externship
Perhaps you are a recent graduate without professional experience, or you may be a seasoned worker who is currently unemployed and seeking a career change. In either case, the lack of specific work experience can pose a challenge, especially in a tough job market. Many candidates research new occupations and build work experience through externships. …
Résumé Help: How to Handle the Lack of a College Degree
Clara’s résumé has many areas we could improve. Overall, Clara’s presentation is very vague. She covers many of her general duties and provides a confusing an overview of how she has gained basic knowledge. This document needs to be restructured and rewritten with the benefit of new details about her accomplishments. Today, we will take…
Should I make myself younger to compete in job market?
Dear Deb: I work for a large aerospace company. We just lost our contract and everyone in our location has been offered the option of moving from California to Maryland or taking severance. I elected severance. When I met with the job search counselor, she suggested that I get Botox and update my hairstyle to…
Breaking into a Hedge Fund Career
After a grueling time in investment banking, you are ready to drop the 60-hour work weeks and dramatically boost your income by shifting to a hedge fund job. You are looking forward to life on the buy-side. What can you expect? You will continue to spend time with your friend, Excel, and you will keep your…
Résumé Help: Project Account Management Professional
Setting the tone of a résumé is critical to a candidate’s success. Before someone reads a résumé, they form an impression based on the overall appearance. Plenty of white space, an attractive design, an easy-to-read font, and a strong headline help create a positive first impression. Unfortunately, this example résumé is weak or remiss in…
Conducting Company Research
Dear Deb: Several articles have said that need to research a company prior to an interview. I also would like to conduct general research to find companies that are expanding and hiring. What is the best way to do the research without spending money? Any tips? Etienne, St. Paul, MN Dear Etienne: You must be…
Out of work for more than a year? Take these 4 steps to a new career!
If you have been out of work for several months or even longer, this is the time to dig in and rededicate yourself to your job search. There are jobs out there, but you may need to modify your goals. Consider taking these steps to get your career back on track. Step 1: Analyze the job…
Job Searching on the Go
Job searching is so much easier now that so many clever smart phone apps are available. Here are a few of my favorite free applications. You can explore career options, search job postings, and apply for a job all in a matter of seconds using your smart phone. We’re keeping our eye out for the next big…
Résumé Help: Formatting the Professional Experience Section
The reader of our featured résumé may be frustrated by the poor formatting, grammatical errors, and inconsistency of punctuation and verb tense. The good news is those are all things we can easily correct. Below is a “before” and “after” of a portion the résumé. The font is very small and difficult to read. On…