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.
Careers Done Write and Exec Digital Announce Cross-Promotional Campaign
We are excited and honored to announce a partnership with Exec Digital, a pioneering all digital media site exploring business issues and lifestyle trends facing top executives, with revealing, intelligent news delivered daily. Exec Digital shares our ideals. Their content spans a wide range of topics appealing to executives, such as entertainment, cars, gadgets, fashion,…
Résumé Help: Easy on the Eyes
Once again we have an accomplished job seeker who has a résumé that is holding her back. There are several issues. The biggest issue is readability. We are showing a section of her résumé to focus on readability. If the screener has to strain to read the document, it simply won’t be read. The test…
Not eligible for re-hire?
Hi Deb, I was fired for theft. When investigated, I admitted to what I took and returned it. The company said they would not document the theft in my personnel file or report me to the police. I have also found that the Human Resources Department at that company is not revealing it when people…
The Perfect Ending
Job seekers everywhere stress over how to write a cover letter. Some dread the task of writing the letter so much that they forego the letter entirely. The cover letter is essential. Not only does it entice the reader to read your resume, it is a sample of your writing. The cover letter must be…
Résumé Help: From Never Read to Get Ahead
If I had dozens of résumés to review online or on paper, Marcella’s résumé would not be read. It would take me too much time to sort through the dense language to uncover her skills and achievements. Marcella’s C+ résumé could be transformed into an A+ résumé in three simple steps. Step One: Make it…
Losing a Job Due to Absenteeism
Dear Deb: My former manager told me that I was fired due to absenteeism related to a health issue. He even said that I was a “joke” in the office because of my absenteeism. However, he used the official reason as “budget cuts.” I am working on resolving that issue and am currently looking for…
Get Ready! The Layoffs Continue.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers carried out 1,434 mass layoff actions in January 2012 that affected 129,920 employees. This number is slightly up from December 2011. If your company is the next to lay off employees, are you ready? It reminds me of way we prepare for potential natural disasters. Even…
Résumé Help: Categorizing Skills and Achievements
At the bottom of his résumé, this candidate placed a section, “Professional Development and Achievements.” Included was a mixture of skills, software, a Toastmaster’s educational achievement, and the word, “Book author.” There are a couple of issues with this strategy. Firstly, there is no logic as to why this mismatched list is in the same…
Should computer skills be included if looking for a non-technical job?
Dear Deb: If I am not applying for a technical job (commercial real estate agent), do I need to show my computer skills on a résumé? Fernando Dear Fernando: Yes, you should show the computer skills relevant to your target job. (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, as well as industry-specific computer applications) If computer skills are…
Writing a Unique Cover Letter
One reason so many job seekers hate writing cover letters is because they find it difficult to write something unique. There is a lot of pressure to write that one-in-a-million killer cover letter, especially in a crowded job market. So, how do you write something original and captivating? Write a hook in the opening paragraph. Start…