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.
Holiday Party Hang-up
Dear Debra: My company has an office party each year. It is at a nice hotel. They have a DJ and dancing. I usually go for the dinner and leave around 8pm when the music starts. Everyone drinks a lot and dances. It is just not where I want to spend my Friday night. Do…
Careers Done Write Workshop on the Go: Soft Skills Part I: Positive Attitude
Zig Ziglar once said, "It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude." We hear so much about positive attitudes that we tend to tune it out. You may be thinking, “Sure, sure…I know. My attitude is fine.” Well, if you are happy being just fine, you can skip this blog and tune…
Résumé Help: Too Much Education?
In today’s example, it is not that the candidate has too much education. The issue is that she has too much information in the education section of her résumé. She has included some unnecessary or outdated information that we need to strike. She has some items shown under the heading of education that would be…
LinkedIn Endorsement for Someone You Don't Know Well
Dear Deb: I am getting bombarded with requests to endorse people on LinkedIn. If it is someone I know and can truly endorse their skill, I am very happy to endorse them. However, I am really uncomfortable endorsing someone I barely know. If they have endorsed me, should I give a courtesy reciprocal endorsement? I…
What do YOU think?
I really want to hear what you are thinking. This month’s hot topic is the lottery. Lottery fever hit most of the U.S. this week, culminating in two big winners striking it rich. Take a moment and email me. One lucky person who emails me before December 15th will win a free LinkedIn profile written…
A Little Soft in Soft Skills
This year Millennial Branding conducted a survey of 225 employers using Experience Inc.’s data pool of over 100,000 U.S. companies. The subject was the “Student Employment Gap.” What caught my attention was the perceived deficit in soft skills for entry-level employees. Often candidates, especially recent graduates, overlook soft skills when preparing for a career. Education,…
Résumé Help: Don’t Be Afraid to Shine
Periodically I hear from clients that they don’t want their résumé to look too fancy or stylish. I say, “Why are you afraid to shine?” I am not suggesting anything garish or over-the-top. However, don’t be afraid to shine! The point of the entire job search process is to shine. You want to present a…
Fitting in With New Co-Workers
Dear Deb: What is the best way to fit in with co-workers at a new company? I start my first job next week and I am kind of shy and feeling really anxious. I will be on a team of six contract analysts and we will work in a bull pen setting. The company has…
The Value of an Expert
Is it worth the investment to hire a genuine expert? In many cases, hiring an expert represents long-term value. How many DIY home projects have you seen gone awry at your home or for one of your friends? My favorite is a friend who saved $50 on the connection of a new refrigerator only to…
Résumé Help: Work Experience Blahs to Ahhh!
<Yawn> Excuse me! I just finished reading today’s résumé sample from Jim and I almost dozed off. It is very “blah” as in boring, which means no interviews for Jim. Jim is an extremely bright guy with a great work history, but his résumé shows a lack of effort, professionalism, and confidence. That is a…