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.
Cover Letter Help: Insulting the Reader
Today we are reviewing Jeremy’s cover letter. He’s a great candidate. Unfortunately his cover letter is such a turn-off that a hiring company may not take the time to get to know him. He fails in (at least) three ways. Awkward Writing & Bad Grammar Because cover letters are often customized for each position, there…
What to Do When a “Bad” Worker Asks for a Recommendation
Dear Deb: I have a really good friend who has helped me in so many ways, but she is a horrible employee. She’s basically a well-intentioned flake who skates from one job to another. Somehow, she survives. She swears that she has turned a corner and is serious now. She wants me to vouch for…
Job Search Vacation
When is it appropriate to take a break from your job search? It is the peak of vacation season, so why should you continue your job search grind? You could be on a sandy beach somewhere. Don’t you deserve a couple weeks off the search so you can return refreshed and invigorated? Ah, but then…
Cover Letter Help: Why Are You Writing?
Each week, we dedicate one blog entry to résumé writing. We examine a résumé submitted by a reader and provide tips for improvement. Today, we received a résumé and cover letter from a reader. The résumé was good. However, the cover letter definitely was an interview-blocker. Below you can see the horrendous letter. The biggest…
Do I Need to Update My Résumé for Every Job Posting?
Dear Deb: My current process is to add a line at the top of my résumé (just before my summary of qualifications) that is the job title for the job I am applying for. Is that the right way to do it? My wife tells me that I need to create a new résumé for…
Retirement Planning: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir?
Don’t you love those retirement commercials with the grey-haired couple living their retirement dream opening their vineyard in Napa? It seems that is the ultimate end game. Wow, real estate in wine country must be soaring! For most Americans the goal is not to spend their golden years crafting fine wines. The goal is to…
Résumé Help: There’s No “I” in Résumé
One of the common résumé mistakes is to use a non-conventional format. The problem is that the reader will assume that you either don’t know how to write a professional résumé or that you thumb your nose at résumé standards and go your own way. Either impression is not good. Professional résumés are written in…
How Do I Select an Industry for My LinkedIn Profile?
Hi Deb, Should I set up my industry for my LinkedIn account based on my current job or the job that I am seeking? Thanks, Carlos Dear Carlos: That’s a great question! We talk a lot about LinkedIn profiles, but I have not heard that particular question. If you have defined a career goal within…
It Is Not Enough to Be Good at Your Job
Do you ever feel like you work so much harder than your colleagues, but you are not getting the credit you deserve? That’s a common feeling. You can blame it on a bad manager not noticing the work you do. More likely, it is a personal brand management issue. Just as a company controls its…
Résumé Help: Recent High School Graduate
Today we take another look at the résumé of a recent high school graduate, Henry. Henry has never had a “real” job. He’s done odd jobs and chores for family and friends. One summer he painted houses for neighbors and family members. He is interested in a career in technology sales, specifically an entry-level position at…