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.
OK to Indicate Race on My Resume
Dear Deb: I am not sure if I should put that I am a member of the Black Women’s MBA Association on my resume? I heard that you are not to put anything on a resume that indicates race, religion, or political affiliation. What’s appropriate? Thank you, Melinda Dear Melinda: Great question! Under the laws…
Impact of NFL’s Potential New Policy on Tattoos
Bruce Feldman of CBS tweeted, “Spoke w longtime NFL personnel man who said in wake of Aaron Hernandez teams may use police experts to check prospects’ tattoos.” This generated a slew of questions from football fans and Americans in general. Is that legal? Is that fair? How would it be administered? Is this just for…
Résumé Help: Show Me the Money
Today’s candidate presents an uninspired list of job functions. The tenses are not consistent. Some items are merely a statement of a function, like “Stakeholder management.” Many items hint that the candidate may be holding back and not sharing the real accomplishment. Overall, the candidate does not quantify the scope of her responsibilities, such as…
The Lunch Interview – What Do I Order?
Dear Deb: I got the call for a second interview! We’re meeting for lunch at La Villa Italia. What is the proper thing to order? Honestly, I think I will be too nervous to eat. Is it alright just to order an iced tea? Any suggestions? Thanks, Carla Dear Carla: The lunch interview invitation is…
Psst...Want the Inside Track on College Aid?
“Hey, do you need money for college? We’ve got the secret formula and the inside connections that you need to get college money.” Does that sound familiar? If you are applying to colleges or have a college-bound child, these types of promises might sound familiar. With tuition escalating, many people fall prey to various scam…
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…