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.
Résumé Help: Core Competencies
Lydia has not had any response after sending out her résumé. She had a smart idea to list her core competencies. This section is effective on a résumé because it give the reader a quick checklist to help assess if the candidate is a match. Unfortunately, Lydia chose to include 37 of her top skills. …
Best Practices for Resume Follow-up
Dear Deb: I have a general question on the cover letter...What is the best way to follow up after sending out my cover letter/resume? Email? Call them? Request that they call me? What if it's for a "cold call"...i.e. there is no position/job opening and I am just trying to generate something with the DoR…
Suffering from Low T?
Not you, your résumé. Indicators of a résumé with “low T” include little white lies, half-truths, fudged dates, and exaggerations. The “T” is for truth. If you said “yes” to any of those indicators, your résumé is a little light on the truth. The only cure is honesty. Of course, you want to present yourself…
Résumé Help: The ABCs of Credentials on Your Résumé
Today we examine the top of Paul’s résumé. In fact, we are looking at just the very first line on his résumé, the title line. Paul has a few qualifying credentials, including two degrees and an industry certification. He has listed these credentials after his name. Is this right? Is it pretentious? What is appropriate? …
Are You Considering a Master’s Degree?
Is a MOOC for you? MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) programs are on the rise in the United States. Universities offering these programs are reporting that enrollment growth includes students from the U.S. and abroad. The programs offer new revenue streams (in many cases) for universities and, more importantly, break down the barrier to access…
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…