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: The Headless Horseman
We can truly call this candidate, “anonymous,” because the candidate’s name and contact information was not on the resume received. We will call today’s candidate, the Headless Horseman. Every so often, this happens and it is very discouraging. Never take the risk of sending a headless résumé. Placing your name and contact information in the…
Speaking Negatvely About Your Last Employer?
Dear Deb: If you are asked what you liked least about your last employer, what would be the best way to frame an answer so that you are not speaking negatively of them? Thank You, Jim Hi Jim: You should never speak poorly about your past employer - ever. This is a cardinal sin. If…
Résumé Requirements for Technical Staff
After working with thousands of high-tech clients, I’ve noticed some universal résumé strategies that most techies don’t get. If you can master these strategies, you will make an excellent first impression and your interview request rate will be on the rise! Show Skills Relevant to Your Target Job In your technical skills section, list…
Show High School Diploma on Resume?
Hi Debra, I am 52yrs old with a very good financial resume. However, I only have a High School Diploma. Should I put that on my resume or leave it out? Thanks, Paula Dear Paula, Your many years in the finance industry far outweigh your lack of a college degree. Your work history and accomplishments…
Career Done Write’s Favorite Summer Reads
Looking for a good read to kindle some career enthusiasm? Here are a few books to teach you a few new tricks, encourage you, challenge your thinking, and even tickle you. Go Pro - 7 Steps to Becoming a Network Marketing Professional (160 pages) By Eric Worre Networking is a part of our careers,…
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…