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.
Resume Help: Your Resume Is a Skills Test
Benjamin is a seasoned sales professional with a history of success. He’s hoping his resume will open doors to interviews. The critical thing that Benjamin fails to do is to sell himself. Yes, the seasoned sales pro does not use his resume to sell himself. The hiring employer is reviewing resumes of dozens of sales…
How to Show Incomplete Certifications
Dear Deb: I have completed all the coursework for my CCNPS (Cisco Certified Network Professional: Security), but I have not taken the test yet. Can I add this to my resume? I take the test in May. But, I have jobs I want to apply to now. Thank you, Joel Dear Joel, Good for you! …
Why Mothers Make Great Employees
In May, we take time to appreciate mothers and motherhood. However, we tend to relegate motherhood to a place outside the workplace. In fact, mothers take great effort to prove that motherhood will not interfere with what is considered traditional work life. (After all, there is no harder job than being a mother!) Today we’re…
Photos on Resumes
Dear Deb: My career counselor told me that it is not appropriate to put a photo on my resume. I am applying to jobs as a business systems analyst. I saw a report on the news that attractive people earn higher salaries. Wouldn’t it make sense to leverage that asset on a resume? What do…
You Know You Sound Old When….
Have you ever put your “foot in your mouth” at a meeting and wondered what people thought of you? You want to reverse time and take back those words. On a resume candidates oftentimes commit a similar faux pas. Maturity and longevity in the workforce is to be revered. However, we need to be strategic…
Resume Help: Better to Anticipate Than to Assume
When you are on the hunt for a new job, it is always better to anticipate than to assume. The ability to anticipate needs, industry shifts, problems, and when it is time to instigate change is an excellent quality. On the flipside, the habit of making assumptions can cost you a job. This applies to…
Does Experience as a Mom Count?
Dear Deb: I took off 8 years to care for my son who had a serious illness. He’s much better now. I want and need to get back to work. While caring for my son, I became an advocate for my son and other children with seizure disorders. If it were not for my fighting,…
Tricky Interview Questions: Are You a Risk Taker?
Perhaps the one interview question that reveals a candidate’s true nature more than any other is the frequent question: “Do you consider yourself a risk-taker?” There is an adage: No risk; no reward. That is true in many situations. However, risky behavior is perilous and uncertain by definition. So, what is the “right” answer to…
Handling Skill Gaps
Dear Deb: I am applying for jobs in clinical informatics. It requires a combination of technology and clinical experience. What should I say on my resume or cover letter about a gap in my technical expertise? In other words, the job posting indicates a requirement for QuadraMed QCPR. I have no experience with that particular…
Conflict Between Work Events and Family Events
Dear Deb: I am required to attend an annual corporate golf trip. All of the management team will be there, including many from home office and our top clients from the pharm side of business (my clients). It’s basically a time to really connect on a deeper, more personal level with clients. The only problem…