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.
How Can I Ensure I Receive a Positive Reference from a Previous Employer?
Dear Deb: I am considering a career move. How can I be sure my prior employers will not say negative things about me? I have always left on good terms and received excellent reviews in all but one job. One of my past bosses (from 8 years ago) was a really stern person who never…
Branding Dilemma: How to Handle the Office Gossip about You
Perhaps you learned of gossip about you, inadvertently in a common area or perhaps in an email that went viral. Most of the time gossip circulates through the workplace. The target hears about it eventually. Gossip can jeopardize your professional brand. You must be thoughtful about your subsequent action and reaction because your reputation is…
How can I tell my manager that my team member is stuggling?
Dear Deb: How can I tell my manager that the newly-hired team member is not up to the task? He hired someone, who exaggerated her abilities and after 30 days on the job she is still struggling to perform her work. So, two of us on the team are picking up the slack, correcting her…
Presenting Yourself for a Job That Does Not Exist…Yet
Is there a job that you have been hoping to perform one day? Perhaps you have witnessed ongoing issues within your company, and you have the ideal way to resolve those issues. Maybe it is time present yourself for a new role, even if the job does not currently exist. Here are logical steps to…
Resume Help: Catching up with the Times
Today’s resume example illustrates a common issue. The candidate is using a very outdated resume strategy. The problem is twofold. It brands the candidate as “behind the times.” Secondly, by using an old-fashioned resume format, the candidate is missing valuable chances to market herself. We’ll focus on just the top section of the resume. Let’s…
White Space on Your Resume
Dear Deb: I keep hearing about having enough white space on my resume. Is there a metrics that I should follow regarding margins, font size, and space between lines? Appreciate the help, Shawn Dear Shawn: Yes, white space is important for all types of written materials, including ads in a magazine, webpages, outdoor advertising, and…
Instagram & Your Job Search: Answering Your Top Questions
Does the thought of using Instagram for your job search seem ridiculous? Instagram is yet another way to leverage social media to enhance your professional brand and accelerate your job search. If you are still puzzled, continue reading and perhaps we can answer your top Instagram questions. Should I have one Instagram account or two?…
Listing Technical Skills on Your Resume
Dear Deb: Should I list all of my technical knowledge on my resume? My current resume has extended into three pages, and I have a half page listing all of my technical proficiencies. What’s the best strategy? Is it better to have three pages with all of my skills from the last 16 years? Or,…
It’s Not Too Late to Snag a Summer Job
You may be on break from college or just looking for additional income; the summer can be a great time to pick up a part time job. Many businesses face a summertime rush and require part-time help. The competition can be tough as the supply of labor for part-time jobs also increases in the summer due…
Resume Help: Profile Power
Today we are reviewing Clark’s resume. His resume could be excellent, if the profile was not a total turn-off. Clark is a highly-qualified program manager with nearly twenty years of experience handling multi-million dollar information systems projects. His employers and clients include Fortune 100 companies. However, the profile fails to pitch Clark for the top-tier…