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.
Recording a Job Interview?
Dear Deb: Is it a good idea to record my job interview with my smart phone? I want to listen to it later so I can improve my interviewing skills. Would an employer appreciate my commitment to improving myself or be annoyed? Do I have to tell them that I am recording? Thank you, Aaron…
Networking on Vacation
It is vacation season! If you are like me, you find it challenging to forget completely about work. You never know when you will meet an interesting person who shares a common professional interest. On the other hand, this is one of the precious few weeks that you have away from the grind of your…
Is Short Term Disability Considered Unemployment?
Dear Deb: I took a one-month leave of absence from my job two years ago to recover from back surgery. It was covered by sick days and two weeks of short-term disability. Do I need to show that month as unemployed on my resume? How would I present that? Thank you, Ted Dear Ted: No,…
Be Smart: Create an Interview Prep File
One of the biggest mistakes one could make going into an interview is a lack of preparation. It is crucial to conduct research and predict the type of questions that may be asked. Composing your answers and making reference notes will help you stay on your toes during the interview. What makes your different and…
Resume Help: Education Quandaries
In today’s Resume Help example, we examine the education portion of this resume. Normally, the education portion of the resume is the easiest to write. The candidate notes the name of the college, degree, field of study, and honors. It can get tricky when a candidate has incomplete degrees or studies not related to their…
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…