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.
Avoid Negative Comments While Networking
Dear Deb: When I am networking in a one-on-one setting, how do I handle negative comments about my current boss? My boss has a reputation as a very domineering and difficult person and has made more than a few enemies in our industry. It’s a small world, so I always get comments like, “Oh, ____…
Help! Is “Yelping” Good for your Career?
Can that witty Yelp! review that you wrote about a local bar has an impact on your career? What about the rant you wrote about your former hair stylist? Anything you post under your actual name is an extension of your personal brand. Here are a few tips to keep your online posts career-friendly. We’ll…
How to Present a Co-authored Article on a Resume
Dear Deb: I have several publications in accounting journals. In two of those examples, I was the co-author with a colleague. I assume that I need to share the credit. How should I present that on my resume? I am not sure if I should how to show it. Thank you, Thomas Dear Thomas: Yes,…
Over 40 & Fierce: Resume Tactics for the Seasoned Professional
Forty is the age when many professionals are hitting their stride and making their mark. By 40, most have nearly two decades of experience and are considered experts in their field. A resume for a seasoned professional is different from a newbie or someone climbing the ropes. If you’ve ever struggled with issues such as resume…
Follow-up after a Panel Interview
Dear Deb: I completed a panel interview with three interviewers. At the end of the interview, they did not tell me the next steps. I did not feel comfortable asking about the next steps and how long before I would hear from someone. I also did not get business cards. I only wrote down the…
Keywords Are King on Your LinkedIn Profile
If you want to be found on LinkedIn, your profile must be rich with keywords. If you are confused about which keywords to use, how to integrate them, and where to place them, follow these suggestions. Start with a Strong Headline. The headline is a critical section for keywords. Some professionals write things that are…
Resume Help: Bullets Lead to Boredom
Today’s resume for review is an experienced, credentialed tax accountant. The biggest problem with the resume is that each section consists of a long list of bullets. There are several reasons why a resume heavy with bullets is not effective. Aesthetically, it resembles a shopping list. Secondly, when a resume is heavy with bullets, readers…
Branding: How to Differentiate Yourself on Your Resume & LinkedIn
First, you want to show that you meet the requirements for your target job. Next you want take it up a notch by showing how you are special. What makes you a top candidate? In a highly-competitive market, you must find ways to differentiate yourself from the rest. Here are five simple ways to brand…
Resume Help: How to Make a Long Story Short
There is an adaptation of a well-known expression that says, “He knows how to make a short story long.” That is a great way to describe today’s resume example. We’ll focus on just a few excerpts of the resume so we can dig deep and make big changes. This resume has a series of long…
Networking: Give More than You Take
If you are a follower of this blog, you know that I strongly believe that networking is an essential career- building activity. You can submit 30 resumes per week and hope for the best. However, nothing opens a door faster than a personal referral. When done right, networking is highly rewarding. The secret to positive…