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.
My Occupation Is Changing -- What Should I Do?
Dear Deb: I have been in my industry for 27 years. I am a media buyer, mostly cable and infomercials. My occupation is changing and when my previous employer was bought by a large international company, I was downsized. The problem is that companies are using more sophisticated specialized software and reporting systems. In the…
Brand Building: Are You Living in a Bubble?
Someone once told me that if you pay attention to what a person says, over time they will reveal their genuine self. What you say can alter your brand. After all, we are a product of our life experiences and the knowledge we gather informs our perspective. If you are living in a bubble, you…
Resume Help: Are You Sure about How to Present Your Education?
Education is an important qualification on the resume. Therefore, it is important to present your education in the proper format and in a position to balance your education and experience. Today’s example resume could be improved by changing the location of the education and editing the actual content in the education category. 1.) Move the…
Should My Employer Cover My Training Costs?
Dear Deb: My manager suggested that I get a certification in a software application that I commonly use. It is an online course. The website indicates that program will take two months if I apply about ten hours per week in the coursework and exam preparation. My manager has not offered to pay for the…
Can Poor Grammar Skills Tarnish Your Brand?
I admit to forming an impression of someone based on their grammar. Recently, a peer recommended an event planning professional to me. Her client list was very impressive. To gather more information, I read her website. My favorable impression was spoiled when I spotted a few grammar goofs. I did not expect her to be…
Resume Help: How to Create Positive Energy on Your Resume
Today’s resume example is very bland. It does not compel the reader to take action. One of the most common resume mistakes is to list one’s career history using very bland descriptions for each job. Some candidates take a short cut by copying and pasting a job description provided by the candidate’s former employer. A…
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…