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.
Interviewing During Working Hours
Dear Debra: What is the best thing to tell your current boss when you have a job interview during working hours? Thank you, Clarisse Dear Clarisse: Honesty is my policy. However, I don’t believe in full disclosure of personal items in certain situations. This is one of those situations. If your company has a policy…
Brand Building, Brand Management & Judgment
It’s common for people to quickly judge others. Perhaps you had a bad experience with someone, and that left less than a favorable impression. Maybe you have heard negative things about someone for months. Based on rumors or isolated experiences, we classify someone in a particular way and cling to that judgment. That person’s words…
Taking all the Credit for a Project
Dear Debra: When writing my résumé, I worry about taking too much credit for a project. We work in a team setting, and each of us contributes to the planning and deployment of new hardware systems at our company’s 186 stores nationwide. There are twelve, on the team and we go to sites in groups…
Confronting the Dreaded Personality Test
Many organizations use psychological assessments as a part of the candidate screening process. It can be intimidating for the candidate. Many candidates worry about “failing the test.” Some candidates try to predict the answer the employer wants. Worrying and trying to fool the evaluator are sure-fail strategies. Follow these three tips the next time you…
Should I Apply for the Same Job More than Once?
Dear Debra: How many times should I apply for the same job? I applied for an analyst position at a company about 13 months ago. I did not get a call for an interview, just a quick acknowledgement email. They have posted the same position again. Should I apply a second time? Thank you, Brian…
Branding: How to Quit Your Job without Spoiling Your Brand
Perhaps you are on the bubble, waiting for the right moment to quit your job. Maybe you are in the interview process and examining your options. As soon as you land a job with more challenging work and higher compensation, you plan to resign from your current job. Have you thought about how your resignation…
Making the Leap to the C-Suite
One of the most common career coaching questions is: “How can I make the leap to the C-Suite?” Of course, there are many more candidates than open executive positions. What secret ingredient do the few who make it to the top possess? What wisdom or special characteristic separates them from the rest? It is many…
Don’t Let This Happen to You: Networking Faux Pas
We are told from the time we start our careers that networking is essential. Although not enjoyable to all, networking leads us to knowledge, partnership opportunities, lessons, and more. Networking is important because we need other people to be successful. Networking ranges from the very subtle, such as a brief interaction on a commuter train,…
Formatting a Resume
Dear Debra: Is it necessary to create a “clean” page break on a two-page resume? Most resumes are read online, so why do I need to break at the end of a line or a job description as I would if it were on paper? My roommate and I disagree on this. Thank you for…
Networking with Your Rival
The business world is pretty competitive. It is natural to compete for positions, promotions and other things to keep yourself “in the game.” Likely you have one (or possibly more) rivals. It may be a person working for your company’s competition. Perhaps you have a rival working in your company, and you will see that…