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.
Trying to Get a Training Grant
Dear Deb: I have been unemployed for three months. I recently applied for a grant for additional training via my state’s department of labor. In addition to requiring me to track all of my job applications, they are also requiring me to inform my counselor every time I have an interview, so that the counselor…
Expressing Your Opinion Can Hurt Your Brand
The other day, I was reading an article on LinkedIn about gender equality at the executive level. It was written by a female executive who noted that there are very few female C-level executives in any size company and that diversity only helps companies to succeed. The article was in no way inflammatory, and it…
Online Application Glitches
Dear Deb: I recently completed an online application, and when I got to the part of the application that asked me to self-identify, I was not unable to uncheck the box for “Vietnam Era Veteran.” I am not a veteran, and I wanted to check the appropriate box, but the software wouldn’t allow me to…
Interview Questions You Should Always Be Prepared to Answer
Interview preparation is hard work. You need to practice your STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses. You have to vet out possible behavioral questions and craft compelling responses to them. You must ensure that your image reflects your professionalism—your shirt must be ironed, and your shoes must be polished! Be sure that you are focusing…
Asking Your Current Employer for References
Dear Deb: I’ve been interviewing with a nonprofit whose work I really admire. They recently told me that I am a finalist for the position, and as part of their vetting process, they want to conduct a reference and background check. I had no problem with that at all, until they told me that they…
Four Things You Should Know about References
I field many questions about professional references, and there is an abundance of both misunderstanding and erroneous information out there. I want to dispel the many myths that there are, so here are the top four things you should know about references. They can say anything: Many people tell me that their former employer will…
Preparing Recent Grads for the Workforce
Dear Deb: I recently interviewed four candidates for an entry-level position on my team. One thing that is absolutely clear at the end of this experience is that college career centers are giving their students bad, outdated advice! All four of these young people had objective statements on their resumes, and presented themselves in the…
Personal Branding—an Exercise in Content Marketing
Having a personal brand is not optional. Perhaps you think you don’t have a personal brand, but you do. And if you don’t know what your brand is, your brand is neither strong nor polished. Having a strong personal brand is critical to managing your career, and you want to be sure that you are…
How Can I Create a Stand Out Presentation for an Interview?
Dear Deb: I have a third interview coming up, and as a part of the process, the hiring team has asked me to put together a presentation on how I would craft a digital marketing strategy for one of their products. I want to show them I know what I’m talking about, but I’m having…
Personal Branding—What Is It and How Do I Do It?
I get questions all the time about what exactly is a personal brand, and what it is to have a personal brand. There is certainly a lot of confusion out there about this, so this week’s blog is devoted to bringing about not only a better understanding of what personal branding is but why you…