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.
Image Impacts Your Brand
Many people conflate “image” with “personal brand,” when, in reality, they are two separate things. Your personal brand is the experience that people have with you, and the story you tell about who you are and what you do. Your image is your visual representation, and it is a crucial component of your brand. Before…
Network vs. Contact
I’ve noticed that many people use the terms “network” and “contacts” interchangeably. This is incorrect, as they are two related, but distinct groups. Your contacts are people you may have met in real life or online. You may have common interests or goals. However, you are not invested in your contacts’ lives, their successes, or…
Your Role in the Performance Review
Marie is a client who is presently seeking a new opportunity in her field. When I asked her why she was looking to leave her current role and company, this is what she told me: There have been a number of disagreements, or misalignments in perspective, with my current boss over the last year and…
What’s in a Name? A Lot!
My first name, Debra, is spelled in a nontraditional way. I spell it out for people, and it still comes back “Deborah.” You would think that I would have become accustomed to this by now, but to be truthful, each time it happens, it’s slightly more annoying than the previous infraction. My name is part…
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…