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.
Getting Feedback When You Didn’t Get the Job
For candidates, the most frustrating thing about the interview process is that it seems to be entirely one-sided. Although we can encourage candidates to look at the interview as a two-way street, and to use the interview to vet the employer, the reality is that the mechanics and power dynamics of the interview do make…
Should I Hire a Personal Marketing Firm?
Dear Deb: I was laid off about a year ago, and have been involved in a full time, active job search since then. I’ve been researching companies and responding to job postings. While I’ve had a number of first, and even a few second interviews, I still have not secured a job offer. Today I…
Get Up and Out of Your Cubicle!
The days of aspiring to the corner office are on their way out. Cubicles have been a common office fixture for the last 30 years, and are not going away anytime soon. More and more companies are getting rid of the traditional offices, and are going for more open workspaces, with the assumption that this…
Four Things That Can Destroy Your Brand
You know that one of my favorite topics is personal branding, and how it is imperative that you have a strong one. Building a personal brand takes time, effort, and consistency. It is an ongoing process that requires nurturing. But all of your work can be destroyed relatively quickly and easily by making these mistakes.…
The Role of Trust in the Hiring Process
Trust is the foundation of all human connections, and it governs all interactions we have with one another. The capacity for trust is not equal; some people trust more easily than others, some people are more trustworthy than others, and some are better at gauging trustworthiness than others. For as much as we may like…
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…