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 your resume past the ATS
The abyss. The black hole. The Great Emptiness. These are just some of the terms I’ve heard for applicant tracking systems (ATS). They are not unwarranted. Many, if not most companies use ATS software to automate their recruiting processes by scanning the applications for keywords and then assigning a score to them. Only those profiles…
Five lame interview questions, and how to handle them
For all of the time and effort that candidates invest in interview preparation, there is a wholesale lack of reciprocity on the part of most interviewers. Considering that turnover replacement costs are at least 30% of an individual’s base compensation—and the higher level and specialized the person is, the higher those costs are—it is astounding…
Should I hire a career coach?
This is a question I field all the time. My answer is fairly simple—you should hire a career coach when and if you feel stagnated and unable to move forward to reach your career goals. Think of it as a clogged pipe. You could try Drano. You could try snaking the drain yourself. Either or…
How To Handle Interview Questions About Skills I Don't Possess
Dear Deb: Thanks for all of your advice on interview techniques and preparation. It has really helped me to up my game when I am out there looking for my next opportunity. I’ve been looking for a new role as a director of digital marketing, and a few of my interviewers have asked me questions…
It’s no longer “job hopping”
It is no secret that the employee/employer relationship has radically changed over the last three decades. Gone are the days of remaining with one employer for your entire career. That has been replaced by the reality of quarterly layoffs, and cuts in pay and benefits. I’ve previously discussed why you need to reframe your thinking…
The Case for Helping Out a Coworker
I recently received the following email: My team consists of myself and a peer, a coordinator, and our manager. My peer has recently returned to work after the birth of her first child. She was out for two months, and during that time, I took charge of her major projects and made sure the work…
Stop Worrying So Much About the Posted Job Description
You get a call from a recruiter, and he tells you about a position with a great company. The role sounds exciting, and, from his description at least, seems like something you’d be interested in pursuing. He sends over the job description for you to review, and you are crestfallen. They say that the candidate…
Not Sure What the Boss is Asking?
Dear Deb: I just started a new job. This is a big step up for me in terms of responsibility and pay. One of the things my new boss is asking me to provide is a monthly status report. I’m not sure what I should include, or what format it should be in. Should I…
Avoid LinkedIn Scams
LinkedIn is a great tool, and one which has fundamentally changed the way people network, sell, recruit, and look for jobs. But, with almost 450 million members sharing personal and professional details, there is, inevitably, a certain amount of fraud. If you have more than a few hundred LinkedIn connections, you have probably gotten a…
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…