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.
Stop letting employers bully you
It is no secret that the hiring process is broken. Badly broken. Considering the financial impact hiring has to a company’s bottom line, it is astounding that many, if not most, employers don’t take it seriously. From forcing applicants to comply with non-intuitive ATS programs, to failing to follow up with candidates, it would seem…
Is a Business Degree Necessary to Get a Job?
Dear Deb: I am a college senior majoring in history and women’s studies. I will be graduating in a few weeks, but I’ve already begun looking for a job. I want to work either for a nonprofit that researches and advocates for women’s rights (I interned with one), or for a publisher doing research on…
Why Sometimes You Need Censorship
The media’s ability to cover the Vietnam War without censorship was unlike anything that came before or has happened since. The unprecedented access of journalists to officers meant that, for the only time in American history, the American public had an unedited view into the daily life of war. However, this unfettered freedom came at…
Interview with Paysa
Hey, Careers Done Write followers! I have been doing this a long time and the work is its own reward. However, it is great to be recognized by others that seek career advice! Check out the "Expert Interview" I provided to Paysa.com and while you are there, feel free to explore the other great content…
Ten Things You Should Never Do in a Job Interview
I devote much of my writing to advising my readers on what they should be doing in their job search, but today, I’m going to tell you what you should avoid. This is a partial list, and in no particular order, but a good starting point. Take a phone interview while you are driving. This…
How to Determine the ROI of Going to Grad School
MBA. PhD. DDS. MFA. There are many different three-letter abbreviations you might focus on when you think about grad school. But there is one abbreviation that all grad-level scholars should think about: ROI. ROI, or return on investment, tells you just how much profit you will truly make from your grad degree, once long-term earnings…
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…