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.
Will I be taken seriously if I’m not on LinkedIn?
In my work counseling job seekers and career changers, I am often asked if a LinkedIn presence is necessary. While it is true that many people got jobs before LinkedIn, and people still get hired without a LinkedIn profile, the cold, hard truth of today’s job market is that if you are not on LinkedIn,…
I’ll tell you, but only off the record. . .
If you have ever been through media training, one thing you come away with is the indisputable fact that nothing is ever “off the record.” You might request that it be, but that doesn’t mean that your audience, or your eavesdroppers, are compelled to comply with your wishes. “Off the record” has gone the way…
Is My Manager the Best Reference for Me?
Dear Deb: I was reorganized out of my job a few months back, and I’m now in the final rounds of interviews for a position at a competitor of my former company. The application materials indicate that any offer is contingent upon a successful background check, including a reference check. This is what I’m…
Three Unforgivable Resume Errors
Many job interview mistakes can be overlooked or corrected. However, when it comes to your resume, it must be flawless. Your resume is a marketing document for your most important product: YOU! If you’ve been sending out your resume, but haven’t been gaining any traction, it is time to review your resume with a critical…
Body Language Mistakes to Avoid
We all know that body language is of critical importance in all human interactions. This is especially true when interviewing. When you are being interviewed, you are being evaluated on not only what you say, but how you say it. With that in mind, here are the most common body language mistakes people make, and…
How to Navigate Salary Negotiation
Dear Deb: I recently completed four rounds of interviews for a position with a large, multinational company. This role would be a significant increase in responsibility and visibility for me, and I was really excited about it. However, when the HR manager called me with the offer, the salary was only 10% more than…
Other Places to Find Me
Hello, everyone. I hope that 2017 has been treating all of you well. In my last post, I touched on a few bits of career advice for the new year. One of those points was to expand your network. I have been taking my own advice and have been published on two other mediums that…
Career Advice for the New Year
Happy 2017! The beginning of a new year is a time to reflect upon what we’ve accomplished in the past, and envision what we’d like to accomplish in the future. When we think about new year’s resolutions in terms of our careers, it can be tempting to oversimplify by simply stating the end goal. For…
Reconsidering the Performance Management Process
Companies are moving away from the traditional annual performance review process, much to the delight of employees and managers everywhere. The annual performance review process, as well as goal and objective setting, has long since ceased to be a meaningful process that improves productivity and morale. Instead, it is viewed as a bureaucratic time suck…
2016: A Year in Review
As the year draws to a close, I have been reflecting on what I think are the key things that every professional needs to know about managing his or her career. It’s difficult to condense an entire year’s worth of advice into one short article, but here are my top level Most Important Things to…