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.
Unconscious Biases in the Hiring Process
Although most of us believe that we are ethical and unbiased, and that we can make objective assessments to reach fair and rational conclusions, this is nearly impossible. Scientists postulate that when the brain is overloaded with information, it creates shortcuts to process that information, and uses past experiences to draw assumptions. Hidden, or unconscious,…
Building Brand Awareness
You know you need to build a professional brand to effectively market yourself in your career. But how do you build awareness of your brand? Branding is one of those things that we like to make really difficult. It doesn’t have to be; it’s actually quite simple. Let’s start with what branding is not. It…
Cult of Meeting Culture
Collaboration. Teamwork. Group brainstorming. Knowledge sharing. All are great ideas that can help spur innovation. However, the execution of these concepts generally takes on a much less inspiring form--the Meeting. You know that when you see a meeting invitation pop up, your first thought is not, "Wow, what an excellent opportunity to collaborate with other…
Productivity Versus Being Busy
Super busy. Crazy busy. Overloaded. A to-do list that’s a mile long. Busyness has become a cult in Western culture. Maybe that’s because humans are hardwired with a bias toward action. Maybe it’s because it feels satisfying to cross items off that to-do list. Or maybe it’s because we operate under a self-imposed feeling that…
Maximize Your Job Search
Most people today have used job sites to land a careerâtheyâre the place to find the most up-to-date and relevant positions available. However, all job sites have their own strengths and weaknessesâand one can often find themselves overwhelmed with the number of actual sites, job boards, and countless postings. The best sites can help you…
Decoding the Job Ads
If you’ve spent any significant amount of time reading through job ads, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that many of them are rife with buzzwords and jargon. When these words are used over and over, they meld together and become meaningless. Reading through a job description can be an exercise in both futility and confusion. Here are…
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…