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.
No degree—Is it a problem?
During the period following World War II, until the late 1970s, the American economy experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the middle class. About half of those among the postwar middle class were blue collar workers. Buoyed by strong wages and often protected by labor unions, the working class was also the middle class. The factory…
Soft skills—what are they and why should you care?
Soft skills are also known as “people skills.” These are the character traits that set you apart from the masses. They are what make you an awesome employee and person, outside of your technical job skills. For job seekers, soft skills are often what make or break the deal. That’s why it’s important that you…
Conference Call Hell
Hi, who is on the line? I’m sorry, I think I have to unmute you. Wait, or am I muted? Let me see if I can figure this out. Darn, I’m going to have to call Marco and ask him how to work this thing. How about you all dial back in in 5…
My Boss Won't Stop Micromanaging Me!
Dear Deb: I was recently recruited to a new company. I was so excited to be sought out by this company, which is a leader in the industry and I knew that this move would be a boon to my career. My excitement has tempered a bit over the last few months on the new…
Unpopular opinions and uncomfortable truths—workplace edition
Other than you, no one cares what your goals and aspirations are. Don’t highlight these in an interview. Instead, focus on the business problem the hiring company has and how you can help solve those. Always have someone other than you proofread your written work. Always. It is very challenging to catch all errors…
Create a project plan for your career
You’ve heard the adage that failing to plan is planning to fail. You also know that a good plan is one that allows for flexibility and changing priorities, deadlines, and budgets. You probably work off of a multitude of project plans in your job and at home. But do you have a project plan for…
Confident or Competent?
We all know that there is a difference between confidence and competence. After all, confidence is when someone knows that she is particularly adept at something, whereas competence is when she objectively possesses that acumen. It is easy enough to understand the distinction, but, in practice, we often conflate the two. Confident people tend to…
My Male Colleagues Won't Respect Me
Hi Deb: I have a question that I’m sure you’ve heard before. When I’m in meetings at work, I’m often the only woman in the room/on the call. My male colleagues continuously interrupt me, talk over me, and dismiss what I’m saying. I’ve spoken with my manager (who is a man) privately about this, and…
Follow Up On the Indifferent Boss
Hi Deb: Thanks for your advice as to what I should do about my boss who doesn’t seem to care about anything. I did as you suggested, and invited his manager for coffee. I told him that I really enjoy working with the team and that I learned a lot on the last project we…
Five Things That Don’t Belong on Your LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional website where professionals can grow their network. However, in recent months, people have seemed to confuse their LinkedIn accounts with other forms of social media such as Facebook or Twitter by posting things more suited for those platforms. I have compiled a list of five of the most unprofessional things I…