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.
Recruiting in a candidate-controlled market
Last week, I wrote about the impending “great resignation,” in which upwards of 40% of American workers are projected to leave their current positions. This will pose a daunting challenge to recruiters at companies of all sizes and in all industries. A year ago, it was an employer’s market. The power dynamic has done a complete 180; we are now in a situation in which there are more open roles than candidates. Employers should consider this a preview of what is to come….
The Great Resignation is Upon Us
According to the World Economic Forum, a wave of mass resignations is coming as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic begin to lift. With up to 40% of workers considering leaving their jobs, economists are warning that this “Great Resignation” could have far-reaching consequences for the labor market. But what is driving this impending trend? Simply put, this last year has prompted a cultural shift, and few workers want to return to the way things were….
Warning signs during interviews
Interviews are usually situations in which everyone is on their best behavior. Like a first date, each party tries to impress the other. However, as with everything in life, things often go in ways that deviate from the original plan. Much of this is due to two factors—lack of skill on the part of the interviewer[s] and lack of preparation on the part of the candidate. So, how do you identify the red flags when you’re interviewing in this inherently imperfect setup? Here are a few warning signs for which you should be alert….
An impending wave of retirement—what does that mean for you?
One of the surprising side effects of the pandemic has been an increase in retirement rates among Americans aged 55 to 65. The pandemic has accelerated many pre-existing trends, such as flexible working arrangements, a preference for online shopping, and the sunsetting of careers….
Here’s what you need to know about reference checking
Part of the hiring process usually includes reference and background checks. These may be very superficial, or they may be pretty detailed. Many people have misconceptions about how reference checks are conducted, what a potential employer may ask, and what a former employer may say. The most common reference-checking questions are usually these….
Advice to new grads
The graduation season is upon us; soon, freshly minted grads will be looking to enter the workforce. Here is what I suggest….
Office culture in a post-pandemic world
Before the pandemic, one frequently voiced concern that what many employees had was a desire for greater flexibility. The remote working mandate in effect for most corporate jobs for the last year has given people a taste of that flexibility, and they do not want to go back to the Way It Was. There are numerous studies and a plethora of data supporting this; the bottom line is that work, as we knew it in the “before times,” will never return to what it used to be….
What’s in a name? Pretty much everything.
Names have significance. They have power. They are an incredibly important part of one’s identity; they have personal, cultural, and historical connections. They give us a sense of who we are, and they identify us to others….
Talent – where have all the good people gone?
The most pressing challenge for any organization that wishes to remain competitive is access to the right talent with skills and experiences critical to achieving aggressive goals. The cost of a poor hiring decision can be significant—sometimes even exceeding the compensation for the role. This is part of why companies have become increasingly cautious (and bureaucratic and byzantine) in their hiring decisions. I speak with hundreds of people who sit on both sides of the hiring desk in my work. What I can say without hesitation is that there is an enormous disconnect between candidate and hiring company expectations. One of the most frequent complaints from candidates is that the hiring process is broken. Simultaneously, the most frequent complaint of hiring managers is the “skills gap”—a fundamental mismatch between the skills that employers rely upon in their employees and the skills that job seekers possess….
Performance art in hiring
Hiring is an inherently imperfect process. Employers want to make sure that they make hiring decisions based on skill, competency, and the elusive cultural fit. One of the tactics commonly used by hiring companies to assess the quality and ability of a candidate is to ask candidates to do sample work. This came into vogue about 20 years ago, and from what I hear from my clients, it’s increasing in popularity….