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.
Lessons from the Governor on Crisis Management
Unless you’ve been living in an information void this week, you have heard that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment. This is not at all unexpected, as members of his party, advocacy groups, and, apparently, even his brother had been encouraging him to do so. This is a scene we’ve witnessed many times. A person in power is accused of something unsavory or illegal, and they resign before severe consequences ensue. In this regard, the Cuomo news is not particularly unusual. After all, sexual harassment is rampant in the United States. It’s more well known in some industries, such as tech, pharma, and finance, but it’s everywhere, and no one is surprised that politics and government are rife with it. Aside from following this soap opera with rapt attention, there are a few things we can learn from this—things we know already but need to be reminded of—about how to conduct yourself and your business in a time of crisis and bad PR….
The First 90 Days—How to Succeed in this Critical Period
The first 3 months of a new job are crucial. They set the tone of your tenure, and the relationships you make during this critical period will be integral to your future success. Whether you are working onsite in an office, completely remote, or a combination of the two, there are some common and relatively easy ways you can make those first 90 days work in your favor. Of course, this requires planning on your part. What you don’t want to do is go into a new job cold, without clearly defined objectives for what you want to get out of the new role, both professionally and personally. You need to craft a strategy that will put you on the path to succeeding in your new position. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that you rock your first 90 days….
Ask Deb: Deciding between two job offers
Hi Deb:
I find myself in the enviable position of entertaining two very good offers from two very different hiring companies. One is a large, well-known company that is making an entrée into a niche market. The other is a relatively new company that’s been around for 3 years that deals exclusively with this same market. I have a wealth of experience in the industry to which each of them is trying to sell their solutions, and both of these companies pursued me rather aggressively. The money on the offers is pretty similar. I really like BOTH companies, and I’m confused as to who I pick between the two of them. What do you advise?….
Getting Rid of Archaic, Outmoded Practices and Attitudes
The last 18 months have surely been disruptive to our lives, but this has also been a time of reinvention. The very idea of the workplace has been upended; we have all learned to adapt on the fly. The concept of work is constantly evolving. In this candidate market, it is critical to make your company a desirable place to work and position it as an employer of choice. To achieve this level of reputation and recruit and retain top talent, you need to excise some of your company’s outdated, irrelevant policies and attitudes….
It’s not you. It’s me.
Dear Hiring Company:
We’ve been together for about two months now, and I think it’s time for me to take a break. It’s not you; it’s me. You are great, and anyone would be lucky to work for you. Your products are amazing, and the people I’ve met would probably be fantastic coworkers. And in these two months, we have been through a lot. But it’s just not working for me anymore….
Job seeking in a candidate’s market
The job market has done a complete 180 from last year and is now red-hot. There are more open roles than candidates, and hiring companies are scrambling to fill these positions quickly. I recently wrote about things that employers should do to attract high-quality talent in these competitive times. But, as I always say, recruiting is a two-way street, and the candidates need to play an active role in the process. That means being proactive and taking control of your job search rather than leaving your career direction up to chance. So how, in a market in which job seekers hold the cards, should you best approach your search? ….
Maximize the impact of your interviews
Congratulations! Your resume made its way through the ATS and its filters and to an actual human being. You had a great conversation with the recruiter; now it’s time to talk to the hiring manager. You know you need to prepare by researching the company and your interviewer and familiarizing yourself with the job description. But, there’s something even more important for which you need to be prepared. Something that many people neglect….
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….