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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.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Language matters; it is a critical component of communication. We all know people who just seem to be exceptionally gifted with the spoken and written word. They always seem to use the perfect words at the right time, conveying messages clearly and succinctly. Part of this skill is tapping into a large and varied vocabulary. I’m not necessarily talking about “big” words, although those have their place and purpose. But every day, plain, clear words are just as important. The problem is that many people misunderstand language and misuse words. This will make you appear less credible than you are. If you want a quick and easy way to up your game and get people to take you more seriously, be sure you’re using these words correctly and in the proper context….

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Redefining the role of higher education in the new world order
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

Redefining the role of higher education in the new world order

Undeniably, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended everyone’s life. There is no one on the planet who has not been touched by it, whether by contracting the virus itself or just by the unprecedented lifestyle changes brought about by more stringent health and safety protocols. The pandemic has defined not only the idea of the workplace but that of work itself. White-collar work is no longer predominantly performed in office buildings with cubicle farms. Now, such work is mainly being conducted remotely, and, unsurprisingly, in all but a few sectors, business has thrived. What does this mean for the next generation of developing talent? What kinds of skills and experiences will they need to flourish in this new world? And what role will higher education play?….

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Your New Year Career Resolution
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Your New Year Career Resolution

As we close out the first week of 2022, some of us may already be lamenting that we’ve broken our New Year’s resolutions. Plans to get healthy are sidetracked by indulgence in food and wine; decisions about keeping an organized workspace become buried under the clutter on our desks. The problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that we see them as all or nothing. Either we are 100% compliant, or we are total failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Making a resolution is about deciding to change a behavior, and that’s something that happens gradually over time. Here are 5 tips to making your career resolutions for 2022 stick….

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Things to do differently in 2022 to better manage your career
General Debra Wheatman General Debra Wheatman

Things to do differently in 2022 to better manage your career

As 2021 winds down, it is only natural that we look to 2022 with renewed optimism and hope. The New Year is always a time designated for getting out of old routines and looking toward the future. We’ve all heard the adage that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is insanity. There is truth in that statement. As the end of the year approaches, evaluate how you’ve managed your career and what you can do differently. Change can be scary, overwhelming, and daunting. But it’s the only way to improve. If you continued to exercise your muscles by executing the same movements and lifting the same weight, your strength and endurance would never improve. Your career is like a muscle. Without exercise, you run the risk of stagnation, at best, and atrophy at worst….

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8 Things to do differently in 2022 to improve your job search and your career
Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

8 Things to do differently in 2022 to improve your job search and your career

The job market is hot right now. Employers, regardless of industry, are having trouble recruiting and retaining the talent they need, and candidates have more interview options than ever before. While this is an excellent environment for job seekers, it’s putting a strain on hiring companies and employees trying to execute on goals amid constant uncertainty and chaos. The pace of voluntary turnover shows no sign of slowing down, nor do the hiring needs of companies in all industries and fields. Add to this the ongoing pandemic; to say these are uncertain times is a gross understatement. Here are some things you can do to improve your focus and optimize your brand, your job search, and your current company….

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Up Your LinkedIn Game for 2022
Professional Branding Debra Wheatman Professional Branding Debra Wheatman

Up Your LinkedIn Game for 2022

You know you need to have a LinkedIn profile—if you’re not on the platform, you don’t exist. LinkedIn remains the most important digital networking site. LinkedIn currently has more than 800 million members and continues to grow. However, only a small fraction of those members maximize the platform’s capabilities and reach. If you are not getting the desired results you want from your LinkedIn experience, you may be making the following mistakes….

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What You Need to Know When You’re in a Career Transition
Career Motivation Debra Wheatman Career Motivation Debra Wheatman

What You Need to Know When You’re in a Career Transition

Your career is all about transition, and transition can be transformative as long as you remain agile, flexible, and adaptable. People change jobs every 2.7 years. However, it’s even more interesting to note that the average worker will change careers 3-7 times during their life. I’m sure you know people who have done just that—the engineer who became a calculus teacher, the accountant who now makes cupcakes, or the database administrator who currently does interior design. We all know people who have completely transformed their careers and their lives. If you’re in the midst of such a transition, whether you are transitioning from one career to another or transitioning to something new, here are some things to consider….

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What Salary Are You Seeking?
Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman

What Salary Are You Seeking?

Although most of the questions brought up in a job interview are asked to see if you would work well within the company culture, there are practical questions as well. There has long been a prevailing idea that discussing salary is somehow crass, as if the primary reason people work is something other than being able to support their families and pay their bills. In previous years, it was considered bad form for a candidate to inquire about the salary for the position. Thankfully, times are changing….

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