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.
Embracing Criticism
The very idea of criticism gets a bad rap. In common parlance, the word carries a negative connotation. Most of us think criticism points out what is wrong with something or why something “isn’t right.” The concept of “constructive criticism” seems like a lofty goal. Most people think criticism=BAD. But this is not the case. Criticism is the act of evaluating the merits and demerits of something and then making a judgment. Literary or artistic criticism, for example, is not about finding fault but about explaining and analyzing a given work. Criticism can be positive and, when delivered as such, can be a powerful tool in changing your behavior and perceptions or those of the people around you….
The Importance of Branding for the Solopreneur
Solopreneurs, those of us who run our businesses independently, without partners or W-2 employees, can find it challenging to source business, do the work, and promote ourselves and our services all at the same time. We are laser-focused on producing and delivering the products and services that we offer. Frequently it can be overwhelming to devote the effort necessary to branding and marketing ourselves. The irony, of course, is that those of us who have the least time and resources to devote to this process are the ones who need it the most….
In Transition? Here Is What You Need to Know.
If you’re in the midst of a career transition, you know that it is a time that can be difficult to navigate. Changing careers, reentering the workforce, or switching industries can feel like an unwieldy undertaking. External challenges such as ageism, lack of direction, and outdated skills can make this process seem overwhelming. Although there are undoubtedly obstacles, a career transition is not an insurmountable endeavor. Here are some tips to help you on your journey to your new career….
How Do I Conduct a Candidate Interview?
I received this question from a client recently; it occurred to me that while I dispense ample advice to candidates on preparing and polishing themselves for interviews, I rarely discuss the process from the other side of the desk. I’m glad this client asked, not only because it inspired me to write about it but also because it’s an often-overlooked part of the recruiting process. The sad fact is that not only are most interviewers not trained in any methodology for conducting an interview, far too often, the mechanics of an interview are but a second thought. Employers and interviewers need to be at the top of their games when they meet with prospective employees, particularly in this job market….
Ask Deb: How to Handle a Rude (and Bizarre) Interviewer
Hi Deb:
I need some advice about a situation that recently occurred. I’ve been interviewing here and there but not actively looking. A few weeks ago, a recruiter contacted me about a role with a company that is regarded as a leader in my industry. I responded and met with the recruiter, the hiring manager, and two people on the team. They were all great, and I was psyched to learn more, so when the recruiter asked me to do a video interview with another stakeholder, I said sure. This person would be the internal client for the role for which I was interviewing.
To say this was a weird experience is to make a gross understatement….
Candidate, Know Thy Worth
One of the more frustrating aspects of searching for a new role is knowing what kind of compensation rate is fair and equitable. This is because there is a culture of secrecy around compensation information in North America. Job seekers are regularly (and incorrectly) counseled not to ask about salary ranges until the very end of the interview process. Some interviewers even regard such questions about remuneration as rude or overbearing, as if people go to work for reasons other than the primary one of providing for themselves and their families….
The Secret to Being a Great Manager & Motivating Employees
Perhaps the top complaint that managers have about their employees is a lack of engagement among employees and a disconnect between the employees’ work and company/team goals. If we peel this back a bit further, what is revealed is that there is all too often a fundamental divide between employees’ values and those held by management. I’m not talking about corporate or “core” values; I’m talking about the values and priorities that managers and executives embody on the daily….
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….
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?….
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….