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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.
Ask Deb: How Do I Ensure My First 90 Days Are Successful?
Hi Deb:
I am starting a new job next month and need some advice. I have been at my current company for 6 years. It was my first job out of college, and I had become very comfortable working there. However, at the prompting of an internal mentor, I began looking around outside of my company a few months ago. I am excited about the new role, but I’m also nervous about it. My only “corporate” experience has been with one company and team. I entered this company as an entry-level hire, and the learning curve was steep. I am a bit concerned about learning a new role and culture, not to mention learning to work with an entirely different team and manager.
Can you give me some basic advice on how to proceed in a new role?….
Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Much of the career advice out there focuses on interview preparation for candidates, specifically on how best to formulate answers to typical questions. But the questions you pose during the interview are just as important—maybe even more important….
Is Women’s Career Advice a Form of Gaslighting?
Most women’s career advice revolves around balancing work with family obligations, being assertive, and how to act to be taken seriously. All of these put the onus of fixing the problem on the women. What’s even more insidious is the implication here, which is that women are the ones who have caused workplace inequality. That is dangerous, dubious, and wrong….
A Little Empathy Goes a Long Way
Inherent to the human condition is the desire to know that we are understood and valued. That is why the most essential management characteristic is empathy. The ability to connect with people to inspire performance is far more important than being an expert in your field or clearly articulating your expectations. An empathetic leader or manager can create an enjoyable work environment for employees, encouraging growth and productivity….
Great Interview Process, No Offer
What happened? I don’t get it. They contacted me, seemed so excited about me, and abruptly cut me off without any real explanation. I am so very discouraged and disappointed….
How to Spot a Bad Boss
A good leader possesses soft skills like effective communication, a commitment to teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Good leaders motivate and inspire their employees to become better workers, which improves the company’s bottom line while reducing turnover. However, excellent leaders are rare, and bad bosses are everywhere; I don’t know a working professional who has not had an experience with a bad boss. Here are some bad boss behaviors that you should be on the lookout for….
Now Is a Great Time to Look for a New Job!
Informally termed the “September surge,” this time of year means more job openings as companies must use up budgets and close open requisitions before the end of the year. Expect to see more recruiters than ever in your inbox, even if you are not actively looking for a new role. To position yourself to succeed and use the September surge to your advantage, you should take stock of your personal brand, reach out to your network, and create a plan….
Quiet Quitting: This Is Not A Thing
Over the last few weeks, a trend that began on TikTok has made its way to LinkedIn and mainstream media. “Quiet quitting” is everywhere, and everyone is acting like this is some new revelation. To my understanding, quiet quitting is when employees choose not to go above and beyond their jobs, including refusing to answer emails during evenings or weekends or skipping extra assignments that fall outside their core duties. Reading all of these articles and seeing these videos, I couldn’t help but wonder why this is newsworthy….
I Apologized to the Boss Who Fired Me
Last week, one of my readers reached out to me inquiring about whether or not she should apologize to the boss who fired her over two decades ago. After providing my advice, I received the following update from her….
Ask Deb: Should I apologize to my former boss?
Almost 20 years ago, I was terminated from my job for performance issues. And I absolutely should have been. I had no idea about the stress I had put on my boss, how much of her time I took up, and the truly awkward position in which I put her. She really didn’t want to fire me; I gave her no choice. In the intervening years, I’ve had to manage people’s performance issues, and I now know what it’s like to be on the other side of that desk. I feel like I owe my former manager an apology, an explanation, and an expression of gratitude for what she ultimately did for me. I have been giving this a lot of thought lately. Would I be out of line if I reached out to her now and told her the full story?….