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.
When Should You Seek Out an Employment Law Attorney?
If you are a member of a protected class—race, religion, gender, national origin, or age--and think you are experiencing discrimination in the workplace is one of the most obvious. But here are a few more scenarios in which you might consider seeking legal counsel….
Think Your Boss is Bad? Wait Until You Hear About ‘Mr. Jones’
In my 20 years as a career coach, I’ve talked to thousands of people and have heard countless stories about bad bosses, irritating coworkers, and overly demanding customers. While I never assume that any story I hear is the most shocking, I am always shocked at the bad behavior of people in general. This week, I received an email from a client describing her boss’s behavior….
Decoding the Job Hunt: When Advice Doesn't Add Up
This job market is tough on candidates. All day, I talk with people who are seeking new roles and trying to transform their careers. After working in this field for 20+ years, I consider myself an expert, and I am often called upon to present my expertise at various conferences, meetings, or other events. Enter social media. A brief visit to LinkedIn will reveal how many folks out there consider themselves career experts or career coaches, with no experience in either. You’ve seen the conflicting advice….
Mind Your Own Business
“Mind your own business,” or MYOB, is often the best advice in many situations. While actions have consequences, when you don’t MYOB, you often involve yourself in a situation where the outcome does not impact you. Additionally, you take on their mental load if you’re constantly worried about others’ problems. MYOB demonstrates respect and authority. No one likes it when others interfere in their affairs. MYOB is a way of recognizing other people’s privacy while also protecting your own. MYOB also lets you be more efficient in the workplace because you’re not focused on what other people are doing….
Don’t Flub the Interview: How Focusing on the Company’s Pain Points Will Land You the Job
Think you can wing that job interview because it’s all about you? Think again. The real star of the show is the company’s business pain. As much as we love talking about ourselves, acing an interview requires laser focus on the challenges the hiring manager faces. So, let’s ditch the improvisation and get down to targeted prep. Here’s how….
Stop Giving Useless Feedback
Criticism like “You didn’t spend enough time on this” does nothing to help an employee improve their performance. Useful feedback is constructive, specific, and actionable. If your feedback does not check these three boxes, do not offer it. Keep your mouth shut and work on crafting some valid feedback that will help your employees improve….
Creating Shareable Content
You know you should create compelling, relevant content as part of your overall personal branding strategy. But is your effective, relevant content being shared with others on social media? Probably not. Most people don’t want to share your content. In fact, a study of social transmission across millions of Twitter accounts revealed that the majority of users are passive and rarely share their information with their network. The average Twitter user only retweets one in every 300 tweets they read. Content that moves is content that effectively markets you and promotes your brand….
How Women’s Work Became a Man’s World
Would it surprise you to learn that women once dominated the entire field of computer science? Modern computing grew from the need for ballistics calculations during World War II. At that time, “computer” was a job title—people who performed the sets of calculations. Men who may have otherwise taken these jobs were busy with the war effort. Plus, the work wasn’t regarded as “intellectual.” It was seen as repetitive and focused. So women were hired for their mathematical abilities while the men who designed and created the machines took most of the credit for the work….
The Blindness of Job Seekers: Navigating Challenges in the Modern Job Market
In the novel “Blindness” by José Saramago, an epidemic of sudden and unexplained blindness descends upon a city, leaving its inhabitants struggling to survive in a world of darkness. This harrowing tale of social breakdown and human nature resonates with the struggles of modern-day job seekers navigating the competitive and uncertain job market. Just like the characters in the book, job seekers face various challenges and uncertainties, and understanding these parallels can shed light on the importance of resilience and adaptability in the pursuit of meaningful employment….
How Effective Is Your Style of Communication?
Effective communication requires more than merely selecting the right words. After all, we all know that most communication is not about WHAT but HOW it’s said and, more importantly, how it’s received. To grow your career, you need to adopt a style of communication that will avoid misunderstanding and encourage an honest and free flow of ideas. Clear communication is critical to keeping your team performance at optimal levels, yet many people struggle with this more than any other soft skill….