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.
Working 9-5: Is It Outmoded in the 21st Century?
Many American workers live for their weekends. This is the time that they spend with their families, catch up on errands, and just relax. The practice of taking a day of rest is a centuries-old concept. In the pre-industrial era, workers would typically have off one day per week to observe the Sabbath. In agrarian settings, people worked as much as they needed to survive, hunting, gathering, and farming—probably averaging less than 40 hours per week. This pattern changed in the 18th century with the Industrial Revolution….
What to Expect from the Job Market in 2024
Despite the challenges presented by recent global events, hiring trends for 2024 indicate a renewed sense of optimism. Research from MIT’s Sloan School of Management shows that 39% of hiring leaders said they plan to increase their financial commitment toward hiring in 2024, and 70% of surveyed U.S. job seekers were somewhat or very confident about their prospects of finding new jobs. Here is what to expect from the job market as we enter 2024….
My Holiday Wish
The end of the calendar year brings with it holidays from multiple cultures and belief systems. From the most obvious, Christmas, to Hanukkah, the widely known Jewish celebration of lights, to the pagan celebration of Winter Solstice, December is the month of multiple celebrations. These holiday observations contain a unifying message- one of peace and unity….
This Protracted Job Search Is Embarrassing!
Searching for a job takes a toll on your psyche. You question your self-worth. Remove these thoughts from your psyche. The irony of these shameful thoughts is that they discount that unemployment is highly likely for millions of people….
Lessons in Innovation from a Pet Rock
No effort. No allergies. No cleanup. In the early 1970s, Gary Dahl, a freelance advertising copywriter, was having drinks at a bar with friends when the conversation turned to the destructive nature of pets. Dogs and cats chewed and clawed. Gerbils need to live in packs of 2 or more. Pet fish means regular cleaning of the tank. Then there was the fact that pets required constant attention—they must be walked, played with, fed, and cleaned up after. Dahl said he didn’t have to worry about that because he had a “pet rock.” ….
Ask Deb: I Don’t Want Another Executive Position
I was recently laid off from my executive role at a major financial services firm. What I would like to do is to take my true passion—which is woodworking—and share it with the world. I don’t need to make huge profits. I just want to go to my workshop and create beautiful and functional things. I was thinking that my niche might be in making custom-sized cutting boards out of native species of wood….
Not getting interviews? This could be why!
You’ve been filling out applications and sending resumes for weeks, maybe months, but you don’t get a response. You’ve fine-tuned your resume, but still, no bites. What’s going on? It could be a combination of factors, some within and some outside your control. A content creator posted on LinkedIn that he would not interview anyone with a Yahoo, Hotmail, or AOL email address because, to him, it’s a “red flag.” He did not elaborate on what precisely these email domains might portend. Another hiring manager posted that he asks his recruiters to only source currently employed candidates, which is dumb. Several other managers and recruiters also jumped into the comments to tell him that. Here are some more reasons you may not be getting interviews….
Debunking the Myth of Hard Work
Have you ever wondered why Americans are obsessed with the idea of hard work? And that if something is not working out, you just need to try harder? Perhaps unsurprisingly, this mentality has its roots in the Puritan culture of the Reformation, a culture that shaped the current culture of America. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the European Renaissance and the Reformation brought about a period of religious and political upheaval. Two leaders who were instrumental in the development of Western culture were Martin Luther and John Calvin….
Follow-Up on Bad Boss, “Mr. Jones”
I shared a client’s story about her horrible boss, Mr. Jones, a few months ago. I just received an update, and I thought you might be intrigued….
Bewitched by Your Uniqueness
When I think about the show now, bad special effects aside, I realize that Bewitched started a conversation about the empowerment of women and how that was represented in different generations during the 1960s. The show clearly invites a conversation about female issues and female empowerment as it centers on strong women characters. This is quite impressive, considering the time period. Samantha’s somewhat adherence to Darrin’s edict isolated and marginalized her. Fundamentally, Bewitched is a show about being unable to be yourself and hiding who you really are….