Interviewing ::

What Not to Include in Your Resume

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

You can add one page to your resume for every 10 years of your career, according to Google’s Head of HR. Of course, that’s not necessarily in your best interest. Many people with less than 10 years of experience have two-page resumes. However, not all applicants know what’s worth including in their resume, so some end up with a resume longer…

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask at the End of an Interview

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Almost every interviewer will ask if you have any questions towards the end of your job interview. Like it or not, the questions you ask matter just as much as your answers before the tables turned. Each question you ask reflects on your interest in the position you applied for, knowledge of the company, and attitude. The good questions are…

Truth about Resume Myths Revealed

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Writing a resume that gets you an interview is hard enough as it is. The resume myths I keep hearing about make this process harder and confusing especially for clueless job seekers who rarely write a resume. This article reveals some of the resume myths I keep hearing about, so you can stop worrying about them and get on with…

How to Create a Career Back-up Plan

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Your career is okay, then without a warning, the economy goes down or the once-stable company that you work for is facing bankruptcy. Before you realize it, you’re ordered to start packing because it’s your last day of employment. Sudden unemployment will force you to deal with the challenges that come with losing a job. Dozens of questions and worries…

Body Language Tricks to Succeed in a Job Interview

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

It’s not what you said, but how you said it. Sounds familiar? This is true for relationships and job interviews. As a job applicant, you need to remember that the way your body moves says a lot about you. Body language is one way people communicate without talking. If you want to get a job offer, you have to be…

Unexpected Succession Planning: What to Do if a Key Executive Unexpectedly Quits

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You may not be the CEO yet. But as a company executive, an executive’s unexpected resignation, termination, or even absence is cause for alarm. Best case scenario, you may be chosen by the board to serve as interim CEO or executive. On the flip side, you may lose your job or the company may go down in the dumps as…

How to Prepare for a Successful Video Interview

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

If you haven’t already done this yet, you likely will sometime in the future. More and more employers and hiring managers are using video interviewing at some point in their screening process. This cuts down on travel costs for all parties involved and with the popularity of telecommuting, it is becoming more popular and more accepted. Still, most job seekers…

Job Hunting Survival Tips for an Executive Who Has Never Looked for a Job in Decades

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

A young executive I met recently mentioned that she never had to look for a job. From the time that she got her MBA, she moved from job to job through contacts, and as her career progressed, she was recruited by head hunters hired by companies. She has never written a resume because she never needed one before—until now. With…

Three Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and your resume. That is until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your colleagues’ schools and your previous experiences don’t look as appealing. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a short time before. So…

Get Your Children Off the Couch – Radio Interview with Ed Tyll

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

What an honor it was to be invited on the Ed Tyll show on Starcom Radio! The topic was How to Get Your Children off the Couch and Into the Workplace. I am pleased to share the audio (please click here) as well as the entire transcript. Ed was a gracious host with thoughtful and insightful questions and it…

The Common Questions Applicants Ask Their Would-Be Bosses on Interviews

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Are you a manager or executive interviewing someone for a job? Don’t expect that you’ll be the only one asking questions. Expect good candidates to raise their own questions during the job interview. They want to impress you and make themselves more memorable compared to other candidates. Here are the top four questions you can expect to get from a…

Six Tips for Proofreading Your Resume

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Your resume is still a vital component to getting you the interview to the job of your dreams. It’s one of the first impressions that a hiring manager will have when you apply to a new job or position, and one of the biggest determinants about whether or not you will get called for an interview. While you can upgrade…

5 Common Mistakes That Could Cost You a Job Offer

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re in an interview for the job of your dreams. It’s going well, but don’t get too excited yet. Remember that the job isn’t yours until you and your employer have both signed on the dotted line. Here are common mistakes that can ruin your chances of landing that great job:

How to Make a Career Change as a 50-Year-Old Executive

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

These days, young people just entering the workforce will have an average of seven to nine careers in their lifetimes. That’s seven to nine different fields, not just employers. That number may seem unreasonable to older workers and baby boomers, whose parents worked their entire lives at one job. But even if you’re in your 50’s, it’s possible to make…

Executive Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re an executive, and you’ve been contacted by a recruiter about an opportunity for a well-known firm in your industry. Congratulations! Although you’re excited about this position, you’re understandably nervous about the upcoming interview. Of course, the interview isn’t the be-all end-all to getting the job – there are also references to follow up with, and portfolios and numbers…

Creating a Better Candidate Experience: Tips for Recruiting and Interviewing

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

Good is sometimes a loaded word. Good often means just passable or adequate. But raise the standards a little, and you can go from good to better. Raise it even more, and you can be recognized as the best in your field. When sourcing a candidate for a job, sometimes recruiters forget that candidates are rating and comparing us, too….

5 Ways to Calm Your Nerves and Fight Interview Jitters like a Pro

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Editor

You’ve spotted a posting for the job of your dreams. You decide that life is short, you’re ready for new challenges. You send out your resume and a cover letter, and hope for the best. Lo and behold, you get an interview! You’re excited. But getting an interview usually means jitters and anxiety. After all, you really want the job,…

How can you be Assertive but Not Aggressive in Job Interviews?

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

This month, I received a rather intriguing question from Jake in New Hampshire, “I just came from an interview and the recruiter told me that I wasn’t assertive enough. I don’t know what he meant, but as far as I know, I emphasized my strong points and other skills.” Great question. Many job applicants fall on the extreme ends of…

November is a Month to Give Thanks, another Reason to Send a Thank You Letter

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Editor

For many of us, we remember Thanksgiving as a time for family reunions and big celebrations. It’s a time to reflect and give thanks for everything good that happened this year. Even when you’re job hunting, Thanksgiving should remind you to be grateful for every opportunity you’re given, including job interviews. Gratitude, a Critical but Overlooked Tool in the Job…

“Sell Me this Pen:” 2 Ways to Answer this Popular Job Interview Question

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Editor

Sell me this pen. Sell me this cup. Sell me this bag. This question is a staple among job interviews, especially for sales positions. But it recently rose to fame again after Leonardo DiCaprio appeared as Jordan Belfort, the smooth-talking penny stock broker in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. In the movie, Belfort’s cohort answers the question by…

Stand Out! Ask these Questions on Your Next Job Interview

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Editor

Job interviews, for most people, feel like a one-sided conversation. A question and answer, where you’re expected to behave and put your best foot forward. Yes, definitely do that if you want to be as memorable as every other candidate on the planet. If you want to stand out, you have to do what majority of candidates don’t do… Ask…

5 Ways to Close Questionable Employment Gaps in Your Resume

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Editor

You’ve got the skills, years of experience, and carefully selected references. You are ready to send that resume. Except, well, there’s the small matter of a gap in your employment history. Recruiters and companies are known to question employment gaps in an applicant’s resume. It’s important your gaps don’t paint you as incompetent, unfit for work, unstable, or unemployable. A…

Stock Up on these Career Essentials on Black Friday

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Editor

What are you going to buy this Black Friday? A new flat screen? A new Xbox? New shoes? You can buy those to impress your friends and neighbors – or you can update your professional wardrobe and impress people at your office. Take advantage of Black Friday sales by investing in your professional look. You’ll be glad you did when…

Do You Make These Mistakes During the Phone Interview?

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Editor

It’s International Update Your Resume Month! Have you updated your resume yet? Or maybe you’ve already received a favorable response after updating it? Perhaps you have an upcoming phone interview? Hooray! Good for you. But don’t let your guard down just yet. The phone interview seems innocuous enough, but many applicants don’t realize its importance. Whether it lasts 10 or…

How to Get a Job at Google

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Michelle Riklan

Google, famous for its sleek, modern office and out of this world employee benefits, receives about 2 to 3 million applications each year. Yes, each year! And that doesn’t include applications received through referrals and career fairs. Obviously, the competition is tough. The interviews and the selection process is even tougher, Google is popular for its rigorous interview process so…

Dressing Up for the Interview—It’s More Important than You Think

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

You only have six seconds to make a good first impression. Six seconds. That’s not even enough time to say your elevator speech! Best-selling author and LinkedIn Career Expert, Nicole Williams echoes this fact. What you wear makes a bigger statement about yourself and your chances of doing well at the job before you even start talking. A crumpled shirt,…

Interviewing is Like a Box of Chocolates

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

I always coach my clients to expect the unexpected. As Forrest Gump would say, “Interviewing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” Will the interviewer be experienced and trained, or straight out of school? Do they know how to conduct an effective and lawful interview? (Many do not!) I’ve heard Hiring Managers ask…

Interview Preparation: 3 Great Sources for Company Info

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

Knowing the background information of the hiring company is key to a successful interview. Find out “How to Gather Interview Intel With Social Media” in this smart article by Aaron Guerrero of US News.

6 Tips for Curbing Those Interview Jitters

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Michelle Riklan

It’s important to keep your nerves out of it when face-to-face with the gatekeeper or hiring manager. Find out how to relieve some of that tension and sail through the interview in this article by About.com’s Alison Doyle, “How to Avoid Interview Stress.”

Job Seeker’s Guide to References

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

“Résumés win interviews, but references win job offers,” says Martin Yate, author of the “Knock ‘Em Dead” series of career books. Reference checks are important for both job seekers and employers. References are a chance for employers to add to the information they learned from your résumé and in the interview — and what they find out from your references will…

Jobseeker’s Guide to Preparing for the Job Interview

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

The goal of the résumé is to get you a job interview. Once you secure an interview, researching and preparing for the interview is important. Like studying for a test, some of the information you can prepare ahead of time — and some of it is important to review just to be better prepared in general. Believe it or not,…

Do You Have Any Questions For Me? The Question Every Candidate Should Be Prepared to Answer In an Interview

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

Job interviews aren’t meant to be an interrogation — they are supposed to be a dialogue. An interview is as much about making sure the company is a fit for you as it is that you are a fit for the company. Preparing for the Interview Before the interview, at a minimum, you should research the company — and the…

It Happens

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

It happens! Sometimes we really prepare and the interview goes south, sometimes we didn’t give the interview the preparation that it deserved. Even if you really bombed the interview, that does not mean that all is lost and you should write off that opportunity. Wouldn’t it be better to leave that potential employer with a positive impression? Keep in mind,…

Interview Tip for the Suburban Job Seeker

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Michelle Riklan

Even if the interview went exceptionally well, applicant beware! If the person interviewing you offers to walk you to your car, they may have ulterior motives to basic courtesy. If your car is a mess, your potential employer may make a determination about your future work habits. Also, your car may be saying too much! Personal information does not belong…

Practice for your interview… and get the job offer.

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Michelle Riklan

You finally received a call for a potential position that sounds perfect. Preparing, you make several crisp copies of your résumé, check the route to the office, clean your car, get your favorite interview outfit from the cleaners, and dress yourself appropriately. You’ve spent hours researching the company, understanding the position and getting a solid sense of how your talents…

Dress for Success

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Michelle Riklan

We hear this phrase all too often, but what does it mean in today’s job market? How are we expected to dress for a networking event? Does it vary from a first interview? A second interview? How much impact does that first impression have and does it matter what you are wearing? The answer is absolutely YES, it matters. It…

Interview Pre-Planning and Planning – Part 2

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Michelle Riklan

You’ve dressed appropriately, looking your best, carefully planned your route to arrive 15 minutes early. Your homework is done and you have a clear understanding of the positon, a solid overview of the company and you are ready to put your best foot forward. Now what?

Interview Pre-Planning and Planning – Part 1

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Michelle Riklan

We can never know for sure who will be sitting across from the desk and interviewing us for that dream job. A Recruiter? Hiring Manager? CEO? Human Resources? Are they an experienced interviewer? Have a clear understanding of the open position? Are they the gatekeeper or the decision maker? Since we do not know for sure, we cannot assume that we know what will be asked and how the interview will be conducted. Our best line of defense with the many unknowns of the job interview is “BE PREPARED”.

Interview Strategies

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Michelle Riklan

In the course of my career I have interviewed thousands of individuals seeking employment at all levels from the entry-level college graduate to the Chief Financial Officer. While my experience spans across a wide variety of industries, the interview mistakes that I’ve seen are constant. Once you have procured a meeting with a potential employer, there is a tremendous amount…

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