career ::

What Can You Do to Promote Gender Equality at Work?

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In 1911, millions of men and women in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany marched on rallies during the first International Woman’s Day. They fought for the right of every woman to work, hold public office, and vote. Today, we have come far in terms of women’s rights, but there’s still so much we can do to close the gap between…

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…

Alert! Don’t Fall for these 3 Ego Traps that can Ruin Your Executive Career

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re on top of your game. You’re the boss and you have a corner office to prove it. Yes, it definitely took a lot of hard work to get to where you are now, but what got you to the top may not be enough to keep you in this position. Being the boss can make anyone prone to a…

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 Build a Strong Alliance of Supporters at Work

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

One of the secrets of succeeding in the workplace is building strong alliances. No matter how seemingly good and experienced you are, or even if you hold a top position in an organization, time will come that you’ll need someone else’s help. This is where building alliances comes in handy. Successful employees work hard to build themselves a network of…

When Office Friends Turn into Liabilities

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In general, making friends at work make Monday mornings more bearable and over time work a little less stressful. Having friends at work can make an otherwise stressful environment enjoyable, but things can also go sour under different circumstances. In light of International Friendship Day on July 30, we look at the different situations where office friends can become a…

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…

Networking for Executives

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

These days, it’s not so much what you know as who you know. While you need experience and credentials to give you the know how to lead a team or run a company, it’s often the handshake of someone you know that will get your resume on the desk. Whether or not you think this is fair, networking is…

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…

Networking for Millennials

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er who can’t figure out ‘the deal’ with millennials and their social habits, then this…

How to be a Good Neighbor in an Open Office

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Editor

So you have a new job – congratulations! It’s bound to be filled with all kinds of new challenges and tests – not the least of which is learning to get along with your new colleagues. This is not something to be taken lightly. How you get along with people will affect your social life and work performance at your…

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…

Five Sage Career Tips from High-Flying Women for Women

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In today’s world, women are a vital part of the workforce and many have prominent roles in most industries. There are many fields and areas that are growing in terms of representation by women, including civil engineering, law enforcement, law, and medicine. This month marks the 30th anniversary of National Women’s History Month, which Congress passed in 1987. In…

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 Deal with Email Conflicts at the Office

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Ever since there was the written word, misunderstandings and misinterpretations have existed. Then email was invented, and miscommunications became more frequent. The nature of email today is that it is quicker than actual printed letters. People tend to treat email more casually than printed letters. Introductions are more casual and many times, they are not as carefully edited or their…

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…

4 Career Advice Tips from Previous Presidents

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Taking your first step in the right direction forms the basis of a bright career. If you are looking for some career insights that can help you in finding the right direction and kick-starting your career, you have landed at the right place. With ‘Washington’s Birthday – President’s Day’ celebration today, I’ll share four prestigious career advice tips from previous…

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…

Your Quick Guide to Surviving Holiday Work

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

Maybe you’re a newbie in your office, or maybe you just drew the short straw. Either way, you’re stuck working this coming Thanksgiving. It’s a done deal. Nobody will trade shifts with you – after all, who would want to? They are just breathing a sigh of relief that it’s not them – and it’s written in stone on the…

How to Deal With Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Editor

Workplaces are complicated. There isn’t a lot of black and white most of the time, so it’s normal for employees to deal with issues of ethics at some point. Whether they’re asked to do something they don’t think is quite right, against the general morals of the workplace or society at large, or hide something, the guilty feeling in the…

A Primer for Compassionately Dealing with the Emotions of Laid Off Employees

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

It’s the hardest part about being the boss – you will inevitably have to lay off one or more employees at one point in your career. If you haven’t had to do it before, you might wonder: Why is it so hard to lay off an employee? After all, it’s not your fault – you had no say in the…

Introverts: Afraid of Mingling? Don’t Let That Impact Relationships with Co-Workers

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

There are all kinds of people in a workplace… Outspoken, gregarious types, and shy, timid types. And that’s OK, everyone is different. The problem with that is, even though we’ve moved beyond high school, popularity contests still exist in real life. People still gravitate towards others who are outgoing, friendly, outspoken, and give off high energy because they are exciting…

Career Advice from Moms, Dads, and the Parental Figures in Our Lives

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

You may think of your parents as from a different generation, or even as archaic. But that doesn’t change the fact that they care about you and want the best for you. They’ve also been alive for a longer period of time, and likely have more work experience than you. So whether their wisdom is welcome or not, they give…

Don’t Accept that Management Job UNTIL You Ask Yourself these Questions

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Editor

For many people, getting a management role seems like the most obvious option in climbing their career ladder. While it’s true that nobody aspires to work at an entry-level job for the rest of their lives, the truth is that a leadership role isn’t for everyone. No, I don’t mean that you have to be born with it. Having a…

4 Spot-On Strategies to Get Your Manager’s Trust

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Editor

When it comes to your career, there are a number of factors that can influence how quickly you get ahead, or if you get ahead at all, but none are as crucial as your boss. Yes, your manager can control when you get promoted – and if you get promoted at all – what projects you take on, where and…

5 Things to Never Say (or Admit Out Loud) to Your Boss

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Editor

In a perfect world, you’d be on good terms with your boss. You might not be the best of friends, trading holiday cookies, or hanging out and drinking beer after work, but at least your communication lines are always honest and open. But you don’t live in a perfect world — no matter how nice your boss is. Your boss…

How to Stop Beating Yourself up over Your Mistakes at Work

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

I found this interesting post on Reddit. Can you relate? “We were at a conference and I had to take notes and photos and write a report on it the following day, several people were speaking and at some point I got distracted with taking photos and forgot to take notes for one of the speakers except for one or…

The Best Way to Handle Inappropriate Co-worker Behavior without Stooping Down to their Level

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Editor

When a co-worker is unnecessarily mean, flirtatious, or inappropriate, it’s sometimes hard to know how to respond professionally. HOW you respond can literally mean your career. You don’t want to look like a stick-in-the-mud, but you also don’t want to feel uncomfortable at work. You don’t want to be seen as a complainer, but it’s just as important to stand…

10 Great Cover Letter Tips to Give Your Application an Edge

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Editor

Writing a resume is rather straight forward. What you should do with a cover letter is less obvious. However, if you stick to certain principals, you should be able to draft a great cover letter to supplement your resume. Below are 10 great cover letter tips that should help. 1. Start with a Good Opening Like any piece of good…

Layoff Checklist for EMPLOYEES: Everything You Need to Ensure Your Paycheck and Other Benefits During a Layoff

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Editor

Times are tough when you’re on the receiving end of a layoff notice. Things might be chaotic in the office, and your direct manager or HR may or may not be able to assist you every step of the way. I created this checklist with that in mind. Please note, however, that this list isn’t all-inclusive and that the chronological…

4 Ways to Celebrate Stress Awareness Month even if You’re Super Busy at Work

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Editor

Have you heard? April is National Stress Awareness Month. Rightfully so, I think, because it’s also the deadline for filing taxes. I’m guessing a lot of you are stressed out right now. Have you ever felt that even just trying to relax is making you more stressed out? You’re busy and unnecessarily stressing yourself, even while you’re relaxing. You plan…

Staying Motivated and Avoiding Depression When You’re Unemployed during the Holidays

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Editor

With excerpts from an interview with David Kaplan, Chief Professional Officer of American Counseling Association. If you are interested in hearing the full interview and 31 other career experts, click here: The National Career Summit. You’ve been unemployed for a few months now, perhaps longer. Your savings account is shrinking by the minute, and so is your self-confidence. It’s hard…

4 Top Job Options for Employees 50 and Over

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Editor

The times are changing. The unemployment rate for workers 50 and up is higher than it was in the last Great Recession. While the unemployment rate is going down, albeit slowly, many older workers remain unemployed six months to a year, way longer than young employees with less work experience. It’s as if older workers are past their “sell-by” date….

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…

Thanksgiving and the Networking Opportunities It Presents to Graduating Students

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Editor

Thanksgiving, a time to feast, give thanks and sometimes, endure awkward questions with your family. That’s it, right? Well, not just that. Thanksgiving is also a good time to build your network. With all the parties and dinners to attend, I am sure your professional life isn’t your top priority right now. Thanksgiving and your career aren’t mutually exclusive, this…

Corporate America Doesn’t Care About You: It’s Time to Put Yourself First

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Editor

When was the last time you came home late because you needed to finish an urgent project? Did you take your work home recently? Have you ever missed your kid’s recital because of work? Sacrificing work/life balance to move up in the corporate ladder seems like a fair trade, at least on the surface. Martin Yate, author of New York…

Luck Ain’t Gonna Be Enough

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Michelle Riklan

How often have you heard a friend gush at someone else’s extraordinary luck? “Wow! He must be really lucky to get that job!” Admittedly, the competition for high-paying jobs in big name companies is fierce, there could be 100+ applicants fighting for one vacancy. So from an outside perspective, it may seem that whoever receives the job offer must be…

New Year Career Resolutions

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Michelle Riklan

As the new year approaches, many of us are in “resolution” mode. What changes do we want to make for 2012? What commitments do we want to make for ourselves and for others? It is a great time to reflect on our careers, evaluate where we have been, and decide where we are heading. Here are a few thoughts to…

THE BOOMERANG GENERATION – How can we help you?

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Michelle Riklan

So what exactly is a “Boomeranger?” In short, it is a term to describe Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers who have moved back home with parents and family, in response to the current recession. While this situation may provide financial relief for the young adult, there are many facets to this arrangement that need exploring. Often after an “unsuccessful” job hunt, a…

Riklan Resources Resume and Career Services

Body Language Tricks to Succeed in a Job Interview

Alert! Don’t Fall for these 3 Ego Traps that can Ruin Your Executive Career

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

Three Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences

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

How to be a Good Neighbor in an Open Office

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

Six Tips for Proofreading Your Resume

Five Sage Career Tips from High-Flying Women for Women

5 Common Mistakes That Could Cost You a Job Offer

How to Deal with Email Conflicts at the Office

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

4 Career Advice Tips from Previous Presidents

Executive Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Your Quick Guide to Surviving Holiday Work

How to Deal With Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

A Primer for Compassionately Dealing with the Emotions of Laid Off Employees

Introverts: Afraid of Mingling? Don’t Let That Impact Relationships with Co-Workers

Career Advice from Moms, Dads, and the Parental Figures in Our Lives

Don’t Accept that Management Job UNTIL You Ask Yourself these Questions

4 Spot-On Strategies to Get Your Manager’s Trust

5 Things to Never Say (or Admit Out Loud) to Your Boss

How to Stop Beating Yourself up over Your Mistakes at Work

The Best Way to Handle Inappropriate Co-worker Behavior without Stooping Down to their Level

10 Great Cover Letter Tips to Give Your Application an Edge

Layoff Checklist for EMPLOYEES: Everything You Need to Ensure Your Paycheck and Other Benefits During a Layoff

4 Ways to Celebrate Stress Awareness Month even if You’re Super Busy at Work

Staying Motivated and Avoiding Depression When You’re Unemployed during the Holidays

4 Top Job Options for Employees 50 and Over

Stock Up on these Career Essentials on Black Friday

Thanksgiving and the Networking Opportunities It Presents to Graduating Students

Corporate America Doesn’t Care About You: It’s Time to Put Yourself First

Luck Ain’t Gonna Be Enough

New Year Career Resolutions

THE BOOMERANG GENERATION – How can we help you?

Our Credentials, Awards and Affiliations

Discover the ultimate job search course

Riklan Resources Resume and Career Services