Contact me for: Résumé Services, Career Services, Corporate Services, Leadership & Management

Michelle A. Riklan, CPRW, CEIC holds a B.A. in Theatre, English Literature and Speech Communications from Hofstra University. While beginning her corporate career, she pursued and completed a M.A. in Speech and Interpersonal Communications from New York University where she also served as an Instructor in Voice and Diction/Public Speaking. Utilizing her education and presentation skills, she continued a career path in Human Resource Management. Her generalist background is all inclusive, but her areas of expertise include employment, employee relations and training and development.

With a combined 20years of in-house corporate and targeted consulting experience, Michelle services large corporations as well as small businesses and individuals in all aspects of Human Resources and Career Management.

As an international award winning Certified Professional Résumé Writer and career coach, Michelle works with individual clients in all aspects of career services. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, the American Society of Training and Development, The Professional Association of Résumé Writers, National Résumé Writer's Aassociation, Career Director's International, Career Management Alliance, and Career Thought Leaders Consortium.

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Meet the expert

Expert Articles by Michelle A. Riklan

Finding a New Job

Be professional in a phone interview to win the job Keep in mind that no matter how much coaching we receive, advice that we get, and books that we read about interviewing, we cannot ever guarantee who will be on the other end of the phone. They may be...

Expert Articles Sponsored by Michelle A. Riklan

Managing Your Career as an Employee

	Receiving a bad performance review A bad review doesn’t mean you are a total failure or that your days are numbered at that organization. Most often, it is a “wake up” call and can provide you the opportunity to really excel. The...
	How to ask for a promotion Feeling good about your work achievements and knowing what you can deliver are key factors in clarifying your readiness for a promotion. Asking your boss to help you move up works best when you can cl...
	Know how to manage up Learning how to work effectively with your boss requires solid communication. The more aware you are of your boss’s needs and viewpoints, the easier it becomes to provide your guidance and insight i...
	Succeed in your first 30 days at the new job A new job is both thrilling and intimidating at the same time. You want to prove to those you work with that you were the right choice. If you remain observant, listen, evaluate, and then execute whil...
	How to overcome job and career burnout and be excited about work No career or job is perfect, and there will always be challenges to face.  It's perfectly normal to re-evaluate where you are in your professional life.  The more open-minded you are, the easier it ...
	Survive the office holiday party and protect your career Office parties are meant to be a fun get together for employees, not a boring or forced obligation that everyone reluctantly attends. If you present yourself properly with the right look, poise, and g...
	Dealing with a bad boss You can reduce the struggles you have working for a difficult boss by developing the right communication process. Whether you’ve just started noticing problematic behavior from your boss or it’s a...
	Help for adults in the workforce thinking about going back to college Returning to school can be a daunting experience. The first challenge is finding the right school and working towards the right degree. The best path is to clarify personal goals, make sure that the d...
	Control your anger and other negative emotions in the workplace We are all doing the best we can both at home and at the office. When pressures mount the tendency is to release emotions on those who will be most affected. The problem with negative emotions in the ...
	Deal with the office bully to create a positive work environment Dealing with a bully is like any negotiation. You must establish mutual trust and respect. You must identify and eliminate their primary fear by being curious and compassionate. You can then create sh...
	To confront the office bully effectively be diplomatic at work Knowing some of the common behavioural types that you will most likely encounter during your time at work, is key in knowing how to deal with these specific people. Each have their own way to approach...
	Learn to job hop successfully to help you reach your career goals In today’s corporate world, there’s very little loyalty left on either side of the equation. Since the economic downturn, many employers have been vilified as heartless, selfish and focused on the...
	Make the most of a performance evaluation to help you succeed at work It’s easy for most of us to acknowledge the value of an effective performance evaluation, both as part of an assessment of an individual’s accomplishments and value to the organization, and also a...
	Take charge of your career and achieve your full potential This career stuff can be overwhelming, and can make you feel that you are simply along for the ride. Or worse, that someone else is your puppet master, like your own personal Wizard in the Land of Oz ...
	Self motivation is the path to career success When our lives are filled with activities and roles that are a fit for us, and give us ways to use our gifts and our skills and pursue our interests, we are less likely to experience that lack of moti...
	Leave your job on good terms when you quit or resign The reason people leave companies will always vary. One constant, regardless of reason, is your conduct. The more professional you are, even in circumstances that make it difficult to do so, the bette...
	Expert advice for creating a professional image in the workplace Your professional image is a key defining element that shapes your reputation. It is part of your personal brand both inside and outside the workplace. It reflects your appearance, behavior, conduct, ...
	Expert advice for giving a bad performance review to a good employee No one enjoys telling someone they did a bad job, but as a manager it is inevitable that there will be a poor performer at some point during your career. Poor performers can improve and may even becom...
	Make the most of an internship to get the full-time job you want Choosing the right internship opportunity for you and approaching your internship as an “on the job interview” will enable you to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to demonstrate how ...
	Keep your job and get ahead by staying relevant to your company To be relevant, you must evolve with changes to your business whether they be macro economic issues or the leadership roster. Key is knowing the business drivers of your company, recognizing how you a...
	Advice for job hopping to higher salary and more responsibility Job hopping is a very useful and rewarding career move if done properly. Keep in mind this advice as you are considering whether or not you start applying for other jobs. ...
	Perform a once-a-year career check-in to help reassess your goals So find that old resume lost on your hard drive, call an old work friend and begin to think about what you want out of your career and if your current job is getting you there. Overwhelmed? Just like ...
	Manage your professional development for career success Taking control of your career and its path will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Understanding your responsibilities, leveraging resources and collaborating with teammates, will not on...
	How to be confident and successful in making sales cold calls Sales people need to find a way to make outbound phone calls so they are productive, professional, and result in appointments. Having a systematic way of learning a script, practicing it, and implemen...
	How salespeople can overcome the fear and rejection of cold calling Fear and rejection are emotions that are common to every sales professional. The key is understanding what rejection really means and how to improve your mindset to process the rejection. Remember, fe...
	Build your professional brand to be successful in the workplace So, how do you become the person everyone wants to work with? Essentially, it comes down to being positive, working hard, and producing results. If you can keep these three things in mind each day, yo...
	Women: Stand out and be successful in the tech field and business The male dominated tech field can be intimidating to women. However, most of the time men don’t mean to alienate women or discourage their idea sharing. Learn to stand up for yourself and jump right...
	How to say no to your boss without the risk of losing your job Saying no to your boss should be an extension of a mutually respectful relationship not a reason to hide. As a professional you must be accountable to what you can or cannot handle as well as voice yo...
	How to successfully apply for a new job in your current company Internal candidates aren’t entitled to get the job. Avoiding mistakes and making the right moves will make you competitive with other internal and external candidates alike. Make a career plan, gain...
	Follow these rules of behavior and etiquette at the office party The office party is not the time to let down your hair or throw caution to the wind. What you do and say at the event could live on for a long time in the minds of your associates. If your behavior is...
	What to do immediately after you are laid off from your job The process of being laid off can be frustrating and challenging if you are not ready to make bold moves forward in your next role. Sometimes events like layoffs remind us of our strengths and highlig...
	React to workplace bullies with knowledge, confidence and control The financial bottom line is becoming more important in all institutions and companies throughout the United States. When companies realize that bullies are costing them money and a lack of productivi...

Career Success as a Manager

	Become a successful first-time manager Your first opportunity to manage people is often challenging. However, it can also be very rewarding, leading to a great career. There are pitfalls in managing people that you want to avoid, but more ...
	How to manage millennials The US workforce is set to welcome almost 60M millennials (roughly 36%) by 2014 which means that most organizations are going to experience a shift in workplace dynamics.  Management teams that belie...
	How to succeed in your transition from peer to new manager Becoming a boss can provide a great opportunity to influence people and process in new and exciting ways. Remember you are the same professional you were before but now with a bit more responsibility ...
	Expert advice for a manager on how to terminate or fire an employee All good leaders also remember bad hires. In fact, they can’t forget them because so much of what they learned from that hire they never want to repeat. Consequently, those leaders are proactive abo...
	Succeed in creating and managing a productive remote workforce While it may not be easy to manage a virtual workforce, the world is changing and the top managers will be those who embrace flexibility. Using purposeful communication, defining clear goals, and reli...
	Manage the budget and cut expenses while maintaining employee morale Many times managers are only concerned with their budget as they are developing it for the upcoming year. By changing that mindset and focusing on your actual costs and adherence to your budget on a r...
	Manage organizational stress to improve morale and productivity These are just a few of many opportunities to help keep an organization from becoming chronically distressed, and ultimately dysfunctional. There are in fact numerous ways to keep an organization heal...
	Managers who practice self awareness make excellent leaders Leadership is tough. Leadership without self-awareness is even tougher. Investing the time and effort into getting to know yourself and getting to know your people and the pulse of your culture is imp...
	Advice for managers on managing and motivating Gen Y employees This is a generation of highly talented and highly capable young adults. They are almost as large a group as the boomers and will therefore have a huge impact on corporate culture; they will be taking...
	Promoted to a management position? Don’t be one of those bosses If you are a boss, but not your own boss, the job can be stressful because of the pressure of answering to the boss above yourself. Have all the goals been met, what are the numbers saying, and is the...
	Expert advice on building a positive corporate culture When a leader operates from this place, and can generate tangible success from this foundation, then his or her influence becomes an organic process that in many ways is the antithesis of the fear and...
	Great managers provide constructive and valuable employee feedback While giving feedback at work can be difficult or awkward, when delivered well it can lead to more productivity and improves the work environment. When you prepare, considering your employee and how y...
	Advice on becoming the manager to your previous co-workers Switching roles from co-worker to supervisor is a challenge. You have to earn the respect of your team by being a leader, role model, and coach. Let the team know from the first day that you have a lo...

Job Search With a Recruiter

	Get your resume noticed by an agency recruiter Remember, recruiters are looking for the best fit for the positions they have available and they are trying to do it quickly. Make your resume as accessible as possible and include all the necessary i...
	Be successful in your job search - use a recruitment agency Don’t overlook the value an agency can provide in broadening your job search. Agencies can be particularly beneficial to those who are still working and don’t have time to conduct a full job searc...
	Impactful, distinct and concise cover letters get job interviews In summary, write from the heart, keep your writing tight and compel the reader to call you. As a recruiter, cover letters can be very dry reading. Aim to make your’s jump out of the pile and excite...
	Work with the job recruiter from interview to salary negotiation Working with a recruiter can bring fantastic results if you know how to work with them, and know what you’re looking for in your next opportunity. Have open and honest communication, give insight in...
	Working with a job recruitment agency can help you find a new job Using these tips will put you in good stead to build a working and lasting relationship with a recruiter. Preparation, integrity, and persistence will get you over any job hunting hurdles and put you ...
	Expert advice on working with a recruiter to help you find a job The most important thing to keep in mind is that job recruitment agencies are paid by the companies to find people like you to hire. With this in mind, a job recruiter’s sole job is to match compani...
	Be professional when responding to a cold call from a job recruiter Recruiters are just trying to do their job in helping you get interviews and advance your career. So when they call, be professional and if you are too busy to answer the call, then all you have to do...
	Using a recruiter can help you achieve the next level in your career Recruiters have the inside track on career openings. It is important to tap into their knowledge base to advance your career. Be honest, have patience, and know that the recruiter is there to help you...
	Do not lose a vital contact when turning down a job from a recruiter Burning the bridge between you and your recruiter is never a good idea. And there is nothing wrong with turning down an offer, but you should be sure that you explain your situation so that they will ...
	Find a recruiting firm that will meet your job search needs Finding a new job fresh out of college or changing careers is an all-consuming process. You need all the help you can get. Finding the right recruiting firm for your needs has served many people well....

Finding a New Job

	How to survive looking for a new job Being proactive and creative by exhausting all of your opportunities (not just the ones right in front of you), can help you shorten your job search process and find your next career opportunity. You ...
	Negotiate your job offer and get what you want  Negotiating is part of the job search process and really, a part of life. Confidence in negotiating is particularly lacking in women, a frustrating legacy of their former roles as “less than equal...
	Keep Your Job Search Alive over the Holidays Job hunting during the holidays is not a time to slow down, but rather accelerate, your job search. Like you, companies are trying very hard to fill the headcount needs they planned for earlier in the...
	Seeking and winning your first job after college Remember to use every resource possible. The more places you look and the more you submit your resume, the higher your chances are of being hired....
	How to succeed at networking for a new job Networking should be something you do on a regular basis and something you maintain. If you’re a scheduler, then put a calendar reminder to follow up with a contact you recently met. Networking buil...
	How to succeed in an interview The most important advice you should take into an interview is to be yourself. Remember interviews are a two way process, and this is an opportunity for you to make sure that this company aligns with ...
	Creating a resume that will get noticed Remember, the resume is merely your ticket to an interview. Keep it easy to read, packed full of great details about your background and relevant information about what you bring to a workplace, and t...
	Use your degree to get the perfect job in the career field you want Landing a job is easier than you think if you have an effective application package that lists your degree, major, and sought after skills right up front. Employing all the resources available to help...
	Prepare a financial plan in advance of being laid off Change can be intimidating, especially if it wasn’t by choice. Unfortunately, change is also inevitable for most of us when it comes to our jobs. Following a few steps can put you and your finances ...
	How to succeed in a phone screen or phone interview for a new job The phone interview is critical to employment success. Be prepared, be yourself, and have a one on one conversation....
	Use LinkedIn in your job search and build professional network Just like a resume or business card, LinkedIn is a tool in your job search. If you print your resume and never hand it to anyone it won’t do you any good. If you have business cards but never introd...
	Attract recruiters and new job opportunities with LinkedIn LinkedIn can be an effective tool for helping you find a job. Remember to remain professional, think strategically and stay involved on LinkedIn to make the most of potential employment opportunities....
	While in college get the internship that will land your dream job The numbers don’t lie. Internships are the number one tool to help any college student get a job. But finding internships takes some hard work. By following this basic advice, you will be well on yo...
	Do not be afraid to cold call the company where you want to work Being proactive and contacting a company out of the blue can be your best career move ever, if done right. Follow this advice and it could help you get the job of your dreams....
	Applying for an overseas job requires preparation and diligence Overseas work is a great way to see the world and expand your resume. Don’t be unprepared and realize that you need to be at the top of your game so that the employer knows you are the one for the j...
	Get ready for the job market, so that you can land your dream job There is no doubt that being well prepared for the job market can make a big difference in how you stand out among your competition. Armed with the necessary personal and online tools to build a stron...
	Boost your resume and job search with an authentic video resume Video resumes are the new way to find a career. Without one, you will be left behind in the competitive job hunting market. Keep this advice in mind, and good luck in your job search....
	Succeed in a job interview with confidence and authenticity Remember, the interviewer is not there to scare you or trick you. They want you to be the best fit for the job, because it means they can stop looking. Keep in mind this advice when preparing for the ...
	Gain an advantage in your job search with an online portfolio An online portfolio is a fantastic way to highlight your skills and accomplishments to potential employers. Ingest these chunks of advice, and you’ll see your online portfolio become a potent weapon...
	Evaluate your first job offer to make sure it’s the best opportunity Getting offered a job is a wonderful experience, but you should be diligent in making sure that you aren’t just taking the job just to have a job, unless of course you need the money. Make sure that...
	Be professional in a phone interview to win the job Keep in mind that no matter how much coaching we receive, advice that we get, and books that we read about interviewing, we cannot ever guarantee who will be on the other end of the phone. They may be...
	Military veterans: create the perfect cover letter for civilian jobs When you implement this advice for writing the perfect cover letter, you will know that your cover letter will get read. Just as it takes only about 10-15 seconds for someone to sum up an opinion of y...
	Military veterans: create a professional resume for civilian jobs The one resume fits all or generic resume does not exist if you want to get hired. You will have several resumes that you use as the basis for tailoring each of your resumes for each job you are apply...
	College grads: prepare a great resume even with little work experience Finding employment in today’s job market can be challenging and therefore it is important that your resume communicates to an employer within a few moments that it warrants further consideration. It...
	Expert advice on how to best prepare for the interview Successful interviewing takes practice and research. It is good to be confident in yourself and past work experience, but be sure to not overextend yourself. Keep it professional. Practice with a frie...
	Advice on changing careers and finding a more satisfying job When making a career change, do it for the right reasons. There is no sense in changing to a job you won’t like when your goal is to find a job where you will be happy. Do your research before quitt...
	Advice to help those over 50 in their job search Experience is a very attractive selling point for people over 50, so promote your life experience as you look for work. Don’t get too creative with your resume and definitely don’t embellish your ...
	What to say in the job interview to the employer to get hired As in most aspects of life, first impressions are important. What you say can and will impact whether or not you land a job. Candidates are hired because of a few little things they do or say, and the...
	Men should dress professionally for their job interview If you have an outstanding resume, your dress, appearance and image needs to be no less. You should make a compelling statement to the employer that you are the one they seek. Give reason why they tak...
	Advice for finding a job when nothing else is working In today’s job market, it’s more important than ever to have both a strategy and an open mind when searching for a new job. Although adopting these tips can be time consuming and may take you out ...
	Advice for transitioning from power mom to workplace maven Give yourself credit for the successes that you had as a parent. Understand that there is benefit to be had from all of life’s experiences. The time you invested in raising your family will pay you ...
	How to find and land the perfect job that is right for you The process of landing your next job shouldn’t be a mystery. The steps involved in getting a quality job, especially one that’s a good personal fit, depend on how your research and priorities alig...
	How to choose the best work-from-home business opportunity for you A work-from-home opportunity can afford you the chance to improve your overall quality of life. When you choose the right kind of earning opportunity, you can also improve your personal wellness and h...
	Use your network to successfully find and land your next job Networking is something most people don’t think about because, on a conscious level, it’s something they don’t think they need. But the fact is that people network every day. Every conversation ...

Self-Guided Improvement

	Use the law of attraction to help you attract good things in life Since the release of the bestseller The Secret, there has been a great deal of enthusiasm regarding the law of attraction. At the same time, there has also been a lot of confusion and negative critici...
	In life be happy and thankful to help reduce worry and anxiety It takes practice to live a grateful life, but it’s worth the effort. When you develop a life of gratitude, you will see remarkable results, including a less anxious life. You will learn that gratit...
	Convince yourself that change is possible and it is what you want It’s easy to do the same old same old over and over. It’s familiar, predictable and safe. You can have so much more but you have to take that first BIG step. Be aware that you may have pitfalls, b...
	Spiritual healing is a great way to find happiness and prosperity Your emotional and spiritual wellbeing is just as important as your physical self. While you shouldn’t give up on doctors if you happen to be medically ill, you should also not expect them to instan...
	Experience joy in your life by focusing on similarity and happiness When you focus your time and energy into experiencing joy rather than continuing to celebrate your differences amongst others, real progress within the world can occur. Don’t settle for relative hap...
	Increase motivation by setting realistic and achievable goals Motivation is your desire to do something. Although there are many motivational factors, the best is self-motivation. Begin with a goal, write it down, then begin with a plan to action to achieve your...
	Achieve sustainable results by setting goals with a clear focus Using the strategies of goal setting will cause you to map a new course that is thrilling, full of risks and will teach you how to manage time, anxiety, resources, and rejection. Your character will b...
	Forgiveness is the key to transforming life and finding happiness Forgiving yourself is much harder than forgiving others. As you carry around negative and toxic emotions, you are also putting your life on hold. Nothing positive can come into your life when you are ...
	Smiling helps boost your mood, increase happiness and lower stress As all mothers with babies, BFFs and caregivers know, smiling usually elicits positive feelings and often sparks a positive reaction in others.“Research is ongoing into the science behind the phenom...
	Get the happiness you deserve and need with this advice So, the key to experiencing happiness is finding balance in your life, with all the things you love to do. Be good to yourself, you deserve that much! Get to know yourself really well, so that when so...
	Start your New Year's resolutions early to help achieve your goals Resolutions are suppose to help us achieve something and better ourselves – not to make us feel like a failure. Choose goals that are thought out and researched and constantly check yourself and you...
	Find success by living with a purpose: You can achieve your goals Embrace it all! All of the tribulations on your path to success should be taken in stride. You have to learn to embraced pain and discomfort as part of the journey to success that it is like seeing an...
	Change your mindset and change your life There was a public service TV spot that ran awhile back that concluded, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I’ve seen this repeatedly in my life; people dealing with personal issues, which ar...
	Achieve happiness by living more mindfully through meditation Once you bring meditation into your life, you will see how great you feel and how easily your life flows. You can’t control how others behave and what life throws your way, but you can control how y...
	How to be happy and single on Valentine’s Day This Valentine’s Day, focus on what makes you happy and all the amazing things you have in your life. This subtle tweak in the way you think will certainly make your Valentine’s Day better, but al...
	Learn to cope and embrace a chronic illness diagnosis While chronic illness and long term medical conditions can be painfully challenging in everyday life, finding the gift and the messages in the illness, allows one to reframe the negative aspects and e...
	Don't let difficult and oppressive people undermine your happiness Dealing with difficult people is part of your journey to success. Make a decision to rise above negativity and stay focused on being the best you can be. The most important thing is to stay positive y...
	Advice for dealing with a setback and getting back to your goals Dealing with setbacks is a natural part of the success process and quite frankly, most are not good at dealing with it. You can separate yourself from your competition by developing the psychology of ...
	How a life coach can help you achieve your goals Coaching has become a popular service in recent years. It is important to find the coach who can help you acquire the tools to reach your specific goal. You should get one who specializes in your type...
	Hiring a personal coach can help you take control of your life In a way, hiring the right personal coach is like hiring the right doctor or finding the right health or car insurance. You want the best for yourself, so put in the work to find the best. Be ready to...
	Finding happiness and feeling loved: How to become a better you Feeling loved by others and giving that love back is something we need in order to be happy, reduce and manage stress in our lives, and maintain a high level of overall well-being. It is important for...
	Mindfulness: A way to resolve stress, anxiety, and free your joy Life is meant to be a journey of discovery, sharing and creativity. Experiencing our moments fully enhances the journey. Mindfulness grounds us in the present moment. It helps us release stress, shed ...
	Mind your manners: proper etiquette at a formal dinner table Dining is one of our oldest social traditions. It allows for people to gather, have good conversation and enjoy delicious food. The reason we have rules of dining is not to seem pretentious. The rules...