Career Advice

Most of us take on a lot of different roles in life. You’ve got to be the housekeeper, bookkeeper, nutritionist, chef, personal shopper, stylist, events coordinator, therapist, bodyguard, CEO and assistant of You, Inc.—all the time, around the clock. Oh, and cheerleader too, if you hope to have the stamina and enthusiasm to do it all over again tomorrow.

Life can get crazy. That’s why it’s important to take mental breaks from daily stress throughout the day. And while for some of us that might mean watching a mindless reality TV show or playing a silly iPhone game, there are also some more enriching ways to spend your downtime, when you feel so inclined. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by work or family, try calming yourself down with a more cerebral distraction.

A tragedy can change your circumstances. But it can also change you. The way you wake in the mornings. Where your mind goes when you have a moment to think. And what nobody tells you is that you find yourself wincing whenever the phone rings, practically forever—a Pavlovian response to the moment you picked it up and found your whole world changed. Helen Bayley, co-founder of decor brand Lovestar Australia, got such a phone call one late afternoon last February.

If you were one of the folks—like me—hoping bullet journals would be a flash-in-the-pan lifestyle trend, I have to report that we’re wrong. Bullet journals are here to stay. Why did I write off bullet journals for so long? (Pun absolutely intended.) Well to me, they seemed like they existed as a sort of vanity project—an Instagram-worthy journal where perfect people can showcase the elements of their perfect life in perfect handwriting.

Are you interested in working from home but aren’t sure where to start, how it works, or if it’ll be good for your wallet? Well, Inc.com gave a comprehensive look at the financial gains of working remotely. The publication notes that remote work saves the average person around $5,000 per year on expenses like gas, car maintenance, dry cleaning and laundry, lunch and other cafe munchies, and a business casual wardrobe, to name a few.

We’ve all been there. It’s ten minutes before a big office meeting, and you just realized you forgot to read the documents your boss handed out last week to prepare. But fret not my flustered friends, there’s still plenty of time to get prepped. We did our research and thanks to a few tried and true speed-reading strategies, skimming those documents—at least enough to absorb the basic info—should be no problem.

I hate to invoke the “two types of people” trope, but I think it rings especially true here. There are two types of people in the world: Bullet journalers, and bullet journalers who haven’t started yet. I admittedly am in that second camp. I was even drinking the bujo haterade when the trend first came along. Technology offers so many advantages over pen-and-paper recordkeeping.

Your resume is the first chance you have to leave a good impression on a potential employer and should be treated accordingly. Think about it: If you’re a tough and creative worker with an impeccable attention to detail, does a standard Word template really reflect all that you have to offer? While the actual content of your resume is key, the format—AKA the design, graphics, and style of text—still has the power to help you stand out on the job hunt.

Great news for the overworked people in New York City — you may finally be legally free from taking the office home. On March 22nd, Brooklyn city council member Rafael Espinal proposed the “Disconnect From Work” bill. The bill would make it illegal for businesses to contact employees via email or instant messenger after work hours (with an exception for those with unconventional circumstances, such as on-call employees).

A good resume should be clear and concise. As a rule of thumb, hiring managers typically take fewer than 10 seconds to scan an entire resume, so it’s important that yours conveys only the most relevant information to your audience. And since it’s crucial that your resume be quick and easy to read through, it’s important to know what information should be omitted.

If your bucket list has more stops on it than a local train during rush hour, but your current employment status doesn’t allow for either the vacation time or travel funds to see the world, maybe it’s time to apply for one of these companies where jet-setting is just part of the job description. Company review site Glassdoor.

The data collected by our social media networks — and how it’s used, for better or for worse — is having a major moment in the news this week.

Author Rachel Khong saw a need for a collaborative gathering space for women… so she opened one herself. Rachel Khong, bestselling author of Goodbye, Vitamin, did most of her writing in coffee shops (writing at home, she says, was difficult because she was constantly distracted by chores and home projects that needed to be completed. We can relate!). While she loved cafés or writing at her rustic A-frame cabin in Russian River, they weren’t quite what she needed.

Have you ever been a few hours into a Netflix binge and wondered why you can’t just be professionally lazy? TUI, an airline and vacation agency in Sweden, is currently on the hunt for four “professional slackers.” If hired as a professional lazy person you will have to do a few things. Slackers will be required to wear beachwear, sit in a chair with their toes in the sand, read a book, nap and ignore passers by.

Despite the fact that so many people grow up dreaming about moving to New York to start their careers, it may not actually be the best place for everyone. As magical a city as it is, with expensive housing and a high cost of living, low starting salaries and a highly competitive job market, it can be hard to make it work in the Big Apple. So, where is the best place to start a career, then, if not NYC?

An out-of-control inbox is a problematic thing. Not only does it make it hard to keep your professional and personal life organized, a cluttered inbox can often lead to missed emails and opportunities. Andrew Mellen knows all about the value of well-organized inbox. As New York City’s leading professional organizer, he’s made streamlining people’s digital disorder his business. We asked him for advice on how to better manage our own email issues, and he had a lot to share.

Buying a home when you’re self-employed is notoriously tricky. After all, an up-and-down income cycle is—understandably—less appealing to mortgage companies than a dependable paycheck. That said, it’s far from impossible. Freelancers and small business owners alike can absolutely be approved to buy the home of their dreams. It just takes a little extra prep work. If you’re thinking about entering the real estate market while still being your own boss, listen up.

There's a way to turn a vice into a virtue—just listen to these brilliant tips by self-admittedly awful emailers.

Fear is a very convincing liar. It masquerades as a friendly internal voice — as something just trying to protect you from professional or financial ruin — but it often overstates the actual consequences at stake. And the thing that fear almost always forgets to mention? How miserable you might be if you don’t even try to follow your dreams.

Most people — particularly those who are just starting out in their careers — find the prospect of asking for a raise daunting. Talking about money is often uncomfortable, and having to talk about yourself and why you’re worth a certain amount of moola can push the awkwardness factor off the charts. But, as one of the badass creative women we spoke to for this story pointed out, “If you don’t ask for yourself, who will?

“Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,” croons Lee Ann Womack in 2000’s pop-country tune “I Hope You Dance.” But sometimes you can’t wait for a door (or window) to open. Sometimes you just have to open your own damn door. All people in creative fields get their ideas rejected at one point. (Yes, even Don Draper.

If you’re anything like me, you spend a lot of time each day clicking through your inbox. (And, admittedly, if you’re anything like me you also walk away from the inbox with a seemingly never-ending pile of unread messages and junk mail. Does it ever stop?!) But what if there was a way to make sifting through that inbox easier? Enter Gmail shortcuts. Here are 10 essential shortcuts everyone should know.

You’ve probably heard the saying “a picture’s worth a thousand words” more times than you can count by now, but a recent study from CanvasPop shows that the old adage is on to something. As it turns out, art and decor can have a major impact on your happiness and productivity, especially in the workplace. In offices where employees are able to choose their own art and decor, people were found to be 30 percent more productive—plus, they had fewer health complaints.

When you work from home (whether full-time or even just the occasional catch up day) it’s important to have a space carved out that’s just for getting things done. Not only because it’s hard to be productive and creative when you’re sitting in bed with a laptop, but because it’s hard to separate work and life when you spend half your time working in spaces that aren’t really designed for it.

“Work” can look like many different things, and a typical 9-to-5 commuter job is only one of them. You might be a freelancer, or a graveyard-shift-er, or a part-time-er, or somebody who spends their days taking care of their family. All that matters is that you’re happy with where you’re at. When your life is in perfect balance, work is fun and motivating. Work takes just the right amount of time in your day (or week or year or life).

Do you give yourself enough credit for your career experience? Only 37 percent of people negotiate their salaries. Fourty-four percent don’t even bring up the subject of salary negotiation. And the thing is, fear is the only thing holding you back. Salary is a scary topic to broach, but it needs to be done. (You deserve it!

Your twenties can be a challenging time when it comes to your finances—you’re young, you’re free, and you’re just starting out in your career, but you’re also likely in debt and still learning about how to successfully plan your spending and saving for next month, let alone ten years down the road (and everything in between).

When you’re gearing up for a job interview, you’ll probably find a million resources telling you how to prepare, what to do and what not to do. But often those rules can be outdated, or sometimes, they don’t exactly fit the industry you’re looking to work in. To have the best interview possible, avoid these 5 pieces of cliched interview advice.

If you could leave your job right now to be your own boss and set your own rules, would you do it? Ask the majority of freelancers in America, and they’ll tell you it’s totally worth it. A recent study from Upwork and the Freelancers Union looked at how freelancers feel about their employment situation, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. According to the study, 35 percent of the U.S.

Everyone makes mistakes with spending and saving, especially if you’re starting a new job (or your first job). But even those of us who’ve earned (and spent) a few hundred paychecks in our lives might need a refresher course on the basics of smart budgeting (or at least a kick in the pants to stop with the bad habits already!). The best way to get back on track with good spending habits is to start right at the source—your paycheck.

It’s been more than three years since I quit my day job and dove into freelance writing full-time. Being your own boss sure has its perks (hello, afternoon naps), but it’s not all gravy all the time. I’ve learned many lessons over the years—some easy, some not so much—that have taught me so much about myself, about work and success, and most importantly, how to actually enjoy what I’m doing. Like, really enjoy it.

New year, new you, right? Maybe 2017 is the time to move towards new heights in your career. And whether your goal is seeking a new opportunity or trying to land a great promotion, you might be surprised to hear there are a few things that could be holding you back. Luckily, they’re things you can work on… at home and on the job. Whether it’s learning new skills through an online course or taking on new tasks, don’t worry—you’ve got this!

Have you ever given a well-timed response or innovative idea on the spot at a business meeting or dinner party? Everyone nods in approval and laughs at your funny story. The boss gives you a raise and the hostess at the dinner party slips you her most treasured secret recipe. The light reflects off your brilliant white teeth and sparkling eyes that seem to know everything, yet assume nothing. This could happen… maybe if you were a hero in a movie. But you’re not.

Tucked away in the gated Ocean Park community in San Juan, The Dreamcatcher guesthouse features nine unique rooms and three suites, each one featuring its own distinct style. And though The Dreamcatcher became a beautiful space organically, co-owners Sylvia and Stephan put in countless hours and hard work, as most major renovation projects require.

Evernote is life-changing. I’ve been a happy user for years now (this isn’t an ad, just the ramblings of an enthusiastic evangelist) and I seriously can’t remember how I functioned without it before. There are so many different ways you can use it to streamline and simplify your life. You can take notes, write to do lists, attach photos, record voice memos, scan papers, set reminders, save articles—the list goes on.

Maybe you feel like you’re not a creative person in general, or maybe you just need a little bit of a push to find the solution you’re seeking—either way, there are plenty of small things you can do to be more creative. It might not feel like it, but the brilliant thoughts and ideas you’re looking for are already in your head, waiting to be put down on paper, you just can’t see them yet.

If you’ve caught the bullet journaling bug and now just can’t stop hunting for layout inspiration, follow these seven bullet journal-obsessed Instagrammers stat. Each feed is brimming with enviable bullet journal photos that will without a doubt get your creative juices flowing and help get your life totally organized. Italian bullet journalist Roberta Ranieri’s feed is filled with beautiful BuJo eye candy. Her layouts are simple, beautiful, and filled with creative doodles.

You’ve decorated your own home. You’ve helped friends and family decorate their homes. Is 2017 the year you finally take some steps toward decorating as a career? There’s a ton to learn about the field of interior design and decorating (much more than can fit in a single post), but while you might be mulling over whether you should go back to school or take out a business loan, consider a few things first.

So you’ve decided to start bullet journaling. Welcome to the BuJo club! To get you started, we put together a little starter kit for you with all the goodies you need to kick off your bullet journaling adventure. The best part: It’s pretty wallet-friendly totaling just under $50. → BuJo Curious? The Things to Know About Bullet Journaling Before You Get Started First things first: you need a nice notebook. There’s really no right or wrong notebook for bullet journaling.

Whether you work in a tiny cubicle, the corner of your bedroom, a spacious corner office or a fully customized home workspace, your desk is likely a source of both stress and germs. Okay, forget “likely.” We’ll leave as a “maybe,” but your desk is “definitely” a source of germs. You probably have a routine for cleaning your home and a rough idea of when things need to be washed or scrubbed. But your workspace?

Personal and fashion stylist Elim Chu is the cool, nice friend you hope to have because not only is she smart and hip and has amazing style—she will happily share her knowledge and secrets to help everyone around her look and feel great. She’s genuine and warm and approaches styling with the belief that everyone can build a simple and beautiful less-is-more wardrobe.

Bullet journals (or BuJos for short) are definitely having a moment right now. Everywhere you look—Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest—there’s bullet journal fever. If the cult-favorite organizational system has piqued your curiosity but you are not quite sure if it’s for you, we’re walking you through a few key things you need to know before you decide to BuJo or not to BuJo. First off, don’t let the word journal fool you.

Just having a 401K is a good start. But it’s what you do with it that has a major impact on your retirement. You’re the one in charge of it all, but saving for the future doesn’t have to be another dread on your financial checklist. With a little solid advice, you’ll be well on your way to conquering common 401K mistakes and closer to your retirement dream.

Fact: Unless you truly live for work, few things feel more rewarding than leaving your office on time everyday. However, as liberating as breaking away from your desk can be, the art of actually getting out of your workplace can truthfully be tricky to master. It may seem effortless to head straight for the door at 5pm, but it requires a lot of practice, patience, and perseverance to get to a place where you can pack up and go with confidence.

When you’ve had a long, stressful day, your initial reaction may be to plop yourself down on the couch and complain about what happened. Sometimes that works, but other times, all you want is to come home to some happier thoughts. It’s easy to get bogged down by all the frustrations of your day, but these little rituals might be able to help you leave stress behind. Sometimes the stress is so bad, you just need to vent, and that’s fine.

You set aside time for meetings and you might even block out times to work on different projects throughout the day, but do you actually schedule your workday effectively? It’s not just about doing your work and getting through meetings—taking breaks, being active and more—they all play a huge part in your work success and productivity. But those things are often overlooked, especially when you’re busy and stressed.

Sleeping in is the best feeling in the world… until you realize you’re running late to work for the third time this week because of it. But just because you hit snooze a few times in the morning, it doesn’t mean you can’t still look and feel like you’ve got it together. A few changes to your routine—like when you shower, or how you plan your meals and outfits—can actually make a huge impact in how you take on the day.

Globe-traveling, curio-collecting, working professionals by day and co-creators of an animated series by night. They’re building a life together rooted in a love of travel and exploration, fueled by intellectual curiosity and creativity. They’re smart and warm and possess Jedi-level cocktail making skills. Here’s life with Mark and Noelle… Mark and Noelle live in a flat in Chicago’s Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood.

No matter your profession, creative blocks can and will arise from time to time. One minute you’ll be bursting with originality and enthusiasm—and the next you might feel totally stuck. You’ve probably already heard of all the typical ways to bust through those blocks such as meditating, exercising, and spending time in nature, but here I’m sharing a few different methods you may not have heard of before that will get your creative juices flowing again in no time.

You don’t have to have a green thumb to know that plants can make a world of difference in your decor, but they can do a lot more than just brighten up a dull, lifeless space. Even just a little extra green can have a huge impact on your attitude and your health, especially in your workspace. If you don’t already have a photosynthesizing friend on your desk, here’s why you need one.

Apartment Therapy is a daily design and lifestyle site with over 10 million monthly readers. This full-time staff position will report to the Executive Editor and will concept, assign, write and edit high quality, engaging and useful service content primarily focused on home projects & shopping guides for the brand. This position will be based out of our NYC headquarters.

If you’re constantly in a state of time famine, this post is for you. We’re all familiar with being financially frugal, but have you ever thought about being frugal with your time? Time is not a renewable resource: Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever and we can never ever get it back — which is why it’s so important to be thrifty in how you spend it. Here, I’m sharing five of my favorite ways to take charge of your days.

Your office may not have all the comforts of home, but if you keep the right things in your desk, a long day at work can feel a lot less stressful. Say goodbye to boring lunches, freezing cold meetings and battery-drained cell phones, and hello to a happier work day. No matter what kind of phone you have, you probably find yourself having to plug it in for a recharge at least once a day.

We all have favorite scents and memories tied to different smells. Cinnamon might remind you of your grandmother’s family-famous apple pie, while the scent of fresh-cut grass takes you back to good times at summer camp. Just as those scents can evoke powerful thoughts and memories, aromatherapy with essential oils is thought to be able to impact your body and mind — energizing you, calming you, and altering your mood.

When you are at a turning point in your career or are struggling at work, you may want to seek out some career advice. The old-school way meant turning to mentors, coworkers or the career section of a local bookstore. And while these are still great resources (we can’t possibly oversell the power of a well-connected mentor who’s generous with their time), today, there are plenty more unexpected places to find advice that the generation before you might typically overlook.

Anyone who has ever had to look for work knows that the process itself is basically like having a full-time job. You have to polish your resume, scour the job boards for the perfect position, hit up your network for references and craft so many cover letters that they all start to blur together. And if your job search drags on for a long while, you can end up feeling exhausted and disheartened.

When done for pleasure, travel is almost always fun and exciting. After all, you get to see brand new places, try out new cuisines and maybe even relax a little. Business travel, however, feels a lot more like, well… work. Traveling for business purposes is fairly common in the U.S.: The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that Americans rack up more than 405 million long-distance trips for business each year.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Food Stylist. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! Kitchn | Food Stylist Kitchn is the top independent online food publication, with over 23 million monthly readers. The Food Stylist position will report to the Art Director, work extensively with the Food Editor and will assist in the aesthetic growth and development of the brand.

There’s a common realization many remote workers are having, likely while sitting in front of a computer at home still in their PJs (I speak from experience). It goes a little something like this: “Hey, wait a minute… I don’t have to work from home. I could actually work from anywhere.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Sales Marketing Coordinator. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! Apartment Therapy and Kitchn are seeking an experienced Sales Marketing Coordinator to join our high-energy and growing Creative Services team in a key Pre-Sale role. The role is based in our NYC office and reports to the Sales Marketing Manager.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Social Media Manager, Apartment Therapy. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! AT Media is an innovative consumer-based media company with category-defining brands, including Kitchn (thekitchn.com) and Apartment Therapy (apartmenttherapy.com). AT Media is searching for a Social Media Manager to join us in our fun and airy Soho office!

Traditional 9-to-5 jobs can be tedious, but there’s a shift that tends to happen every summer in offices across the country. As jeans and sandals become part of the dress code, you’ll start to notice fewer people in the office. Everyone is either on vacation, getting ready for one, or just got back to a mountain of emails. Productivity slumps. Recurring meetings are cancelled week-to-week, and deadlines become a little bit more flexible.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for an Office Manager. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! Apartment Therapy Media is seeking an Office Manager to join us in our high-energy and fast-paced Soho Office! This is a very diverse role that will require a lot of problem solving. We’re looking for someone who has prior office management experience and an interest in either Digital Media or Human Resources.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Finance Assistant. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! AT Media is looking to add a Finance Assistant to our Operations team here in our bright and energetic Soho office! This position will report directly to our Controller.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Human Resources Coordinator. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! This position will report directly to our HR Generalist as a member of our Operations Team and will be based in our sunny Soho office!

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Senior Social Media Manager. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! AT Media is an innovative consumer-based media company with category-defining brands, including Kitchn (thekitchn.com) and Apartment Therapy (apartmenttherapy.com). AT Media is searching for a Senior Social Media Manager to join us in our fun and airy Soho office!

TheKitchn.com is actively looking for a Features/Lifestyle Editor. Please click through for details! Kitchn is a daily food and lifestyle publication with over 20 million monthly readers. This full-time staff position will report to the Editor and will concept, assign, write, and edit lifestyle content across a core set of non-food verticals. Our office is located in New York City but this position does not require that you reside in New York; applications are welcome from other locations.

TheKitchn.com is actively looking for an Associate Editor (Wellness/Health). Please click through for details! The Kitchn | Associate Editor (Wellness/Health) The Kitchn is an influential independent online food publication, with over 20 million monthly readers. The associate editor will be a key member of the editorial team, involved in story ideation, assigning, editing and writing, especially as the content covers nutrition, wellness, and the healthy home.

TheKitchn.com is actively looking for a Food Stylist. Please click through for details! The Kitchn is the top independent online food publication, with over 23 million monthly readers. The Food Stylist position will report to the Art Director, work extensively with the Food Editor and will assist in the aesthetic growth and development of the brand. Responsibilities Qualifications How to Applyhr@apartmenttherapy.

TheKitchn.com is actively looking for a Photographer. Please click through for details! The Kitchn is the top independent online food publication, with over 23 million monthly readers. We are looking for a full-time Photographer to join us in our sunny and fun Soho office! This new position will report to the Art Director and will assist in the aesthetic growth and development of the brand.

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Programmatic Sales & Strategy Manager. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! Apartment Therapy Media is searching for a Programmatic Sales & Strategy Manager to join us in our sunny Soho office!

Apartment Therapy Media (ApartmentTherapy.com & TheKitchn.com) is actively looking for a Post Production Manager. A passion for interior design, cooking and our websites is a big bonus! Post Production Manager, Video Responsibilities – Ensures timely upload and scheduling (workflow) of all video assets on all of our distribution platforms – Is the point-person between the in-house developers and our video player vendor.