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Journalism Advice

Ask Mediabistro: How Do I Get My Pitch Letter Read?

When you’re trying to get a freelance assignment from a magazine, you know that your first step is to have a fantastic idea. You gather […]
off the record portion of an interview
Climb the LadderSkills & Expertise

What Are the Rules About Off the Record? A Reporter’s Guide

Here’s a popular journo question: “I’ve read threads about ‘on’ vs. ‘off’ the record, but, for etiquette purposes, how is this determined?” You’d be surprised […]
Ellie-nominated mags
Go FreelanceJournalism Advice

Inside the Front of Book: How to Shape a Magazine’s Identity

Glamorous celebrity profiles and hard-hitting investigative reports may be the domain of the feature well. But when it comes to shaping a magazine’s identity, expressing […]
ken-sunshine-feature
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredHey, How'd You Do That?

Hey, How’d You Start Repping A-Listers, Ken Sunshine?

Ken Sunshine’s Sunshine & Sachs PR agency isn’t in the industry directories. Sunshine doesn’t blog. He doesn’t even have a Web site. He’s been known […]
Deborah Norville, Inside Edition Anchor and Bestselling Author
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredInterviews

So What Do You Do, Deborah Norville, Inside Edition Anchor, Bestselling Author?

Deborah Norville is first and foremost a survivor. This broadcast veteran endured one of the most brutal cases of career- and character-bashing ever inflicted on […]
laura-brown-feature
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredInterviews

So What Do You Do, Laura Brown, Features & Special Projects Director, Harper’s Bazaar?

As features and special projects director of Harper’s Bazaar, Laura Brown works closely with editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey to create the fashion magazine’s most buzzed-about stories and […]
keija-minor
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredInterviews

So What Do You Do, Keija Minor, Brides Editor in Chief?

As the first woman of color to be the top editor at a Condé Nast publication—and someone who spent her early career in corporate law—Brides […]
toan-lam
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredInterviews

So What Do You Do, Toan Lam, ‘Chief Inspirator’ for Social Activism Site GoInspireGo.com?

Even as a child, Toan Lam knew he wanted to tell stories. He grew up in a rough neighborhood in South Sacramento, Calif., and used […]
mike-mcavoy-feature
Advice From the ProsBe Inspired

So What Do You Do, Mike McAvoy, President of The Onion?

The Onion has evolved into much more than that satirical newspaper we all know and love. (Sample headline: “Obama Spends Afternoon in Garage Restoring Classic […]
eric-noe
Advice From the ProsBe InspiredInterviews

So What Do You Do, Eric Noe, Managing Editor at ABC News Digital?

Update: Eric Noe is no longer the managing editor at ABC News Digital. Eric Noe knows digital news. The journo, who began his career at […]

Stories, ideas, and perspectives to spark your next creative move. Be Inspired features profiles, essays, and thought pieces that celebrate the work of media and creative professionals and remind you why you got into the industry in the first place.

jesse-ventura

So What Do You Do, Jesse Ventura, Political Pundit, Host of ‘Off the Grid’?

Jesse Ventura has never been one to mince his words. The Vietnam vet turned pro wrestler turned governor of Minnesota has been openly critical of, […]

Food Media Jobs: How to Break Into Food Writing, Styling & Photography

Last updated: January 2026 In this article: Food Media Careers | Salaries | Food Stylist | Food Writer | Food Photographer | Content Creator | […]
side-gigs-for-writers

8 Side Hustles for Writers and Journalists

Last updated: January 2026 In this article: Youth Writing Instructor | Private Tutor | Business Writing Coach | Publishing Consultant | Brand Marketing Consultant | […]
startup-success

7 Definitive Traits You Need for Startup Success

With media jobs at a premium, that brilliant idea for a new media company that you’ve been batting for the past few months is starting […]
home office of content farm writer

One Year as a Content Farm Writer

You don’t have to go far to find criticism of employers like Demand Studios, Contently and Associated Content. These “content farms” employ massive numbers of […]
writers-website

How to Create a Writer’s Website That Gets You Work

All types of independent professionals have been hearing it for years—to do business today, you need a website. But what exactly is the function of […]
Author holding their published book

How to Become a Best-Selling Author

There are plenty of authors who write for love of the craft. But most of us also want our carefully crafted words to be read […]

Resources and guidance for job seekers in media, marketing, and creative industries. From crafting your personal brand to navigating the hiring process, Candidates gives you the tools and insights to position yourself as the standout choice.

Why Every College Student Should Intern at a Startup

If you’re an undergrad looking to get valuable work experience, the startup world might be the place for you. The statistics are pretty clear: if […]

Why an English degree is just as important as a STEM major

I’m sick of hearing about the “STEM Crisis” in America. Read any report on American education from the past decade, and you’ll see an excessive […]

How to Network in Three Easy Steps

Three easy steps to make you dread it a lot less Photo by Farhad Sadykov (licensed via Flickr Creative Commons) Sometimes when you say the word “networking”, […]
Sure. Everyone uses words on their resume. But, trust me, if your hiring manager sees "Attention to detail" one more time, they might consider a career change themselves. Two mistakes that so many resume-writers make are 1. Pointing out even the most basic of skills that literally any company would want an employee to have (ie. attention to detail) and 2. copying and pasting their past job descriptions under the "experience" section of their resume. What employers really want to know is what you can do. What can you do for their company?

40 Powerful Action Words to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know the competition is fierce when it comes to the job market. But did you know that, […]

Do Hiring Managers Check Your Social Media? (Yes, and Here’s What They’re Looking For)

The short answer? Yes. But you might be more interested in the long answer: Why do they check? What are they looking for? And what […]
References might be a bigger deal than you think. Believe It or not, references can make or break your job prospects, so it’s extremely important to choose them wisely. Even if you had a great interview, a word from one of your references is all it could take to have the hiring manager second-guess you as the right candidate, or get the vote of confidence they need to bring you onto the team. So in a world of Amazon reviews, make sure yours are five stars!

How to Choose Job References (Yes, You Can Use Coworkers)

Last updated: January 2026 In this article: Why References Matter | Can You Use a Coworker? | Who to Ask | How to Prep Your […]
Tips for How to Respond to a Job Rejection Email

How to Respond to A Job Rejection Email

You wrote a stellar cover letter. You aced the phone interview. You visited the office and interviewed with the entire team. Then after a few […]

News and developments at the intersection of media careers and education. From journalism school updates and industry training programs to workforce trends and skills in demand, Careers & Education keeps you informed on what's shaping the next generation of media professionals.

Jobs That Might Not Exist in 50 Years

Jobs that might not exist in 50 years On the surface, unemployment figures in the United States may paint a picture of resilience. In June 2025, […]

Best private colleges in America

Best private colleges in America Heading off to college comes with a hefty price tag.  At ranked public schools, 2025-2026 tuition costs rose 3.3% on […]

States with the highest SAT scores

smolaw // Shutterstock States with the highest SAT scores The source of dread for nearly 2 million high schoolers every year, the SAT, or Scholastic […]

Best big college towns in America

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock Best big college towns in America Every year, students from across the country agonize about where to go to college. The […]

‘Failing our kids’: Philadelphia’s struggle highlights how young learners nationwide miss out on legally mandated support services

Rebecca Redelmeier // Chalkbeat ‘Failing our kids’: Philadelphia’s struggle highlights how young learners nationwide miss out on legally mandated support services When Kimberly Halevy’s son […]

Anti-hustle culture 2026: Gen Z’s rebellion against burnout

LightField Studios // Shutterstock Anti-hustle culture 2026: Gen Z’s rebellion against burnout Advancing your career used to mean working long hours, communicating formally, and following […]

Schools that are good at teaching math are also good in reading — and vice versa

The 74 // Getty images Schools that are good at teaching math are also good in reading — and vice versa Many people prefer restaurants […]

Practical strategies for advancing your media or creative career. Climb the Ladder delivers tips on getting promoted, negotiating raises, building your professional network, and making smart moves that take you to the next level.

woman meeting with person at coffee shop networking

How to Network for a Job: 7 Steps to Land Your Next Role

Last updated: January 2026 In this article: Take Initiative | Build Relationships First | Schedule Follow-Ups | Get Contact Info | Know Your Industry | […]
brand-reputation

How to Fix Your Brand’s Damaged Reputation: 15 Proven Strategies

Warren Buffett’s famous quote on reputation goes like this: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you […]
top-ten-list

The Art of the Listicle: Craft a Perfect ‘Top 10’

Everyone loves a good Top 10 list. We see them in magazines, scroll through them on blogs and usually chuckle when Clickhole or McSweeney’s serve […]
job-seeker answering a phone call

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Job Prospects

As most of us know, job hunting can be a very stressful—not to mention time-consuming—process. While searching for a new job can seem like a […]
social-media-job

How to Use Social Media to Land a Job

Whether you’re a recent college grad looking for your first job or a seasoned professional looking for a new opportunity, social media is incredibly useful for […]
networking

How To Network in Any Situation

Tikeisha Harris isn’t exactly what you would call an extrovert. She’s friendly (once you get to know her) and personable (once you get to know […]
digital-media-journalism

8 Terms Every Digital Media Journalist Should Know

As print newspapers and magazines continue to shutter or lay off staff, one thing remains evident as we move further into the 21st century: Digital […]

News and insights from the entertainment industry. From film and television to streaming, music, and gaming, our entertainment coverage tracks the deals, talent moves, and business developments that matter to media and creative professionals.

Best Western film from the year you were born

Best Western film from the year you were born Westerns are one of the oldest genres of cinema, with many of the earliest big-screen adventures […]

Best Emmy-nominated shows of all time

Canva Best Emmy-nominated shows of all time The first Emmy Awards show took place at the Hollywood Athletic Club in 1949. Hosted by Walter O’Keefe, […]

Movies where it was all a dream (or was it?)

Warner Bros. // Getty Images Movies where it was all a dream (or was it?) Was it a dream? Was it a hallucination? Is anything […]

100 best documentaries of all time, according to critics

Canva 100 best documentaries of all time, according to critics At their best, documentaries shine a light on captivating, important true stories that would often […]

25 best Western films of all time, according to critics

25 best Western films of all time, according to critics For decades, the most popular movie genre in America was the Western. Audiences loved gun-slinging […]

50 best albums of the 21st century, according to critics

50 best albums of the 21st century, according to critics Every generation is defined by pop culture and the slang, style, music, and movies that […]

Oscar Best Picture winners from worst to first

Oscar Best Picture winners from worst to first Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences votes on the best and most influential […]

Your roadmap to landing a role in media. Get a Media Job covers the full journey — from identifying the right opportunities and tailoring your application to interviewing well and negotiating your offer in journalism, publishing, marketing, and beyond.

networking

How To Network in Any Situation

Tikeisha Harris isn’t exactly what you would call an extrovert. She’s friendly (once you get to know her) and personable (once you get to know […]
public-relations

What Journalists Should Know Before Switching to PR

For those journos who are ready to say “so long” to whittling word rates and chasing checks, we decided to address (and sometimes debunk) a […]
social media logos

What Job Seekers Should (and Shouldn’t) Include on Their Social Media Profiles

Social media can be a huge asset for job-seekers. That is, if you have a solid profile. What does your social media profile say about […]

You’re Searching for Media Jobs in the Wrong Places

The media hiring landscape fractured into five distinct ecosystems, each with different rules. Most job seekers only search one of them.
journalist working and covering a press conference

Journalism Jobs in 2026: Where the Work Is and How to Get It

The industry has changed, but the opportunities are bigger than the headlines suggest
resume

How to Get Your Resume Noticed in 15 Seconds or Less

You may spend hours (or days) writing and agonizing over your resume, but once it gets in front of a recruiter, HR staffer or hiring manager, […]
resume being placed into recruiters hand

Getting Your Resume Into Human Hands: How to Use LinkedIn & Twitter to Bypass the Black Hole

These days, simply applying via a job site and hoping for the best is like trying to get a date by slipping your phone number in with […]

Everything you need to land your next media or creative role. Get Hired covers resume writing, interview prep, portfolio tips, job search strategies, and insider advice to help you stand out and get the offer.

Woman talking to creative agency colleague

7 Things to Know About Working With Creative Staffing Agencies

Freelancing doesn’t always have to involve scouting for gigs—if you play your cards right, the jobs can come right to you. Working with creative staffing […]
fashion-blogger

The Keys to Starting Your Fashion Blog

Fashion bloggers are becoming increasingly high profile, especially considering that those at the top of their game have their own agents, publicists and image consultants. […]
job-seeker answering a phone call

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Job Prospects

As most of us know, job hunting can be a very stressful—not to mention time-consuming—process. While searching for a new job can seem like a […]
find-a-job-before-posted

How to Find a Job Before It’s Posted

You know the drill: A job posts on the Internet; you respond and keep your fingers crossed for an interview. Whether you are looking for […]
social media logos

What Job Seekers Should (and Shouldn’t) Include on Their Social Media Profiles

Social media can be a huge asset for job-seekers. That is, if you have a solid profile. What does your social media profile say about […]
woman looking at her computer while drinking coffee in office

ICYMI: Here’s Our Latest Career Advice to Start Your Week Off Right

Here’s a quick way to ease yourself into Monday morning: As you’re drinking your first (or second or third) coffee of the day, take a […]
Frustrated woman at her desk

How Soon Is Too Soon to Look for a New Job?

Last updated: January 2026 In this article: The Dilemma | Consider Your Reputation | How Long to Stay | When It’s Okay to Leave Early […]

Your guide to building a successful freelance career in media and creative industries. Go Freelance covers finding clients, setting rates, managing your business, and navigating the unique challenges of working for yourself.

topic-expert-feature

Ask MB: How Do I Become a Topic Expert?

So here’s a question we’ve been hearing a lot: “I’m a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers, and my friends tell me I should develop […]
amy-sutherland

Hey, How’d You Get a Book Out of That Modern Love Article?

In the spring of 2006, Amy Sutherland was looking for ways to promote her second book, Kicked, Bitten and Scratched. When her first idea—pitching magazine […]
essay writer

Your Life in 1,000 Words: The Craft of Personal Essays

There is intrigue in our daily lives, our reactions to events and the harmony or dissonance between our goals and realities. All of these can […]
digital-media-journalism

8 Terms Every Digital Media Journalist Should Know

As print newspapers and magazines continue to shutter or lay off staff, one thing remains evident as we move further into the 21st century: Digital […]
writer tracking down editor

6 Ways to Track Down a Magazine Editor’s Email for Your Pitch

Creating a winning magazine article idea and then articulating it into a knockout query letter is challenging enough for most writers, but all that hard […]
How to Break Into Foreign Affairs Writing

How to Break Into Foreign Affairs Writing

An insatiable appetite for world news. A feeling that the world outside your country’s borders is beckoning you. A frustration with the quality of political […]
how to pitch for the holidays

How to Write a Winning Holiday Pitch as a Freelance Writer

Editors, both print and online, are often on the hunt for holiday story ideas that haven’t been done a million times before. A creative pitch […]

Explore the latest from Los Angeles, the epicenter of entertainment and media. From Hollywood studio deals and streaming wars to agency moves and shifts in the creative job market, our LA coverage keeps media and entertainment professionals informed about the stories shaping the industry.

Media and creative industry news from the heart of New York City. From publishing and advertising to digital media and beyond, our NYC coverage tracks the deals, moves, and trends shaping one of the world's most influential media markets.

New York frozen pizza trends, according to Instacart data

PJ McDonnell // Shutterstock New York frozen pizza trends, according to Instacart data In honor of National Pi Day (March 13), Instacart looked into one […]

Highest-rated Class of 2026 women's basketball recruits from New York

matimix // Shutterstock Highest-rated Class of 2026 women’s basketball recruits from New York The college basketball recruiting class of 2026 is packed with elite talent, […]

Hottest Marches in New York since 1895

logoboom // Shutterstock Hottest Marches in New York since 1895 In 2022, the continental United States experienced its third hottest July since 1895, according to […]

Game Recognize Game: Who Really Wins in Sports Media

This week, the Super Bowl ended with the Seahawks dominating the Patriots, but the real story, as always, had nothing to do with the action […]