Mediabistro logo

Climb the Ladder

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.

351 articles

We wrote a blog that we hope will help you choose between multiple job offers, keeping in mind all the variables that come into play.

How to Choose Between Two Job Offers

With unemployment near historic lows, it is a seller’s market when it comes to looking for a new job. There’s a good chance that while you’re on the job hunt, you might have multiple job…

Scouted

What is an Elevator Pitch? [And How to Make Yours]

How to Create an Effective Elevator Pitch

When you're ready to enter the job market, creating an elevator pitch should be at the top of your to-do list, next to making a resume. Surprised? An elevator pitch is essential for starting a…

Scouted

Almost every candidate believes they should get the job, but putting the "why" into words isn't as easy as it seems. At some point in the interview process, the hiring manager is likely to ask, “Why should we hire you?” Your answer to this key question could be the difference between getting the job and losing out to someone else.

How to Answer ‘Why Should We Hire You?’

Almost every candidate believes they should get the job, but putting the "why" into words isn't as easy as it seems. At some point in the interview process, the hiring manager is likely to ask,…

Scouted

Here at Scouted, we totally understand that sometimes jobs don't turn out the way we thought they would. Or career paths, for that matter. So what should you do if you’re on a career path that’s not a great fit for you?

What If Your Career Path Isn’t a Good Fit?

Let’s say you’re a couple years into your career and you’re at the point where you’re thinking about what’s next.  Do you go into a management role or get trained to become more skilled at…

Scouted

Asking for a raise can be really stressful, and many people avoid the conversation simply because they are afraid of upsetting their boss or having the awkward conversation. But the fact of the matter is, it is crucial to bring it up and advocate for yourself, especially if your company doesn’t have an annual review process in which cost of living raises are usually offered. Asking for a raise in your current company and role can also be crucial in terms of earning more money down the line when you switch companies or look for new roles. To take at least some of the stress out of the conversation, here are our top tips for how to prepare for and ask for a raise.

How to Ask for a Raise

Asking for a raise can be really stressful, and many people avoid the conversation simply because they are afraid of upsetting their boss or having the awkward conversation. But the fact of the matter is,…

Scouted

Finish What You Start: Lessons From Camp

Lessons come from unlikely places.  I recently spent the weekend at my summer camp's 50th reunion hanging out with close friends and reconnecting with people I hadn't seen in over 15 years. We slept in…

Scouted

A “personal brand” is defined as the way you present yourself to others, both in-person and online. In other words, what do you want people to think of when they hear your name? More specifically, personal branding has become much more important to your job search, especially since the rise of professional social networking sites like LinkedIn. Whether you are a college student looking for an internship, or a professional at any stage of your career, here is a quick overview of how your personal brand can influence your job search.

Do You Need a Personal Brand for Your Job Search?

Do You Need a Personal Brand For Your Job Search? You’re probably familiar with branding as it relates to companies, products, and services. But the idea of “branding” can apply to yourself, too.  A “personal…

Scouted

Sometimes not hearing anything at all can feel even worse than getting a job rejection email. Candidates often assume that they're being "ghosted" because they weren't a good fit for the position. But more often than not, it’s not the candidate’s fault that the employer is taking so long to respond. There’s a lot of working behind the scenes that goes into hiring that might take longer than a candidate expects. Rather than refresh your inbox every few minutes, quell some of those job search fears by remembering some of these factors that could delay hearing back from a prospective employer.

Why You’re Getting Ghosted During Your Job Search

How many times has this happened to you? You just had a great job interview, promptly sent a thank you note to the hiring manager, and waited a week, then two, then three to hear…

Scouted