Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 8, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 8, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
August 9th is International Coworking Day. And no—this day isn’t about celebrating your coworkers, but instead coworking spaces. It’s celebrated on August 9th because on this day in 2005, software engineer Brad Neuberg made a blog post to introduce people to the concept of coworking spaces.
Now popular among freelancers and employees with remote jobs, coworking is a thriving industry; its revenue is expected to double by 2024. This can be attributed to many things: companies that are newly remote post-pandemic, employees choosing to work for themselves, and also employees who have been working remotely but simply want a change of scenery.
If you’re part of a coworking space, here’s how you can celebrate International Coworking Day—and make sure you’re taking full advantage of its perks.
Make sure your coworking space is the best fit
The concept of a coworking space was foreign when it was initially introduced. However, now there are nearly 20,000 different ones in the world. That said, there are typically a good amount of different coworking options—especially if you live in a more populated area. Use this day to weigh the pros and cons of your coworking space options to ensure you’re a member of one that’s the best fit for you.
Join events and seminars
Say you’re part of a coworking space and go to work at it a few times a week. If so, you’re just scratching the surface of interacting with its community. Most coworking spaces offer events, happy hours, seminars, and more. And although your job may be remote and not involve anyone you see at your coworking space in person, that doesn’t mean you can’t connect. Being around other people doesn’t just boost your productivity, but it also opens doors to potential friends, colleagues, along with information about their jobs and fields. Use this day to sign up for an event or seminar to put yourself out there.
Share your thoughts about coworking on social media
Okay, so you’ve made sure your coworking space is the best fit and you’ve signed up for some events. Now it’s time to celebrate this day on social media with the hashtag #InternationalCoworkingDay. Why do you enjoy coworking? What does it add to your life? What’s your favorite coworking spot and why?
These are all questions you can answer on social media to spread the word—and even maybe make some new coworking connections.
Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.
4 min read • Originally published August 10, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.
4 min read • Originally published August 10, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
In many ways, being a freelancer is ideal. You get to make your own hours, choose your own projects, and negotiate your own terms. However, with so much freedom also comes an immense amount of responsibility. Freelancers are tasked with acquiring clients, managing operating expenses, growing their income, and ensuring their company’s compliance with relevant legal and regulatory statutes.
So if you’re a freelancer, you’re going to wear a lot of hats and you’re going to have to cultivate expertise in diverse domains to ensure that your freelance business survives and thrives in the long term. As a freelancer, perhaps the most important issues you will encounter are those relating to intellectual property (IP) law, contracts, and non-disclosure agreements (NDA).
IP and freelancing
When you’re a freelancer, perhaps the first and most important question you will ask is who owns the rights to your work product or intellectual property (IP)? IP is typically assumed to “belong” legally to the person who creates it. In such cases, you would be able to use your creations as you see fit, from repurposing your content for future clients or for displaying your work in an online portfolio to market your freelancing services.
However, there’s a strong likelihood that your clients will want to secure the rights to your work product for themselves. Commercial clients, in particular, are likely to have pre-established protocols for contracting with freelancers.
These are usually defined by the contracts which clients may require before commissioning your work and will define who owns the IP rights and how the work may be used both by the client and the creator in the future. In many cases, commercial clients will prohibit you from using the content for any purpose, including marketing. You may be unable to include it in an online portfolio, especially if the portfolio is available to the public. In addition, because the client’s contract in essence may stipulate that they have paid for ownership rights, they may well publish the content under the name of the client or their company.
Understanding contracts
As you probably surmised from the section above, when it comes to freelancing and intellectual property rights, the contract is everything. Again, it can generally be assumed that you retain ownership of the content you have created unless and until a contract or IP agreement is signed and ratified.
Nevertheless, if you’re doing freelance work, it’s far better to be safe than sorry when protecting your content. That means if you’re not prepared to sign over the ownership rights of your work product to your clients, then it’s a good idea to draw up a legally binding contract of your own. This should explicitly and comprehensively detail who retains the right to “own” the content you create, how the content can be used, exactly, and for how long.
The good news is that you can enjoy the protections of a legal contract without forgoing the opportunity to work remotely with clients who may be scattered across the globe. For example, you can securely send, receive, and sign legally-binding contracts using many different platforms, such as Adobe. When using digital contracts, though, it’s important to ensure that your documents cannot be altered once a digital signature has been attached.
Considering NDAs
When you’re freelancing, there’s a good chance that you’re going to be working with a wide range of clients, some of whom may even compete with one another. In light of this, you may find that your client requires you to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before a work agreement can be made.
In most cases, this is a reasonable request, as the work you do for your client is likely to involve sensitive information that is incumbent upon the client and the client’s partners to protect. Fulfilling the terms of an NDA may require you to do more than simply keep mum about what you learned about the company while working for them, however. After all, clients do take some risks when hiring a freelancer, especially if that freelancer works remotely and travels frequently.
Indeed, if you’re a digital nomad, then you’re probably going to need to take some additional precautions to ensure you’re complying with the NDA or privacy clauses that may be embedded in your work contract. You might, for instance, install a virtual private network (VPN) on your work devices to reduce the risk that your systems may be hacked and your data stolen.
The takeaway
The freelancer’s life is at once exciting, challenging, rewarding, and liberating. You have to develop skill sets far beyond the products you create or the services you provide. This includes mastering the nuances of intellectual property law, work contracts, and non-disclosure agreements. It may feel as if such topics are far outside your wheelhouse, but attending to these critical concerns can protect you and your business from lawsuits, hefty fines, or the misuse of your original content.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 10, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 10, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Creative consultant Portia Stewart shares her career journey and advice.
1. What made you want to start your own company?
I was inspired to launch Mind Full Creatives because I saw a disconnect between the super smart creatives who come up with amazing ideas and the super smart business execs who set the strategy (and budget!) for the business. Consulting lets me work with many different companies and teams, helping them to connect creativity and innovation to company strategy and growth.
It’s also given me much greater freedom to create a schedule that works with an intentional approach to life. If I want to block an hour to do yoga or schedule an art day with my friends at the local marketplace, I do.
2. What does your typical day-to-day look like?
No two days are the same, and I love that. There are days where I’m traveling to speak, days when the schedule fills up with meetings and, every once in a while, a quiet day where I’m plugging away at the work. And there’s always work, whether it’s planning brainstorming workshops for clients, marketing, developing the business or researching new tools. I also steal time to take lots of online education.
3. What interests you about the world of content strategy?
I love the experimentation process in content strategy. There are always opportunities to do A/B testing, to try something new and to watch it fly or flop.
4. You’ve been working in media for 20+ years. How have you seen it evolve? What is your advice to new media professionals?
We have a million ways to reach our audiences now, and we need to be in all of the places our audiences live. It’s fun and challenging and it takes relentless fine tuning. Change is the only constant!
5. Who or what inspires you in your career?
Meeting new people! I believe everyone is creative, and unlocking that super power is an ingredient for career growth. When I see that spark in others, I get excited.
6. Anything else you’d like to add?
The media landscape has changed significantly since I started my career. Job titles aren’t the same, the responsibilities have definitely changed, and everyone feels crunched for time. But there’s still such a need for the work those in the media perform. Career paths are often more like winding roads than straight shots, and I encourage people who are looking for a new path to look wide—you might find your next calling in a place you don’t expect.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 16, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 16, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Do you use emojis at work? If so, you’re not alone.
These days, emojis are their own language. Some even argue that they’re a universal language. However, emoji usage and interpretation aren’t equal across all age groups.
“Generations have used language differently for hundreds of years to display youthful uniqueness,” said Dr. Dustin York, associate professor of communications at Maryville University. “In the 1990s, older generations didn’t connect with slang like ‘Da Bomb,’ and now the skull emoji means funny to GenZ while the crying laughing face means funny to Millennials.”
The question is how suitable the language is for the workplace. There are recent studies about the effectiveness of emojis within this space. Are they suitable for emails, or just instant messaging? Should you only send them within the company?
According to a study by Loom, 77% have felt the need to use emojis in a work setting, with 25% saying they do so often.
Here’s what to know about using emojis at work.
? Keep emoji use casual
There’s no denying that emojis are a valid way to communicate. But they can’t replace words. And even if they could, take a moment to think about the specific words you use in the workplace and those you use outside of it. Odds are that the way you communicate varies given the setting you’re in.
Like words, emoji use is more appropriate on certain work channels. Try using emojis on chat apps such as Slack and Teams instead of using them in emails. Also, they tend to be more appropriate when you’re communicating with your team as opposed to an outward-facing client or customer.
? Use emojis to communicate nuances
A wonderful thing about emojis is that they can add emotion to a message and set a tone. This can help you at work when you’re asking a coworker for help with something or explaining where you’re coming from. Instead of accidentally insulting someone, rely on emojis to communicate nuances.
For example, a simple “thank you ?” will look more appealing than “thank you.”
? Remember emoji context is important
As briefly noted above, emojis can be like words. And you don’t always use the same words and phrases within the workplace as you would outside of it. Different emojis mean different things—especially given the context they’re in. Be careful to only use work-appropriate emojis within your work setting to avoid miscommunication and any awkwardness between you and your coworkers.
According to Front.com, these are safe emojis to use at work:
7 Smart Ways to Get Your Resume Past Applicant Tracking Systems
By
Vicky Oliver
Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-best-selling author of five books. She is a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 901 appearances in broadcast, print and online outlets.
5 min read • Originally published August 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
By
Vicky Oliver
Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-best-selling author of five books. She is a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 901 appearances in broadcast, print and online outlets.
5 min read • Originally published August 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Now that every job posting is available to the masses and applications can be submitted with an easy upload, responses to any posting attract a glut of candidates. HR staff and hiring managers, swamped with resumes to cull through, now tend to rely on applicant tracking system (ATS) software to perform a first pass and filter out the most qualified. Automation of this initial task has become so popular that a reported 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies use it in their hiring practices.
For those applying for jobs, this means that alongside impressing the hiring manager, you must also strategize how to first get the bot to choose your resume. Expect competition to be fierce. On average, corporate job openings draw in an average of 250 applicants. From these, only up to six people usually are invited to interview.
It’s important to know that the recruiter or hiring manager will program the software to search for key words. You, as the savvy candidate, must determine what they might be and how to interweave them into both your resume and cover letter in a way that shows you possess the sought-after skills and have successfully applied them to solve problems for previous employers.
Here’s how to draft a resume that has a good chance the bot will choose:
1. Resist the temptation of taking a scatter-shot approach
Some applicants figure that online applications are a numbers game, so they simply use auto-load features, upload stock cover letters and standard resumes and push send. Posting out a blitz of resumes won’t get you noticed by a bot. Don’t waste your time applying for jobs for which you’re unqualified. Before uploading your online application, make sure that at least the majority of your skills align with the job requirements.
2. Target specific job sites
It’s better to narrow your search for online job listings to websites best suited for your particular industry or career level. This can save you time poring through generic job-search sites. Work to personalize your job hunt. You’ll have a better chance of matching skills in the job description if you’re in a target industry.
3. Research the company
Take the time to click beyond the job board and investigate the company that’s hiring. You’ll want to make sure it’s a good fit before you submit. Learn its mission and values. Delve into its projects and client profiles. Your research will help you make a personal connection when sharing your reasons for wanting to work for the company.
4. Tailor your applications
Most generic online applications read the same, but their minimal effort will be discernible even to a bot that will be looking for key words. Customize your resume and cover letter to the job for which you’re applying. Where possible, use words that match the employer’s descriptions of job requirements and skills — especially those listed near the top and that come up more than once. Also, research the most current terms describing the particular industry and the job position within it. Describe how skills were applied using numbers and metrics to indicate your ability to make a measurable difference.
5. Pay attention to word choice
Take in consideration that the bot can assess you as a candidate by your word choice. By recognizing that employers want problem-solvers and people with closure skills, as well as those with strong people skills, you can incorporate your strengths in these areas. But instead of just listing the preferred qualities, employ words and phrases that sell you as someone able to incorporate these strengths. For example, words such as “managed,” “directed,” and “led” connote leadership. Phrases such as “produced,” “saved,” and “delivered” indicate an ability to get results.
6. Include a cover letter
Even if it’s only optional, always include a carefully crafted cover letter targeted to the position and the company. The bot may also scan cover letters for the hard and soft skills listed in the job description, contact information, and even optimal length (make sure to keep it to one page). Since you are strategizing to get the bot to choose your application, draft the cover letter in such a way that it summarizes the topmost skills that you identified and incorporated into your resume. Again, include measurable results. Never use an automated cover letter (some sites generate them!). Instead, spend time writing a brilliant cover letter.
7. Review carefully before submitting
Make sure that your answers and uploads are letter perfect. All your work will be wasted if you mistakenly place the wrong information in the wrong field or misspell a key employable quality. Don’t use shorthand words you’re accustomed to using on social media. A bot may miss any informal use of words.
A bot may only speed read your meticulously drafted resume, but when you’ve painstakingly provided the essential skills, quantifiable achievements, and appropriate action words, you will have a fighting chance of advancing to the interview round.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
2 min read • Originally published August 25, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
We are currently in a very specific moment in history when the phrase of “office attire” may not mean the same thing to everyone. Recent studies show that nearly six out of ten people work from home at least one day a week. And while there has never been a universal business dress code, the pandemic has disrupted society’s understanding of office attire once companies sent their employees home to work remotely.
Here are some ways the pandemic has changed business attire.
Dress codes have become more casual (and comfortable)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies were forced to send their employees home to work remotely. Ever since mandatory work from home, there has been a major shift in companies’ dress codes. Once employees started working remotely and in typically more casual and comfortable clothing, companies realized a couple of things: maybe this remote work method was here to stay and maybe looser dress codes were there to stay with it.
Looser dress codes have even gained traction on Wall Street. So once employees returned to their offices, their workplace dress code was likely not the same as it was before the pandemic. Instead of high heels, people have optioned for flats. Instead of suits and ties, people have gone with a more relaxed button-up look. Workplace attire is growing more casual. And some companies are ditching dress codes altogether.
Employees are spending less money on their business attire
When business attire becomes more casual, odds are that employees spend less money on their clothing. According to a survey, Americans spent an average of $580 on work clothes in 2019. In 2020, they spent $399.
Unsurprisingly, remote workers spent even less on their work attire—paying an average of $139 on clothes per year—while over half of workers didn’t spend money on clothing at all.
Remote dress codes are less likely to be enforced
While in-person work is more likely to require a dress code, remote work’s dress code may still exist but is less likely to be enforced. This could be due to the likelihood of an employee being just as (or more) productive in clothes that don’t fall within a dress code.
According to a study done by Fast Company, workers’ own feelings of authenticity increased their engagement at work. Home attire increased authenticity—and engagement in return.
Additionally, dress codes are being reconsidered altogether due to the implication of gender-specific limitations. In fact, the Supreme Court has even ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity—making it more difficult for employers to enforce a strict, gender-based dress code.
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 26, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.
1 min read • Originally published August 26, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
New month, new Mediabistro roles.
Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:
