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 November 18, 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 November 18, 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:
How to Leverage Social Media to Land Your Next Media or Creative Job
By
Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe is the digital strategy manager at Vector Marketing, the domestic sales arm of Cutco Corp., an Olean, New York-based cutlery manufacturer.
4 min read • Originally published November 18, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
By
Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe is the digital strategy manager at Vector Marketing, the domestic sales arm of Cutco Corp., an Olean, New York-based cutlery manufacturer.
4 min read • Originally published November 18, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Employers rely on a modern-day tool to evaluate job candidates: social media accounts. Over 90 percent of businesses say that social media plays a part in their hiring strategies. You can be sure that every time you submit an application, someone’s going to check out your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other public accounts.
This shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable. Rather, it can be a good thing if you use your social media accounts to your advantage. Social media can become a critical asset in your desire to land a different job. As long as you understand how to use your accounts, you can accelerate your success and build your professional network.
What are some best practices to ensure the outcome of your next social media background check leans in your favor? Follow these steps to create an appealing profile that’s easy for recruiters and hiring managers to find.
1. Conduct a digital footprint audit
Now is the time to get rid of all the stuff on your social accounts that might seem unprofessional. Untag yourself from questionable pictures, and take down anything that could affect your reputation. Remember that the people looking at your social pages might have a different sense of humor than you.
You’ll be glad you self-scrutinized your digital footprint. Even leaders like the Finnish prime minister can get skewered for uploading the wrong things. When video of Prime Minister Sanna Marin partying hit the social stage, people were quick to criticize.
You don’t have to remove everything that showcases your personality. Just clean up your presence as a means of optimizing it for viewers who want to see whether you’re a good fit for their company.
2. Add keywords to your LinkedIn
It’s undeniable that you need a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn’s research shows that 87 percent of recruitment professionals depend on the site to find candidates. Because LinkedIn profiles are so content-heavy, you have the opportunity to pepper them with keywords to increase your visibility and chances of getting hired.
How does this keyword optimization work? Let’s say you hold an entry-level position and you want to move into middle management. There are certain terms that people in senior roles use on LinkedIn to describe themselves, their responsibilities, etc. You want to figure out what those keywords are and use them — without keyword stuffing, of course. Your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t sound like an Amazon product description!
Where’s the best place to find keywords? Think about the position you want. Then, go on a job listing hunt. Write down all the keywords used in those job postings. Once you have a list, rewrite your LinkedIn profile to include them. Good writing is key here, so be selective about the words you use to define yourself.
3. Keep your social announcements professional
We’ve all encountered someone on social media who parted ways with their employer on a bad note and wanted to share their frustrations with the world. While these feelings are understandable, you can’t make this mistake. If you’re trying to show a potential employer that you are professional, you must be gracious even if things ended poorly. Wish your previous colleagues well and be done with it.
It speaks volumes about you if you can move past poor job experiences. Rather than talk about your former employer, talk about what you’re looking for in your next role. It’s OK to declare that you’re job hunting as long as you spin it with a positive note. This way, employers and recruiters will see you as someone who’s mature and level-headed.
4. Know what will impress the company you want to work for
If you have a target company in mind, find out who works there. Check out their social media pages and the business’s corporate page. Read what everyone else is posting and take notes. The more you find out, the more you can adjust the tone of your social media profiles.
For example, you might discover that your target employer seems to appreciate initiative. Consequently, you might want to write some posts indicating that you have a lot of initiative, work autonomously, and enjoy breaking the mold.
Just be certain not to change your profiles every day. Once your social media accounts are clean, optimized, and targeted, leave old copy and images alone. Just move forward and use what you’ve learned to inform your future posts.
Right now, the job market favors candidates. However, nothing will happen if you sit back and expect the offers to roll in. Employers might be eager to hire, but they still want to make sure they’re hiring the most qualified candidates. So use your social media profiles to demonstrate that you’re the perfect fit.
A Junior Freelancer’s Guide to Managing Finances Like a Pro
By
James Ritter
James has a degree in writing and is a freelance writer with a particular interest in employee welfare, and has created content for established companies based all around the world.
3 min read • Originally published December 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
By
James Ritter
James has a degree in writing and is a freelance writer with a particular interest in employee welfare, and has created content for established companies based all around the world.
3 min read • Originally published December 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
Entering the world of work as a junior freelancer brings with it many different challenges and responsibilities. Not only will you need to adjust to going solo and being responsible for your own workload, but you also have to manage your personal responsibilities, particularly when it comes to your finances. There are some financial challenges that freelancers face compared to those working in permanent roles, not least that your income will be less predictable, particularly when work is hard to come by.
But going freelance also gives you the opportunity to potentially earn more, as you can largely often dictate how much work you complete. The freedom that comes with earning your own income is an exciting prospect, but it also requires a certain level of responsibility and maturity to manage it properly. Failing to look after your financial wellbeing won’t only affect you in the short-term, it could impact upon the type of lifestyle you lead further down the line.
As a result, it can be useful to be aware of the best ways to manage your finances when working in a junior freelancer role, to help set you up for success as you progress through your career.
1. Create a budget and track your expenses
Particularly if you went to college, you will already have some knowledge about the importance of budgeting your income. However, whilst at college you’re likely to have had a short-term view of your finances, and just do enough to get by. But when starting in the world of work, it’s important to take a more holistic approach.
As a freelancer, you will hopefully know roughly how much money you can expect to come in every month, allowing you to plan your budget accordingly. Be sure to divide your income between the essentials, the non-essentials and savings, and find a split that works for you.
2. Stay disciplined with your spending
Following on from the previous point, it’s important to be disciplined with your spending – just because you have the money doesn’t mean you should spend it. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and impulse buy things, particularly with the rise of influencers and social media advertising, but irresponsible spending can lead to financial problems down the road.
If you stick to only buying what you need, you’ll be in a much better financial position – there’s no shame in being mindful of your finances and living within your means. Failing to do so could mean you start to rack up hefty debts, which can ultimately harm your future financial health if they get out of control. Particularly if you have a credit card, it’s crucial to avoid overspending and falling into debt that you can’t pay back each month, as this will affect your credit score and your credibility as a responsible borrower.
3. Investigate financial perks
Going freelance can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’ve previously worked for a company who offered you health insurance, a pension and a comfort budget for setting up your home office. When you’re starting out, make sure to do some research to see if you’re eligible for any local or national discount schemes. People under 30 may find that they can get discounted subscriptions or transport, and there are health insurance schemes that reward you for being active with money off vouchers.
It’s also important to be aware of any expenses you can claim from the companies you’re completing work for. Whether that’s money spent on additional utilities when working from home, or travel costs for going into an office space, find out what you can reasonably expect to claim back and make sure to keep on top of it.
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 December 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 December 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 December 9, 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 December 9, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
The holidays—December specifically—are notoriously known for being the worst time of year for candidates to find new jobs. It’s usually crunch time for many companies as they close out Q4 and prepare for the calendar year ahead. This leads jobseekers to wait until the new year to even start to edit their resume and apply for new opportunities. And while this may be your train of thought, there are actually ample opportunities in the job market in December. Here are some reasons to job search over the holidays.
There’s less competition
Since the end of the year is known as a quiet time for hiring, you can use this to your advantage. A large portion of jobs are still being posted in December. Although most people are typically busy shopping for loved ones and getting ready for the holidays, you’ll find that there are less people applying for jobs. If you choose this route, you’ll be able to apply for more jobs with less competition.
You may be able to negotiate your start date
Use the fact that employers are winding down and gearing up for the new year to your advantage. If you start your job search during the holidays and end up receiving an offer before the end of the year, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to negotiate your start date—and have more time to rest and recharge before it.
There are networking opportunities
Believe it or not, there are plenty of networking opportunities in December due to end-of-the-year parties and events. It’s a time when people are socializing and connecting. Even if you choose not to network in person, there are virtual events and virtual ways to connect. Think about sending that LinkedIn introduction at least.
You can maintain your momentum
If you’re on the job hunt, why stop applying when it comes to December? You’ve spent time building momentum and you have the opportunity to maintain that momentum by applying to jobs and networking.
While applying to jobs at the end of the year can feel like a taboo, it’s actually a great time to focus on your job search. If you decide to apply during this time of year, you’ll find that there’s less competition, you may be able to negotiate your start date and network. If you maintain your momentum through the end of the year, odds are that you’ll be recharged and ready to go by January.
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 December 9, 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 December 9, 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.
3 min read • Originally published December 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.
3 min read • Originally published December 16, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
By the minute, things like technological advances and artificial intelligence are changing people’s day-to-day lives—and the working world. While some people fear that this could disrupt their industry, a lot of data points to quite the opposite: creative careers have a strong future ahead.
And you don’t have to be already working a creative career to seek out a new one. Trends of people picking up freelancing and contracting have only picked up in the past several years, and The Great Resignation has forced them to think hard about their next career move. In fact, 46% of workers plan to change jobs in the new year.
Not only that, but data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that creative jobs are expected to grow 10% through 2026—much faster than average in comparison to other fields. While creative jobs grow, they also evolve with the ever-changing technology landscapes.
Check out these four evolving creative careers to consider.
1. Social Media Manager
In the ever-growing and evolving world of social media, the role of a Social Media Manager can change by the day. However, generally, they oversee the development and implementation of strategies for a company’s social media—whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, or all the above. Social Media Managers are the creative engines behind a company’s varying social outlets, staying on top of social media trends and curating content daily for that brand. They also monitor audience comments and maintain relationships with other companies on social media.
Copywriters are responsible for creating effective and engaging text that is used to promote the products of the company they work for, whether it’s an ad agency or a corporation. Their writing is typically displayed externally on:
ads
websites
catalogs
videos
social media
They craft messaging that grabs their reader’s attention. Most of their writing needs to be clear, as it’s used briefly and compellingly. A Copywriter is also usually part of the company’s marketing team, working closely with other team members in the process of brainstorming and executing ideas.
3. Graphic Designer
In a broad sense, a Graphic Designer is responsible for creating visuals for a company.
This can include designing:
website layout
ads
brochures
magazines
corporate logos
reports
The goal of a Graphic Designer is generally to captivate an audience with aesthetically pleasing visuals that align with the company’s brand. Their job is to visually communicate with both the company employees and clients or potential clients. They can be found across industries and work on various products depending on the company. Some Graphic Designers may specialize in particular fields such as illustration, digital design, branding, or advertising.
4. Creative Director
A Creative Director determines the creative vision of a brand or project and manifests that vision through digital, print, and film installations. The job is to maintain a cohesive look and feel of a project—an advertising campaign, fashion line, video game, or magazine—by ensuring the visuals, messaging, and interactive and motion designs are on point. A Creative Director also establishes budgets and timelines and manages client relationships.
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 December 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.
1 min read • Originally published December 16, 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:
How Gen Z Job Seekers Can Use Social Media to Land Their Dream Role
By
Miles Oliver
Miles is an independent writer with a background in business and passion for tech, design, and news. When he is not writing, he is most likely mountain biking or kicking back with a cup of tea.
5 min read • Originally published December 20, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
By
Miles Oliver
Miles is an independent writer with a background in business and passion for tech, design, and news. When he is not writing, he is most likely mountain biking or kicking back with a cup of tea.
5 min read • Originally published December 20, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026
As the years go by and technology continues to advance, many young people are growing up with the internet, cell phones, and social media. While the folks who make up Gen Z have been using social media for the typical practice of connecting with friends and family, many are taking their use of sites like Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn up a notch. Now, many members of Gen Z job seekers are utilizing social media to land a gig.
You can use the sites you frequent every day to build your brand, find out about new job opportunities, and connect with employers on a whole new level. Let’s talk about how to use this technology to your advantage to find your dream job.
Why many are moving to social media
If you aren’t using social media to find potential job opportunities yet, then it could be time to jump on the bandwagon. Recent numbers show that 48% of those in Gen Z have already been using social media to find promising employment. Young people who find jobs by utilizing websites like TikTok and LinkedIn are finding that not only is this a unique way to find jobs but employers are using the same tools to find you.
Many companies are using social recruiting, which is the process of finding employees through social media platforms because they generally get a further reach and they can find more qualified customers. By expanding their reach, employers gain access to a more diverse candidate pool, and they may find some hidden gems that they may not have otherwise found while going through a pile of resumes. Plus, the human resources team can reach out to more candidates in a fraction of the time and save money in the process.
As a job seeker, you can use social media to look for job listings, make your own posts that describe your abilities and your desire for a job, and you can talk to family and friends who may know of job opportunities that fit your skill set.
Just keep in mind that while there are many advantages of social media and smartphone usage, you also need to be sure to use these devices in moderation. People post a lot of things on social media, and not everything is helpful or positive, so you need to be cautious of who you befriend. Also, be cautious of the physical ailments associated with smartphone usage, including the strain you can put on your hands and thumbs by constantly swiping and the damage you do to your spine by constantly bending over your phone. When in doubt, unplug or put the phone down, walk away from your screens, and do something else for a while.
Using social media to find jobs
Although many social media apps are different, they all have their perks and tools that you can use to try and find your next job. According to statistics, most young people are using LinkedIn as an integral part of their job search. LinkedIn is essential because that is where employees can post their skills and credentials, and employers can discuss their business and what they desire out of their workforce.
One way that you can use LinkedIn to your advantage is to write out your professional objectives and what you bring to the table. While writing these statements, fit in keywords that match the job position that you are searching for and sprinkle them throughout your profile. You can also build your professional network by joining professional groups on LinkedIn. You can introduce yourself, speak up when you have a question or intriguing thought, and find out about job fairs and openings at companies that fit your expertise.
While LinkedIn is what many people think about when discussing social media in their job search, other networks can also help you along, including Facebook. Many companies also post professional business profiles on Facebook, and you can find them there and follow them to get news and updates about potential employment opportunities. You can also use Facebook to simply update your personal status to say that you are looking for work while describing the skills you possess and your past experience. The friends that see your post may be able to help.
Consider TikTok
When employers are looking for the ideal candidates, they are looking for hard skills and qualifications, but they also want to ensure that you have a personality that fits in with their culture. One way you can show that is through attention-grabbing videos on TikTok. Many people are using this incredibly popular app to post personal clips that show their smiling faces as they describe their skills and why they deserve to be hired. There is even a TikTok resumes feature that is in development, so employers have a place to go to find you.
If you are new to TikTok then know that it is free to join, and it is easy to immediately start connecting with people and employers around the world. Once you complete your profile, all you have to do to create your first TikTok is stand in a well-lit spot and hold the red button to start recording. Just be sure that you know what you want to say beforehand. You can re-record or add multiple scenes until it is perfect. Then, you can add text and captions that describe your skills and highlight the most important aspects of your video.
You can increase your chances of getting noticed by implementing strategies to get more views. One idea is to add hashtags to attract a certain audience. You could even use a hashtag for the name of the company that you are trying to attract. Another idea is to make each second count. Don’t make your TikTok too long, or employers may move on. Instead, describe your best professional attributes, mention when you are available to start, and let your personality shine from beginning to end.
In the end, it is no mystery why so many Gen Z job seekers are using the major social media platforms to show off their skills and find work. Consider the advice and tips described here, and good luck on your job hunt!
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 January 3, 2023 / 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 January 3, 2023 / 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: