These 7 Posts Will Help Your Job Search Pursuit

Your dream job is out there.

You can and will find it soon. How do we know this? Because you are driven, focused and have come to the right place for job-seeking advice. Grammarly is here to help.

Don’t be mistaken. Finding an ideal career path isn’t easy. Job interviews are tough. Plus, figuring out your perfect fit can be challenging. All of this is what makes the job-search process something most people dread.

Not you, though.

The necessary motivation, inspiration and practical tips on how to best position yourself to be successful and reach your long-term goals can be found here.

Grammarly’s blog has made it a priority to offer our readers actionable insights on how to approach a job search. Below you’ll find seven recent posts that cover the fundamental aspects of finding your ideal place of employment.

1
Organization is essential in beginning any job hunt.

Pro tip: Let technology be your friend. Spending endless hours searching is fine, even encouraged, but don’t be shy about using job sites to populate your inbox with relevant opportunities.

Now that you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can start digging into job boards. Many will send you email alerts with new positions that match your skills.

Source:
How to Get Organized During Your Job Search: 6 Helpful Tips

2
Your LinkedIn profile is becoming just as important as your resume.

Pro tip: Most job seekers overlook the value of a profile summary on LinkedIn. Use it wisely to add deeper context to your work experience.

The top of your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to summarize what you’re about—to make an impression beyond the array of jobs you’ve held. You might try thinking of it as an opportunity to answer the question “What makes me an outstanding candidate for my next career move?”

Source:
We Studied 750 Top LinkedIn Profiles. Here’s How to Write Yours Better.

3
Resumes, cover letters, and email correspondence will be the difference-maker in your dream-job pursuits.

Pro tip: In most cases, how and what you write is often the first interaction you’ll have with future employers. Make sure you spend extra time crafting your personal copy before applying for a new job.

In today’s competitive job market, how you communicate with potential employers can make your skills stand out. Making sure you effectively express yourself, accurately represent your abilities, and stay present throughout the process is what makes the difference in ultimately receiving a job offer.

Source:
Red Flags to Avoid During Your Job Search in 2017

4
Once you’ve landed a job interview, what you say and how you say it will further demonstrate your abilities to perform the tasks required by a potential new company.

Pro tip: Don’t show up to an interview without any preparation. Thinking your way through potential interview questions ahead of time will give you comfort when having to talk about important topics like work experience and expected salary.

Taking the time to prepare can mean the difference between walking away from an interview with a sinking feeling and landing the sweet gig you’ve been hoping for.

Source:
10 Things You Should Avoid Saying in a Job Interview

5
The way you frame your skills is critical in the job-search process.

Pro tip: Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and explain why your experience aligns with the responsibilities that are needed by the company.

Remember that everybody starts somewhere, and hiring managers interview inexperienced candidates all the time. When you’re still growing in your career, there’s one positive quality you can emphasize to help you win over a potential employer—enthusiasm for learning. Show the employer that not only are you able to learn, but you’re excited by the possibilities.

Source:
This Is How to Put a Positive Spin on Weaknesses in a Job Interview

6
Your professional-self and personal-self should be very much aligned during a job search.

Pro tip: Be cognizant of what you’ve posted on social media and how you present yourself in public forums, especially if your social-media activity is tied directly to the line of work you seek.

According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, 60 percent of employers research job candidates on social media, and over half are reluctant to hire candidates with no online presence. They’re mainly looking for professionalism, whether you’re a fit for the company, and proof of your qualifications. If your social media profiles show you in that light, you’re golden.

Source:
9 Things to Avoid on Social Media While Looking for a New Job

7. You’ve done everything correctly in the job search and now an offer is in your hands. What happens next?

Pro tip: Research the company you’re looking to join. Remember, you’re hiring them, too, in a sense. Sites like Glassdoor can show a glimpse into a company’s culture by offering candid reviews from current and former employees.

The important part when researching a company is to take into account themes you uncover from a variety of employees, and looking for reviews and details related to what’s important to you and your life in and out of work. What’s a bad review to one person may not be a bad review to someone else, so it depends on what’s most important to you.

Source:
The Ultimate Guide to Analyzing a Company’s Glassdoor Page

The post These 7 Posts Will Help Your Job Search Pursuit appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

11 Unique Ways to Say ‘Thank You’ in an Email

It’s not a good look, but it happens: for busy, highly caffeinated workers in a deadline-driven world, it’s perilously easy to send an email that reads as callous and unfeeling.

Your humble blogger included, we’ve all been guilty at times, hurriedly mashing “send” and moving on without acknowledging whatever favor or question we’ve imposed upon a trusted colleague or potentially valuable contact. Oops.

In your heart, you know kindness is not a waste of time—least of all when what’s required is just a few extra words in an email. The trouble is, which words? You want to say thanks, but not seem strained or sycophantic in your expression of gratitude. You also want to keep your dispatches straightforward and to the point, so there’s no room for thank-yous that are overlong or unwieldy.

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With that in mind, we have just the list for you. Here are eleven ways to recognize someone who’s done you a solid as you close out an email; we hope you appreciate them.

Get in, say thanks, and get out.

Depending on the degree of formality in the email you’re drafting—old-timey letter-writing structure tends to diminish over a series of back-and-forth replies—there might be a few good places to pop in a thanks while wrapping up.

1
You can show your appreciation as part of a closing line.

The closing line tends to encapsulate a key takeaway from your message, as in this example:

I’ll work these puns you suggested into my presentation on otters, and thanks again for your kelp.

Best,

-Your Name

2
Alternatively, show your gratitude in your sign-off.

Your sign-off comes just before your name, and should probably not consist solely of “Thx.” Here’s an example:

If you’re able, we otter collaborate on another project like this soon.

Thanks kindly,

-Your Name

Some appreciations are multifaceted and can work well in either case, while others might just feel too clunky or intense for daily use—looking at you, gratefully.

The words you want might just be ‘thank’ and ‘you.’

Let’s go through a few options, starting with the tried and true:

3
Thank you

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where you tell someone “thank you,” only to later wish you hadn’t. With two timeless words, the message you send is “I am an alive person aware that I am communicating with another alive person who probably had things to do before this email arrived.” It matters.

4
Thank you!

This one works, with the caveat that exclamations can sometimes be off-putting in professional correspondence with people you don’t know well. Use it sparingly.

5
Thanks

It’s not terrible when used in the right context, but winnowing “thank you” down to one casual syllable has the potential to feel terse or perfunctory, so be mindful.

6
Thanks!

If this is how you sign off every email you send, your contacts will tire of it. Save it for occasions when you know it’s all right to be nonchalant.

7
Thanks again

Here’s a trusty option if your email began with a thank you. It can even work as a sign-off with a comma at the end, particularly if you’re including a closing line to this effect:

I appreciate all your help ferreting out such an extensive list of species related to otters.

Thanks again,

-Your Name

8
Thanks in advance

Use this one cautiously or not at all; it assumes the recipient will do something, but the last thing you want is a thank-you that backfires and makes them feel taken for granted.

9
Thanks for your consideration

This seems to suggest what you could be thankful for is limited, which is not exactly a collegial vibe. If you’re thinking about putting it at the end of a cover letter, don’t—it’s as if you’re preemptively bracing for the news that you didn’t get the job.

10
Many thanks

Elegant in its simplicity, you don’t see this one every day. It suggests “I put some thought into this at some point.” It’s an especially good option as a sign-off, like so:

These awful puns have given me paws. Just kidding—we can brainstorm more at our meeting on Monday.

Many thanks,

-Your Name

11
Appreciatively

Another handy standby for signing off. You have to work at it to find a context where this one doesn’t feel appropriate.

Sometimes the message you want to send is ‘I see you.’

While it’s generally a good idea to keep your emails brief out of respect for the recipient’s time, you’ll occasionally find “thank you” alone just doesn’t feel sufficient. In these circumstances, it’s good to be specific and show your recognition.

Thanks so much for your tenacity in staying late to prepare the slides on how sea otters forage. We made our deadline by a whisker!

Also, remember that words in an email aren’t your only means of showing appreciation. If your intern has shown a lot of hustle in hauling an important project across the finish line, give them props at the next staff meeting. Send someone flowers or a gift card once in a while.

Making sure the folks you correspond with feel valued is essential to maintaining a warm relationship, both as professionals and fellow humans. Thanks kindly for reading this far.

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16 Original Pun-inspired Costumes to Wear This Halloween

To anyone who’s been following us on social media, it should come as no surprise that Grammarly loves puns—especially clever ones that we’ve never seen before. With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we would pull together some of the most creative ideas to spark your imagination.

1
Drawn and Quartered

It’s a good thing puns aren’t considered treason!
Follow this helpful tutorial to cover yourself in Pop Art makeup, then draw or hot-glue quarters to an old T-shirt.

2
Cool Hand Luke

You can keep your cool hand, Luke . . . just don’t give us the cold shoulder!
This simple, comfy costume is straight out of your dad’s joke vault. Pick out a comfortable outfit—anything will do. Make a name tag and write “Luke” on it. Then, for the clincher, paint your hand blue. You’re all set! If you want to beef up the authenticity, pick an outfit that really channels Paul Newman.

3
Barewolf

This costume is so great we can barely contain ourselves!
Becoming the Barewolf is easy. Take your standard, run-of-the-mill werewolf costume, but strip it down, using only the bare minimum—some fangs or wolf paws. Bonus points if you can find a nude-colored body-suit. The best part about this costume is you literally don’t have to try!

4
Punk’in Spice

Would you tell Sid Vicious that he was basic? No, we didn’t think so.
Get your teen angst on with this punk-inspired costume! The goal here is to put the “punk” in “punk’in spice.” After you get your punk look down, finish your look off with a “spice” name tag, or—if you’re feeling ambitious—build a wearable spice rack.
Need some punk makeup tips? Check out this tutorial.

5
Corn on the Bob

Put the corn anywhere you like; the costume is yours! And then add another little happy corn friend, because everyone needs a friend!
With this costume, corn on the cob meets Bob Ross. Get an afro-style wig, unbutton your shirt maybe one button too many, and cover yourself in corn—painted corn cobs are even better.

6
Australian Shepherd

This costume is doggone dinky-di, mate!
Sometimes taking things literally has pun-tential. Think back to all those Christmases you spent staring at the nativity scene while your grandpa told you about his bunions for the fiftieth time. Channel your inner sheep herd, then brush up on your Aussie accent. DIY done.

7
Ozzy Pawsbourne

Extra credit if you play “Bark at the Moon” and howl alllll night.
This costume can be an individual costume or a couple’s costume with your pup. If you’re going solo, dress up as Ozzy Osbourne, equipped with collar, dog ears, and tail. If you’ve got a canine companion, you dress as Sharon and style your dog as Ozzy.

8
The Red “C”

Ahhh, we sea what you did there.
Wear a comfy outfit and top it with a red C. Simple AND clever.

9
Mockingbird

“Hey, I like your costume!” “Hey, I like your costume! . . . ”
Dress like a bird. You can go full DIY or get a great costume on Amazon, but the best part is you can playfully “mock” people all night.

10
The Walking Bread

Graaains! Grrrrainnns! Mmmm!
Who doesn’t love zombie bread? Get this great bread costume or a simple bread T-shirt and zombie it up with some make-up to become The Walking Bread!

Get your #2 pencils ready, folks! We’re giving extra credit for word-inspired costumes!

1
Comma, Comma, Comma Chameleon

Everyone will have to pause to appreciate this awesome costume!
Start by getting a chameleon costume, then attach some felt commas with velcro or hot glue. Voila!

2
Colon or Semicolon Powell

“There are no secrets to [costume] success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” —Colin Powell
This one is simple! Just find your most political suit, and snag a pair of glasses from the thrift shop! Attach colons or semicolons to the outfit with pins or hot glue. Check out Colin Powell reference photos to make sure you nail the look.

3
Grammar and Grampa

Grams will give you cookies, as long as you know the difference between your and you’re.
This is a costume for two. Grab your SO or bestie, follow this “old age” makeup tutorial, and grow old together! Gramps is done once he dons his suspenders and bifocals, but Grams will need some corrective phrases and a red pen to polish her look.

4
To Kill a Mockingbird

It might be a sin to kill a mockingbird, but this costume is heavenly!
See our earlier Mockingbird costume, but add a Halloween-worthy head wound! Here’s how.

5
Hairy Potter

Yer an artist Hairy! Here’s some clay…
Unless you’re naturally hairy, you’ll have to get a gnarly wig; the bushier, the better! Caveman costumes are good for this. Dress in your clay-covered overalls, get yourself a ceramic or clay pot and—just like magic—you’re a “Potter!”

6
Thesaurus

This costume is great! Terrific! Amazing! Yeah, you get it.
Initially, this one comes with a bit of investment in a good dino costume, but to complete the look all you need is a list of synonyms and some pins! Or, just walk around offering synonyms to everyone. “Your costume is scary, terrifying, horrifying, shocking . . .” A few dinosaur puns might also get you in the spirit.

The post 16 Original Pun-inspired Costumes to Wear This Halloween appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

7 Practical Tips on How to Start a Conversation

You’re probably not as good at starting conversations as you think you are.

And if, after reading that statement, you’re thinking Nuh-uh! I rock at starting conversations! there’s an even better chance you need the advice in this article.

Last night, I went to a blues concert with my friend. After the concert, we bumped into two of his acquaintances. The first, Mindy, approached us and said hello, but then stood there passively waiting for someone else to say something. The second, Lisa, fluttered in like leaves in a windstorm and babbled incessantly about herself for twenty minutes until we made an excuse to leave.

Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing always looks great? Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites.

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Neither person in that scenario was good at starting, much less maintaining, an interesting conversation. I’ll bet you’ve had similar experiences, ranging from the person who stands there waiting for you to take the lead to the one who starts talking and won’t shut up.

The trick to engaging in an interesting conversation is simple—stop trying to be interesting. Instead, be interested in the other person. Here are seven ways to start a conversation that won’t leave the other party burdened with having to take the lead or struggling to find a way to extricate themselves.

1
Note that you’re “in this together.”

When circumstances aren’t ideal, acknowledging a shared experience can soften the edge and get a conversation going. It’s likely you use this approach all the time without realizing it. At the grocery store, you comment to the person in front of you that the lines always seem to be longest when you’re on your lunch break. From there, a brief conversation flows naturally.

The same technique works when the stakes are higher, too—networking at a party, for instance, where everybody’s a little anxious about making a good impression.

“These parties are always so awkward, aren’t they? Everybody’s supposed to network—no pressure!”

Be careful using this technique. Do your best to remain neutral. A comment like “These networking events are such a bore!” could end up working against you if it turns out the person you’re talking to planned the event or is friends with the person who did.

2
Notice something nice.

The opposite of the “we’re in this together” conversation starter is noticing something pleasant. A positive approach can get a conversation off to the right start. We tend to like upbeat people who draw our attention to good things.

“That was a productive meeting! I feel like we generated some solid ideas.”

“Did you go to the social media workshop? It was great!”

3
Pay a compliment.

This technique can be a great ice-breaker. Who doesn’t like hearing a sincere compliment? You don’t have to fawn over the other party to make an impact, either—succeeding is as simple as noticing something you like and mentioning it.

“That’s a nice shirt. The color looks good on you!”

“You did an awesome job with the presentation. I like how you laid everything out so it was easy to understand.”

One caveat—with the possible exception of hairstyles, don’t comment on physical things. Complimenting a new haircut is one thing, but saying “You have such clear skin” is taking a hard detour into creepy territory.

4
Ask an opinion.

We all want to feel like our opinions matter. Asking for someone’s opinion shows that you’re interested in them and their thoughts.

“What did you think of the keynote presentation?”

“I was thinking of going to the next session of this workshop. Would you recommend it?”

Stick to topics that are immediately relevant. It’s a little weird to walk up to someone and ask, “So, what do you think of the current U.S. political climate?” Not to mention the fact that you may not want to go down that particular rabbit hole with a stranger.

5
Offer help.

There’s no better way to show that you’re a nice, approachable person than to be helpful. If you find yourself in a situation where you can lend a hand, go ahead and do it.

“You seem a little lost. Can I help you find something?”

“Looks like you have a lot to carry. Do you need a hand?”

6
Look for common ground.

This one’s easiest if you know you’re at a function where everyone’s likely to have a similar background. When you bring up what you have in common, you make an instant connection that will lead to more things to talk about.

“When did you attend school here?”

“How long have you been in the marketing business?

7
Ask for help or information.

Much like asking an opinion, asking for a little help or guidance can be a great way to make someone feel useful. Just make sure whatever you’re asking for is something the other party will be able to offer without putting themselves out.

“Do you know where I could pick up a workshop schedule?”

“Do you know if this hotel has an airport shuttle?”

Excellent! Now that you’ve got the conversation started, follow the rules of small talk 101 to keep it flowing for a while. Just remember to be interested in the other person, find common ground, and ask follow-up questions.

But please don’t do what chatty Lisa did and make assumptions. Last night, when my friend managed to get a word in edgewise, he mentioned that he knew Mindy through the psychology program at a local university. The one follow-up question Lisa chose to ask was, “Oh, so was your rehab successful?”

He’d done his internship there.

The post 7 Practical Tips on How to Start a Conversation appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

9 Easy Tips That Will Improve Bland Writing

Just like food, your writing needs spice. Keep these tips in your cupboard to take your writing from bland to scrumptious.

About a year ago, I got interested in cooking. For most of my adult life, I’d been making things like spaghetti with sauce from a jar, macaroni and cheese complete with powdered “cheese,” and the occasional boxed meal (just add ground beef!). Sometimes, I went a little wild and threw some canned tuna into the mac and cheese, or added real frozen broccoli to the boxed meal. My family ate it. They didn’t know any better.

But then, spurred on by a retired chef I befriended, I decided to give cooking a try. Real cooking. I bought fresh veggies and meats. I practiced until I had the knife skills to slice, dice, and julienne. I learned that stovetop burners aren’t meant to be set to high heat unless you’re trying to boil something. (Who knew?) I learned that basic salt and pepper make everything delicious. Throw in some well-chosen herbs and spices, and I can elevate the taste of my food to a whole new level. The kind that makes another friend kiss the backs of his fingertips like a French chef in an old movie and declare my meals delectable.

Writing is a lot like cooking. You can string together bland, canned phrases and hope that readers who don’t know any better won’t mind, or you can pull some spicy new tricks off the shelf and make your content truly delish.

The Basics

Before you can improve your cooking skills, you’ve got to learn a few basics. It’s the same with writing. Keep your text lean, use flavorful language, and express yourself confidently.

1
Begin with lean writing.

Flabby writing is unpalatable. Trim excess adverbs and use strong verbs or adjectives instead. (The comedian wasn’t very funny, she was hilarious.) Learn what a preposition is and how to streamline prepositional phrases. (The car didn’t come over the top of the hill, it crested the hill.) Slash extraneous words and phrases.

2
But don’t make it too lean.

Just as a cut of meat can be so lean that it’s dry and lacking flavor, writing that’s overly sanitized can sound sterile. Using an occasional adverb as a conscious style choice can make your writing sound more natural and conversational. Just don’t overdo it. Every adverb you use should have to justify its existence. If you can’t explain why you think it enhances your text, then out it goes.

3
Write with confidence.

Timid knife skills are dangerous when cooking. Timid language is a danger to writing.

Are you hedging your bets, using language that sounds unsure and wishy-washy? Eliminate phrases like you may want to, it’s possible that, and they can try, and weasel words like probably and sometimes.

You don’t have to give your readers an out clause unless you’re truly sure that what you’re suggesting might not work. And, in that case, ask yourself why you’re suggesting it in the first place.

4
Use powerful words and imagery . . .

If you use a lot of “to be” verbs (be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being) or other linking verbs (appear, feel, look, seem, remain, sound), search for opportunities to spice up your writing with livelier verb choices.

Weak Verb

Alex felt
anxious when it was time to give his speech.

Rather than telling the reader that Alex felt anxious, paint a word picture. Help the reader see Alex and recognize the feelings Alex is experiencing. The example below uses strong verbs and the time-honored advice given to writers: show, don’t tell.

Strong Verb

Alex’s hand trembled
as he adjusted the microphone. His heart hammered
in his chest.

5
. . . but keep your language simple.

Yes, use colorful, expressive language. But no, don’t hunt through your thesaurus in search of exotic words no one’s going to recognize. Don’t use fancy words just for the sake of it.

Keep your audience in mind. I had a colleague years back who regularly used SAT words that sent even those of us with stellar vocabularies scrambling for our dictionaries. We wrote for the video game industry. The average gamer is plenty intelligent, but most don’t flock to read articles full of words like cynosure, excogitate, and perspicacious. What a sesquipedalian that guy was!

How to Find Your Writing Style

Now that you’ve got the basics of lean, expressive writing down, it’s time to add some serious flavor. To spice up your writing, find your style. Here are some ways to develop it.

6
Emulate other writers you admire.

Yes, you should develop your own voice. But a great way to start finding it is to write in the style of another writer you admire. Learn their language, techniques, and patterns. Then, start adapting that style to make it your own.

When I was a young, green fiction writer, I idolized Stephen King. (Who am I kidding? I still do.) I tried my best to write like him. I didn’t become a rich and famous Stephen King clone, but I did learn a thing or two about style. If there’s one thing I have to thank Mr. King for (in truth, there are many things) it’s the fact that I can write solid, authentic dialog.

7
Try creative formats.

I could’ve made this article into another dull treatise on how to write better. The Internet is full of them. Instead, I decided to use cooking as a metaphor for spicing up bland writing. You certainly don’t have to search for a gimmick for every article you write, but do try to change things up on the regular. Maybe your article on ways to learn a new language is better suited for a listicle. Writing up a history with lots of dates? Maybe it would work well as a timeline.

8
Be a storyteller.

Storytelling isn’t just for fiction. I’ve shared my experience with learning to cook and related it to liven up your writing. I offered an anecdote about a sesquipedalian (it means one who uses long words) games journalist. We relate better to writing that seems to come from a real person, and also writing that’s about real people. If your content reads like a textbook, consider whether adding an anecdote or story, or just revealing some of your own thoughts, would give your post flavor.

9
Be interested in what you write about.

Being interested in your topic is one of the best ways to make your writing sizzle. Even if you’re faced with a topic you find dull, odds are good you’ll be able to find some intriguing facts you didn’t know before you started researching. Once you’ve uncovered something fascinating, write about it in a way that says “Look at this cool new stuff I learned!” Explore what captures your interest, and your content will be less like a box of mac and cheese and more like a nourishing gourmet meal.

The post 9 Easy Tips That Will Improve Bland Writing appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

29 Hilarious Halloween Memes and GIFs You’ll Want To Share

Do you live for Halloween?

Whether you’re a fan of kitsch, horror, fabulous style, or coffin-loads of candy, this mischievous and creative holiday has got a spell for you.

In celebration of this hallowed season, we’ve cracked open the crypt and unleashed twenty-nine of the best Halloween memes and GIFs for you to haunt the Internet with your bone-tingling obsession.

1
At First You Try to Play It Cool

If you need me I’ll be out back, carving pumpkins and cackling over my cauldron.

2
And Some People Seem to Understand

3
Like That One Friend…

via GIPHY

Oh, so you’re not dressing up this year? I’ll just be over here, silently judging you.

4
Come On, It’s Halloween

via GIPHY

Yes, I am slathering fake cobwebs over 90% of the surfaces of my home. You can keep looking incredulous, or you can get on this ladder and finish cobwebbing the chandelier. This house isn’t going to decorate itself.

5
And Halloween Is the Best

via GIPHY

Sometimes it’s hard to contain the excitement.

6
No, Really. This Is the Best Time of Year

via GIPHY

7
Even David S. Pumpkins Agrees

via GIPHY

8
There’s Just so Much to Revel In

via GIPHY

9
Like Candy

10
Getting Your Haul Is Serious Business

via GIPHY

Thou shalt take no prisoners.

11
You Can Never Have Too Much Candy

via SIZZLE

Remember, calories from candy do not count during the Halloween season. These are known as “ghost calories.” (The haunting will begin November 1st.)

12
Pumpkins Are Also Essential

Up vote Sigourney Weaver posing on a pumpkin.

And we do mean essential.

13
Jack O’Lanterns Are an Art Form

via GIPHY

14
Overall, Your Decorating Game Reaches New Heights

via GIPHY

15
But the Best Part May Be the Costumes

via GIPHY

16
When You Find the Perfect One

via me.me

It’s a match made in hell.

17
They’re a Fiendishly Good Time

via GIPHY

18
And Even More Fun with Friends

via GIPHY

19
Especially Best Friends

via GIPHY

Troy and Abed forever.

20
There’s No Limit to What You Can Create

via GIPHY

21
Even Pets Love Dressing Up

via me.me

22
Some More Than Others

via GIPHY

23
Halloween Is Full of Surprises

via GIPHY

24
It’s Exciting

via GIPHY

25
It Brings People Together

via GIPHY

26
It’s a Time for Transformation

via GIPHY

27
And Celebration

via GIPHY

28
And Sweet, Sweet Brains

via GIPHY

29
Happy Halloween, Everyone!

via GIPHY

What’s your favorite way to celebrate Halloween? Dressing up? Devouring sweet treats? Creating your own haunted house?

The post 29 Hilarious Halloween Memes and GIFs You’ll Want To Share appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

If You Work From Home, Here’s How to Be Successful

Working from home seems ideal. No need to get dressed and polished for the day, no commute, and no distracting coworkers to face—what’s not to like? But working remotely isn’t as easy as it looks.

The undisputed champion of small talk topics revolves around one question: What do you do for a living? I tell people I’m a writer and that, although I’m technically a freelancer, I have a steady gig with Grammarly. (That insight sometimes evokes the exclamation “Oh em gee! I love Grammarly!” Satisfying.) Inevitably, I’m asked whether “freelancer” means I get to work from home. I do. I’ve been working from home for about twenty years.

Tell people you work from home, and the following conversation almost always ensues:

Person: Aaah, you’re so lucky!

Me: Yeah. It’s pretty cool.

Person: I mean, you can just get out of bed and work in your pajamas.

Me: Well, it’s a little more complicated than that . . .

There’s been a shift toward remote work in recent years. According to Global Workplace Analytics, 50 percent of the U.S. workforce holds a job that allows them to work from home at least part of the time, and approximately 20 to 25 percent of the workforce telecommutes frequently. Everyone seems to want to ditch the commute and the need for a business casual wardrobe and instead work from the relative peace and comfort of their own space.

Top Three Work-from-Home Problems and Their Solutions

I was telecommuting long before telecommuting was cool. I can’t imagine ever having to work outside my home again. And yet, there are some definite challenges that every remote worker faces. Here are my top three, along with some helpful ideas for tackling them.

1
Lack of Discipline

Allow me to speculate that you’re not as disciplined as you think you are. (And if you already know you’re undisciplined, allow me to speculate that you’re even more undisciplined than you concede.) I speak from experience. The siren call of household chores, playtime with your kids or pets, and naps are the least of your concerns.

The most dangerous distraction sits before you at your desk. Social media, YouTube, and the rest of the Internet are just a tab away. Online games lurk there, too. (And, if you’re of the gamer persuasion, you already know that the game icon on your desktop, or the console in the living room, poses a serious threat to your productivity.) Unless you find ways to minimize distractions, they’ll monopolize your work day before you can say “Whoa! Where did the time go?”

Solution:

Learn good time management skills. You can’t stick to a schedule unless you have one, so schedule your time in blocks.

The key is to make your time blocks manageable. If you book yourself for four solid hours of work without a break, you’ll find your mind wandering and your productivity tanking. The Pomodoro Technique, for instance, promotes scheduling twenty-five-minute blocks of work time followed by brief breaks.

Whatever you do on your breaks, I recommend leaving your desk. Stretch, breathe, grab coffee or tea, use the bathroom (thanks coffee or tea), or take the dog for a quick walk. Your body and brain will thank you. Too much sitting can sap your creativity and ability to think clearly. Grabbing ten minutes to do some yoga or go for a quick walk will clear your head and make you more productive.

Here’s a tip: If you find yourself lured away by Facebook or Twitter during your work-time blocks, try tools that keep you from surfing to distracting websites. StayFocusd is a good one for Chrome users. FocusMe, Cold Turkey, and SelfControl are a few other solid options. Oh, and turn off smartphone notifications while you’re at it.

2
Feeling Out of the Loop

If you’re freelancing for multiple clients, this may not apply to you. But if you’re one of the many telecommuters who work remotely for a single employer, staying connected to your team at the office may prove challenging.

There’s nothing like prepping your really cool project ideas only to hear the project was scrapped or has shifted directions, and that you were not only not informed of the change but also not involved in making it. In addition to leaving you feeling like you’ve wasted time, it serves as a reminder that being out-of-sight sometimes means being out-of-mind.

Solution:

Fortunately, there’s a lot of technology at your fingertips to make communicating with your colleagues easier. Stay active on company chat platforms like Slack. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you feel ill-informed. Be persistent and go after the information you need in order to do your job. Never use “I wasn’t in the loop” as an excuse.

Be your own advocate. Ask to be included in meetings via video conference so you’ll have better insight into projects. If you can’t attend a meeting, ask a colleague for a quick debriefing by phone. You’ll feel more connected and tuned in.

Don’t make yourself difficult to get in touch with, either. If you’re required to be available during working hours, then consider yourself on the clock and answer promptly when your coworkers message or email you. If you’re accessible, your coworkers will be more likely to include you.

3
Going Stir Crazy

It’s already difficult to make friends as an adult. It’s doubly difficult when you don’t go to an office and connect with your coworkers. There are no daily break room chats, there’s no bonding over sports scores, and no getting the recipe for that awesome veggie dip Dave brought to the last office luncheon. You’re on a solo mission, and yeah, it can get lonely.

Working from home sounds great until you consider how isolated it can make you feel. Staying connected with your colleagues in the ways I described can certainly help, but it’s still no substitute for face-to-face interaction with people. You’ll have to make some extra effort to avoid becoming a creepy recluse.

Solution:

Make time for the friends you already have. Don’t turn down social invitations because you’re tempted to work—get your work done on schedule so that you can keep your evenings and weekends free. You need the downtime just as much as someone who reports to an office does.

Here’s a tip: If you don’t work on a set schedule, make one for yourself. Work reasonable hours. With few exceptions (crunch times, or when you’re getting caught up due to illness or time off), give yourself weekends off. Don’t be tempted to overwork just because your work is always within reach.

Find activities outside work that you can join. A few years back, I found myself becoming a work-obsessed hermit. I realized that, despite my tendency toward introversion, I needed to get myself out amongst people if I was going to be a happy and well-rounded. I love to sing, so I joined a community choir. I’ve since made some great friends, and rehearsals give me a reason to look forward to Mondays.

If finding a hobby or activity isn’t your jam, then at least consider working outside your office now and then. Take your laptop to a coffeehouse where you can watch people, and maybe even interact with a few, as you get work done. (You might be surprised by how well you work in that type of environment.) You could also look into co-working spaces or shared office space in your area.

Working from home can be wonderful. Right now, I’m sitting at my desk with a fresh cup of coffee to my left, a sleeping dog to my right, and a ukulele behind me. As soon as I send this article off to my editor, I’ll finish the coffee, strum the uke for a few minutes, and then walk the dog. It works for me because I’ve learned how to make it work. Here’s to making it work for you!

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