Category: General Career Advice


Feb
2025

5 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a Remote Employee

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Mental Health

Remote work is great. You can wake up late, skip the commute and work in your gymwear- but while it does come with its perks, the flip side is that all that alone time can take a toll on your mental health.

Without the usual office buzz or face-to-face interactions, it’s easy to slip into unhealthy habits that affect your well-being.

Here are 5 ways to take care of your mental health while working remotely:

1. TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK!

Yes, I am shouting at you. That is how strongly I feel about this point.

You might think that you don’t need a break because you’re working from home but this is a huge no-no. Just like you would take a break at the office, it’s crucial to step away from your desk. Use this time to eat something nutritious, relax, or even take a quick walk. Giving your mind a rest can boost your focus and productivity for the rest of the day.

2. Make Time to Go Outside

It’s easy to get stuck in the bubble of your home office, but stepping outside, even for just a few minutes, can do wonders for your mental health. Whether it’s a stroll down the street or just sitting in your backyard, fresh air and a change of scenery help clear your mind and reduce stress. The physical movement also releases endorphins, which are your brain’s natural mood lifters. Plus the longer you WFH, the easier it is to slip into a habit of little to no physical exercise.

3. Chat with Your Colleagues

When you’re working remotely, isolation can creep up on you. It’s important to make time to connect with colleagues, even if it’s just a quick check-in. These virtual coffee breaks or team calls provide a sense of community and help break up the monotony of working solo. Talking to others can provide both emotional support and a welcome distraction from work.

4. Set Clear Boundaries

One of the toughest things about working remotely is finding the balance between work and personal life. Without the physical separation of an office, it can be easy to work late into the night or overextend yourself. Set clear boundaries by creating a dedicated workspace, establishing a fixed work schedule, and sticking to it. When your workday is over, truly disconnect from your job to recharge and enjoy your personal time. Which brings us to our next point….

5. Make Time for Self-Care

Whether it’s doing a quick meditation, stretching, or diving into your favourite book, make time for activities that help you relax and recharge. Your mental health is just as important as your job performance, and taking care of yourself ensures that you stay balanced and productive in the long run.

While remote work offers convenience and several perks, it’s important to invest time and effort into managing your mental health to make the most of it. Taking care of your mental well-being while working remotely is essential for staying productive and happy. By incorporating these simple practices into your routine, you’ll find that remote work can be both fulfilling and sustainable.


Jan
2025

5 Ways to Stay Motivated During the Job Hunt

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Job Hunting Tips

Job hunting sometimes feels like a job of its own. Whether you’re facing rejection, waiting on responses or feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of applications, keeping your energy up is key to landing the right opportunity. Here are five ways to stay motivated during your job searching:

1. Create a Routine

Treat job hunting like a job- come up with proper hours during which you will conduct your search. Back when I was in uni graduate all I did was look for jobs. No blogging, no living my life, nothing. That desperation led to me taking the first job that came my way and while that decision did work out for me in the end, I still wish I had made the most of the time that I had at home. Set time for scouring job boards, networking and updating your documents. Having a routine helps maintain momentum and prevents procrastination.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Set daily or weekly targets, such as applying to a certain number of positions, networking with a specific number of people, or improving your resume. Hitting these milestones will give you a sense of progress and keep you moving forward.

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Every step forward is worth acknowledging, whether it’s securing an interview, receiving positive feedback, or making a valuable new connection. Recognizing small victories keeps you motivated and reinforces the progress you’re making, even when things move slowly.

4. Stay Connected and Seek Support

The job hunt can be isolating, so lean on your support network. Connect with friends, family, mentors, or online job-seeking groups. Talking to others can provide encouragement, fresh perspectives and even job leads. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can make a huge difference.

5. Keep Learning and Improving

DO NOT LET YOUR SKILLS STAGNANT!!!

Use this time to upskill or expand your knowledge. Take an online course, attend a webinar or work on a personal project that aligns with your career goals. This keeps you busy while also ensuring you look like a stronger candidate when new opportunities arise.

Staying motivated during a job hunt is tough, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can maintain your confidence and keep pushing forward. Set goals, build a routine, celebrate progress, seek support, and continue learning. The right opportunity is out there and you WILL find it! Remember all you need is one yes!


Nov
2024

7 Signs Your Job Might Be in Danger

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Welcome to The Real World

When your job is in danger, you’ll know it. You’ll see (and feel) it long before the official dismissal. But how do you know if it’s all in your head or something you need to be concerned about?

Here are 7 signs that your job might be in danger:

1. You’re given fewer projects or you’re given dead-end projects

This is an early warning sign that the company is preparing to get rid of you. If your workload starts looker smaller, be wary. Of course if the company is rebranding or restructuring, workloads might be smaller while they try to figure out their way forward. Look at your colleagues. If they still have normal workloads while you don’t, you might be on the chopping block.

2. You’re not invited to meetings that concern your work

This is a very minor sign that could mean your job is in danger or just that you were overlooked. Sometimes meetings are held without those who need to be in the meetings. It can be human error so just weigh this one with the other things on this list.

3. Management seems to have disappeared

This happened to me when I was about to be laid off and it was hilarious to me. I worked remotely and my manager- who was often not available- was somehow even LESS available during the period when I knew that I was going to be laid off at some point. Managers sometimes feel awkward about this so they’d try to avoid you.

4. You’re asked to train someone on what you do

Be very very wary of this. If you’re training someone and management hasn’t discussed you taking on a senior role, they might be trying to pass off your responsibilities to someone else.

5. You’re handing off your work to someone else

This is different from the above because in this case, you will be asked to draw up a specific handover document or a document detailing everything you do. This is to help the person who takes your duties.

6. You’re doing less work

During a round of layoffs at my friend’s company, her workload got so small that we were able to meet for lunch weekly. Since we hadn’t seen each other in years, we made the most of the opportunity but this was a glaring sign that a layoff was looming for her.

7. Your performance reviews are increasingly negative

This could be a sign that 1) you’re doing really badly at your job (in which case there should be a performance plan put in place to help you improve) or 2) you’re just not meeting the expectations that the business has for you. Sometimes businesses and employees just don’t match. It’s no one’s fault. But if you’re getting increasingly negative performance reviews along with a few other items on this list, you might be headed for a dismissal.

While it can be scary to think about losing your job, spotting these signs early ensures that you’re able to make a back-up plan whether this is adjusting your expenses or looking for another job.


Oct
2024

categories: Career, General Career Advice

We’re encouraged to be “all in” when it comes to our careers, to hustle, and to pour everything into our professional growth. But there’s a hidden cost to centering your identity around work—it leaves other parts of you unexplored and underdeveloped. When you build a well-rounded identity beyond work, you allow yourself to thrive in multiple areas of life, and the benefits go far beyond the office.

The Benefits of a Well-Rounded Identity

1. Resilience in Tough Times

When work isn’t going well- whether due to a bad day, a toxic environment, or even job loss- a well-rounded identity provides stability. Your sense of self won’t crumble because it isn’t solely tied to your career. Other passions, relationships, or hobbies can help anchor you when the ground shifts beneath your feet.

2. Increased Fulfillment

A life built around more than just work is naturally more fulfilling. It means your joy isn’t contingent on a promotion, a raise, or a successful project. (It’s vital to point out that these are all things that are out of your control. YOUR joy should come from things you can control and ideally internally). Decentering your career allows you to find satisfaction in personal growth, hobbies, relationships, or even quiet moments of self-reflection.

3. Better Work-Life Balance

Cultivating interests and relationships outside of work makes it easier to maintain boundaries. This balance can help you avoid burnout and foster a healthier relationship with your job. You’re more likely to leave work at work and be present in the other areas of your life that matter.

4. Personal Growth

A well-rounded identity gives you the chance to grow as a person, not just as an employee. Whether you’re learning a new skill, nurturing relationships, or dedicating time to your mental or physical health, the process of personal growth makes you a more fulfilled, well-rounded individual. Plus you have more to talk about then just work.

Easy Steps to Build a Well-Rounded Identity

Explore Hobbies or Interests

What excites you outside of work? Maybe it’s photography, gardening, reading, or fitness. Dedicate time each week to something that brings you joy. This will give you an outlet for creativity or relaxation that has nothing to do with your career. Cozy hobbies like reading or gaming have helped me destress from work (and opened up a whole new world that I previously knew nothing about).

Reconnect with Relationships

This is something that I am guilty of not doing. When we’re caught up in work, it’s easy to let relationships take a backseat. Make it a priority to spend quality time with family and friends, even if it’s just for a coffee or a walk. These connections are a huge part of who you are beyond your professional life. (Hack: schedule a lunch or coffee date with someone special atleast once a month).

Prioritise Your Health

Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional health, taking care of yourself should be a cornerstone of your identity. Commit to small habits like regular exercise, meditation, or even just unplugging from work at the end of the day.

Set Boundaries at Work

This is so SO SO IMPORTANT. Set clear boundaries so you can protect your time and energy for the things that matter outside of your job. This could mean not answering emails after hours or blocking off time for yourself during the day. Also, remember that no is a full sentence.

Practice Mindfulness

Being present and mindful in your everyday life can help you appreciate the moments beyond work. Whether it’s enjoying a meal, a conversation, or a peaceful moment, mindfulness can help you shift your focus away from constant work-related stress. Some mindfulness hacks that have helped me include taking my lunch break away from the office and journaling. It helps me focus on the outside world as opposed to just my desk.

Building a well-rounded identity takes time and intention, but the rewards are undeniable. You become more resilient, more fulfilled, and ultimately more grounded in who you are- regardless of what you do for a living. Start small, give yourself permission to explore the other dimensions of your life, and watch how it transforms your sense of self and happiness.


Oct
2024

What Does It Mean to Decenter Your Career?

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Mental Health

For many of us, our careers have become the cornerstone of our lives. It’s how we define success, measure our value, and gauge our self-worth. We hustle, grind, and pour ourselves into work, believing that climbing the ladder is the key to fulfilment. But what happens when that ladder starts to wobble- or worse, breaks entirely?

Decentering your career doesn’t mean you stop caring about your work or abandon your ambitions. Instead, it’s about shifting your focus. It’s about recognising that your career is just one piece of the puzzle- not the whole picture. You work to live. You don’t live to work. When you decenter your career, you give yourself the freedom to place value on other parts of your life, like relationships, passions, health, or personal growth.

For me, decentering began with small realisations. I used to define myself by my job title, by how well I performed, and how much I achieved. But after facing potential retrenchment and the loss of my cousin, I realised that no amount of career success could fill the void left behind. I had to ask myself: What is my life really about?

Decentering your career means accepting that while work can be meaningful, it shouldn’t be the sole driver of your happiness. It’s about finding balance, rediscovering the joy in things outside of work, and creating a life that feels fulfilling- whether you’re working or not.

In this series, I want to explore what decentering looks like in practice, why it’s important, and how it can change the way you view success. If you’ve ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, or like you’re chasing something that never quite satisfies, this is for you. Let’s rethink what it means to live a truly balanced, fulfilling life- starting with our relationship to work.


Jul
2024

Remote Work Tips for Beginners

categories: Career, General Career Advice

So you’ve just gotten your first remote job! Congratulations! This is the start of a whole new style of working that you may or may not love. Many people love the idea of remote work but when it comes to the actual thing, it’s actually kinda tough. Here are my tips for acing your first remote role:

1. Do Come Up with a Routine

While it may seem easy to just roll out of bed and log on, creating a morning routine helps you to make the most of your remote work experience. This is also a nice way to ease into the day. Working remotely means no commute so I like to use my commute time to treat myself to something whether it’s a chapter of a book at the beginning of the day or an episode of a show at the end of the day.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Create a dedicated workspace and regular working hours. Because you work from home it can get easy to give in and keep working or not working hard enough. Keep work and home separate in any which way that you can. This allows you to maximise your work time and home time without the two interlapping and leading you to burnout.

3. Exercise Regularly

One thing I was not prepared for as a WFH worker was the lack of movement. In fact, it got so bad that I had to go to the doctor for circulation issues. Set a timer and make sure that every so often you’re getting up and walking around. Incorporating regular exercise into your day helps prevent health issues and keeps your energy levels up.

4. Remember to Get Out Occasionally

It can be easy to let days go by and then you realise you haven’t left the house in a while. I once went a month without leaving the house. If your job allows, work from a coffee shop or a coworking spot every so often just so that you’re out in the world. Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health.

5. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Working from home can be isolating. Make sure to check in with yourself regularly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lonely, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Prioritise self-care and do activities that help you relax and recharge.

6. Build a Community

Remote roles can get lonely at time but the good thing is YOU get to decide what your community looks like. Whether that’s joining virtual meetups, engaging in online forums, or connecting with colleagues via video calls, make an effort to build relationships and find your tribe. Having a support system is key to feeling connected and supported.

7. Consider Investing in Your Workspace

A comfortable and efficient workspace can make a big difference in your productivity and well-being. Consider investing in a good chair, a proper desk, and any other tools or equipment that can help you create an ergonomic and pleasant work environment.

8. Take Regular Breaks

Working at home means less time chatting with colleagues. But these tiny breaks in a day can add up and personally I tend to get cranky when I’ve spent more than 4 hours sitting at my desk (I’ve done this before and it is NOT pleasant). Schedule regular breaks to stretch, move around, and give your mind a rest. Short breaks can boost your productivity and keep you feeling fresh throughout the day.

With these tips you’ll be guaranteed to make the most of your remote work experience while avoiding the pitfalls. Are there any hacks that you use as a remote worker that I missed? Let me know below.


May
2024

What I Learnt From an Almost Layoff

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Welcome to The Real World

“So at some point during the next few months we’re going to have to let you go. We thought it was important to be transparent with you.”

I blinked. Once. Twice. I wasn’t sure what they wanted from me as a reaction. Was I supposed to be sad? Cry? For a Marketing job that didn’t even seem real.

When I took the job at ABC company, I was excited to “make a difference”. That was how the job was pitched to me. But after about 3 months, I realised there were a few issues. Like the fact that the projects never actually got executed. They planned (and planned poorly) but never actually reached the finishing line. The workload was much smaller than what I was used to and yet the team was always trying to look for shortcuts. It was like they didn’t even want to be a company. It was like they were playing a weird game of pretend.

But this isn’t about ABC and their inability to run a company. This is about the lessons that I learnt after my “almost-layoff”.

Always Have an Emergency Fund

I left a really stable job to join ABC. But from the second I exited, I made sure to prioritise my savings. I felt very strongly that the business would not be able to continue and I did not want to risk not having money when that happened. After a year at ABC, I had enough for a 6 month emergency fund.

Do Not Put a Company First

In order to not offend anyone at ABC, I had stopped posting on LinkedIn and blogging. Nothing was said to me directly but it was clear that they thought by doing these things that I was looking for another job. I was actually trying to build my personal brand and I halted those efforts because of ABC. Which now left ME in the lurch because of their actions.

The Importance of Building a Network

Shortly after being informed by ABC about this, I reached out to a few friends and they were able to secure me a freelance role. It wouldn’t replace my income immediately but it would provide some sort of income.

You’re Not Your Job

This one was tough for me because I have always been a writer. But I haven’t always been a writer for ABC and I had to remind myself of that. Whether I wrote for ABC or myself, I was always going to be a writer- whether it was my dayjob or not.

The redundancy took months to happen and even the process thereafter for paperwork was painful. But the time from the announcement to the actual lay-off was a period where I learnt much about myself, my style of workplace and the company that I had chosen to work for.


Apr
2024

What to Do When You Hate Your Job

categories: Career, General Career Advice

Hating your job is perfectly normal IMO. Maybe you’ve just worked there too long and the little things are now starting to get on your nerves. Maybe you’ve been there just for a while but you can’t take it anymore. Believe me, I’ve been there. But what do you do when you hate your job?

1. Admit Your Feelings

I’m the type of person who can very quickly move to hating a job simply because I’m bored (or haven’t had enough sleep for more than 3 days). If you’re starting to feel negatively towards your job, own it. Try and figure out what it is that’s making you so unhappy. Is it a project that is more difficult than anticipated? A toxic work environment? Micro-manager from hell? Name your issue or issues.

2. Can You Fix It?

Can the issue be resolved? If it’s just a matter of a stressful project, when will it end? If you’re having an issue with your work environment can you move to another team? If it’s something that CANNOT be fixed, are you willing to leave the company based on this or stay and accept the problem?

3. Develop Your Exit Strategy

Ah, exit strategies. My favourite. I’ve done alot of those throughout the years and while they’re alot of work the end result (a better job) has always made me really happy. Start off by listing your current skills as well as what roles you’d be interested in. This is also a great time to make a list of what your ideal job looks like. If you have any contacts in the industry, reach out to let them know what you’re going through. I had casually mentioned to a few people that I needed a new role and within a week, they had found me a new gig.

4. Start Networking (If You Haven’t Already)

Start networking with others in your field or in fields that you want to work in. LinkedIn is great for this. If you know an organisation that you’d like to work for, reach out to the people in the hiring team. This might sound intimidating (I know it felt super intimidating to me) but I did this once after a friend pushed me into it. I didn’t get the role but I also discovered that the organisation wasn’t a fit for me and my experience anyway.

5. DO Remember You Might Not Find a Job Immediately

This is very important. I had been job searching for 2 months straight and still didn’t find a role. It was really demotivating- and at the time, I still HAD a job. Make peace with the fact that it might take you a while to find a job. Because of this, it might make sense for you to check if you have enough funds before you try this next step.

6. Quit

Never have I ever quit from a job without something lined up. I mean I’d love to but as I get closer to 30 I can feel that window closing. If you’re really unhappy in your job and you have the means to, you might want to quit. Personally I feel like life is too short to be working in crappy jobs but also all those bills aren’t going to pay themselves.

Hating your job is tough but it doesn’t have to be something that defines you. You can decide at any moment to turn things around. Yes, society has conditioned us to believe that almost everyone hates their job but it’s possible to work a job that you love too.


Jan
2024

6 Job Interview Red Flags

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Job Hunting Tips

Once upon a time, applying for jobs was my part-time job.

Atleast that’s what it felt like. I would apply for anything and everything that came my way. I actually aimed to have atleast one interview a month.

Bizarre right? But I was young and desperate to escape the toxic environment I worked in.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that the jobs had major red flags seemed to hint that it was a toxic work environment. Now that I’m older and a more experienced job hunter, I know better. So if you’re in the process of interviewing for a new job, here are 6 red flags to keep an eye out for.

1. These Four Questions

These four questions absolutely should not be asked. If they are, you already have reason to be alert for more red flags. Sometimes people ask these in an attempt to get to know you but these questions more often than not lead to bias.

2. Vague or unclear job description

Marketing Gurus, Digital Ninjas and Unicorns unite. If the job description doesn’t clearly state what you would be doing, chances are great that this company is going to give you a medley of tasks that might not even fall under your responsibility.

3. The Interview Process Drags On

An unnecessarily long interview process- especially for a junior or middle position-is either a sign of dysfunctional HR/recruitment or a really picky company. In these cases you can check who held the position before you and for how long. It might be that the company has unrealistic standards.

4. The Interview is Too Short

A interview that is too short or even an interview process that is too short is a MAJOR red flag. This company might be desperate for a hire. Ask yourself why this is. This is something that I fell for only to later discover that the previous employee vanished (okay she didn’t vanish- she quit but no one talks about it and I find that super-suspicious. She was also referred to as “problematic” by the recruiter- which if you didn’t know is another red flag).

5. The Staff are All Relatively New

This is often disguised as “we’d had quick growth recently so we have hired many new people”. This could be true but it could always be number 6 down below.

6. The Company is Always Hiring

Another thing passed off as “we are growing so fast we just can’t keep up”. In cases like this you can locate previous employees via LinkedIn and question them about the company. They might not be able to come straight out and mention that the job is problematic but you will be able to gauge this from their tone and response.

Job hunting is tough especially if you’re stuck in a toxic role or unemployed. But moving from bad situation to another is not the solution. Use this list to evaluate your next interview to reduce the chances of you landing in a toxic work environment.


Jan
2024

5 Budget Friendly Ways to Upskill Yourself

categories: Career, General Career Advice

So you’ve decided on a career change or you want to learn something new? But the prices for formal education is a bit much for you. No problem. Here are 5 easy ways to upskill yourself without harming your wallet.

1. YouTube

Okay this may or may not be news to you but YouTube actually has pretty helpful tutorials. I dismissed YouTube as a learning source until I discovered that tons of Marketing organisations have YouTube channels with really helpful videos. Simply search the topic you’re looking to learn more about and let the social media algorithms do their magic.

2. Spotify

Spotify has a great array of podcasts on almost everything. If you’re a Spotify user, this is an easy way to upskill yourself while you’re commuting or running errands.

3. Udemy

Udemy has courses on everything and they are always having sales. Simply add courses to your wishlist and you can purchase them when the price drops.

4. Free Resources

Ah, the good old-fashioned way to learn- the library. Pop in to your library and see if they have a book on the topic you’re looking to learn more about. Be warned though, if your library is anything like mine (i.e outdated) you might not find exactly what you’re looking for. I went in for a Copywriting book and while they weren’t able to assist, I did come back with a book on writing Sales Letters (close enough).

5. Free Online Resources

Lots of websites or blogs have resources that can help you learn more. For example, Hubspot has great Marketing resources. Scour your social media network of choice (Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok) and connect with creators or brands who offer free online resources.

Are you going to look into upskilling this year? What is your favourite educational resource? Let me know below.

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