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How to Get Your Dream Job in the Lifestyle Industry

6 Tips for Establishing and Growing a Career in the Digital Space
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Is your dream job in the lifestyle industry?  In the past five years, a blogging career has proven to not only be possible, but it can be very fulfilling.  One-woman shows are now successful companies with teams of creative editors and contributors. 

I first worked for two and a half years as a public relations professional before becoming an editor for Waiting on Martha.  I’ll be honest with you: I put a lot of stress on myself about landing my job, and now, looking back, I would have done some of it differently.  At the time, I didn’t understand the importance of being flexible and open-minded.  It’s crucial to have a come-to-Jesus-talk with yourself about the definition of your “dream job” and what it all entails, while remaining open to the twists and turns it may give you along the way. 

In the slideshow above, I’ve outlined six tips I have for someone interested in breaking into the lifestyle industry through a career with a blog or creative website. There is a plethora of helpful job hunting sites and it’s very helpful to read expert advice, but I always like to tell people to also be curious, stay persistent and be flexible.  It’s a constantly evolving dream to chase after, and a lot of the path is new to pave, but it is so rewarding to find yourself in a role that both challenges you and excites you.  Good luck!  Cheers, Kat 

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DO YOUR RESEARCH

DO YOUR RESEARCH

IF YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY, YOU'LL ALREADY BE DOING THIS WITHOUT REALIZING IT. BY REGULARLY READING INDUSTRY SITES AND INTERVIEWS OF THE PEOPLE YOU ADMIRE, YOU'LL BE A FEW STEPS CLOSER TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES TO GET STARTED AND SUCCEED (AND YOU MAY EVEN TWEAK YOUR PATH A BIT AFTER DOING SO).

RECOGNIZE THE HANDFUL OF BLOGS AND BRANDS YOU ENJOY FOLLOWING, AND KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S TRENDING IN THE EVER-CHANGING LIFESTYLE SCENE.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR CAREER ADVICE, ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS AND ALL THINGS LIFESTYLE INCLUDE: MY DOMAINE, THE EVERYGIRL AND STYLE ME PRETTY LIVING.

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VIA PINTEREST
ANALYZE YOUR PATH

ANALYZE YOUR PATH

KEEPING UP WITH CURRENT TRENDS IN THE BIZ IS IMPORTANT, BUT LEARNING TO SPEAK TO IT AND ANALYZE THE CONTENT WILL BE YOUR SECRET WEAPON IN THE JOB SEARCH.

ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE READING AND ANALYZE WHY YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO. THESE QUESTIONS CAN HELP YOU PINPOINT YOUR INTERESTS AND LEAD YOU ON A PRACTICAL PATH TO JOINING THE TEAMS THAT YOU ADMIRE, WHILE EQUIPPING YOU WITH SOMETHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE TOO.

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VIA MY DOMAINE, BY COURTESY OF LOVELY LIFE
FINE-TUNE YOUR SKILLS

FINE-TUNE YOUR SKILLS

BEING IN THE LIFESTYLE INDUSTRY AS A BLOGGER OR WEBSITE EDITOR WILL REQUIRE A HANDFUL OF PRACTICAL SKILLS YOU CAN FINE-TUNE ELSEWHERE. CONSIDER ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS IN ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS TO CREATE A STRONG FOUNDATION TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS. IN AN OFFICE, YOU'LL LEARN DOZENS OF CRUCIAL BUSINESS SKILLS, EMAIL ETIQUETTE, MULTI-TASKING AND PRIORITIZATION, CLIENT RELATIONS, THE INS AND OUTS OF CONFERENCE CALLS, MEETINGS AND MORE.

CONSIDER WORKING ON IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT INTEREST YOU SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC DESIGN, CODING, STYLING AND WRITING. THESE ARE THE "LIFE SKILLS" IN LIFESTYLE I LIKE TO SAY, AND THE MORE TIME YOU SPEND MASTERING THEM, THE MORE YOU CAN OFFER IN YOUR DREAM ROLE.

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VIA LARK & LINEN
BE FLEXIBLE

BE FLEXIBLE

ODDS ARE, THE TIMING, THE PAY, THE BENEFITS AND/OR THE LOCATION OF THE GIG YOU'RE DREAMING ABOUT WON'T PERFECTLY MATCH YOUR GOALS.

BE FLEXIBLE AND STAY OPEN-MINDED. THE OPPORTUNITY MAY OPEN ITSELF UP TO YOU AT A LATER DATE, YOU MAY COME ACROSS AN EVEN BETTER GIG IN THE MEANTIME AS A RESULT OF YOUR DISCUSSIONS, OR YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO MAKE IT HAPPEN ON DIFFERENT TERMS. IT'S EASY TO GET YOUR HEART SET ON ONE SCENARIO, BUT IN THIS SOMEWHAT NEW INDUSTRY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE.

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VIA LARK & LINEN
GET OUT THERE

GET OUT THERE

THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND SITE ENGAGEMENT (READ: INSTAGRAM COMMENTS, TWEETS, REGRAMS, BLOG POST COMMENTS, ETC.) YOU CAN MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH BRANDS, BLOGGERS AND FELLOW CREATIVES IN THE INDUSTRY.

PLAN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS AND CASUAL COFFEE DATES. SHOW YOUR CURIOSITY AND INTEREST IN THE PERSON'S WORK AND USE TAKEAWAYS TO ALIGN YOUR PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR POSITION AND YOUR PERSONAL GOALS. FOCUS ON THE CONNECTION WITH THE PERSON FIRST AND FOREMOST AND BE GRATEFUL OF THEIR TIME. GOOD THINGS WILL FOLLOW IF IT'S A GOOD FIT.

LASTLY, SIGN UP FOR NETWORKING EVENTS AND CONFERENCES TO MEET LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS AND LEARN KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM PIONEERS IN THE BLOGGING GAME.

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VIA WAITING ON MARTHA
DON'T STOP

DON'T STOP

FINDING YOUR "DREAM JOB" MAY OR MAY NOT UNFOLD HOW YOU IMAGINED.

AND ONCE YOU DO LAND A JOB YOU LOVE, DON'T STOP. THE HARD WORK DOESN'T STOP WHEN YOU GET THE JOB, AND YOUR DREAM JOB WILL DEFINITELY STILL INCLUDE TASKS YOU AREN'T CRAZY ABOUT. ONE OF THE BEST PIECES OF ADVICE I HAVE FOR YOU IS: "HEAD DOWN, HUSTLE ON."

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VIA MY DOMAINE, BY LE FASHION

Photography, Rustic White

The Best White T Shirts & 5 Ways to Style It + Our Editor Favorites

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There’s something so sexy about a simple White T Shirt.  Whether worn alone, paired with a blazer, dressed up with heels or down with sneakers, a great white tee will never go out of style.

I’ve had a recent fascination with all things Parisian (yep, I read this book and am now reading this memoir). I’ve started thinking a lot about owning wardrobe essentials that I imagine Parisian women do.  About having a personal style that evokes confidence and femininity, even on a run to the grocery store.  About wearing items that are classic and comfortable, but never boring.  And a perfect White T Shirt is definitely one of those items. 

Like so many others, I have been on the hunt for the best white t shirts for years, and have owned several favorites by Everlane, James Perse, J Brand, J.Crew and Kit and Ace.  While I’m not one to drop big bucks on designer pieces often, I do believe it’s worth it to so splurge on a wardrobe essential like this if you find the perfect one and plan to keep it around for awhile. But with great versions starting as low as $15, our picks for the best White T Shirts can fit in any budget. 

Check out five of my favorite looks in the slideshow above, along with links to snag yourself. Have you found your ultimate White T Shirt yet?  Cheers, Kat

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Featured image, Who What Wear by The Chic Street Journal

Little Blue Dress

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Flared blue dress, Waiting on Marthaflared blue dress and black Celine bag, Waiting on MarthaLight blue summer dress, Waiting on MarthaLight blue dress and beaded necklace, Waiting on MarthaThe perfect summer dress

If you’re like me, when you stumble upon a type of dress that’s comfortable, chic and oh-so-flattering, you want to buy it in every color. Case in point with this flared blue dress from Opening Ceremony; it’s an easy option that I know I can reach for in my closet and always feel amazing in.  The A-Line design hugs in all the right spots, and with its flirty flare, the dress is just downright fun to wear (and twirl in of course).  I like to think of it as a summer update to my LBD in blue, and I’m so close to snagging the Blush and Pink as well! Truly, MKR

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Photography, Kathryn McCrary

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