WRITE LIKE A BOSS 

Whether you want to send smarter emails or bust out a best-selling novel, here are five lessons I’ve learned in more than 20 years as a writer and editor that’ll help you write like a pro.

1. WRITE LIKE YOU TALK.

People often ooh and ahh when I tell them I’m a writer. My go-to response is that if you can speak, you can write. Far too many people think that good writing involves lyrical prose and fancy words. The truth is that excellent writing can be conversational. It almost always includes simple sentences. It feels like the author is talking to you. If you’re feeling stuck, just start talking (and type or write madly as you do). You might even use your phone to record yourself speaking and then transcribe it (and edit yourself later).

2. BE SPECIFIC.

There’s an age-old phrase you probably heard in your high school English class at some point that truly is ride-or-die advice when it comes to writing: Show, don’t tell. Give me specifics rather than talking in generalizations. Tell me stories, rather than grandstanding. Not only will this lead to the kind of writing that will engage more readers, but it’s also actually way easier to pull off.

3. START BIG.

Beginnings are important. Your opening paragraph can either intrigue a reader and inspire her to keep reading—or bore her, and prompt her to move onto something else. This is why I tend to stew over how I’m going to start whatever it is I’m writing before I open a new Word doc. I often think of my best opening paragraphs while I’m walking, or folding laundry, or when I’m in the shower. I find it’s much easier to get into the flow of writing when I feel like I’ve got a great lede—and it’s worth the extra time making sure I’ve got that nailed before I get going.

4. REVISE AS YOU GO ALONG.

Many writers will tell you to do a big brain dump or “free-write” session to get everything you want to say down on paper first and edit yourself later. If that works for you, fantastic—keep at it. But for me, going back to what I’ve written and fine-tuning it after every third paragraph or so helps me feel like what I’m writing isn’t half bad—and helps me gain some serious momentum. Bonus: This makes it easier to revise what I’ve written when I’m finished, which lets me move on to the next assignment (or whatever you’re working on) pretty quickly.

5. READ WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN OUT LOUD.

My dad was a high school English teacher, and he gave me this advice after I’d written my first book report in elementary school: Read what you just wrote out loud to yourself. Will you feel a little weird at first, reading your own words aloud with no audience? Probably. But I can’t tell you how much it will help you edit out all those extra or unnecessary words you tried to jam in there that don’t actually help your piece (see TipNo. 1); make sure you’re showing, not telling (see TipNo. 2); and also check that what you’ve written sounds like you. Because in the end, that’s why we write, isn’t it? To share information, tell a story, and put ourselves out there, hoping it’ll help, delight, move, or inspire whoever reads your words.

—Meghan Rabbitt

TAKE PICTURES LIKE A PRO

If you have a smartphone, you’ve got a pretty incredible camera with you at all times. Now, you just need to know how to use it. Here are five tips to get the most out of your pictures from Real Woman cover photographer.

Tip No. 1: Clean your lens.

While this may sound seriously duh-inducing, it’s a very important step too many of us skip before we start snapping, says Kielinski. “You won’t get a decent photo if your lens is dirty,” she says. “Just make sure you wipe your lens on something clean, like a cotton T-shirt or eyeglass cleaning cloth.”

Tip No. 2: Switch up your angle.

Most of us point our camera at our eye level. While that’s OK, adding some variety can lead to more unique shots. “If you’re taking pictures of your kids, get down at their level and shoot from there,” says Kielinski. “Same goes for pets and flowers. Whether it’s a bird’s-eye view or your child’s view or an ant’s view, a different angle almost always makes a photo more interesting.”

Tip No. 3: Think about your lighting.

Before you snap, take a few seconds to look at the light, and the shadows that might fall on what or whom you’re shooting. The basics: You don’t want to shoot directly into a bright light source, and overhead lights aren’t great either. “I always suggest sticking to natural light when you’re using the camera on your phone,” says Kielinski. “Think light pouring into your house through a window. That’s always beautiful.”

Tip No. 4: Avoid busy backgrounds.

When searching for the perfect backdrop for photos, Kielinski looks for textured walls and lots of greenery—and steers clears of things like parking lots, or streets with lots of people walking around in the background. “You want to isolate your photo’s subject from the background if possible, which will draw your attention to your subject,” she says. “And make sure there’s nothing coming out of your subject’s head, like a branch or tree or a telephone pole. That isn’t a great look.”

Tip No. 5: Download Hipstamatic Classic.

If you really want to have some fun with different kinds of lens, color, and film filters, this app is a must, says Kielinski. “You take a photo through the app, and then you can play around with all kinds of filters to give your photo a distinct look,” she says.

—Linette Kielinski

LAND ANY JOB

Want to level up your interview skills and position yourself to land any job you want? Our go-to career and leadership coach has the advice you need. 

WHEN I DECIDED to leave my job in finance 3 years ago to become a career coach, I never imagined myself as an essential worker. But during the pandemic and the ensuing Great Resignation, people are making pivots from job to job and career to career. I’ve become the ultimate job search Sherpa, guiding my clients toward career moves that marry their passions with their lifestyles. If you want to make a change but not sure where to begin on your journey, here’s where to start:

REVAMP YOUR RÉSUMÉ AND LINKEDIN PROFILE.

There’s nothing worse than getting the “thanks, but no thanks” response within minutes of your online resume submission. Most companies rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) as the first line of review to suss out key words on résumé before it gets to a human. To get through the ATS, be sure key aspects of the job description are reflected on your résumé. Always quantify results of your accomplishments to demonstrate your value. Remember it’s OK to have multiple versions of your résumé based on the types of opportunities you maybe exploring.

As for LinkedIn, it’s an important tool that you shouldn’t overlook. There was a period of time that I avoided LinkedIn, but I quickly learned that I was missing opportunities to get noticed by potential employers. Think of LinkedIn as free marketing. And when you’re updating your profile, think beyond the profile pic. How you present yourself will help you stand out.

FIGURE OUT WHAT REALLY LIGHTS YOU UP.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, look back at your experiences and define both the contributions you’re most proud of and The ones that make you want to get out of bed. This exercise is especially valuable when you find that you’re not happy in your current role. It will help you figure out if you are running away from something or truly running toward something. For example, if you’re running away, you may love what you do but your manager or organizational culture may not fit your values; if you’re running to something, there’s a good chance you’re proud of the work you’ve done but it’s time to move onto the next challenge.

LEVERAGE YOUR NETWORK.

Applying for jobs online isn’t the only way to get noticed by employers. Research suggests 85 percent of positions are landed via networking connections, whether it’s with someone you already know, a referral, or someone you admire in a similar role to the one you want. Oftentimes, jobs aren’t even posted. That’s why it’s important to always cultivate your network—especially when you’re not actively on the job hunt. You never know when the next dream job will pop up just from catching up with contacts. Make it a point to stay connected and put yourself out there to people you don’t know.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Once you’ve distilled the types of opportunities that fuel your passion, develop a target list of roles and potential companies that align to your interests and values. Search LinkedIn and company career sites to not only explore what types of opportunities exist, but evaluate the commitment to inclusion and diversity and the types of employee benefits they offer. What’s their on-site and remote work approach? This research will also make you an informed candidate during your networking and interviewing process. Recruiters and hiring managers appreciate the extra effort candidates put in to understanding the company’s mission and values. Your research will also help you develop questions for your prospective employer, to see if it is a mutual match. Don’t forget, you’re interviewing them, too!

—Amita Mehta