Welcome to our new column, Career Therapy, where executive recruiter Pat Mastandrea will be answering all of your questions about your career path, career transitions, and career decisions. Read this Q&A, then email advice@thedailymuse.com to submit your own question!

Dear Pat,

I have been thinking a lot about my career lately, and I was so excited to see your column. I hope you can help give me some insight.

I am a 30-year-old PR professional. About four years ago, I was laid off from a large public relations firm, where I was an Account Executive. I was unemployed for about six months—which wasn’t uncommon at the time—before getting a job as an Account Supervisor at a small boutique firm, where I have been ever since. I really love my job, my clients, and the people I work with.

But, I’ve been thinking lately that perhaps my “good” job is stalling my career track. I’ve always pictured myself going back to a big firm at some point, becoming a VP, and leading a large team. The experience I’m getting at my current job is good—I manage two pretty big accounts—but I don’t manage other people because our team is so small. And there’s not any room for growth because the owners don’t really want the firm to grow much bigger. 

I don’t necessarily want to leave, because I like my job so much, but I think it might be the right move for my career. But on the other hand, I’ve been looking for jobs at big firms again, and I don’t think I would qualify for Account Supervisor roles because I haven’t managed other people. I’d have to take a step back and be an AE or SAE. Will that look terrible on my resume? 

Dear Reader,

First and foremost, you must reset your perspective that there is only one “right” career path. Let’s start with this piece of your concerns, given that it requires a big shift in thinking.

As with most things in life, there are multiple options and approaches to attaining career fulfillment. I have found over the years that executives do not place enough emphasis on happiness and having day-to-day job fulfillment and satisfaction. Rather, they focus on the hierarchical career path and approach, likened to “rungs on a ladder.” Instead, I recommend that people evaluate their career success and path based on “building blocks.”

In your specific case, while you may not be managing a staff in your current role, you are most likely obtaining a broader base of experiences and also gaining highly useful knowledge in an entrepreneurial environment. You are working on large accounts, doing good work, and thereby developing solid client management expertise. These are all positive attributes in today’s business world. In addition, your current role demonstrates your ability to “roll up your sleeves” and get into the trenches, a valuable skill that will help your professional reputation as your career progresses.

When potential employers look at your resume, they are not just looking for career trajectory. They are looking for your applicable and transferable skills and experiences. If you have solid recommendations and references and a respectful relationship with superiors and peers, that also means a lot to hiring companies. If you have these relationships, and you are able to clearly articulate your skills and accomplishments, I believe you’d have a lot to offer any company.

But, that doesn’t mean you have to leave. You will know when the time is right to make a career change because your position will no longer fulfill you and you will have most likely stopped learning. A good barometer when evaluating fit with any job is to assess your learning curve.

From what you wrote, I’m guessing you have an open dialogue with your boss. Never underestimate your manager’s ability to understand you and accommodate a stellar employee, especially a boss that you have a good relationship with. Have you been candid with your employer that you would like to oversee people and potentially move to the next level? If not, I recommend that you discuss your career openly and ask your boss for career advice. The ideal boss is also a mentor, so use him or her in this way.

I also have found that many times people value what they don’t have more than what they do have in a job—the classic “grass is greener” syndrome. I can assure you that many people at large companies wish they were at smaller companies today, especially given the common structures that create bureaucracy and cumbersome decision making processes. So, my advice is to get very clear on the pros and cons for each situation as you evaluate opportunities.

If you do decide to move on from your current role, you must be clear on what you need out of your next career move. Then, you need to assess the likelihood of accomplishing those goals in the roles you consider. The one and only reason you should leave your current “good” job is for growth, right? So, you should only join another company if it offers you that growth. Since you want to make a change for very specific needs, I would be clear during the interview process that you have to fulfill those needs, or at the very least, have a timeline guarantee for when you will. Never make a decision of this nature with broad sweeping promises—and, if needed, get some commitments from your new employer in writing.

In the end, clear communication with your current boss and any future boss is the best way to figure out your next career move with a win-win approach in mind.

Pat

Have a question for Career Therapy? Email advice@thedailymuse.com!

Looking for a new gig? Check out these great companies that are hiring now!

Photo of frustrated woman courtesy of Shutterstock.

Looking for a new gig? Or, just want to do some window shopping?

We know it’s not always easy to find great jobs. That’s why we created The Muse—a peek into some of the most inspiring places to work across the country. And each week, we’ll be bringing you a round-up of great jobs to apply for from those organizations.

This week, check out a selection of UX and UI jobs. Whether you’re just starting out in the field or you’re ready to lead a team, browse these open positions (or check out all of our companies that are hiring on The Muse!).

Interaction Designer

LivingSocial, Washington, DC

LivingSocial seeks an Interaction Designer to join the team. You’ll work closely with Product Managers to envision and architect consumer, merchant, and sales websites and mobile apps. For this role, you must be an expert in the Adobe CS and have a working knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at LivingSocial

UI Artist

Pocket Gems, San Francisco

Pocket Gems is looking for an avid gamer to help create the visual experience of its hit games. In this position, you’ll work with Game Designers and the UI Director to build logical UI flows and produce the final interface artwork.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at Pocket Gems

UX Designer

Birchbox, New York

Birchbox is seeking a passionate and thoughtful UX Designer to join the creative team. In this role, you’ll design feature experiences for all Birchbox consumer-facing products on the web and mobile, managing the process between tech and creative. Bonus points if you have agile experience.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at Birchbox

UI Designer

Livefyre, San Francisco

Livefyre is looking for a creative problem solver to turn static designs into intelligent HTML and CSS. Must be passionate about creating engaging interfaces, have a killer portfolio, and understand Adobe in and out.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at Livefyre

UX/UI Designer

imo, Silicon Valley

Are you a passionate and creative UX Designer who’s interested in streamlining web and mobile platforms? In this position, you’ll test imo’s features for usability and design well thought-out solutions for challenges across its platform.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at imo

Senior Interaction Designer

NPR, Washington, DC

NPR is looking for a Senior Interaction Designer to create compelling experiences for its suite of digital products. You’ll represent design on multidisciplinary project teams, working alongside UX Architects and Developers to help drive product vision.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at NPR

Interaction Designer

Tagged, San Francisco

Tagged is looking for an Interaction Designer to join its team. You’ll develop an understanding of customers through customer-focused research and translate this into delightful user experiences. Must be able to communicate concepts through sketches and storyboards.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at Tagged

User Experience Designer

Door3, New York

DOOR3 is looking for an experienced Designer to work closely with the Creative Team to generate crisp, innovative, and elegant design solutions for its clients. In this role, you’ll be responsible for developing wireframes and screen-flow diagrams and lead rapid iterations on a variety of ideas.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at Door3

Information Architect/User Experience Designer

7Summits, Milwaukee

7Summits is looking for the best and brightest minds to join its growing team. You’ll work on cutting-edge interactive experiences for social marketing and social business transformation and work with some of the most passionate people in the industry.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at 7Summits

Senior User Interface Engineer

MobileIron, Silicon Valley

MobleIron seeks a seasoned Senior UI Engineer to develop a web-based user interface for its next-generation Mobile Device Management platform. You’ll design and test UI software, fix product issues, and work across teams to develop new functionality. Degree in Computer Science a must.

Apply Now

See what it’s like to work at MobileIron

Breaking away from the 9-to-5 to go out on your own can be immensely rewarding. But it can also be terrifying—especially when you start to think about your finances.

Don’t let the seduction of a steady paycheck at your office job keep you from pursuing your own goals, though. By establishing a solid financial plan before you quit your day job, you can feel confident going at it alone. Here’s how to get started.

Calculate Your Bare Minimum

We’ve all heard the amazing success stories of those freelancers who’ve doubled their previous income. Chances are, though, they didn’t achieve that feat in their first month out.

If you’re not doing so already, I recommend tracking all of your spending for a couple months so you have an idea of what your normal cash flow looks like (there are all sorts of online tools to help—my favorites are Mint and LearnVest’s Money Center).

After two or three months, review your spending history with the goal of determining what, exactly, you need to bring in each month to live on. What’s the minimum amount of profit you need make to cover your bills and have a decent standard of living? While you may consider little luxuries essential (and hey, budgeting is all about allocating your money in the way that makes sense for you), this amount should at least cover your necessities like rent, insurance, and food.

Then, before cutting ties with your current employer, try living on that amount for a month or two, socking the rest of your salary away in savings. If you’re doing okay (or if the promise of a future payoff can keep you on track), that’s a great sign. This exercise will also help pad your savings a bit in case those first few months on your own are particularly lean.

Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that your bare minimum is realistic for someone in your field and of your skill set to make. Run your numbers through the FreelanceSwitch hourly rate calculator to help you determine how much you need to charge in order to meet your business and personal financial obligations, then do some research to see if that rate is realistic to charge.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

When you’re on your own, your income isn’t coming in regular paychecks. All of your clients might pay you one week—and you might go another six weeks before you get another check. So how do you prepare?

Having figured out the bare minimum you need to live on will help you here, but what’s more important is sticking to that number—even on those months when you bring in more business. Read: When your two biggest clients pay you on the same day, don’t celebrate your good fortune with an expensive night out and a shopping spree. You’ll be giving yourself future peace of mind when you save what you don’t need for your next lull—or for when you need a new laptop ASAP to meet your deadline.

I also recommend having a back-up plan in case you don’t have work coming in for a period of time. Keep in mind that there are only two ways to increase your profit: Cut costs or work more (or for more money). Which makes more sense for you— can you further cut your expenses to make it work? Can you take on a side gig?

Don’t Forget Taxes & Retirement

One thing you definitely need to keep in mind as you set up your budget? Taxes. As a freelancer, you should pay quarterly estimated taxes. Don’t wait to pay them all in April, or you’ll face fines from the IRS. Work with an accountant familiar with the tax code for the self-employed to determine how much you should be setting aside out of every payment you receive, and set up a separate savings account where you can stash the money that needs to go to Uncle Sam.

Also remember that it’s up to you to handle retirement contributions that your employer may have arranged in the past. As you plan the future of your business, make sure that you also continue to save for retirement. If you have an employer-funded account like a 401(k), now’s the time to roll it over into an individual account like an IRA or mutual fund. A trusted financial advisor can help you review your options.

Setting yourself up for financial success isn’t the most fun part of starting out as a freelancer—but it’s arguably the most important. So, create a solid budget, have a back-up plan, and prepare for the future—and then you can enjoy the fact that you’re out on your own!

Photo of freelancer budgeting courtesy of Shutterstock.

Every classroom had one. First hand raised, the right answer to every question, and a perfectly painted solar system science project to top it all off—the token overachiever.

And while you may have scoffed at his or her overreaching ways, let’s be honest: Whenever the teacher had a special assignment, reward, or treat to give out, it usually went to that one kid who always went above and beyond.

Turns out, the office isn’t much different. When you want to prove your worth (e.g., during your first week on the job or while you’re gunning for a promotion) you’ll want to be that person. Of course, you don’t want to be that annoying person, drawing attention to yourself for the sake of showing off—you want to demonstrate your value by making a genuine impact on your team.

So, how do you do it? To get you started, here are four ways to go above and beyond at work—without going over the top.

1. Put Feedback Into Action

One of the most impressive things you can do in your job is to strive to continually improve. (And alternatively, one of the worst things you can do is to make the same mistakes over and over again.) To do this, start by listening to the feedback you get from your manager and co-workers—and actually use it.

When your boss casually mentions that you left out the index page of your report or that you seemed a little timid in your presentation, pocket that information for later. The next time you have a similar assignment, put those corrections into action. As you continue to improve, your boss will be impressed that you’ve put that feedback to good use—and will realize that he or she doesn’t have to worry about proofreading your work or putting you in front of a big meeting anymore.

2. Anticipate Needs

“I’ve actually already started on that” is music to your manager’s ears—it means that instead of waiting for him or her to ask you to do something, you’ve already thought of it and taken action.

And while it may be impossible to always read your manager’s mind, start by thinking back to your previous projects. When you turn in your monthly report, does your boss always throw in a “Can you also you graph some of these numbers for the PowerPoint slides?” Instead of waiting for that question to arise—again—complete the charts and turn them in with the report.

Along the same lines, try to think about your department or company on a slightly higher level. Are you launching a new software update next week? You’ll probably need to get your department’s newest hire prepped for the impending influx of calls. Instead of waiting for your boss to ask you to go over those details with the new employee, take it upon yourself to teach him.

3. Bring Your Ideas to the Table

If you have an idea that’s going to improve efficiency, help you and your teammates perform your jobs better, or produce a financial boost for the company, your boss wants to hear about it. But to help you and your idea stand out even more—and increase the chance of it actually being executed—present it with a plan.

I often have employees who will casually mention, “We should really improve this process.” But the main reason that process never actually gets fixed is that no one makes concrete suggestions as to how it should be done. But one day, a pair of employees came to me with a documented process, typed out step-by-step. They explained they had been working on it here and there in their spare time for the past few weeks, and thought it would be an excellent solution. And you know what? It was.

If you bring an idea to the table with a plan, you’ll show your team and boss that you’re prepared, innovative, and dedicated to constant improvement. And as a bonus, those ideas are much more likely to be turned into reality.

4. Go Out of Your Way

You’ve probably heard some pretty crazy customer service stories—like the steakhouse that delivered dinner to a weary traveler as he arrived at the airport after a long flight—simply because he had posted a tweet requesting a steak just hours earlier. Or a grocery store that offered to deliver groceries for a snowed-in WWII veteran—even though the store didn’t actually have a delivery service.

And I know what you may be thinking: I’m not allowed to make extreme gestures like that. But no matter your company’s resources or the leeway you’re given to interact with your clients or co-workers, you can still go out of your way to make your interaction a little more memorable: When it’s 4:50 PM and a client calls, answer the phone—even though you’d like to just ignore it, pack up, and head home. When a customer makes a slightly strange request, see what you can do to make it happen instead of just replying, “Sorry, I can’t do that. Company policy.” When you show this kind of commitment—everyone will notice.

When you consistently incorporate these things into your daily life at work, you’ll quickly rise above the ranks. But more than being known as the employee who’s just trying to elbow his or her way to a promotion, you’ll be seen as the employee who genuinely wants to see the department and team succeed.

Photo of woman at work courtesy of Shutterstock.

Have you seen the latest Iron Man sequel? Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his career-changing role as the sardonic Tony Stark, a reckless playboy who is secretly Iron Man.

And every summer, really, it seems like the blockbuster films and TVs shows are the ones that center on iconic superheroes and their classically menacing rivals. So this week, add some action into your subway reading with the best-loved heroes from Batman to Wonder Woman.

On Your Kindle

Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight, by Travis Langley

Want to find out what is it about the man “behind the mask” that keeps us interested in Bruce Wayne? Even if you’re as clueless about comics as I am, you’ll be intrigued by this forthcoming book about the psychological nuances of various portrayals of Batman. Langley looks at the different versions of Batman, including the campy Batman portrayed by Adam West and grittier incarnations in the recent Christopher Nolan films.

On Your Smartphone

“Superheroines, Fighters, and Why Isn’t There a Wonder Woman Movie?” by Linda Holmes, NPR

I love Linda Holmes’ work for NPR about pop culture and media. (She wrote one of my favorite bittersweet columns, about how we’ll never be able to read everything.) In this article, she covers an upcoming PBS documentary on Wonder Woman, the comic book heroine whose mythical story parallels much of women’s lives in 20th-century America. From factory work in the WWII era to television in the ’70s, it’s no wonder she’s an icon for so many women.

On a Podcast

“Superheroes Inspired by Islam,” a TED Talk by Naif al-Mutawa

In this fascinating TED talk, Naif al-Mutawa discusses his new superhero series, The 99, which aims to defeat stereotypes about Islam by creating Muslim heroes who “confront evil” and battle against terrorism. Inspired by classic American comics of the 1930s, al-Mutawa blends the traditional framework of superheroes (who are often portrayed as orphans with transformative origin stories) with Islamic cultural references and history.

Old School

Dining With the Doctor, by Chris Rachael Oselans

Dozens of people I know are completely mad for Dr. Who, the long-running British science-fiction series about a time-traveling doctor and his companions. While I’ve never gotten into the show myself, I imagine this “unauthorized Whovian” cookbook may be the perfect gift for many of them. If you dream of the TARDIS, these party-friendly recipes might be right up your time-traveling alley.

Photo courtesy of Mo Riza.

This article is from our friends at LearnVest, a leading site for personal finance.

I take a sip of chilled Sauvignon Blanc while gazing at the sprawling vineyards below my balcony. With the sun on my face, my husband and I dig into some fresh fruit from the local farmers’ market—crisp pears, figs, and goat cheese.

A warm breeze flutters the gauzy fabric of my sundress as we open our laptops to start the workday. It’s 1:00 PM in Santa Cruz, Chile, 9:00 AM on the West Coast in the U.S.—and day 17 of our “workation.”

Six years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I set out to find a way to develop our careers while traveling the world—and without breaking the bank.

People told us we were crazy.

During some of our low points—power outages in China, freak storms in Belgium and lost luggage in South America—we thought that they might be right. But the highlights, such as working from a cruise ship that was sailing through Chilean fjords, have made what we have dubbed our “workations” worth the effort.

To date, we’ve taken our virtual office to 24 locations, turning the process of traveling while working into a science. Whether you’re an independent entrepreneur like me or you hold down a regular 9-to-5 (the way my husband does as a marketing manager for an education company), you, too, can see the high-rises of Shanghai, the peaks of Patagonia, or the beaches in Singapore—all while achieving your career goals.

The Career Benefits of Workations

Before you decide that taking a workation would be the equivalent of committing job suicide, consider these facts:

• Research has found that multi-cultural experiences and exotic surroundings generate more inspired and creative work.
• Workations decrease stress, which increases productivity, and leads to fewer sick days. Studies show that people with high levels of stress spend nearly 50% more on health expenses.
• A study in the Harvard Business Review found that when employees take just one day off per week, they report greater job satisfaction, more open communication with team members and better work-life balance, compared to regular employees.

As long as you do it right, a workation could very well improve your performance. Here are six of my personal tips to help get you on the road to work-travel bliss.

1. Take Stock of Your Job

It’s true that workations best lend themselves to certain professions, especially ones that require a lot of computer work. So surgeons or chefs probably won’t be able to pull off a workation regularly, if at all.

But if you do have a job that can be done mostly by computer or phone, you should try to fit workations—even just one every year or two—into your life. As for work tasks that need to be done in person, most can be accomplished virtually on a temporary basis, such as face-to-face meetings via Skype or conference calls conducted using speakerphone.

For example, my husband is on work video chat from 9 to 5, so his team can send questions any time—and ask to see the view from wherever in the world we’re working.

2. Prepare Before Talking to Your Boss

First, try to schedule a workation for times that work best with your office schedule, such as a slow month. Or look at tacking a workation onto a work conference or some other event that requires travel, so you can spend a few extra days workationing before or after the work trip.

Once you pinpoint a good time, draft a plan to make your workation go as smoothly as possible. It should account for any necessary meetings, time zone differences and your ability to stay in touch. If needed, plan to also work during the hours that you normally spend commuting. And try to propose the idea of a workation to your manager right after you’ve delivered on an important goal—no boss will grant a workation to an employee who isn’t performing well.

3. Choose a Vacation-Worthy Destination

Now for the fun part. If you aren’t tied to a specific location due to a work event, then pick a destination that excites you.

Our home base is Portland, Oregon, and my husband and I structure our workations based on locations with the best weather. During the winter we’ll travel to the Southern Hemisphere where it’s summer, such as South America, Australia, and New Zealand. And we spend summers in the United States, Europe, or Asia.

Our general schedule is to spend four to six weeks at home, regrouping and conducting in-person work, and then head on a two- to four-week workation. This allows us to conduct necessary face-to-face business and get out of town.

4. Organize Communication Methods

Technology is essential for seamless workations, so make sure that your destination has speedy Internet access. And coordinate with your office on which technologies you will need to use to keep in touch, like attending meetings via video (Google offers free video chat) and conducting conference calls on Skype.

5. Travel Affordably

Workations don’t need to break the bank. Consider swapping your apartment with a fellow traveler to save on hotel costs, or check out Airbnb and VRBO, which feature furnished, short-term apartments and homes for rent.

You can also rent out your own home to cover housing costs and earn extra travel money. (Some cities have made short-term renting illegal, so just be sure to research whether regulations in your cities make this a viable option for you.)

My husband and I pay about $1,200 in monthly housing expenses. However, thanks to the short-term-rental market rates in our Portland neighborhood, we can charge up to $3,200 per month or $108 a night—which covers our rent and gives us an extra $2,000 to spend on flights and other travel costs.

6. Balance Work With Vacation

Be sure to spend evenings and time on the weekends away from the computer, so you actually get refreshed by your new surroundings. If you are in a different time zone, designate certain working hours each day—and set boundaries with colleagues by letting them know when you will be online.

Although workations can help you feel rejuvenated, it’s also important to take full work-free vacations, which are essential for our minds and bodies to rest.

To keep up on Vanessa Van Edwards’ latest workation adventures, visit LivingRadically.com.

More From LearnVest

• 7 Tricks to Ace a Remote Interview
• 6 Money-Saving Summer Airfare Secrets
• How I Did It: I Sold Everything to Travel the World for Five Years

Photo of woman working outside courtesy of Shutterstock.

You’re in an executive meeting. The guy to your left stands, pounds his fist on the table and barks about whatever he thinks matters. “He’s so passionate about our business!” somebody comments, almost in awe. The next guy, the one across the table, adds his two cents, nearly shouting in disagreement. And the boss steps in to temper the team. “No need to be so aggressive,” he says, chuckling with a wink.

Now it’s your turn. You don’t agree with one of the initiatives for the upcoming quarter. So you speak up—just as equally passionate and aggressive as your male colleagues. But what you hear in response is something along the lines of: “No need to get so emotional,” and in the hallway, someone whispers, “She’s so bitchy.”

Can you picture it? I bet you can. Have you lived it? Chances are, you have—or something like it. I’ve seen this double standard in every company, in every boardroom, in every department: When females speak and behave in similar fashion to their male counterparts, rather than earning equal accolades and praise, they often incur just the opposite. “Boys will be boys,” as they say, but women can’t seem to win, dismissed as a girl or shunned because of perceived “sharp elbows.”

So if you (through likely no fault of your own) are one of these women being perceived as “rough around the edges,” what are you to do?

Well, in this girl’s opinion, when we’re called emotional, bitchy, or [fill in the offensive blank], what we’re really being told is, “I’m feeling threatened.” It’s not fair, but it’s true. So, if you feel like you’re in this situation—my advice is to engage in a bit of “spit and polish:” Recognize what is and make some subtle changes that will work to your advantage. Here’s how.

1. Don’t Be Aggressive, Be Assertive

Aggressive is defined as being ready or likely to attack, while assertive is defined as showing a confident and forceful personality. When you’re assertive, you are authoritative, you look people in the eye at their level, you use a respectful tone, and you calmly make declarative statements. You use a tone that’s caring and non-destructive, not one that’s dictatorial and “my way or the highway.”

Basically, you bring the threat level down. Try it—no matter what tone everyone else is using—and you just might find that your point comes across even stronger.

2. Don’t Speak First, Play Piggyback

People generally like to hear themselves talk. So let them. And when you have something to say, say it—but do so by piggybacking on what your colleagues just said. Use their words to get your own point across.

Say you feel strongly about the ever-increasing budget of a project. Instead of fighting to get your message across as soon as possible, try listening first, then chiming in when it makes sense, with something like, “Steve, I’m really glad you brought up your concerns about the project’s delivery dates. I’m concerned about that, too, especially for the financial implications.”

3. Don’t Disagree, Agree (Even When You Really Don’t)

I know, I know. Sounds like a bad policy, doesn’t it? But hear me out: Everything anyone says will include something you will agree with. True, that something may be the fact that it’s English being spoken, but that doesn’t matter. Always start out by agreeing, and then further your message by focusing on how that agreement equates to what you actually want to push forward.

For example, “Bob, I agree with you that our highest priority is increasing sales leads right now. And I think you’ll agree that in Q4 we didn’t quite deliver, which is why I’m suggesting we move forward doing it this way… ”

4. Don’t Make Statements, Ask Questions

The person who asks the questions holds the power. How? She directs the conversation along without having to actually disagree with anyone. Next time someone says something you want to push back on, piggyback, agree, and redirect with a question: “So Charlie, when you said earlier that we cut the advertising budget by 30%—what are your thoughts on how to achieve our customer acquisition goals?”

One simple, harmless question, and you’ve gotten your point across without having to disagree with anyone.

Is it fair that men and women are perceived differently in the workplace for doing and saying exactly the same things? Not at all. But do I see it happen all the time? Absolutely. And when you find yourself in this situation—when speaking your mind is going to get you nowhere—the best thing you can do is what you do so well in any other business setting: Know what you’re working with and play the game accordingly.

Photo of women in meeting courtesy of Shutterstock.

Once just a town for provincial pints at the local pub, London has long since blossomed into a cosmopolitan cocktailing city with as many options for getting tipsy as there are nightlife personalities.

Sure, you can still pop into a classic tavern for an afternoon brew, but you can also pair your drinking pleasures with sultry lounge scenes, bumpin’ dance floors, and master mixology.

And whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, you’ll surely need to kick back with a drink or two. Here are five of our favorite London bars to fit a range of moods and occasions, from the relaxed to the rowdy.

For the Afternoon Pint: Commercial Tavern

This amiable spot departs from the usual dark wood tavern style with eccentric décor: Whimsical touches include settees, framed bicycles, cuckoo clocks on the ceiling, and a wall of tea cups and saucers (a little “Mad Hatter,” if you will).

Despite the appearance, though, it still maintains a semblance of a historic tavern feel, especially with a motley crew of regulars and four hand pumps at the bar (they’ve got ales, lagers, and even organic cider on tap). In nice weather, knock back your pint at one of the outdoor picnic tables.

For the Casual Reveler: Crazy Homies

Riotously colorful south-of-the-border decorations and pounding of-the-moment Latin tunes set the festive scene at this offbeat Mexican restaurant and edgy black-walled basement bar. There’s not a lot of seating, but the quasi-communal tables make fraternizing a cinch, and the strong drinks are worth braving the crowds for. Plus, you can just roll in with jeans and a funky t-shirt—perfect for an impromptu evening of tequila tasting or delish margaritas with your amigos.

For the Aspiring Mixologist: Milk & Honey

The unmarked entrance and members-only vibe add to the mystique of this storied mixology den (non-members are only admitted with a reservation until 11:00 PM and restricted to the early part of the week). If you’re lucky enough to get in the door, you’ll be greeted with dark chocolate leather sofas, low lights, and candles aplenty—a stylish setting for seriously stellar drinks.

The bartenders squeeze their own juices, glassware is chilled to precision temperatures, and they count the number of shakes and stirs to ensure the perfect mix. Savor flavorful concoctions like the Pisco Punch (pisco, pineapple, lemon, falernum, and champagne) or the French Pearl (gin, mint, lime, sugar, and absinthe), or challenge the barkeeps with a bespoke request.

For the Lounge Lover: Beach Blanket Babylon

Go Rococo at this hot, sexy lounge and club modeled after a French country chateau. The space itself is gorgeous (boho chic décor, stunning marble bar, oversized flower arrangements), and the beautiful crowd tucked into intimate nooks and candlelit tables is pretty nice to look at, too. Get your lounge on with eclectic, well-made cocktails from the Lychee and Chilli Sling (gin, lychee liquor, and red chili pepper) to the extra delicious BBB Mojito. There’s a dance floor downstairs should you want to stir things up, but it’s enough to simply wet your whistle and drink in the scene.

For the Dancing Crew: Mahiki 

Shaking your tail feathers while sweating coconut rum is a surefire way to beat the London gloom, and this tiki hotspot is the perfect place to do it. It’s a little like the classic Trader Vic’s but on Polynesian steroids: Coconut Grenades are served in whole frozen coconuts, the space is covered in tropical kitsch, and the dance floor in the downstairs Aloha party room is humid enough to rival a hot afternoon in Tahiti. Prince Harry has been known to pop in, but there’s no attitude here—the royals party like the rest of us.

For more information on these hotspots, see our Passport to Hip London Nightlife. And for even more great tips on everything to make your trip to London fabulous, see our complete London guide online or in eBook format. 

Love to jet set? Work for one of these travel companies!

Photo of London bar courtesy of Bikeworldtravel / Shutterstock.com.

After you have a few interviews under your belt, you typically know how to go into one feeling confident. You already know what to wear, what time to show up, what to bring, and what to research in advance to be prepared.

But it’s harder to leave the interview feeling really good. No matter how well you answer tough questions or connect with the hiring manager, most of us can’t help but feel a little nervous or shaken after an interview.

The good news is: You’re not doomed to feel this way every time. Here are a few smart ways to improve not just how you interview—but how you’ll feel about it after the fact.

1. Ask for What You Need

I have a good friend whose job it is to ask the crazy tough questions—you know, the “How many golf balls fit into a limousine?” types. He typically leads with one about the angle produced by the hour and minute hand of a clock at a given time.

And he can almost immediately separate those who will get it right from the rest of the pack: It’s the candidates who request a pen and paper who nail it, because they’re able to better visualize the clock when they draw it out.

Whether you’d like a pen and paper or a glass of water, don’t be shy. By asking for what you need, you increase your chances of succeeding—and the likelihood of feeling successful when you leave. (Caveat: Do not ask for a pen and paper simply for the purpose of taking notes—that’s a signal that you came unprepared.)

2. Treat Every Staff Member Equally

Imagine you’re invited to interview with a senior executive, a mid-level manager, and a junior member of a team. What’s one of the biggest mistakes you could make? Focusing your eye contact and answers only on the senior member, particularly in response to questions he or she didn’t even ask.

Instead, make it a point to connect with every single person you meet—from the receptionist who greets you to every employee you talk to in both group and solo meetings. If you really act like you’re a member of the team, you’ll feel more like one after the interview.

3. Have a “Think for a Moment” Phrase

Questions that catch you by surprise can definitely throw you off your game. I remember being asked once, “What are three words your friends would use to describe you?”—and two of my three were “nerdy and funny.” I seriously kicked myself for that answer later (Hello, Sara, what about thorough or honest?).

So, what should you do if you get one of these questions, and you don’t want a minute of dead air? Come up with a go-to phrase to stall, which gives you extra time to gather your thoughts. Two strategies that work well are repeating the question thoughtfully before answering or saying (slowly), “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say… ” When you give yourself a few moments to come up with your best answer, you’ll feel great about how you performed.

4. Only Use Words You Know

When you’re at an interview, you want to put your best foot forward. So, of course, you’ll want to use polycentric—oops, I meant polysyllabic!—words.

Get my drift? Utilizing an intelligent vocabulary is worthwhile—but don’t use words you don’t normally say in conversation (or don’t fully know the meaning of). Not only do you not want to come off as an awkward conversationalist (who answers “How are you?” with “Flourishing!”), but you don’t want to spend the whole way home wondering if you said rectify or rectory (and which one means amend). Be true to the way you speak whenever you’re in a professional setting, and you’ll leave feeling confident.

5. Take Notes

Taking notes about the questions you’ve been asked is your best friend in an interview. Why? Because, on the off chance there’s something you left feeling shaky about, you can revisit the issue in your thank you note.

How does this work? Write what you’d typically write in the first and last paragraphs of your note (i.e., the “thank you for taking the time” parts), but weave in a middle paragraph that addresses any unfinished business.

In my case, this might have read: “I realize I didn’t fully elaborate when I said my friends say I’m ‘nerdy and funny.’ I was actually speaking to my love of learning new things and my ability to put others at ease when communicating with them—both of which I think would be great assets to the position.” Not surprisingly, being able to clarify any concerns will make you feel better.

Interviewing is a skill like any other. Getting good takes practice—and feeling good about it takes even more. But keep pushing yourself to add new skills to your interview toolbox, and you’ll get to a point where the majority of the time, you’ll feel like you rocked it.

Looking for a new gig? Check out these companies that are hiring now!

Photo of woman interviewing courtesy of Shutterstock.