Kat Boogaard
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✏️ Freelance writer offering helpful tips, resources, and plenty of relatable sarcasm for fellow freelancers.
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Articles by Kat Boogaard
How do I create a job ad that attracts great candidates?
This article was paid for by ZipRecruiter You've written a job ad for an open role. You list every qualification you can think of, mention "competitive pay" and "a fast-paced environment" and hit publish. In a few hours, your inbox is either flooded with hundreds of unqualified applicants or, worse still, totally empty. What went wrong? Sure, some job seekers don't pay attention to where they're applying. But your job ads may be to blame, too.
How do companies find employees in a competitive market?
This article was paid for by ZipRecruiter Finding employees is a common challenge among small business owners looking to expand. A large applicant pool may sound like a blessing, but how do companies find employees in a competitive market without the benefit of a dedicated recruitment team? These six strategies can help you find strong candidates — regardless of your company's size or budget. ZipRecruiter Learn More 500+ customizable job templates, with tools for small.
Stop guessing payroll taxes: How small business owners can get the numbers right
This article was paid for by QuickBooks Payroll Does figuring out payroll taxes feel like you’re throwing a dart and hoping you land near the bullseye? You’re not alone. Las Vegas veterinary services professional San Priy became a co-owner of pet supplies site WeeWag in 2021 and started managing its payroll three years later. “I assumed if I paid employees and set aside what looked like the right amount, things would work out at tax time,” Priy told CNBC Select.
Structured Service Programs Are ‘Career Shelters’ in a Stormy Job Market
Updated March 3, 2026 In a shaky job market, some workers are finding stability in an unexpected place: structured, mission-driven service programs.Programs like Teach for America and City Year appear to be functioning as a kind of “career shelter” — offering stipends, benefits, training and a defined start date at a time when traditional entry-level roles feel harder to secure.
The Dunning-Kruger effect: why and how we overestimate our own abilities
Have you ever felt totally confident in a project, decision, or new skill – only to realize later how much you missed? That’s the Dunning-Kruger effect. It’s a cognitive bias that occurs when a person overestimates their own knowledge and abilities. Unfortunately, it’s not reserved for the most smug or optimistic among us. The Dunning-Kruger effect can happen to anyone – yep, including you. While realizing you had an inflated self-view can sting, it’s more about awareness than basic intelligence.
8 Creative Ways To Access Capital for Your Small Business
This article was paid for by Intuit QuickBooks. Big dreams for your small business? You have plenty. Spare capital? Not so much. When you're busy keeping things running, you may not have the time or resources to attract venture capitalists, much less get approved for a loan.
5 Features to Look for in a Money App for Your Teen
This article was paid for by Cash App. Whether it comes from a part-time job through direct deposit or from a parent directly, every teen wants to have spending money. And while cash isn’t entirely obsolete in the eyes of teenagers, there’s no denying that the world is increasingly digital and cashless. This means more families are turning to banking apps to give their teens pocket money, monitor their spending and saving habits, and help them build their money management muscles early on.
What to do when you can’t afford inventory: A guide for small businesses
This article was paid for by SBG Funding You’re prepping your business for the holiday season, but there’s one big problem: You’re short on inventory. It’s a catch-22: You need to make sales to pay for additional stock, but you need more stock to make any sales. Fortunately, this is a dilemma with several solutions. Financing options A variety of small-business financing options are available to help cover the cost of additional inventory. 1.
6 Dos And Don’ts When Sending Money Online
This article was paid for by Cash App. Whether you're splitting a restaurant bill with friends or paying your half of the rent, the days when you'd count out a stack of bills or write a check are long gone. Money transfer apps make it easy to send (or receive) money in just a few taps. However, this convenience comes with concerns, particularly when it comes to protecting your financial information and other sensitive data.
When is it time to open a small business bank account?
This article was paid for byMercury. If you're thinking of starting a small business — or you have one already — one of the most important things you need to do is manage your money. From managing capital to making payments or handling payroll, you'll need a dedicated spot for all of your business income and expenses. A dedicated business bank account can help. Mercury Banking_Select What is a small business bank account?
How to apologise for a professional mistake, especially when you're working remotely
Mistakes happen – at work and everywhere else. Everybody makes them. While it’s easy to spiral into self-loathing when you slip up, a mistake isn’t a sign that you’re unskilled. It simply means you’re human. Here’s the even better news: Your mistake doesn’t have to define you, especially if you find the right way to move forward. That starts with a genuine and professional apology. Saying “sorry” at work can be intimidating, but this guide on how to apologise for a mistake professionally can help.
How to analyze your employee engagement survey results
Every employer wants a highly engaged workforce – and using a survey to measure employee engagement is a key step in achieving that. But it’s only the first step. Regularly collecting employee feedback through surveys signals that you’re listening to your workers and eager to do better. However, it’s what you do with that survey data that holds the most weight with your employees. Put simply, they don’t just want you to collect information – they want you to act on it.
A manager's ultimate guide to effective succession planning
When you promote an employee, much of the focus is on what's next. You talk through the responsibilities they'll take on, the skills they'll develop, and the initiatives they'll lead. But there's another important thing to think through: what's left? When an employee makes a move - whether they move up or move out entirely - you end up with a blank space on your org chart. Their old responsibilities and tasks are left uncovered.
148 icebreaker questions you'll keep coming back to
It's easy for icebreaker questions to feel obligatory - an inauthentic exercise everybody feigns interest in before moving on to the meat of the meeting. But don't underestimate the power of the humble icebreaker - it's been long established that, when you do it right, they actually work. In one 1997 study, researchers asked pairs of participants to share information about themselves.
How to harness the power of professional development goals
Though it's become something of a cliche, it's probably not too often that we're actually posed the question "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Some among us will have that five-year plan mapped out and memorized - they'd be able to answer without missing a beat. But for many more of us, even if we're happy at work, there's a distinct lack of ownership over our professional paths. A whopping nine in 10 workers say they feel stuck in their jobs.
Authoritative Leadership: Definition, Pros, and Cons
The term authoritative leadership sounds scary. It seems rigid and firm - like the very picture of ruling with an iron fist. But if you dig deeper into authoritative leadership, you'll quickly realize that it's not quite as unforgiving as the name implies.
Working more than 40 hours a week: Why it can do more harm than good
You want your team to work hard. But when it comes to work hours, more isn’t necessarily better.
Concierge Medicine Today | Industry Trade Publication
National Headlines Improving Co-Worker Relationships: 5 Steps for Initiating Change in a “We’ve Always Done it This Way” Office So, what exactly can you do if your employer immediately scoffs at the idea of tweaking anything—aside from just complaining about it? Well, here are a few steps that can help you effectively present your thoughts and (hopefully) get the gears in motion.
10 Habits of Successful Talent Acquisition Leaders
It’s been a challenging few years for talent acquisition leaders. First, there was the onset of the pandemic and the sudden pivot to remote hiring practices. Then there was the Great Resignation and the impact it had on workers’ perceptions and expectations of their jobs and employers. And now there’s ongoing economic shakiness and hiring volatility. What's the best job for you? Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love.
How Hailley Griffis Achieved a Six-Figure Income
Ask anybody to live in San Francisco on $37,000 a year and they’ll probably laugh in your face. Ask Hailley Griffis, however? Challenge accepted. After what she describes as an “unsuccessful” stint freelancing after graduating with her degree in communications and political science, she accepted her first full-time job at a tech company in San Francisco. What's the best job for you? Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love.
5 Women Who Earn a Six-Figure Income and How They Did It
There’s the corner office. The flashy job title. The premier parking spot. For as long as we’ve been working, we’ve been setting benchmarks for success—notable milestones that make it clear when we’ve officially “made it.” But since the 1980s, most people have set their sights on the same finish line: a six-figure salary. Many think of this financial achievement as a career pinnacle and a moment worth celebrating and commemorating. What's the best job for you?
How This Humanitarian Pro Found Success With Entrepreneurship
For most people, a substantial income is the end goal. The finish line. The dream. And Reece got there, earning up to $180,000 per year in various humanitarian development role after getting her master's degree in public health. What's the best job for you? Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you: How many years of experience do you have? What company benefits are most important to you? Calculating your job matches...
How This Supply Chain Pro Built a Purposeful and Profitable Career
For Dorothy Mashburn, a senior executive of global procurement based in Arizona, earning money was never the primary goal. “I wanted to be in a field that makes a difference,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to make an impact.” She does that now in her role with a medical technology company, where she and her team are responsible for making sure that all of the supplies the company needs are available at the right price and at the right time. What's the best job for you?
How This Tax Pro Commanded a Big Salary in San Francisco
“My parents always said they thought I would make a good accountant,” Samantha Blonstein jokes. Because sure enough, that’s the career she chose after getting her undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s degree in tax. What's the best job for you? Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you: How many years of experience do you have? What company benefits are most important to you? Calculating your job matches...
How This Former Hospitality Pro Switched to a Lucrative Tech Career
Everything is negotiable. For Shenae, that’s not an empty sentiment—they’re words to live by. And she’s certainly done so. What's the best job for you? Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you: How many years of experience do you have? What company benefits are most important to you? Calculating your job matches...
PDF or Word for Your Resume: Which One Is Best?
PDF resumes have long been the standard. But recently, Word resumes have gained more popularity, sparking plenty of passionate debates and strong opinions. It begs the question: Should you submit your resume as a PDF or Word document? The stakes feel high. Get your resume format wrong and you risk jumbled formatting or, even worse, a document that’s completely inaccessible and illegible. That’s why there’s no shortage of hot takes on resume format.
The manager experience: The good, bad, and surprising
So much of the conversation about employee experience focuses on a company’s individual contributors. The manager experience gets far less attention. How are your leaders? How does their experience with your organization differ from that of more junior employees? What unique challenges are they facing? Being a manager is a career achievement, and the position has distinct advantages.
Critical thinking skills: what they are and how to build them
Have you heard the riddle about two coins that equal thirty cents, but one of them is not a nickel? What about the one where a surgeon says they can’t operate on their own son? Those brain teasers tap into your critical thinking skills. But your ability to think critically isn’t just helpful for solving those random puzzles – it plays a big role in your career. An impressive 81% of employers say critical thinking carries a lot of weight when they’re evaluating job candidates.
Analysis Paralysis: Definition, Example, and Tips
Imagine you and your team need to decide how (and if) to respond to a recent negative customer review. Somebody makes the case for leaving it unanswered. Another team member feels strongly that you should defend yourselves. Somebody else thinks you should keep it simple with a generic, "Thanks for your thoughts!" comment. Another person thinks you should have your senior leadership team respond. You go around and around and you end up with plenty of choices, all of which have their pros and cons.
How to Use Social Media for Personal Branding
Just do it. Have it your way. Got milk. Eat fresh. They’re some of the most famous and recognizable brand taglines. All it takes is a few words to conjure up an entire understanding of the attached brand—the company’s products, aesthetic, and overall personality. But you? You aren’t a pair of sneakers or a sandwich. You’re a person, not a product. And that makes the idea of cultivating a “brand” for yourself seem…well, a little weird. What exactly is a personal brand? You do have a brand, though.
Decision Fatigue: Definition, Examples, and Tips
What should you eat for breakfast? What email should you answer first? Who should take the notes in your team meeting? What project will your team prioritize next? Which candidate are you going to hire? What route are you taking home? Trivial or consequential, we make a lot of decisions – some sources estimate as many as 35,000 choices every single day. That level of control can sometime feel freeing, but it can also be incredibly taxing.
How to make the most of people analytics
These days, it’s all about data – and that rings especially true in HR. All of your initiatives, suggestions, and changes need to be supported by real data. That’s what helps you build a compelling case for business leaders. But while data adds credibility, working with it can be challenging.
Asynchronous work: What it is and how to embrace it
It’s no secret that employees want flexibility – a demand that’s picked up steam in recent years. An impressive 94% of workers say they want flexibility in when they work, and 80% want flexibility in where they work. But giving workers the control and autonomy they desire isn’t as simple as providing some schedule freedom or allowing people to work from home.
8 Steps to Take Before Starting a New Job
8 Steps to Take Before Starting a New Job Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com. Starting a new job can invoke a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, you’re excited about the opportunities in front of you. But mixed in with that enthusiasm may be a hefty dose of nerves. How will you get adjusted? Will your new co-workers like you? What are you supposed to do about lunch?
Project planner for freelance writers
hello@freelancebold.com Be the first to know when we launch new features and events. The simple and powerful digital tool to manage your workload, plan future projects, track your income, and run a balanced freelance writing business. Get instant access for $59: “The single most useful planning tool in my freelance business.” Metrics Problem 1: You’re overcommitted and burnt out. When a new potential client comes your way, you don’t want to miss the chance to work with them.
These are the only states that don't charge sales taxes
2 of 9 Photos in Gallery If you sell physical goods, sales tax collection is more than likely required. There are only five states that don’t have a statewide sales tax:AlaskaDelawareMontanaNew HampshireOregonIf your business location is in one of the other 45 states and you sell physical goods, you’ll need to collect sales tax from customers. However, there are also exceptions based on the type of physical goods you sell.Each state has its own unique list of taxable goods.
These are the only states that don't charge sales taxes
The answer to this question depends on various factors, like your business location and the type of goods or services you sell. Much of the sales tax collection puzzle hinges on that second piece: what your business offers. Tax obligations differ between physical goods, services, and digital products. Image Credit: jacoblund. If you sell physical goods, sales tax collection is more than likely required.
Employee wellbeing at work: What it is and how to foster it
Employers are aiming for a lot of meaningful targets. They want better employee engagement, higher productivity, and improved retention. These are all worthwhile goals – but they’re also outcomes, not inputs. They’re not things you can act on directly, but rather results of your employee experience and your other efforts to support your workers. So what levers can you pull to improve those metrics (and plenty of others too)? Employee wellbeing is one of the biggest. What exactly is wellbeing at work?
The ultimate cashflow guide for small businesses
What is cash flow? Cash flow is money coming into your business or going out. Cash inflow is the money you collect, while the definition of cash outflow is the money you're spending. Net cash flow is the cash you have left after all the outflows. Cash flow inflows and outflows appear on the cash flow statement as one of the following: Operating cash flow Financing cash flow Investing cash flow Cash inflow vs cash outflow Cash inflows can be physical cash or deposits that hit your bank account.
8 Steps to Take Before Starting a New Job
You're in business to make money. One way to increase profit, of course, is to cut expenses. A savvy small business owner can wring substantial savings from their commercial insurance. The key is to reduce costs without gutting your coverage. Saving is great, but you cannot put your venture at risk just to save a few dollars. Here are 14 tips for reducing your business insurance premiums. 1. Shop your coverage with several providers.
How to prove your employee experience ROI
What do employee engagement, productivity, performance, satisfaction, and retention all have in common? They’re all things that organizations want to improve. But there’s another big commonality: They’re all outcomes of a solid employee experience. Your employee experience captures everything that people encounter and observe over the course of their employment with your organization – and getting it right enhances all of the above.
8 Steps to Take Before Starting a New Job
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com. Starting a new job can invoke a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, you’re excited about the opportunities in front of you. But mixed in with that enthusiasm may be a hefty dose of nerves. How will you get adjusted? Will your new co-workers like you? What are you supposed to do about lunch? And if this is your first remote job, you may worry about the tech and how you’ll handle all those new unknowns.
8 Steps to Take Before Starting a New Job
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com. Starting a new job can invoke a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, you’re excited about the opportunities in front of you. But mixed in with that enthusiasm may be a hefty dose of nerves. How will you get adjusted? Will your new co-workers like you? What are you supposed to do about lunch? And if this is your first remote job, you may worry about the tech and how you’ll handle all those new unknowns.
Beginner’s Guide to the Zettelkasten Method
That enlightening article you read while sipping (okay, chugging) your morning coffee. That podcast episode you listened to at the gym. That resonant quote printed on your coffee cup. Every single day is an avalanche of input (and you probably have the fatigue and eye strain to prove it).
How does change affect employee engagement? | Culture Amp
To say that organizations and employees have endured a lot of change over the past few years feels like a vast understatement. From shifting work arrangements and new technologies to layoffs and geopolitical instability, workplaces around the world continue to experience a pervasive sense of uncertainty. And while change is normal and healthy, it’s still hard.
How to successfully conduct an employee engagement survey
Many HR professionals pride themselves on keeping up with the latest research in their field and finding new ways to advance their work. But as businesses of all sizes continue to face uncertainty, there’s also tremendous value in narrowing your focus and going back to the basics. The benefits of employee engagement are within reach – even for businesses that are cutting costs and asking their people to do more with less.
How to get paid faster with recurring bill payments
Your business needs a lot from you, and you welcome any opportunity to put tasks on autopilot. We have good news for you: recurring payments allow you to collect money from your customers, with little to no elbow grease required. Intrigued? We thought so. We’re digging into everything you need to know about using recurring payments to streamline your business, stabilize your cash flow, and keep your customers happy. What is a recurring payment?
Writing a self-evaluation: How to make the most of the process | Culture Amp
Traditionally, the performance review process was a chance for managers to evaluate employees and provide feedback about their work and conduct. But performance reviews have come a long way from that top-down approach. Today, holistic review processes incorporate feedback and insights from other leaders, team members, and even employees through self-evaluations. Below, we share an overview of the self-evaluation process and five tips for getting the most out of it. What is a self-evaluation?
How to Use Sparring to Collect Feedback
Feedback and revision are crucial for producing high-quality work, , but the process of collecting it can be fraught with frustration. Relentless revisions. Endless ideas. Conflicting opinions. Sparring helps you collect that valuable constructive criticism in a way that's collaborative, organized, and efficient. Try it out and you won't just end up with better feedback—you'll end up with better projects. What exactly is sparring? Sparring is a structured method for quickly collecting feedback.
Salary vs. owner's draw: How to pay yourself as a business owner
You love your business, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to work for free. Yet, figuring out how to pay yourself as a business owner can be complicated. You need to think carefully about how you take money out of your business entity. Typically, that’s done one of two ways: a salary or an owner’s draw. Let’s look at a salary vs. draw, and how you can figure out which is the right choice for you and your business.
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