| How to Hide a Bed in a Studio Apartment Posted: 25 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST Studio apartments are a great way to get into your own space while saving on rent, but arranging your space can be a little tricky. Even if you live by yourself, you might not want your sleeping area to just be out in the open. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to create divisions in your space to give you a little more privacy when you're in bed. [Edit]Put up a folding screen for a portable option. - Place a folding screen beside your bed to create some privacy. These screens typically fold into 3 or 4 sections, and they come in a huge array of styles. They're usually pretty lightweight, so it's easy to unfold the screen when you want to block off your bedroom area. Then, if you want to open the space back up, you can simply fold up the screen and lean it against a wall.[1]
- Choose a screen with mesh, glass, or an open frame if you want to create a visual border without totally blocking the view. That way, you'll be able to see all the cool design elements in your apartment, but your bedroom will still be private.[2]
- As a bonus, you can move the screen anytime there are any other areas you need to hide, like if your kitchen is a mess.
[Edit]Use an open bookshelf to create a divider. - Set up a bookshelf beside your bed, then fill the shelves with your favorite decor. Fill the shelves with books, statues, decorative bowls, and anything else eye-catching that you really love. If you can find a bookshelf with open shelving, opt for that—the apartment will feel more spacious if it isn't blocked off, and you'll also be able to see your decorations from the front and back of the shelf.[3]
- A cubby-style bookshelf is perfect for this! As a bonus, you can put decorative boxes into the cubbies for added storage.
- If all you have is a closed bookshelf, it's probably best to turn it so the shelves are facing the outside of the room. However, if you prefer, you could turn the shelves facing into the bedroom area, then hang art on the back of the shelf.
[Edit]Place a dresser or armoire beside the bed to separate it. - Use furniture as a wall for a solution that's effective and practical. When you're figuring out the arrangement for your apartment, you might naturally gravitate toward placing it against the walls. However, you can use your furniture to create barriers that will define different spaces within the studio. This is especially helpful for your bedroom area, where you'll likely need a little extra storage for clothing.[4]
- If you want to keep an open line of sight throughout the apartment, use long, low furniture, like a horizontal dresser or a desk. As long as the furniture is a little taller than the bed, it will add some privacy to the space.
- For even more privacy, you could use taller furniture, like an armoire.
[Edit]Try a free-standing garment rack to create visual separation. - Place a garment rack close to your bed, then fill it with your very favorite clothes. This will create a visual divide that separates your bedroom from the rest of the apartment. It's a practical way to add more room for clothes, and it also allows you to admire your greatest designer buys or thrift-store snags![5]
- To create a cohesive look, stick to a simple color palette for the clothes you hang on the rack. For instance, you might opt for all neutrals if your style is more modern. However, you could display clothes in bold, warm colors for a pop, or you could even stick to all animal prints to show off your wild side!
- If you like the idea of using a garment rack but clothes aren't really your thing, hang planters filled with pretty trailing plants, instead.
[Edit]Create a cozy nook with a canopy bed. - Hang fabric from the canopy and posts to create a sense of privacy. Use lightweight fabric—something sheer and drapey will look especially romantic. When you're ready for bed, just close the fabric to give you a feeling that you're in your own little world.[6]
- You can do something similar by hanging fabric from the posts of a normal bed, but it can be hard to secure it so it doesn't slip off.
[Edit]Install a Murphy bed that you can hide away entirely. - Save space with a Murphy bed that you can fold away during the daytime. Murphy beds are perfect for small spaces because you don't have to dedicate an entire area of your home to being a bedroom. Just mount the Murphy bed system to the wall. When it's time to sleep, lower the bed and climb in. Then, in the morning, simply fold the bed back into the wall, and enjoy your open space![7]
- Murphy beds are available in a wide range of styles. For instance, a simple Murphy bed might just look like a cabinet when it's folded up, whereas more elaborate systems might seem to disappear into the wall completely when they're closed.
[Edit]Opt for a fold-out sofa for an inexpensive solution. - Purchase a sofa or chair that pulls out into a bed when you're not using it. You can usually find these in budget-friendly options, so you're not having to make a big commitment. Also, even if you move into a bigger place later, these tend to come in handy when you have company.[8]
- Trundle beds are a good option, as well—these are made to slide out from under another piece of furniture (like a couch) when you need them.[9]
[Edit]Maximize your vertical space with a loft bed. - Build or purchase a loft bed, then make use of the space underneath. Lifting your bed off the ground will give you more privacy since it won't be right in anyone's line of sight. Then, you can use the area under the bed as added storage space.[10]
- If you lift the bed high enough, you can even put a desk or a little sitting area underneath it.
[Edit]Fit a bed into your walk-in closet if you have one. - Measure your closet, then choose a bed that will fit neatly inside. Not all studio apartments have walk-in closets, but if yours does, you may be able to convert it into a small sleeping area. Just find a mattress that will slide into the space, then hang a small light from the wall or ceiling.[11]
- If you don't like the feeling of being closed in, consider replacing the closet door with a screen or curtains.
- Use garment racks or an armoire to hold your clothing, since your closet will be taken up.
[Edit]Hang curtains from the ceiling to close off your bedroom area. - Install brackets on your ceiling and stretch a curtain rod between them. Then, hang curtains from the rod to create a room divider. You can easily slide the curtains closed when you want more privacy and open them again when you want to let in more light.[12]
- Sheer curtains will give the room a light, airy look. Or, you could use the curtains to add a pop of color to your space.
- Install a track system for more stability if your curtains need to stretch over a wide area.
[Edit]Install a floating wall for a more permanent solution. - Hire a contractor to build a free-standing wall just beside your bed. You can even choose to install a half-height wall if you don't want to entirely block the line of sight in the apartment. Just keep in mind that if you're renting, you'll need written permission from the owner before you have any construction done inside your apartment.[13]
- Glass partitions are a stylish option that will create a cozy space around your bed while still allowing you to see into the rest of the apartment.[14]
- If you can't make any permanent changes to the apartment, consider installing movable walls. That way, you can change the arrangement of the bedroom whenever you want to, and you can remove them when you move out.[15]
- To make your bedroom feel like its own space in your studio apartment, place it as far away from the door as you can.[16]
[Edit]References |
| How to Help Save Orangutans Posted: 25 Feb 2021 08:00 AM PST Orangutans are truly majestic animals that make their homes in the rainforest canopies over Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, and Sumatra. Unfortunately, these animals are critically endangered. After years of deforestation and rainforest destruction, there are only about 100,000 orangutans left in the wild.[1] Saving these animals requires help from all of us. Luckily, there is a lot you can do! By donating to conservation causes, making responsible shopping choices that protect the environment, and spreading an environmental message, you can do your part to make sure orangutans are always here with us. [Edit]Donations and Volunteer Work - Donate to the Great Ape Conservation Fund. This is a fund supported by the US government that provides money for organizations in countries around the world fighting to protect apes and orangutans. Through all of its efforts, this fund has sent over $10 million to conservation efforts. A donation here will definitely go a long way to help orangutans.[2]
- Buy Vanishing Species Stamps to fund wildlife protection projects. Vanishing Species Stamps are produced by the US government.[3] Specifically, the Tiger stamp contributes funds to efforts to protect orangutans. By buying these stamps from the Post Office or US Fish and Wildlife Services, you'll be supporting these important conservation projects.[4]
- Vanishing Species Stamps have most recently provided funds for the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. This organization cares for orphaned orangutans and introduces them back into the wild.
- Support conservation organizations that fight to protect orangutans. There are tons of organizations throughout the world that make protecting orangutans and other wildlife their main priority. This work is expensive, so making donations can go a very long way.[5]
- Organizations that partner with Great Ape Conservation Fund include the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project, the PanEco Foundation, and the Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project. A donation to any of these groups will help orangutan conservation efforts.
- Volunteer with environmental organizations. In addition to sending money, you could also volunteer your time with all of these organizations. Most of them have volunteer or internship programs if you want to get involved in a more active role. To learn more about volunteering, visit the website for an organization you'd like to work with and check their "Get Involved" or "Volunteer" section for details.[6]
- Volunteer work ranges from helping raise funds, organizing events, and mailing out promotional materials.
[Edit]Responsible Shopping - Buy FSC-approved wood and paper products. The FSC, or Forest Stewardship Council, is an international organization that monitors sustainability practices and production. If a product has the FSC stamp on it, that means it was produced using approved, sustainable methods. Switching to wood and paper products with the FSC stamp gives money to responsible companies that take environmentalism seriously.[7]
- Some brands that the FSC approves include Patagonia, Charmin, Scott, Sketchers, and Kleenex.
- For the FSC's full approved shopping list, visit https://advocate.us.fsc.org/one-simple-action/.
- On the other hand, following this practice keeps money away from irresponsible companies. This could convince them to be more responsible in the future.
- Use products made with sustainably-produced palm oil. Palm oil production is one of the main industries that's destroying orangutans' habitat, and it's used in tons of different products. If you use anything that uses palm oil as an ingredient, investigate that company to see if their practices meet sustainability standards. If not, switch to a different brand or product.[8]
- One organization that investigates and grades the palm oil industry is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, or RSPO. If a product is approved by this organization, then you can trust that it's produced with environmentally-friendly methods.[9]
- For a list of RSPO-approved products, visit https://rspo.org/members/trademark/trademark-products-gallery.
- You could also try to cut down on the amount of products you use with palm oil overall, but this can be tricky. Palm oil could also be labeled as vegetable oil, palmate, palmitate, and a number of different names, so it's tough to know which products contain it and which don't.
- Get reusable cups, mugs, thermoses, and plates to reduce pollution. Disposable products need to be built constantly, and this contribute to pollution and deforestation. Since deforestation is one of the main threats to orangutans, one of the best things to do is switch to reusable items instead of disposable ones. This cuts down on landfill space, pollution, and deforestation, which helps the environments that orangutans live in.[10]
- Encourage all of your friends and family to do the same. If everyone makes this simple change, the benefits for the environment could be huge.
- Encourage the brands you use to follow sustainable practices. All large businesses could potentially be doing things that harm the environment, including cutting down rainforests or using products that weren't produced sustainably. Investigate all of the brands you usually purchase, and see if their production methods meet environmental standards. If not, contact those brands and make your opinions known. Say that you'll start buying a different product if they don't change their practices.[11]
- Remember to look at where companies source their materials from as well. A company might not use destructive productive methods, but they might buy lumber from a company that's cutting rainforests down, meaning they're indirectly encouraging environmental destruction.
- If these brands don't make the changes you want to see, then stop buying them. Encourage others to do the same to pressure companies to change their practices.
[Edit]Encouraging Change - Tell your friends and family to get involved or donate. A lot of people might not even be aware of how their choices affect orangutans and how much they could help with some simple changes. Talk about your effort to help orangutans with them and encourage them to volunteer, donate, or change their shopping practices to do their part too.[12]
- You could also share information with them about how certain companies are using unsustainable practices that are destroying the environment.
- Some people might not take this as seriously as you do. It's best to share all the information you can and then let them make their own choices.
- Share news about orangutans and environmentalism on social media. This is a very powerful tool for spreading messages, and you can use it to raise awareness about helping orangutans. Post and share news about orangutans and environmental protection. You might even be able to convince some people to join the cause![13]
- Try to post on a few different social media platforms. Your messages will spread a lot further.
- Support politicians who make environmental protection a priority. Environmental protection is inherently a political question. No matter where you live, support politicians and policies that advocate sustainable practices and environmental regulations. Your votes and advocacy could really make a difference if you help elect leaders that will prioritize the environment.[14]
- Some politicians might not support environmental practices without a little push, so try to gather support and get others to contact their representatives too. This can really build a movement.
- If none of your elected leaders are taking the steps you want them to, why not run for office yourself? This is the best way to advance your goal!
- If you want more ideas on how to help orangutans, you could always contact a group like the WWF or Orangutan Foundation and ask. They would be very happy to help you.
- Be prepared—some people simply won't take environmental protection as seriously as you do. In this case, just keep doing what you're doing and making a difference any way you can.
[Edit]Warnings - Never try to adopt or keep a wild animal yourself. Even if you're just trying to help, this is dangerous for both you and the animal.
[Edit]References |
| How to Ask a Recruiter for an Interview Posted: 25 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST Working with a recruiter can be a great way to find your next job. They'll do all the legwork of searching and setting up interviews for you, making the process much easier. But how do you start working with a recruiter in the first place? In most cases, the recruiter will want to interview you and see if you're a good fit for their services. They may also set up interviews for you with potential employers, so you'll need to find out all you can about these positions. These are important first steps on your way to an exciting new job. [Edit]Getting Interviews with Recruiters - Locate the correct number or email address for the recruiter.[1] Most recruiters post their contact information on their profiles or websites, so this shouldn't be too hard to find. Just confirm all of that information so you know you're contacting the right person.[2]
- If you want to reach out to a specific recruiter that works at a larger agency, you could contact the agency's general help line and ask for a directory.
- If you have a hard time finding the right contact information, then this recruiter might not be the best one to work with.
- Introduce yourself to the recruiter. As with any professional encounter, manners are key. If you're writing an email, start out with a polite "Dear," followed by the recruiter's full name. Then state your own name and your reason for contacting them.[3]
- A good opening is:
Dear Mr. Michael Smith,
My name is Kaitlin Johnson and I am looking for work in the software design field. I was hoping to work with you to help find a job in that industry. - Don't use only the recruiter's first name in the initial contact. This is too casual since you don't know them yet.
- If you're calling on the phone, prepare a few quick sentences to introduce yourself. Say, "Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Michael Smith. I'm a software engineer hoping to work with him in finding a new job."
- Tell the recruiter your broad set of skills so they know which field you match. Don't spend time going through your full work history. Recruiters generally only work with people who are a good fit for the companies they work with. Start off by stating your broad experience and skills at the industry level. That way, they'll know you're a match for their services.[4]
- For example, you could say, "I am trained as a physical therapist and looking for my first job. I completed my degree from Iona College and interned at three clinics during my education."
- You could also say, "I am a former teacher, but am looking to use my experience in communications and team leadership to transition into the marketing field."
- Be excited and enthusiastic about the prospect of working together. Recruiters want enthusiastic clients who will follow-through with interviews and offers. Use language that conveys your enthusiasm. Words like "motivated" "dedicated," "excited," and "looking forward to" really show that you're the type of driven person that a recruiter wants to work with.[5]
- Remember to keep your language formal and respectful. Don't say something like "I'm super excited to work with you!" That's unprofessional. Make it something like "I look forward to partnering with you to find a new career."
- Explain any gaps in your resume. Recruiters will want to know why you had long resume gaps, or why you're currently unemployed. This influences the jobs they can find for you. Be honest, but put a positive spin on any gaps like these. Maybe you lost your job because of the economy, which is understandable. Whatever the reasons, be ready to explain them.[6]
- A good way to phrase losing your job is "I was a dedicated employee, but unfortunately, I was laid off during the recent economic downturn. Since then, I've had a difficult time finding new work."
- You may have also been fired from previous jobs because of poor performance. In this case, it might help to say that you used to be more immature and have learned important lessons on hard work since then.
- State clearly that you'd like an interview. After the introductions are out of the way, get to the point: you want an interview. Don't be shy about asking directly. The recruiters will appreciate that you're being respectful of their time by communicating your needs clearly.[7]
- Say something like, "If you think I am a good match for your clients, I would love to set up an interview with you. Please let me know when we can speak further."
- Attach your resume and credentials if you send an email. If the recruiter is interested in working with you, then they'll definitely want to take a look at your resume. Save time by sending it with your initial contact. That way, they won't have to write you back to ask for it.[8]
- Be sure to check your resume beforehand to make sure it's up-to-date and free of errors or typos.
- If you're on the phone with the recruiter, offer to send your resume over as soon as you're done talking. Remember to follow-through with that offer!
- Move on if the recruiter doesn't follow up. Recruiters are busy and they work with a lot of clients, so it's normal if they don't get back to you. This isn't personal. The recruiter probably just thought you weren't a good fit for their services. Feel free to check out other recruiters who will work with you.[9]
- If you were set on working with a particular recruiter, send a follow-up email to see if they received your first one. Otherwise, move on and contact other recruiters.
[Edit]Asking about Employer Interviews - Can you tell me more about this position? When the recruiter matches you with a job opening, they should be familiar with the job and the company, so find out as much as you can from them. Get a good understanding of the role you'll be filling, as well as the company and company culture so you're prepared for the job interview.[10]
- Feel free to tell the recruiter if you don't think a job is right for you. They can adjust their search to find something more relevant to you.
- If the recruiter has only vague ideas about the position, then they may not have done their homework in matching you with this job. Finding a different recruiter who does that work is a better option.
- How long has the position has been open? This can tip you off to any potential problems with the role or the company. For example, if the job has been open for a year, this could indicate that there are issues with the company's hiring process. You might want to rethink doing the interview in this case.[11]
- On the other hand, a newer position only a week or so old probably means there are fewer applicants and you'll have less competition.
- If it's a newer position, be prepared for the interview and hiring process to take a little longer. The company is just starting their search and needs time to vet their candidates.
- What's your relationship with this company? Good recruiters have lots of industry contacts, so you'll have a better shot at the job if your recruiter has some kind of relationship with the company. Maybe they know the hiring manager, or maybe they work with the company regularly. These are all good signs that the recruiter has done the work to place you at the job.[12]
- They don't need to know the hiring manager personally, but an answer like "I haven't spoken to this hiring manager, but I've placed candidates with this company before" is an acceptable answer.
- A recruiter trying to match you with companies that they've never worked with isn't necessarily bad, but watch for patterns. If they do this regularly, then they might not have many industry contacts.
- Why did the previous person leave this position? This is an important question to learn about the company culture you're joining. If the previous employee just moved on to a new company for no particular reason or got promoted, then this is a good sign that there are no obvious internal problems at the company. But if they quit over a dispute, then you might want to be cautious about this company.[13]
- This might be a totally new position, which is generally a good sign and indicates that the company is growing.
- This is also a good way to ask about employee turnover at the company as a whole. High turnover, or lots of employees working there for less than a year, is generally a bad sign.
- What main skills does this job require? This is how you can assess whether or not a job is relevant for you and prepare for the interview. A good recruiter will match you with jobs that fit into your skillset and experience. If the recruiter is matching you with jobs out of your skillset, then they aren't doing the best job for you.[14]
- If you're looking for sales jobs, then it's normal for the job to require skills in communications, teamwork, negotiation, and public speaking.
- On the other hand, if you're looking for a programmer position and your recruiter matches you with a sales job, then this is probably not a good fit for you.
- What is the interview process like? If the recruiter has contacts within a company, then they should know things like how many rounds of interviews there will be, what the timeframe for hiring is, and who will be interviewing you. Get as much information from the recruiter as possible so you know exactly what to expect for the interview.[15]
- If the recruiter knows the hiring manager, then they might even be able to tell you some of the questions that might come up in the interview. This is a great advantage.
[Edit]Finding a Recruiter - Find a recruiter that works in your field.[16] Most recruiters specialize in matching candidates within specific industries, so you'll have more luck with a clear idea of the field you want to work in. Focus your search in that specific industry so you can find the perfect recruiter for you.[17]
- Be sure your career goals line up with your skills. If you want to be an IT engineer but you have a biology degree, then your skills don't line up with the industry. A recruiter probably won't work with you in this case.
- If you're working on a career change, then you might have to do some extra work to find out where your skills fit. Be sure to identify any transferable skills you have from your old industry. For example, a teacher has great speaking and communication skills.
- Look through online recruiter directories. Both individual recruiters and recruiting firms publicize their services. Online directories are some of the best sources for finding recruiters in every industry, so these guides are a great place to start.[18]
- Recruiter.com is one of the largest recruiting sites online. LiveCareer and SelectRecruiters are also popular ones.
- It's best to search these directories by industry. That way, you'll be able to find people who work in the field you want to enter.
- Search LinkedIn for recruiter profiles.[19] Thousands of recruiters and recruiting agencies have a presence on LinkedIn. Set your search settings to "recruiters," then search for the specific industry you want to work in to see a selection of relevant recruiters.[20]
- If you're looking for marketing work, set your preferences to "recruiters" and type "marketing and public relations" into the search bar.
- If you're looking for recruiters on LinkedIn, be sure to set your profile to show that you're looking for a job. Otherwise, the recruiter might pass you over.
- Ask friends or personal contacts if they've ever worked with a recruiter. Word of mouth is a great way to know if a recruiter is reliable. Check your friends, family, and your professional network to see if anyone knows or has worked with a good recruiter. If so, then get their contact information so you can reach out.[21]
- If someone does know a recruiter, see if they'll introduce you. This can be a great way to get your foot in the door.
- Set your job search profiles to say you're looking for recruiters. You might also be able to get the recruiters to come to you. If you have profiles on sites like LinkedIn or Indeed, set them to show that you're seeking work and want to find recruiters.[22] That way, recruiters checking out candidates will know that you're someone they can reach out to.[23]
- Be sure to investigate any recruiters that contact you. Search online for reviews or testimonials to weed out anyone who might be unscrupulous.
- Investigate the companies that the recruiters you find work with.[24] Do a bit more digging once you find a recruiter that works in your industry. Check out the companies that they've worked with in the past to get an idea of the kinds of jobs they might find for you. If these are companies you're interested in working for, then even better![25]
- For example, if you want to work in IT, then a recruiter who has worked with Apple and Google would be a great match for you.
- If you have trouble finding a recruiter's credentials, then it's probably best to skip working with them. You don't want to work with any scammers.
- Always follow-through with what you say you'll do with a recruiter. If you say you'll call at a certain time, be sure to do that. Otherwise, you'll seem unreliable.
- There's nothing wrong with reaching out to multiple recruiters at the same time. Feel free to work with as many as you want. However, it is good practice to let the recruiters know that you're working with others.[26]
[Edit]References |
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