We get it. Phone interviews are tricky, but they’re also an unavoidable reality when it comes to finding a job or internship.

At Garden Media, we screen every intern candidate with a phone interview first. This ensures we’re bringing in the right people for the job and, most importantly, not wasting anyone’s time.

As the intern supervisor, I’ve conducted a fair share of phone interviews. I am here to tell you there are specific things that make one candidate stand out from the others.  

Continue reading for tips on how to nail a phone interview. 

Now that we know divergent thinking leads to innovative ideas, it’s time to discuss another important factor in creativity:having FUN!

While work and play may seem like conflicting ideas, an article in Entreprenuer Magazine suggests having fun in the office can increase employee motivation and productivity, which leads to increased ROI.

Google may be one of the most well known companies famous for having fun. The company is well known for its innovative office designs and creativity-based culture.

While we might not have tube slides and food trucks at Garden Media Group, we still know how to have fun while getting the job done.

Read more to learn about ways you can integrate fun in the office.

Volkswagen is facing a storm of bad publicity surrounding the recent emissions test scandal.

Chipotle has temporarily closed a number of its western stores due to E. coli outbreaks.

Crises like these happen all too often these days and it is crucial to know how to react in these situations.

A publicity crisis has the potential to destroy a brand. If dealt with in a positive manner, companies can, and often do, rebuild themselves by responding quickly and honestly.

Read more to learn about the best ways brands can respond to a publicity crisis.

We now know there are a variety of benefits that come with decorating the workspace. Not only does it spark creativity and boost productivity, it also allows employees to show off their personalities.

My personal workspace reflects who and what I admire most. My desk – accompanied by a giant, colorful corkboard – showcases everything from inspirational Beyoncé posters to pictures of my family to houseplants.

A little desk décor makes all the difference in the world - and the Garden Media office agrees.  

Continue reading to see what type of décor inspires the rest of the Garden Media team.

At the start of the World Series, PR Week asked the question: What World Series team has the better story to tell?

New York Mets fans cheered for the underdog team to win their first World Series title since 1986.

Kansas City Royals fans were excited about the chance of redemption after their loss in 2014. 

Most people have blind loyalty to a team, largely due to city pride. But it doesn’t hurt when the team has a great story to tell.

The start of each season brings about a hopeful new chapter, with the players as the characters and the anticipation of ending the story with the ultimate victory, a World Series title.

However, sports teams aren’t the only ones with a story. Brands can – and should – tell stories, too.

Read more to learn about how your brand can tell a story.

#MyResumeDoesntMention was trending on Twitter last week. More than 12,000 tweets were sent out about the subject and they ranged from funny to obscure, but most talked about skills valuable in the workplace.

Building a resume can be hard. Compiling education, work experience and essential strengths into a single page is crucial to appearing qualified and accomplished. A lot of outside skills and experiences often don’t make the cut, but can still be utilized in a professional environment.

Read on to learn how to transfer real-life experiences into professional attributes.

Many business people are taught how to manage a company though years of classes and seminars. But do they ever really learn how to lead?  

Whether it’s a large corporation or a small business, learning to be a leader and one who others will follow is the key to success.

Leaders and managers differ in their decision making approaches, visions and values. Those who understand these differences and why they are important will build stronger teams in the long run.

Read more about the important differences between managing and leading.

Everyone knows Instagram is one of the most important, useful and successful social media platforms of our time. With over 300 million active monthly users, more than 90 percent of which are under the age of 35, Instagram is especially useful in reaching millennials. And they aren’t just using it for selfies.

Through the use of hashtags on both Twitter and Instagram, social media activism is becoming a rising trend. Millennials love to be aligned with a cause and they are using hashtags to raise awareness about those causes. Businesses and celebrities are taking note and following their examples.

Continue reading for more information about why businesses should support a cause and show they care.

September is the month of fashion weeks across the world, New York, London, Paris, Milan... the most fashionable people in the world convene in one place. 

Why do we care? Well for one, fashion trends drive garden trends. But instead of a garden trend, today we're talking social media trends.

For the first time ever, a brand, Burberry, partnered with Snapchat to feature its spring and summer 2016 line. 

The Snapchat story documented the entire event, from behind the scenes preparation, to hair and makeup tips and even the models walking the runway. The story also featured celebrity guests attending the show, including models Cara DeLevingne, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.

This is not the first time Burberry has been the leading fashion brand in technology. Many of the brand’s marketing techniques are aimed at millennials. Why would an expensive, luxury brand try to appeal to younger generations who are often determined to find the best deals?

Continue reading to understand Burberry’s unique marketing strategy.

Lots of Millennial experts talk about how much time we spend on the internet. But, in truth, we never really leave the internet. Think about it. Our phones, tablets and other devices help us connect and stream at the touch of a button. Anytime. Anywhere.  

The 2016 Garden Trends Report recognizes this, and, urges industry leaders to embrace and adapt to new and ever-changing technology. Rising Millennials are constantly plugged in, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  

This year, consumers merge technology with nature, not as a distraction -- but as a way to explore, educate and entertain.

Continue reading for a sneak peek of the 2016 Garden Trends Report.