• A California millennial began secretly working multiple remote jobs to save for retirement.
• He earned over $100,000 in 2023 and said he might be able to retire by age 50. 
• He shared why he decided to not look for a new job when his second role came to an end this year. 

Adrian, a California-based data analyst in his 30s, began secretly working multiple remote jobs in July 2023. For a while, it was well worth it.

Last year, he earned about $110,000 across his two jobs, according to documents viewed by Business Insider. Thanks to this overemployment, he believes he'll be in a financial position to retire in the next five to 10 years and move somewhere abroad with a lower cost of living than the US.

But by the time Adrian's contract for his second job came to an end in March, a big part of him was relieved, he said. He has little desire to be overemployed again.

"I did make a lot more money than I've ever made before, I think it was a smart idea, and it was kind of fun to tell friends about — but life is better now," said Adrian. His identity is known to BI, but he asked to use a pseudonym because of his fear of professional repercussions.

Adrian is among the Americans who have worked multiple jobs — often in secret — to boost their incomes. BI has interviewed roughly 20 of these job jugglers, many of whom work in the IT and tech industries and use the extra money to pay off student debt, save for retirement, and afford vacations and weight-loss drugs. While some companies may be OK with their workers having a second job, doing so without approval could have negative repercussions.

Recently, however, intense competition for remote roles, return-to-office mandates, and burnout have made the overemployment lifestyle unsustainable.

Adrian shared how and why he first became overemployed, his top advice for making it work, and why he's happy to be back to only one job.

Retirement fears led to overemployment

While some Americans are struggling to save for retirement, Adrian is among those who have taken unique earnings and savings measures to retire early.

Last year, when a recruiter messaged him on LinkedIn about a remote, full-time, contract role, he decided to hear them out.

As he went through the interview process, Adrian realized he might be able to balance both roles. He asked for the highest end of the new job's pay range: $70 an hour.

"If I was going to take something on the side I wanted to be sure it would be worth it," he said.

A few years ago, Adrian would never have made a career decision that was so focused on maximizing his income.

He always believed, "If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life." He never worried much about his financial future or how much money he was making. It's this philosophy that led him to pursue an "amazingly enjoyable" job — one in an entirely different industry than his current role — that he said paid less than $40,000 a year.

"I didn't really care about making money because I never really thought about retirement," he said. "I just kind of assumed that you work until you're old, then you retire, and it somehow just works out."

But a few years ago, Adrian said he experienced a personal "transformation" that led him to begin prioritizing his financial health and future.

"I would never actually be able to retire by working my old job," he said. "But I never really thought about that, and I did love the life I was living."

He started by looking for a different career path. He went to graduate school, and after a roughly yearlong job search that nearly exhausted his savings, he landed the job he still has now.

Next, he started saving whatever money he could. He and his wife took up house and pet-sitting for a year, which he said allowed him to avoid paying rent as they bounced from home to home every month or so. He also began maxing out his 401(k) and Roth IRA, investing in low-cost index funds, and trying to live in low-cost-of-living areas while keeping his "high-cost-of-living area salaries."

When the opportunity to work multiple jobs came last year, it was just another way he could improve his finances.

What to look for in a second job — and why he's happy to no longer be overemployed

Adrian said that his second employer knew he had a primary job but "didn't care," in part because they were happy with the quality of his work. He never told his primary employer that he took on a second gig, but he doesn't think they would have cared either because he was a "top performer."

Adrian said that before taking on a second job, one should be "very comfortable" with one's main role.

"You need to be comfortable enough with your first job that you feel like you actually have extra time to accomplish other work," he said. He added that it's helpful if both jobs are flexible, independent, and don't have many meetings.

It's also important to make sure you're prepared to have your personal life impacted by your extra workload, he said. This is perhaps the biggest part of job juggling he wasn't fully prepared for — and why he hasn't looked to replace his second job ever since his contract came to an end in March.

While his workload varied, Adrian said he often worked more than 40 hours a week across the two jobs, including on some evenings and weekends. It was manageable, but it began to take a toll.

"Too stressful, too much time away from my partner, can't get outside or go to yoga — not worth it," he said of his overemployment. "I made a bunch of money this past year, but my goals for 2024 are not to maximize my income."

Instead, Adrian said he wants to prioritize his health, social ties, his partner, and "having fun." While he's still much more focused on his finances than he used to be, he said working a second job eventually proved to be a bridge too far.

Even without the extra income coming in, Adrian said he's still in the position to potentially retire before age 50. While he wouldn't rule out pursuing a second job again someday, he said the workload would have to be quite low. For now, he's happy to just have one job again.

"The reduction in stress and time commitments is well worth it," he said.

Are you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule? Are you a manager who has experience with overemployed employees? If so, reach out to this reporter at jzinkula@businessinsider.com.

• Mark Zuckerberg isn't style icon by any means, but he's working on it.
• After spending years wearing the same thing, the billionaire is changing up his fashion.
• The internet is clearly loving Zuckerberg's new expression of himself through clothes.

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is known more for his accomplishments in the tech industry than his personal style, but it looks like the billionaire is finally taking steps (albeit small ones) toward becoming a fashion icon.

Zuckerberg — who's now worth $177 billion, per Forbes — burst onto the tech scene as a young coding prodigy responsible for the popular social media platform Facebook. All eyes were on him even in his early 20s, and the public quickly noted his laid-back style that consisted mostly of gray t-shirts.

Today, as a 40-year-old father and the head of a tech company that has expanded far beyond friend requests and pokes, Zuckerberg's look is again a topic of conversation.

In April, he debuted a chain necklace with his outfits, and the internet ate it up. Zuckerberg got the meme treatment and comments from his nearly 14 million followers complimenting him on his "drip," or style.

From lavish weddings and a big birthday bash in May to sitting ringside at UFC fights, his Instagram photos seem a little like those of an influencer.

Here's a look at Zuckerberg's style over the years.

Zuckerberg's style as Facebook took off was pretty normal for a twenty-something in the early aughts.

He dropped out of Harvard University to work on Facebook full-time in 2005, and his look at the time was that of a college student heading to class.

In the picture above, he paired his quarter-zip pullover with a pair of blue jeans — jeans which would become a recurring theme in Zuckerberg's life as a public figure.

The subdued outfit didn't really match the feisty attitude Zuckerberg had during the early days of Facebook. He infamously carried business cards that read, "I'm CEO, Bitch."

He's one of the tech execs who influenced the casual dress code of the industry.

Eventually, Zuckerberg became known for his gray t-shirts and hoodies.

The jeans might have ranged from light to dark washes, but he almost always paired them with a hoodie and a comfortable pair of sneakers—he's wearing Brooks tennis shoes in the photo above.

"I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community," Zuckerberg said in a 2014 Q&A. "I feel like I'm not doing my job if I spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life."

Zuckerberg spent years wearing essentially the same outfit everyday.

The photos above were taken four years apart, but it might not be easy to tell. For over a decade, Zuckerberg wore the same thing over and over.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said during an appearance on "The Colin and Samir Show" that Zuckerberg spent many years "not wasting any energy on deciding what to wear."

Instead, he just wore "the same thing every day for a long time as a lot of tech execs have done," according to Mosseri.

"First day back after paternity leave. What should I wear?" he captioned a Facebook post that showed a rack full of the same gray shirts and dark gray hoodies in 2016.

As the years passed, Zuck found ways to elevate the "tech bro" uniform.

Around 2018, Zuckerberg's style shifted, perhaps with his fashion meant to reflect his increasing wealth. According to Forbes, he was worth about $71 billion that year.

Instead of a basic shirt and hoodie, the Meta CEO started wearing expensive-looking cashmere sweaters and paired them with better-fitting jeans.

More recently, it appears he's gotten more comfortable with switching up his clothing choices.

The pandemic blurred the lines of what exactly makes an outfit appropriate for work.

Returning to the office post-lockdown has spurred a new conversation about dress code, but when you're the boss, those rules are likely a bit looser.

Zuckerberg is pictured above with Facebook's then-chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, and the former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy advisor Kevin Sabet in 2021.

The trio had just left a session at the Sun Valley Conference, but Zuck looked especially casual next to his peers. He ditched the blue jeans for shorts and completed the outfit with slip-on sandals.

He appears to take more style risks when he's traveling abroad.

Zuckerberg and Chan took a trip to Japan in February, and his vacation attire made major waves.

Months before his chain went viral, the shearling jacket he wore while in Japan caught the public's attention. When he was out and about, his Instagram followers saw more of his off-duty style.

Again, it included a neutral top, fitted jeans, and a pair of sneakers — this time white Nike shoes.

The new jacket, a departure from his old hoodies, made for an iconic "jersey swap" picture, with Zuckerberg trading tops with another iconic figure in tech, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Occasionally, he swaps his casual clothes for a classic suit.

Some events call for more formal dress, and Zuckerberg isn't too proud to push back on that.

For court appearances, luxurious weddings, and fancy ceremonies, he typically pulls out a classic black suit.

But for the March pre-wedding celebrations for members of India's richest family, the Ambanis, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan wore all black, embellished with gold accents. He had a dragonfly on his lapel.

In 2024, Zuckerberg is going viral every few weeks for his new look.

The outfit he wore to his 40th birthday party in May cemented Zuckerberg's new era in fashion. He wore a gold chain and a black T-shirt, but unlike his past shirt choices, it had a message.

The top reads "Carthago delenda est," which translates to "Carthage must be destroyed," a phrase famously attributed to Roman historian Cato the Elder. As Business Insider previously reported, it was a rallying cry within Facebook in 2016 when it was competing with Google.

He also previously explained that the new chains are a part of his "process" of designing a "long-term" chain engraved with a prayer he reads to his daughters.

His motive is endearing, and the internet's obsession with the necklaces makes for a lot of viral content and positive attention.

"I love it so much," Mosseri said in June.

Zuckerberg was recently spotted wearing this $1,150 shirt while vacationing in Ibiza.

Zuckerberg continued his exploration into designer shirts going during his and Chan's vacation in Ibiza, Spain, People reported. He was spotted wearing this white knit Balmain shirt with the brand's logo highlighted on the chest.

In spite of the hefty price tag, the Meta CEO surprisingly manages to keep this hypebeast shirt in line with his usual simple style. He accessorized with a pair of reflective glasses but kept the luxurious outfit casual with white sneakers and blue shorts.

• China's tech bosses are pushing their workers as competition intensifies, the FT reported.
• They are following a playbook from Silicon Valley, where bosses cranked up the pressure and laid people off.
• Don't expect the pressure to lessen as China's economy struggles.

Silicon Valley bosses responded to times of crisis by turning the screw on workers. Now, China's tech bosses seem ready to do the same.

Mark Zuckerberg, Andy Jassy, and other CEOs have resorted to layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and other policies prioritizing "efficiency" in the past two years to combat a sell-off among investors who grew concerned that tech companies became over-bloated and distracted with "fake work" during the pandemic. They planned to show the market that their companies could still deliver out-sized returns and form a central part of the economy — with leaner operations.

With around 363,000 workers laid off since January 2023, many staff were left feeling burned out as they took on more work. But bosses were rewarded.

Meta's Mark Zuckerberg said layoffs were part of an "efficiency" era. The company's market capitalization has climbed from around $300 billion to $1.26 trillion since it announced it was laying off 13% off its workforce in November 2022. Other Silicon Valley companies have witnessed a similar turnaround.

China is pushing tech workers even harder

Chinese tech companies seem willing to take Silicon Valley's efficiency mantra even further.

That's according to a new report from the Financial Times, which notes that bosses in China are upping the pressure on workers after the country's top five tech companies lost around $1.3 trillion in market value since 2021.

For instance, Richard Liu, the veteran business leader at the helm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, recently told staff over a video call that employees who "prefer to enjoy life" are "not our brother" and that "we should not be working together," the Financial Times reported Monday.

It's not the first time Liu, whose company's share price fell by roughly half in 2023, has talked tough to employees about the company's direction. In an internal memo in December, the tech boss told employees that "we need to change, or there's no way out for our company," Bloomberg reported.

A key reason this tone has emerged is competition.

Big names on China's tech scene, like JD.com and Jack Ma's Alibaba, have faced a threat from fast-growing newcomers like Pinduoduo, the sister company of online marketplace Temu. Pinduoduo has also been called out for a culture of "extreme overtime" by the likes of the China Labor Watch, a nonprofit organization focused on labor rights in China.

As the FT report noted, workers are increasingly using the term "neijuan," which translates roughly to "involution," to describe extreme pressure to outdo competitors, while having smaller and smaller teams to work with. Ma's Alibaba, for instance, cut around 20,000 workers last year.

Chinese tech workers have been no strangers to aggressive work policies over the years.

During their growth in the 2010s, several tech companies in China adopted a so-called "996" working system that demanded 12-hour days from 9 a.m., six days a week.

This policy was once advocated by Chinese business titans such as Ma. Though this brutal working pattern has faced a regulatory crackdown from Beijing, business leaders aren't giving up in their bid to find new ways to pressure workers during a new period of crisis.

Last month, videos posted to Chinese social media showed Qu Jing, public relations lead at internet giant Baidu, setting out expectations of workers, such as being prepared to travel for 50 straight days on business.

"I only care about results," she said in one video.

Qu left Baidu after her comments were made public, but the ferocity of what China's tech workers are hearing isn't abating.

As long as China's economy continues to stutter and competitors claw for consumers, those who want to work in its tech sector may have to keep bending to their bosses' diktats.

• Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona, offer luxury travel experiences. 
• The vast majority of hotel rooms in both Phoenix suburbs are upscale. 
• I stayed in the area's top-rated hotels, the Phoenician and the Hermosa Inn. They epitomized luxury.

Secret exits, private outdoor spaces, high-tech golf carts, dramatic chandeliers, award-winning restaurants, and cowboy artifacts — I saw them all during my trip to Scottsdale without leaving my hotel.

Tourists travel to Arizona for luxury resorts, spas, and golf clubs, Condé Nast Traveler reported in 2023.

Scottsdale, in particular, draws affluent travelers with its health and wellness scene, upscale dining experiences, and top-tier golf courses. So, it's no wonder the area caters to high-end travel.

Scottsdale has more luxurious hotel rooms than standard ones — 80% of the city's 12,500 rooms are classified as luxury level or higher (upscale and upper upscale), according to a Scottsdale tourism report published in 2022 in partnership with Experience Scottsdale, a travel company that has helped establish the city's luxe tourism reputation.

The only place in the area with a higher concentration of luxury accommodations than Scottsdale — 90% of rooms — is Paradise Valley, the wealthier suburb between Phoenix and Scottsdale.

But tourists see Paradise Valley as a part of Scottsdale, according to the report — probably because the towns are close together and offer comparable pampering experiences and jaw-dropping views.

I recently spent two nights in Arizona and booked one night in each suburb's top luxury hotel.

I spent my first night at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, a luxury Marriott Hotel dubbed "Arizona's leading resort" in the 2023 World Travel Awards.

On day two, I headed to Paradise Valley to stay at the boutique Hermosa Inn, which Travel + Leisure called the best hotel in Arizona in 2023.

These similar superlatives made me think the Phoenician and the Hermosa Inn would provide comparable luxury experiences. In reality, the two hotels were completely different.

Still, both showed me why these Phoenix suburbs are hot spots for wealthy travelers.

In Scottsdale, I stayed at the Phoenician — an upscale mega-resort.

The multimillion-dollar luxury Marriott Hotel opened in 1988 and has been renovated several times to amp up its upscale offerings — most recently in 2018.

The Phoenician has 645 rooms on its 600-acre property at the base of Camelback Mountain. The gated hotel grounds are full of activities ranging from sports to relaxation. It's the kind of hotel with so much to do that guests could spend their whole vacation on the property.

In Paradise Valley, I stayed at the Hermosa Inn, a boutique hotel with a completely different vibe.

The vast majority of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley hotels have more than 50 rooms, making the wealthier suburb's 43-room Hermosa Inn a unique option for those seeking seclusion.

The Hermosa Inn isn't luxurious in a glitzy sense. Instead, it marvels guests by making them feel like they traveled to the 20th-century Western era.

Its roots as a 1930s cowboy's home and studio are evident upon arrival with adobe bricks, beehive fireplaces, historic artwork from paintings to silk, and artifacts like worn saddles and Stetson hats.

I thought the Hermosa Inn was ideal for travelers craving privacy and a personal touch.

The Hermosa Inn's 43 stand-alone casitas are secluded accommodations situated next to discrete exits. Guest service agent Tami Norton told Business Insider that the hotel often hosts celebrities and executives in the public eye, and its small size allows it to accommodate special, personalized requests.

For example, Norton noted a recent guest in town to perform.

"The hours they keep are quite different; they arrive back on the property late at night and need to sleep in during the day," she said of performers. "So that particular guest needed the room totally blacked out before they came. We blacked out everything from the skylight down to the glow of the thermostat."

AZ Central reported that Clark Gable, Whitney Houston, David Spade, and Tyrese Gibson have dined and stayed at the Hermosa Inn.

Norton told BI that actors often have strict dietary restrictions that the kitchen accommodates by ordering special ingredients and portioning them out with a scale. She added that guests can also request small appliances in their rooms for protein shakes and other quick meals.

Both hotels had upscale rooms with king-sized beds, large bathrooms, and private outdoor spaces.

My deluxe room at the Phoenician was filled with modern furniture with Southwestern accents. From the comfy bed and oversized tub to the balcony, the room epitomized 21st-century luxury.

While the Phoenician room was modern, the Hermosa Inn casita had a more traditional luxury brand.

At the Hermosa Inn, I slept in what was essentially a small house. It was easily the biggest hotel room I've stayed in.

Unlike the Phoenician, the Hermosa Inn's room didn't feel modern at all. The Southwestern vibe was all-encompassing, from the furniture to the decor. It felt more unique than the room at the Phoenician while boasting the same amenities, including a large tub and bed.

The Hermosa Inn room also had a beehive fireplace and a skylight. Rather than a balcony, the one-story accommodation had a private patio.

Both hotels housed renowned dining hot spots.

The high-quality dining at each hotel attracts more than just hotel guests with buzzy, award-winning restaurants.

Three of the Phoenician's eight dining venues and bars — Mowry & Cotton, J&G Steakhouse, and Thirsty Camel — have received kudos from Forbes Travel Guide, Open Table, and Trip Advisor, according to the hotel's website.

LON's, the Hermosa Inn's only restaurant and bar, is known by Food & Wine for its romantic vibe. It offers outdoor seating surrounded by vibrant gardens and beehive fireplaces. Open Table has included LON's in its roundup of the best brunch menus in the country for four years running.

The Hermosa Inn's restaurant added a wine cellar 20 years ago for ultra-VIP dining.

In its 2003 renovations, LON's upgraded its VIP offerings, adding a small dining room in an underground wine cellar and an exclusive tasting menu.

The Phoenician has also gotten several upgrades, including an award-winning, three-story spa with two pools.

With the most spas per capita in the US, according to Go Banking Rates, Scottsdale is a hot spot for health and wellness tourism.

The Phoenician is ideal for a rejuvenating trip thanks to its award-winning, three-story spa renovated in 2018.

The dramatic entryway greets patrons with an artistic chandelier and golden details throughout the spa. In addition to massage and facial treatment rooms, a sauna, and a meditation room, the facility has two pools — one on the rooftop — a nail salon, and a dry bar for hair styling.

There's also a fitness room where guests can work with a personal trainer.

The same hotel has five more outdoor pools, including one made of pearl tiles imported from Italy.

The massive Phoenician pool complex includes a splash pad and an adults-only pool.

But the most luxurious of the five is the serenity pool made of Italian Mother-of-Pearl tiles that cost $1 million, according to the company's website. The hand-placed tiles give the pool an iridescent shine similar to the inside of a sea shell.

The Phoenician Golf Club takes the upscale sport to another level.

I'm no golfer, but it's easy to see why those who play would stay at the Phoenician.

The 18-hole course and club, renovated in 2018, wowed me with views and high-tech features. Players rode around the pristine course lined with gardens and fountains against a mountain backdrop in golf carts with GPS screens that stream news and entertainment.

Whether you're looking for a private vacation or one where you don't have to leave the hotel, Scottsdale has it all.

After staying at both resorts, there was undoubtedly more to do at the Phoenician. I could see why travelers craving a mega-resort vacation where they don't have to navigate the city to have a good time would pick the Phoenician for their luxury vacation.

But the Hermosa Inn is a better choice for those desiring a unique and exclusive stay with large, private accommodations and plenty of personal attention.

If you stay at both, as I did, luxury travelers can have it all in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. That's why I think so many wealthy vacationers choose the Arizona hot spot for their getaways.

• More people under 50 are developing cancer.
• Dr. Daniel Landau, an oncologist, shared what he does to lower his risk of developing cancer.
• These include eating a Mediterranean-ish diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.

An oncologist shared for things he does to lower his risk of developing cancer, amid rising rates in young adults.

The vast majority (88%) of people who develop cancer are over 50, and survival rates have improved in recent decades, according to the American Cancer Society. But the number of cancer cases in people under the age of 50 rose by nearly 80% between 1990 and 2019, according to a 2023 study published in BMJ Oncology, up from 1.82 million to 3.26 million globally.

We know certain risk factors for some cancers, such as smoking which increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

But for many other cancers, researchers aren't exactly sure why rates have gone up in young people, Dr. Daniel Landau, an oncologist specializing in genitourinary cancers and a medical reviewer for Asbestos.com, a resource on mesothelioma, told Business Insider.

Landau said that one of the most prominent theories is that modern lifestyle factors, specifically people leading more sedentary lives and eating more saturated fats, may have contributed to the rise in cancer rates.

Here's how Landau tries to lower his own risk.

Eats a Mediterranean-ish diet

Landau doesn't follow a strict diet, maintaining an "everything in moderation approach."

But he does try to stick to the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which includes lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and low-fat protein such as fish. It also features limited amounts of red meat, alcohol, and processed foods.

Landau said that the Mediterranean diet is heart-healthy, and research has linked following it to reduced risks of heart attacks and strokes.

Dietitian Tejal Parekh previously told BI that a healthy diet can help to prevent cancer.

Exercises every day

Because of the "known association" between being sedentary and an increased risk of developing certain cancers, Landau tries to exercise for at least 30-60 minutes every day.

He does both weight training and cardiovascular exercise because he believes that both are beneficial for cancer prevention "as long as we raise our resting heart rates."

Just 30 minutes of muscle-strengthening weight training exercises can reduce the risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, a 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found.

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggested in a 2023 study that having a good level of cardio fitness when young could lower the risk of developing certain cancers later in life by up to 42%.

Doesn't rely on supplements

A few studies have suggested that turmeric, green teas, and vitamin D may be beneficial for cancer prevention, Landau said, but more research needs to be done to definitely prove that any supplements can prevent cancer.

Taking supplements can also come with side effects. That was shown in a study where women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements were suggested to have a 7% lower risk of dying from breast cancer — but a 6% increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, potentially because of a build-up of calcium in the coronary arteries.

Landau doesn't take supplements apart from protein powder after a "tough workout."

"I do believe that the best source of nutrition remains to be the food we eat rather than the supplements we take," Landau said.

Doesn't smoke

"There is a strong link between smoking and developing lung or bladder cancer," Landau said.

Nine out of 10 deaths from lung cancer are caused by smoking cigarettes or secondhand smoke exposure, and smoking can also prevent the body from killing cancer cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Gen Z is still figuring out what to wear for in-person work in an office.
• Dressing inappropriately at work can have career consequences.
• Fashion designer Christian Siriano advises saving your best outfits for occasions outside of work.

As corporate offices become more populated with in-person workers, a new generation of employees is figuring out what to wear. Gen Z employees are even turning to TikTok for workwear inspiration.

Corporate stylist Maree Ellard previously told Business Insider that exposing too much skin is one of the biggest professional style mistakes she sees Gen Z make. Dressing inappropriately for work is more than just a fashion faux pas — it can also have career consequences when it comes to performance evaluations and promotions.

Christian Siriano, whose designs are beloved by A-list celebrities and first ladies alike, believes it's possible to balance fashion and function when it comes to dressing for the office.

"The young generation, obviously, always will push forward cool trends that are interesting," he told Business Insider while promoting his partnership with Persil laundry detergent. "They follow their favorite music artist and she's wearing that cool crop top and a big baggy pant or whatever it is. But I do think for work and certain things, there are ways to be in the moment but also feel respectful."

When it comes to dressing for success, Siriano's workwear advice is practical — at the end of the day, work is work. Play it safe and save the daring looks you love for more meaningful settings.

"Don't waste your best outfit in the office," Siriano said. "What, you want to impress your colleagues every day? I think it's more fun to save your best looks for the people that you love being with and hanging out with. If you're going out to dinner, going on a date — that's, for me, where you really save the moment."

• I traveled to Lisbon for the first time and was surprised by many things. 
• The capital city felt smaller and more affordable than the other European destinations I've visited.
• I wish I had spent four days rather than a week in Lisbon and explored more of Portugal.

As someone who's spent their entire life in the tristate area, I'm always interested in comparing other metropolitan areas to New York City. 

My mom and I have had the Portuguese capital on our travel bucket lists for a while and wanted to see everything it had to offer. We flew seven hours from New York to Madrid before hopping on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Lisbon. 

We explored different neighborhoods, like Bairro Alto and Chiado, and visited sites such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. 

These were some of the biggest surprises during my first trip to Lisbon.

Editor's Note: The writer took this trip in February 2022. 

The first thing I noticed was how much smaller Lisbon felt compared to the other European cities I've visited.

When I visited other European cities, it sometimes took me a while to find my bearings and figure out how to get around. However, Lisbon felt much smaller and easier to navigate.

For reference, Lisbon is around 33 square miles, which is smaller than Paris (around 41 square miles), Rome (around 500 square miles), and London (around 600 square miles). 

Even though Lisbon is almost as big as Paris, it felt smaller since everything was so close together.

Almost all of the destinations on our itinerary were within walking distance from where we stayed or just a short ride away from our hotel. The furthest spot we visited in Lisbon was a 25-minute drive away.

Each neighborhood had a distinct feel, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to tell them apart.

Lisbon is divided into several different neighborhoods, and I had no trouble telling each one apart. 

Baixa is a central neighborhood that's home to popular attractions like Restauradores Square, Praça do Comércio, and Rossio; Bairro Alto has some of the city's best nightlife spots; and Chiado is the go-to area for great shopping and beautiful public squares. All of them were worth a visit. 

In addition to the above neighborhoods, my other favorites were Alfama and Belém. Tourists should visit each area to take in its unique beauty and ambiance. I found it super interesting to compare their similarities and differences.

Overall, Lisbon didn't feel like New York in the slightest, especially without all the honking and other noises. But I adored the European city's colorful buildings and the way its neighborhoods all intertwined.

I could walk almost everywhere I wanted to go in the city — but it was very hilly.

Before you decide where to stay in Lisbon, it's important to research the city's different neighborhoods, especially if you plan on walking everywhere. 

I chose the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in the Marquês de Pombal neighborhood because it was within walking distance of Baixa and Chiado. Plus, my room had a gorgeous view of the city.

Places were even closer than they seemed on the map. On our first day in Lisbon, the hotel concierge told us to take a taxi to Chiado and Rossio. However, we decided to walk and ended up arriving in less than 30 minutes. 

As someone who's always on their feet in New York, this journey was a breeze compared to the daily walks I take with my dog. However, the city is hilly, and walking for too long can be brutal. There's no shame in taking a car back. 

Also, Lisbon has a prominent nightlife scene. So if you don't plan on going out or don't want to hear music blasting all night long, you might want to stay in a quieter area.

I'm so glad I visited during the off-season. The temperature was mild, and there were fewer crowds.

We visited in February, which is considered Lisbon's winter and offseason. It was the perfect time to go.

The city was less crowded than it would've been during the summer season, but the weather was still warm enough on several days of our trip that we could wear light jackets or short-sleeve shirts.

 

The food, transportation, and souvenirs were more affordable in Lisbon than I expected.

My trip to Lisbon was more affordable than my vacations in other European cities — including London, Paris, Rome, and Milan. 

To be fair, prices may have dipped since I visited during the offseason, but I budgeted a lot more for the trip than I ended up spending. 

When my mom and I went out to dinner, I spent between $25 and $35 on both meals, which included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our most expensive meal in Lisbon was around $45, and we ordered a lot of food. 

Prices vary depending on the restaurant. I didn't go to any Michelin-starred eateries during my trip, but I did go to upscale restaurants. 

Additionally, the priciest Uber I took in Lisbon was $15, and it went all the way to the other side of the city. 

In some other European cities, I spent a lot more money on transportation and dining (many restaurants charged over $50 for an appetizer, two main courses, and a dessert), so the prices in Lisbon were a pleasant surprise.

The famous Pastéis de Bélem were worth all of the hype.

Lisbon is famous for its Pastéis de Bélem, a sweet pastry with custard filling, and they were worth the hype.

Pastéis de Bélem originated at a shop in Bélem with the same name. The rest of the country calls the sweets "Pastéis de Nata," but Pastéis de Bélem come from this specific shop in Lisbon, which has used the same secret recipe to make them since 1837.

When I tried my first Pastel de Bélem, it was heavenly. I completely understood why people raved about them. Not only was the treat delicious, but it was affordable too. Each one cost around $1.34.

Our tour guide said Pastéis de Bélem has crazy lines during Lisbon's busy summer season from June to August, and the shop sells thousands of its pastries each day.

Thankfully, I visited during off-hours in the winter, so I only had to wait a few minutes. But I talked about the pastry for the rest of our trip.

I felt like I only needed a few days to explore the city and regretted not seeing more of Portugal.

The biggest mistake I made when planning this trip was budgeting an entire week for Lisbon. I didn't expect the city to be as small as it was.

I saw the bulk of the city in four days and then spent the rest of the time relaxing. It was nice, but I wouldn't follow the same itinerary if I visit again.

Portugal is a beautiful country, and I would've liked to see more of it. I wish I'd spent three or four days in Lisbon before exploring another area, like Porto. 

 

 

Pictures didn't do Lisbon justice, so I recommend seeing the city with your own eyes.

After arriving in Lisbon, I was surprised by the city's beauty. Though I wouldn't put the Portuguese capital in the same category as Paris or Rome, I was still very impressed by its pastel-colored buildings, ornate tilework, and picturesque scenery.

I'd seen plenty of photos before I visited, but it was still surreal to see Lisbon in real life. 

The miradouros, or viewpoints, were the best places to see the city. I visited as many as possible and was amazed by the incredible view at each one of them.

Overall, I'd recommend a visit to Lisbon. From its beauty to its charming neighborhoods, the city is like a real-life watercolor painting.

This story was originally published on August 31, 2022, and most recently updated on June 24, 2024.

Gamtae is one of South Korea's rarest seaweeds. For centuries, this earthy, sweet seaweed was mainly harvested and eaten raw by locals in the Seosan region. Today, thanks to the efforts of Ju-hyeon Song and her family business, Badasoop, it's become a hit among Michelin-starred chefs in South Korea and abroad. But because of gamtae's unpredictable harvests and rising prices, turning this small industry into a thriving business presented a challenge. So how did Ju-Hyeon take gamtae from a local delicacy to a worldwide sensation? And why is it so expensive?

• Rihab Lajmi left her role at Google and launched FAANG, an AI hiring platform.
• Lajmi has gone through dozens of interviews herself and interviewed 35 recruiters to learn what they're looking for.
• These are the five interview tips she recommends to job seekers.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rihab Lajmi, a 26-year-old living in Germany. Her employment history has been verified by BI. It's been edited for length and clarity.

You may have heard of FAANG being used as an acronym for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google — and that's exactly what inspired the name of my company.

FAANG jobs are highly coveted and represent success in tech. So about six months ago, I quit my job as a Cloud space architect at Google to create an AI recruiting platform to help people land their dream jobs.

Our conversational AI recruiter "Buddy" conducts custom simulated video interviews for job applicants based on the company's preferences, culture, and technical needs. Our vision is to scale "Buddy" to become every job seeker's companion to prepare for job interviews.

By adopting this name, we aim to empower individuals to achieve their career aspirations, whether at FAANG or elsewhere. So far, we've interviewed over 35 recruiters to learn more about what they're looking for.

Before Google, I worked at Microsoft and went through dozens of interviews at other companies like Amazon. Through my own experience and from speaking with recruiters directly, these are my biggest takeaways on how to excel in an interview.

1. Request a champion call with the hiring manager

In many interview processes, the hiring manager won't show up until the final round of interviews. That person often has the final say so it's good practice to increase your visibility early on.

If you don't have a call scheduled with the hiring manager prior to the first interview, request it. This breaks the ice and helps them remember you later.

The call should be casual and you should start by introducing yourself. Then, you can ask about them and what they're looking for. This will also help you get more information as you go through the interview process.

2. Begin the interview with small talk

Starting with small talk may help the interviewer remember you later on. You can start by asking the interviewer questions about the company or you can try a less formal approach if they seem open.

A lot of the people I've worked with have been international so I often start with questions about where they're from and then mention my favorite dish from that region.

Make sure you read the room and don't let the small talk go on for too long. Some interviewers like to chat more than others so make sure to pay attention to verbal cues.

3. Be concise

People often look at interviews like an exam — don't go into it with that approach. While you should do your homework and prepare for the interview, it's important that you don't get bogged down by the details.

The person who is interviewing you will lose their focus if you talk too much. They also are assessing your ability to communicate so being concise can help you score higher or make a better impression.

4. Weave in your personality when answering questions

The company wants to get to know you as a person. So when it comes to behavioral questions, do your best to weave in stories and examples that highlight parts of your personality.

For example, if someone asks about a time you had to work through a conflict, don't put an emphasis on the problem or the solution. Instead, make sure you focus on how you went about solving the problem and how you communicated.

5. Don't follow up right after the interview

Don't follow up with a recruiter right after the interview and don't contact them more than twice. It could take a while to make the decision, especially if it's a competitive role, and if you appear overly eager you could lose leverage power with salary negotiation.

Do you work at Google? We want to hear from you. Email the reporter from a non-work email at aaltchek@insider.com.

• Business Insider is putting together a power list of the young talent on Wall Street.
• We want to spotlight the standouts in investment banking, investing as well as sales and trading. 
• Please submit your ideas here by August 7th. 

We're seeking nominations for Business Insider's list of rising stars on Wall Street, and we want to hear from you. 

Submit your suggestions below or via this form.

We're looking for the leaders of tomorrow, those making notable contributions or accomplishments and setting themselves apart from their class in investment banking, investing, and sales and trading. 

In the past, we've had people with a variety of roles and experiences from companies including Blackstone, Citadel, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs.

Take a look at our 2023 list here.

Criteria and methodology

Our selection criteria: We ask that nominees be 35 or under as of September 30, 2024, based in the US, work front-office roles, and stand out from their peers. Editors make the final decisions.

Please make your submission below or through this form by August 7th to have your selection considered for the list. Please be as specific as possible in your submission.

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