Blog Posts

Woman posing with a famous animated character

7 Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Thrift for Under $20

Need a costume in a pinch? From Kim Possible to Effie Trinket, these Goodwill finds show how to thrift five creative Halloween looks under $20—plus two easy DIY tutorials for last-minute magic.
Read More 7 Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Thrift for Under $20
  • Thrifting
  • Second Chance Studio
  • Retail
A vignette of spooky decor including a mirror, books and a candelabra

How to Make a Spooky Mirror with Thrifted Finds

Give your Halloween décor a haunting twist with this DIY spooky mirror project. Using a thrifted mirror and a few simple supplies, you’ll create a ghostly reflection that’s perfect for scaring friends, family, or party guests. Affordable, creative, and eerie—it’s a Halloween hack made possible with Goodwill.
Read More How to Make a Spooky Mirror with Thrifted Finds
  • Second Chance Studio
Goodwill influencers on Morning Blend and Daytime Chicago

Goodwill Thrift Finds Take Center Stage on Chicago & Milwaukee Morning Shows

Goodwill thrift finds just hit the spotlight! From Chicago to Milwaukee, local style experts showed how to turn secondhand treasures into fresh fall looks—on a budget.
Read More Goodwill Thrift Finds Take Center Stage on Chicago & Milwaukee Morning Shows
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
Woman holding a DIY project with text in the foreground

How to Make Ghost Party Art from a Thrifted Sign

Upcycle an old sign into ghost party art with this Halloween DIY from Goodwill’s Content Creator, and skilled upcycler, Jen Dunne. Using thrifted finds, paint, and texture, you’ll create a spooky, sustainable piece of décor that’s both fun and affordable.
Read More How to Make Ghost Party Art from a Thrifted Sign
  • Second Chance Studio
Scarecrow sitting atop pumpkins in a fall scene

How to Make a DIY Happy Scarecrow for Halloween

Turn thrifted finds into a festive fall decoration! Follow these easy steps to create a DIY scarecrow that’s fun, affordable, and perfect for your porch this Halloween.
Read More How to Make a DIY Happy Scarecrow for Halloween
  • Second Chance Studio
Woman holding an autumn wreath

How to Make a DIY Autumn Wreath for Your Front Door

Welcome fall with a simple DIY wreath made from thrifted finds. Learn how to craft an autumn door wreath with seasonal flowers, ribbon, and a few easy steps.
Read More How to Make a DIY Autumn Wreath for Your Front Door
  • Second Chance Studio
Man holding a box of donations

What Really Happens to Your Donated Clothes at Goodwill

Ever wonder what really happens when you donate clothes to Goodwill? Julie Deming, Goodwill's Director of Inventory, explains how your donations fuel programs, support sustainability and give clothing a second life.
Read More What Really Happens to Your Donated Clothes at Goodwill
  • Retail
woman modeling fall outfits

10 Must-Haves for Fall Fashion

Must-have fall fashion trends that you can build with affordable finds from Goodwill.
Read More 10 Must-Haves for Fall Fashion
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
Two people shaking hands after an interview.

How to Prepare for a Second Interview

Preparing for a second interview can feel overwhelming, but it’s also your chance to shine. In this article, Fabio Cardenas, Manager of the Goodwill Workforce Connection Center, shares expert advice on what to expect, common mistakes to avoid, and how to turn your callback into a job offer.
Read More How to Prepare for a Second Interview
  • Workforce Connection Centers
  • Job Hunting
kids shirts on a rack

Back to School Looks Found at Goodwill

Kids grow fast but Goodwill makes it easy to keep up. Here are tips on how to find stylish, affordable back-to-school looks for your children.
Read More Back to School Looks Found at Goodwill
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
A person's hand holding a pen and papers.

Cover Letter vs. Resume: What You Really Need to Know

Need help with your resume or cover letter? Learn the difference, when to use each and how to stand out—plus expert tips from Goodwill’s Workforce Connection Center to boost your next job application.
Read More Cover Letter vs. Resume: What You Really Need to Know
  • Career Development
Two gold ring bands.

Is it Real? Real Gold vs. Fake Gold

Wondering how to tell if gold is real? Learn how to spot fake gold jewelry, test for authenticity, and find real gold treasures while thrifting at Goodwill—straight from an expert on what to look for.
Read More Is it Real? Real Gold vs. Fake Gold
  • Retail
  • eCommerce
woman standing in between rack of clothes holding sandals

Wrapping Up Summer in Style

As summer winds down, here are tips on how to choose thrifted fashion that lasts well beyond the season.
Read More Wrapping Up Summer in Style
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
colorful clothes on rack

Refresh Your Summer Fashion Style

Summer is here and it's time to turn up the heat on your style. Here are a few tips for looking effortlessly cool all season long.
Read More Refresh Your Summer Fashion Style
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
Row of green shirts

Date Night Looks Found at Goodwill

Have you ever let a cute fashion statement piece sit in your closet for too long because you didn't have anything to wear it with? Here are some tips to help you find the missing piece at Goodwill.
Read More Date Night Looks Found at Goodwill
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail
Young man being interviewed

How to Answer Interview Questions Confidently

Interviews are stressful for most people. It’s an important conversation and something you probably haven’t done very often. These 5 interview tips can help you be more confident, so you have a better chance of landing the job you want.
Read More How to Answer Interview Questions Confidently
  • Workforce Connection Centers
  • Job Hunting
Louis Vuitton storefront

Is it real? How Can I Know l if a Louis Vuitton Bag is Real?

An authentic Louis Vuitton handbag can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $20,000 for a single bag. For this reason, fake Louis Vuitton handbags abound. If you’re considering buying a pre-owned handbag, here’s what to look for.
Read More Is it real? How Can I Know l if a Louis Vuitton Bag is Real?
  • Retail
  • eCommerce

Case Study: Strategic staffing solutions deliver 100% order fulfillment

When a global water technology provider in Illinois needed support for their small internal HR team, they turned to Goodwill TalentBridge. TalentBridge‘s Metro Chicago team has successfully supported urgent factory job recruitment needs through two Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) projects.
Read More Case Study: Strategic staffing solutions deliver 100% order fulfillment
  • TalentBridge Success
  • Illinois

Case Study: Delivering 68 candidates in 90 days

TalentBridge’s Metro Chicago manufacturing staffing solutions team is proud to support a manufacturer of medical devices in the greater Chicago area. This manufacturer produces specialized plastic injection mold items in a clean room environment.
Read More Case Study: Delivering 68 candidates in 90 days
  • TalentBridge Success
  • Illinois
Edessa School Students

Upcycled Jacket Designs from Edessa School of Fashion x Goodwill

What happens when you hand a group of creative teens a thrifted jacket and a week to transform it? You get bold, unexpected and seriously impressive designs.
Read More Upcycled Jacket Designs from Edessa School of Fashion x Goodwill
  • Thrifting
  • Style and Decor
  • Retail