3 ways to revive a job search that's dragging on

If you're not having great luck in your job search and are feeling a little down about it, it's important to remember that you're not alone. In fact, the job search slump hits applicants without discrimination. The timing and the reasons may vary, but feeling discouraged and depleted is an inevitable experience.

But that doesn't mean there's not a solution. If you've been pumping out applications,interviewing, and hustling for a few months without success, perhaps it's time to ask one of the following questions. Use your frustration as fuel to launch a fresh job search strategy.

1. Do you have tunnel vision?

Tunnel vision makes you believe that you must land a specific position, with particular specs and hours, in the industry that you originally targeted. In reality, though, the current job landscape or your skill set may not be conducive to an easy match.

If you've received denial after denial — especially at the same stage of the process (i.e., no one has contacted you to set up an interview) — it's time to step back and re-evaluate. Assess any feedback you've received, and examine whether or not you still feel like you're a strong contender at this particular level or in this specific industry. Perhaps you'll pinpoint that your level of experience is lacking and decide that a course or internship would be helpful before you continue applying to similar roles. In the meantime, you could pivot your existing skill set to another department or industry.

Alternatively, maybe you're hearing from companies, but you're hesitant to commit. Instead of boxing yourself in and feeling like your new job must look a certain way, consider piecing together other types of jobs to give yourself more flexibility.

For example, a "bridge job" — one that pays the bills while you figure out what you really want to do — is a great option for someone who needs financial stability but wants the bandwidth to change careers or build a side business. Bridge jobs may not sound glamorous to your friends and family, but they allow you to pursue your goals in a way you wouldn't be able to if you were working a demanding corporate position.

Expanding your personal vision for your next job — with an eye toward what will best fit your particular needs and long-term goals — will help you discover interesting opportunities that may not have been in your line of sight before.

2. Are you offline?

If your job search keeps you tethered to your computer day and night, you need to evaluate your in-person job search strategy (that is, if you have one at all). The fact is, the vast majority of jobs aren't listed online, they're filled through referrals from existing employees — so if you shift from being job-focused to people-focused, you'll likely notice a change.

If you feel like you've exhausted your current network, start creating new contacts by checking out local meetups, professional organizations, or projects that need someone with your skill set. Go to industry events, meet like-minded folks, and put yourself in a position to collaborate with new and interesting people.

More importantly, for each position you apply to online, find a person — at the company, in the field, or somehow related to the work you hope to do — and introduce yourself to via LinkedIn, Twitter, or email (here's how). Explain your goals, and ask that person if he is available to connect so you could learn more about his experience.

By extending your job search beyond your computer screen (with real-life conversations and new communities), you'll gain access into circles that are otherwise out of reach. Take the initiative to show people your value beyond an online resume and email correspondence.

3. Are you spending enough time doing other things?

Before you protest, let me explain. What I mean is: Do you set aside time every week to do something you love, build out a skill, or feed a creative outlet? As you well know, job searching is tiring and stressful. One day, you could have what feels like a great interview, and the next day, a rejection email arrives from that same company. In order to keep your spirits strong and stay focused, it's vital that you prioritize time for projects that recharge you and give you a sense of achievement.

In his famous 2005 commencement speech, Steve Jobs explained how a calligraphy class, which at the time had no practical application to his life, fundamentally impacted his designs. As he said:

...And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do.

You never know how your creative pursuits will open up new lanes and provide unique advantages. So, let yourself pursue a hobby that allows your right brain to fire up and stay strengthened. These personal projects will provide new arenas for progress and achievement, which can keep you going on the days that your job search leaves you feeling empty-handed. These projects can build your mental clarity, connect you with other people, and also show up later in your life as unique opportunities.

Keep your job search strategy fresh by taking a step back and expanding your options. It will keep you invigorated and focused and help find your best path — and maybe even your next job.

View full article at http://mashable.com/2015/04/02/reinvigorate-job-search/

11 Questions Hiring Managers NEVER Want to Hear

Questions Hiring Managers NEVER Want to Hear

What have you heard a great candidate ask during an interview that loses them the job?

ANSWER below by Erin Berkery-Rovner, CAREER advisor and former recruiter.

I've heard variations of bad QUESTIONS in so many industries, so I've put them into a few categories.

The "I actually don't want to do this job" questions

• We don't have to [insert duty that would need to be performed every day] at this job, do we?
• How quickly would I be promoted from [entry-level job they are QUALIFIED for] because I really want to work as a [mid-level job they are unqualified for]?
• Can I work part time or WORK FROM HOME? [when the work needs to be done on-site]
• I don't think that doing [valuable work the company needs done] is important, would I be able to pass that work off to someone else in this role?

The "I didn't do my research or my research is incorrect" questions

• If I assume [completely incorrect assumption A], then that means that this job would entail [a long DESCRIPTION that has nothing to do with the job, company and in some cases, industry]?
• I read an article about [insert competitor] and I see that YOUR COMPANY is doing this new thing [that the company is not doing, because the candidate is talking about a competitor]. How would that impact MY JOB?

The "my last job and qualifications are drastically different from what you need" questions

• At my last job I really didn't enjoy doing [task that is the reason THE INTERVIEWER called them in], how much of my workday will be spent doing that task?
• I worked with a budget of [10 times the budget they will get at their new role] and I found that more was needed. How much priority do you give to [insert job function that will drain all cash from the department and give very little ROI]?

The "I want to name-drop because I think it will make me look smarter or savvier than the other candidates" questions

• How does your company work with [buzzword that is irrelevant to the job]?
• I noticed that your CEO [insert wrong CEO, mis-pronounce CEO's name or simply don't know the CEO's name] is doing [anything, because at this point THE INTERVIEWER has stopped listening so we will never find out the end to this question]?

The "if I keep talking and say hip things, then nobody will realize that this isn't a question" question

• My main focus has been [insert theoretical concept], and with the [insert word that doesn't make sense], and [buzzword] that is prevalent in [insert large geographical area, large industry segment or big numbers], what would my options be for [buzzword] in [buzzword] and for [insert flashy conference that the company has no intention of this role attending], will this role allow me to [insert pretentious CLAIM]?

See full article at http://mashable.com/2015/03/17/bad-job-interview-questions/

What are they REALLY asking you at the interview?

Interviews are fairly anxiety inducing, especially when your interviewer has what can only be described as a professional poker face. You could drive yourself insane trying to figure out what exactly is going on behind that diplomatic smile.

To save you from the agony and to help you better prepare, here is an inside look at what goes through a hiring manager's mind during an interview. In general, employers are looking for the best technical and cultural fit that their budgets will allow for. While these questions will all go through their minds, the questions they end up asking usually aren't as direct. So, know that no matter how wacky or irrelevant the question might seem, they all come back to these five core concerns.

1. Have you successfully done similar work in the past?

Really, the question should be more along the lines of, "Can you do the job?" but that's not always the easiest thing to evaluate. That's why such weight is given to your ability to show relevant work that you have done, whether it was for another company, for school, or just independently.

Any chance you get, you should be talking about your relevant experience and transferable skills. Of course, it's not always just about results. Being able to talk about why you were successful is also important. Tell stories about your previous experience, and be introspective. The interviewer will be attempting to draw insights from your answers, so you might as well spell them out to make sure you're sending the message you want to send.

2. Will you work well with my current team?

There is always some context that you're being hired into, and it's in the hiring manager's best interest to make sure you will be a good fit and can hit the ground running.

How exactly can a hiring manager discern whether or not you'll work out? In the end, it's still a bit of a gamble, but a few things you should definitely try to get across are your communication style and effectiveness, your work ethic, your career values, and how you approach problems. Think broadly about these things, and then come up with a concrete supporting example as you're preparing for the interview.

And remember: There's no right or wrong answer here. After all, you don't want to end up in a situation where you're a bad fit either.

3. What do you know about my company?

You're applying for a specific role that probably exists in many other companies as well, so why this one? Hiring managers want you to show not only that you know what makes their particular company special, but that you're really excited about it. Doing your homework on the companyand considering why you'd be a good fit shows that you're invested.

Naturally, it doesn't stop there. Asking thoughtful and informed questions about the company is a great way to show continued enthusiasm as the interview progresses (here are a few great ones). Do the company research beforehand, and show off what you know in both your answers and your questions.

4. Does the job you're expecting align with what the job actually is?

In other words, do you know what you're signing up for, and is it what you're really looking for? No one wants to hire someone who just wants the job to tide him or her over until a new, more desirable job turns up. And, while we're on the topic of expectations, are your salary expectations in line with the company's? To get to the point, can the company afford to hire you?

To get to this, the interviewer might ask anything from your motivation for leaving your previous position to what you're most excited about in the new role. The current salary question will likely come up at some point as well. In the end, there are a hundred different questions that could get at this concern. To prepare in a realistic amount of time, figure out what your career narrative is. Where did you come from, where are you going, and why? How does this job fit in with your goals? Oh, and read up on negotiation.

5. Are you confident in your abilities?

This might not be something hiring managers are thinking about consciously, but you can bet that their perception of your confidence will make a difference in how they remember you. Now, confidence can mean different things to different people, but in general if you can show that you're passionate about the work and you look the part, half the battle is won. If you want to boost your confidence even more, set some time aside to do a few power poses before the big interview.

Of course, looking confident is just a matter of practice, but being confident requires a whole new mindset. If you're short on time, get a pep talk from your support network of friends and mentors. Having the right people in your life can make a world of difference when it comes to self-confidence—not to mention it's easier (and more effective) to say, "My manager would describe me as hardworking," rather than "I'd say I'm a pretty hard worker."

If you can get across a clear message that addresses all of these concerns, you're well prepared to meet the mysterious hiring manager. So, before you go into your next interview, make a point to check off everything on this list. You still might not be able to read the person across the table, but this time you won't need to.

Find full article at http://mashable.com/2015/02/19/unspoken-interview-questions/

How to write a speech for any occasion

There's nothing worse than staring at a blank screen, and wondering how you'll begin to write a speech. Oh wait, there is something worse: Staring at a blank screen, and wondering how to start your speech — while your deadline is hanging over your head. Add some pressure to a confused mind and a dreaded task and, well, you're likely to throw something together, throw up your hands, or throw in the towel.

But don't get mad — get strategic. In my work coaching busy people (from powerful Hollywood movie moguls to nervous maids of honor) to make speeches, I have found that following these three simple steps can quickly take you from ideation to oration.

Step 1: Prepare

While it is deeply satisfying to start putting words on a page, it's more important to spend a few minutes thinking about what you want this speech or presentation to accomplish. After all, as Yankee great Yogi Berra once remarked, "If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else."

So, spend a few minutes reflecting on the following:

What kind of speech is this? Common types include informational (aimed at instructing or teaching), persuasive (targeted to change people's beliefs and behaviors), and evocative (focused on generating an emotional response).

Who is your audience? What do they already know about this topic? What do they believe that may or may not be true? What do they want? What do they hope for? What do they fear?

What do you want your audience to feel? What do you want them to do? What one to three things do you want them to know (based on what they already know or believe, hope for, want or fear, and what you want them to understand) that will drive them to do the thing you want them to do? Stick to three main points wherever possible. Two sets up an "either-or," where four tends to overwhelm.

What's your overarching point of view on the topic?** A neutral speech is a boring speech!

Step 2: Organize

Studies about consumer psychology show that when you offer people too many choices and too much information, they tune out and ultimately buy nothing. As you are asking your audience to buy (or at least buy into) what you're talking about, you want to keep your ideas as simple and streamlined as possible. Here's a simple outline to follow that will keep you and your audience focused:

An attention-getting introduction: Use a quotation, a story, a question, or a statistic — something to get the audience paying attention to you as quickly as possible. "Hello, good morning, and thank you for having me" does not count as a captivating opening. Remember, this is your one opportunity to let your listeners know that you're worth listening to.

A preview: Let your listeners know what's coming by saying "Today, we're going to cover..." That old saying "Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them" is absolutely right. (For a bonus, tell your listeners what benefits they'll get from your presentation. It will inspire them to pay attention!)

Points 1 through 3: Make your case. These main points should be based on what you prepared earlier (what you want your audience to know or understand). To make your points resonate, include stories, statistics, examples from the news and popular culture, expert citations, and personal experiences. But don't use all of these for each point. Pick one or two ways to bring each point to life and then move on.

A recap: Tell them what you just told them. (Seriously — our memories are short and our attention spans even shorter.)

A Q&A: You might think that you should leave the questions until the end. Think again. When you leave the questions until the end, you let the audience decide the topic and tone you end on. You've worked too hard for that! Hold Q&A before you wrap up so that you can deal with anything that comes up from your audience and still plan to conclude on your own terms.

The closer: It's almost over — but not quite. The law of recency tells us that the audience will remember most what they heard last. Wrap up any loose items, draw a final inspiring conclusion that will compel people to think and act differently, and then close with a stirring statement that's memorable. For extra credit, have your closing mirror your opening so that your speech feels like a complete package.

Step 3: Present with passion

Maya Angelou once remarked, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to 

thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Let it be your mission not just to survive your speech, but to deliver it with some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Make eye contact to connect with your listeners, use your arms to generate energy, move around the room (OK, not too much), and have your voice and face come alive to show that you care about your topic and your audience.

Don't just stand up there — do something. Shift your presentation from "Woe is me" to "Wow!" and from "I can't believe I have to write a speech" to "I rocked it. Next!"

See full article at http://mashable.com/2015/02/28/writing-speech/

The expert trick to hone your skills section on LinkedIn

LinkedIn recently released its list of most hireable skills in 2014 — and, perhaps unsurprisingly, all of the top 10 are for techies.

If you're employed (or hoping to soon be employed) in a tech-related field, this list is helpful. But what if you’re not a techie, hacker or self-proclaimed data geek? What about the plethora of salespeople, marketers, executives, entrepreneurs, consultants and writers also using the platform?

IMAGE: LINKEDIN

The skills you display on your profile matter — and in case you missed the update, LinkedIn recently tweaked its search engine so that you can filter by the skills on a user's profile (i.e., your LinkedIn Skills affect your search rankings). So instead of simply guessing what to list or waiting for a colleague to endorse you randomly, try following the below steps to get more eyeballs — and more importantly, the right eyeballs — on your profile.

Below is an expert trick I've learned as a professional LinkedIn profile writer.

1. Find the schools with graduates in the companies and functions you are targeting

Using LinkedIn’s little-known University Finder tool, choose the filters that you are targeting, such as companies you want to focus on, locations where you want to work or roles you want to take on.

IMAGE: LINKEDIN

For example, I might pick Google as the target company and my function might be marketing — I would get a list of schools including Stanford, U Penn, UC Berkeley and Harvard. Write these schools down to reference in step two.

2. Find the skills students graduate with in those universities

Now, pick any of those top schools from step one and visit their University Page, and click on the 'Explore Careers' link. A search interface should come up similar to the one in step one — but this time you can see a list of skills graduates have on their profile.

IMAGE: LINKEDIN

In a spreadsheet, create a column A labeled "Skills," and list the top 10 skills shown under the column labeled "What they're skilled at" for each school. Don’t worry about repeating the same skills; just write them all down in one long list.

Using the example above, I would pick the target company, Google, and my function, marketing. What appears is a list of the top skills that alumni who are working in marketing at Google have on their profile. Write the top 10 of these skills in the spreadsheet, then move on to the next University Page, filter by company and function, and record the skills until there are at least 50 in your list.

3. Pick the skills with the most frequency

Go through five to 10 schools for each target company and function, recording the top 10 skills that pop up for each school. This shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. The output of your research will be a long list of 50 to 100 skills in column A in a spreadsheet.

Now, look at the frequency of these Skills using the pivot table function. Create a pivot table with the entire range of column A:

• Step 1. Add a row grouped by skills
• Step 2. Add values, summarized by COUNTA
• Step 3. Rank your skills based on frequency. The pivot table will tell you which skills appeared more frequently. Use those in your LinkedIn profile.

Note: You'll want to ensure that these skills are actually in your skill set before listing them on your profile — be sure that you can speak to them in an interview setting and have proof to back up your claims if called upon to do so by a potential employer!

See FULL article on mashable.com.. http://mashable.com/2015/02/21/non-technical-skills-linkedin/

The FIX!!!

4 common productivity tips that are actually the worst

You've heard the same "tried and true" advice from productivity experts for years. And I'll admit it — I've given and taken this advice myself. But the truth is: A lot of it is a lie. Most of the "best" productivity advice doesn't work. Here's why — and what to do instead.

1. "Don't check email first thing in the morning"

I understand why this sounds like a good tip: Reading and responding to email could derail your entire morning and set you back (you know, when your 15 minutes of reviewing emails turns into 45 — and suddenly, you're late for work). But, in so many industries, it can be difficult to ignore what has been going on overnight — even for a few hours. Translation: This tip just isn't realistic in your fast-paced life. In fact, it might actually cause additional anxiety before you even get into the office.

The fix

Check email first thing in the morning, but don't respond unless it will take you less than a minute. Something that requires a quick "yes" or "no" or that can be forwarded to someone who can take care of it for you is fine. But anything that requires research or a longer response is off-limits. Mark that email "unread," and go back to it later when you have more time. Better yet, add it to your to-do list so you'll be sure to check on it later.

Scrolling through and skimming emails first thing in the morning is a good use of time even when you can't respond right away. Letting them marinate before firing off a response can be invaluable.

2. "Do the hardest task first"

Sure, this sounds like a reasonable strategy. But the problem is that, sometimes, your hardest to-do can really set you back time-wise. It can be easy to get off track if you don't plan ahead and set aside all of the time, resources, and energy you need for this task. This strategy might end up actually deflating your hopes for a productive day.

The fix

Instead of tackling your most difficult (i.e., draining) task first, boost your confidence and get your momentum going by starting with smaller, easier steps. They will ease you into a productive mode and ensure you'll keep plugging along.

Bonus: Consider cutting that difficult project into smaller bite-sized to-dos that you can tackle individually. For instance, "write a book" is too daunting. So, break that big task up into smaller ones like, "research ideas," "make chapter outlines," and "contact agents."

3. "Make a master to-do list"

This makes my head hurt.

OK, I do think it's a good idea to get everything out of your head and down on paper. But having just one go-to list for all the things you need to get done is a big mistake. It ends up being really difficult to focus and pick tasks off a never-ending list.

The fix

Once you do a mind dump and get everything out of your head, rewrite your list into specific, actionable tasks. Then, go a step further and break your lists up into a work list, home list, side project list, and so on.

This way, your mind will be clear when you look at that particular list, and you won't have to wade through other noise like "pick up birthday gift for Grandma" when you're trying to finalize a press release at work. You'll get to Grandma's gift — when you're ready to tackle your home and life to-dos. Keeping your lists separate will help you stay laser-focused on what really needs to get done first.

4. "Stop multitasking"

Yes, I'm guilty of giving this advice quite often — but it's not completely accurate. I've met plenty of people who tell me they are master multitaskers and can juggle many projects at once. I get it: I'm one of them.

In fact, stress can actually push you to become more productive. For example, have you ever noticed how if you know you need to get a certain amount of stuff done in a short time, you'll figure out a way to do it? Even if that means doing two things at once!

The fix

Be selective. For instance, commuting is a great time to catch up on your favorite podcast. I like to walk and simultaneously learn how to become a better entrepreneur, figure out who really did kill Hae Min Lee (hello, Serial!), or hear how to network like a superstar.

Sure, this is technically doing two tasks at once, but I don't need the same resources to do both. Meaning, walking and listening is a productive way to multitask because these two tasks complement each other. Alternatively, something like talking on the phone and writing emails isn't a great multitasking pair because it's just too hard to split your brain across those two things.

Remember, just because something is touted as "the best advice around" doesn't mean it's the best advice for you. So, feel free to flout these productivity best practices, and try the alternatives above.

11 tips to make your video interview run smoothly

You've landed the interview of your dreams. It's for a remote job that pays more than you ever thought you could make working part-time (or maybe it's for that international gig you've been daydreaming of). In short, you are over the moon!

But the interview is over Skype and you are petrified. Of course, you'll try to look natural and you'll rehearse what you should say. But what if there is a terrible echo? Is it okay to join the interview sitting in bed in your room? (Where else will you find a background that hides your messy apartment!?)

You've got this. Read on for a list of absolutely everything to do, from your tech setup to "designing your set," to making sure you look and sound fantastic on your video interview.

1. Get headphones

If you do nothing else to prepare for a video chat, do this one thing: use headphones. An echo ruins a video chat, fast. And lags in connection and internet blips can easily create an echo, delay, or other sound disruption that can be lessened with headphones. People will forgive your video quality, but they won't forgive your sound. If the person on the other end can't understand what you are saying, you're in trouble!

So, dig up those headphones that came with your first iPhone, or buy a pair of cheap headphones with a mic. (For example, Skullcandy makes a pair for $20.) Your sound will be crisper, the risk of echo will be reduced drastically, and those sirens and dogs barking in the background won't get in the way of the great impression you're making on screen!

Note: even if you don't have headphones with a mic, regular old headphones will work to reduce the echo as well. A sketchy set of headphones is better than no set of headphones.

2. Download the necessary tech

Most video chat systems require time to download either an application or a plugin. Do a quick search of the technology that your video interview is using, and see what you need to prepare.

Two common (and free!) platforms to use are Google Hangout and Skype. There is a quick plugin for Google Hangout that requires a browser restart (download here), and an easy application download for Skype (find your version here). There are hundreds of other video platforms that you could use, such as Cisco WebEx and GoToMeeting, so setting aside 15 minutes before your interview to make sure you have the right tech downloaded will ensure you are prepared!

3. Test your Internet

Being on a video chat requires solid, fast internet speed. Starbucks Free WiFi just isn't gunna cut it. Test the internet speed at the location where you are going to be joining the video interview by running a free test at speedtest.net. Google recommends an upload and download speed of at least 4 Mbps for a solid video connection.

Also, wireless internet signal can fade in and out. If you have an ethernet cable handy (they usually come free with your internet router or you can purchase one on Amazon for less than $10), plug it in to ensure you have a steady connection.

4. Check your sound inputs and outputs

Do a quick check of your sound settings to make sure everything is set correctly. Every video chat system has slightly different settings, but most will default to "built-in audio," which means the speakers and microphone on your computer. If you are using headphones and there is an option to set to your headphone audio (and microphone) instead, click it!

On Skype, you can try speaking and watch the audio bar rise and fall with your volume.

If you are using Google Hangout, try playing a test sound to make sure you can hear in your headphones.

5. Plug in your charger

Video drains your battery more than nearly any other program you can run on your computer. If you are taking your video interview using a laptop or tablet, charging it to 100% is a great idea. An even better idea is to have your laptop plugged in! Sort through your closets and find an extension cord if you need it so that you can be in the best position and not run out of juice in the middle of your call.

6. Design your "set"

Actively think about setting up what is behind you in the shot for your video interview. As executive recruiter Jennifer Johnson shared, being in a big room and having too much depth behind you can be distracting. It's best to position yourself a few feet from a wall, and have one or two tasteful decor components in the background. For example, a painting, a plant, or an organized bookshelf. Imagine meeting with the CEO of a huge company, and think about what how their desk is positioned: try to create the same setup for yourself. A white wall absolutely works, but if you have the time to "design" your set, it can certainly boost the impression you make!

7. Bring your camera to eye level

"It looks like I have a double chin!" That was Laura Belgray's reaction when we started to set her up for her fantastic Skillcrush webinar. You know what she's talking about: you look down at your laptop, while your chair has you perched up high, and the camera hits you at possibly the least-flattering angle of your neck you've ever seen.

Prop your laptop up so that you are looking at the camera at eye level, instead of down. Use a few textbooks, a pile of magazines, or even a rectangular tissue box to set your laptop up a few inches on your desk. It makes you look relaxed and composed, is a more flattering angle, and saves you from neck cramps.

8. Light from the front

A cardinal mistake of newbies on video interviews is to have light shining from the background. If you have a big window with a view, why not show it off?

Doh! You want the (spot)light on your face, not on the background! Think about getting your school pictures taken (I know, I know, terrible memories of braces. But bear with me on the analogy...). Where did that huge, blinding flash come from? Directly in front of you! So when you setup your video interview or chat, think about your school pictures and place your lighting in the front.

Natural lighting is best, so face towards a window if you can. If you are in a darker room, or you are getting on video chat in the evening, find a lamp that you can plugin and place about a foot in front of your laptop to give you some good lighting. (Just relying on the lighting from your laptop might give an eerily creepy glow.) If you have the time, take the extra step and take away, turn down, or turn off the lights behind you, as well.

To show you just how important light can be for the professionalism of your set, I took a few screenshots so you can see how Google Hangout responds to light. Which one do you like best?

IMAGE: LESLIE ZAIKIS

With my window directly behind me, you get to see my great NYC view! But, my face? Not so much ...

IMAGE: LESLIE ZAIKIS

With the focus adjusted, you can see me on camera, but I'm a little fuzzy (almost ethereal!?) because of the light behind.

IMAGE: LESLIE ZAIKIS

Aha! The light coming from the window in front of me makes for a crisp, clear, and professional video chat image.

9. Check yourself out

Before you go live, make sure to check that your video camera works and that you look great on screen! The easiest way to test how you look is the audio settings in Skype. Once you open up Skype, click "Preferences" from the menu and open up the Audio/Video tab. Your camera will turn on and you will see yourself!

If you don't have access to Skype, there's a great workaround for testing out how you look on Google Hangout. Pop into Google Calendar and open up a meeting invite. There is an option to join by Video Call (see the bottom field in the screenshot below). Click that, and you'll open up a Hangout with yourself.

10. Do a test chat

The best way to know that everything will work correctly is to do a test run! Try out the technology you are using in a test call before your interview or chat starts. Setup everything as close to the way you will do it on interview day to make sure you have all variables under control.

Quick tip: haven't talked to your roommate from college in a while? Instead of giving her a call by phone, see if she's up for jumping on a video chat! You get to test your sound and audio so you feel confident that it works, and catch up with a great friend while you're at it.

BONUS!

11. Think solid + bright

Bright colors look amazing on video. Avoid wearing stripes, paisley, and the like, as the detail can come across as fuzzy and distracting on video. (Ever notice how the best dressed at Hollywood awards shows are usually the solid, bold colored dresses, and the outfits that crash and burn are often patterns?). Particularly outstanding colors for camera include scarlet red, emerald green, and royal blue. Pick your favorite!

See FULL article at: http://mashable.com/2015/01/25/video-interview-tips/