🎤 Listen up: Adobe has a free tool to test if your mic is set correctly for a podcast or video meeting. Try it here. You’ll get pointers on where to sit relative to your mic and whether there’s too much going on in the background. Nice!
How to rock a remote interview: Tips for shining over the phone or on video
Remote interviews are the present and the future. Why? The pandemic forced many companies nationwide to move to a remote system nearly overnight.
Now that we’ve been operating remotely for a while, many employers have seen the positive benefits of having remote employees. Increased productivity is one of them.
Many companies have decided to stay that way, so much so that your next interview could be over Zoom. Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Here’s how to prepare for a remote interview over the phone or on video, brought to you by our sponsor, LinkedIn.
Is your business hiring? Our sponsor, LinkedIn, is the easiest, fastest way to find qualified candidates. Tap or click here to post a job for free.
Double-check everything
You wouldn’t show up to an in-person interview 10-15 minutes late, would you? Being on time is just as important for a virtual interview as in person. Showing up late looks unprofessional, which won’t help you score points with the person interviewing you.
RELATED: Working from home? Eight tips for managing remote employees
First, double-check your internet connection to ensure it’s stable before the interview. Run a speed test to be sure. Try the FCC’s speed test to ensure your internet works fast enough to support your interview, whatever platform it may be on.
Second, double-check you have the software needed to run the interview. If your remote interview is over Zoom, you must download the software first. Don’t wait until 10 minutes before your interview! Be sure you know how to use Zoom, or you may end up like this poor guy in this famous Zoom mishap.
Finally, ensure all your equipment is working. Ensure your laptop is charged or plugged in before starting the meeting. Do a microphone check and video cam check to ensure everything is running smoothly, so there won’t be any hiccups during the session.
Don’t assume your call is audio-only and dress accordingly
Just like you wouldn’t show up to your interview late because punctuality is important, you wouldn’t show up in sweatpants either. Don’t assume your interview will be audio-only, even if it is over the phone. Dress like you would for a typical interview and look as professional as possible.
Surveys that can make you a ton of cash (really!)
People always call the show and ask, “How do I make money with online surveys?” I tell them two things: First, you’ll probably earn gift cards instead of actual cash, and second, those gift cards could be worth $50 with the right sites.
🤖 Want a job in AI? Recruiters want candidates with a technical background and degree in data science, computer science, mathematics and applied science (paywall link). You also should be proficient in a few programming languages, starting with Python and JavaScript. Bonus points if you’ve taken a course in AI ethics.
Check your phone! 24 apps that contain the dangerous Joker malware
Earlier last month, nasty malware was making the rounds, giving hackers access to all kinds of personal information. Called Joker, it was embedded into several Android apps and overwrote the operating system’s notifications.
4 ways to make your holiday cards stand out
Now that the holiday season is upon us, it’s time to crack out the cards. Sure, you can send your loved ones digital messages — but those aren’t nearly as heartfelt or personal as a hand-written note that comes in the mail.
King Henry had two axe wives: Art historian Adam Busiakiewicz spotted a missing portrait of King Henry VIII while scrolling on X. The painting was in the background of a photo at Warwick’s Shire Hall in central England. I’m sure it will end up at the British Museum, along with everything else stolen in the world.
Use a Windows PC? Create a folder with your favorite wallpapers or pics. Right-click on your desktop, choose Personalize and set the background to a Slideshow with the folder you created.
Like Photoshop but free: Try Generative Erase in the Windows Photos app. It uses AI to remove something you don’t like in a pic (a rando in the background) and fill it in with something you want (the sunset). Open a pic in Photos, then click the editing icon on the far left. Select Erase, “paint” whatever you want to get rid of, and then click Erase again.
What are the odds? A San Diego woman found out she had three felonies during a routine background check that relies on people-search databases. The charges, dating back to 2014, included burglary, identity theft and possession of a controlled substance. Turns out, she’s innocent. The real culprit shares her exact name and birthday.
Customize your own white noise: A Soft Murmur is free (yay, no ads!) and lets you make background noise just how you like it. Extra waves for me, please. I miss living in Maui!
🐽 Memory hogs: Sometimes, your system runs background apps that can tax your device’s CPU and RAM. If you’re on a Mac, check the Activity Monitor and turn off any CPU-sucking apps. On a PC, check Task Manager. Get in-depth steps here. Oh, you’re gonna be glad you did!
Don’t just hold down the power button: There’s a better way to reboot your grumpy PC that shuts down all the background processes. Before you click to restart, hold down the Shift key. Keep holding until the machine powers up, then click Continue.
Smile! Tricks to take better selfies
Selfies aren’t just a fad from the last several years. In fact, people have been taking them since as early as 1839, when Robert Cornelius took a self-portrait by sitting in front of an old-timey camera for an entire minute.
5 clever tricks to look great on Zoom video calls
Zoom, and other video conferencing programs, make it easy to do your work from home. But no matter how much you get done in a day, it never feels good when you don’t look your best on camera.
In the pre-pandemic days, going to work meant putting yourself together to look presentable. Now, you might be able to get away with off-camera bunny slippers and pajama pants, but there’s no excuse for grainy or out-of-focus visuals. Tap or click here to see 9 other work-from-home mistakes you’re making.
4 tips to look your best on your next video meeting
Aside from the obvious, like dressing presentably, there are many things to help look your best during the next video meeting. Let’s be honest, we could all use a little help from time to time.
When working from home there can be almost an overwhelming amount of new things to consider. If you need help, tap or click here for 10 things you need to survive while working from home.
Check your phone! 17 apps you must delete
The start of the new year means letting some of the worst parts of the last fade into the background. But let’s be frank: Did you really expect the year to slide by without a single mention of malicious apps on the Google Play store?