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.

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7 clever uses for your smart doorbell camera

Smart doorbell cameras add a ton of value to your life. Not only do they make you feel more secure in your home, but they can deter criminals, too. If you let a burglar know you’re watching them, they may be too spooked to try anything.

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Sucker-upper

Can you still call it “spring cleaning” if it’s June? These deals on vacuums, mops and scrubbers are way too good to pass up.

  • If you’ve been waiting for a sign, it’s time to pull the trigger on a Dyson. This Dyson V8 Extra Cordless vac is $120 off!
  • Swiffers are wasteful, and old-school mops get nasty. This flat mop has a better bucket and wringer system, plus washable pads, all for 50% off right now.
  • FYI, robot vacuums can mop now, too. The Airrobo vacuum is self-emptying so you don’t have to touch it for 60 days, and it’s 50% off!
  • If you have pets, you need this Hoover deep carpet cleaner. It’s 38% off and has an upholstery attachment — perfect for your old, comfy chair.
  • If your bathroom’s due for a tub and tile deep clean, this chargeable spinning scrubber will save your back for only $29.99.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🐶 Your best friend’s best friend: Content Queen Allie was telling me about how much her pup, Nova, loves her BarkBox subscription. It shows up in the mail monthly (or however often you want), packed with treats and toys. There’s a standard option or the Super Chewer box if your pup tears up soft toys.

Amber Alert for your pets

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You definitely don’t want your furry friends to go missing. But just in case, here’s a system you should set up to keep them safe.

🐿️ RIP(eanut): Peanut the Squirrel, a rescue with over half a million Instagram fans, was euthanized. New York authorities raided his owner’s home last week after anonymous complaints. It’s illegal to keep a wild animal as a pet in NY. An online petition got over 50,000 signatures, but that didn’t make a difference. Farewell, little guy.

31 cats

Took part in a word association test. And guess what? The felines linked words to images twice as quickly as human babies did. Maybe cats are judging us after all.

Avoid these 10 dangerous mistakes when using power strips

You need to charge your phone, and that lamp you’re trying to plug in is too far away from the outlet. So you reach for a power strip to save the day.

But did you know there is a surprisingly long list of ways people misuse power strips? These mistakes lead to electrical shorting, fire hazards and the destruction of appliances.

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5 uses for security cameras you never thought of before now

Think about all of the valuable possessions inside your home. Jewelry, big-screen televisions, maybe some high-priced artwork, to name a few things.

With treasured items like these, it’s no wonder thieves are always trying to break in and rip us off. They don’t even always wait for you to be out of town on vacation. Sometimes they have the nerve to sneak inside while we’re asleep at night.

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A no-brainer if you have a dog: Fido Alert is like an Amber Alert for pets. Register your furry friend and you’ll get a free ID tag that includes a QR code. If your pet goes missing, alert the Fido network. Then, if someone scans the QR code, they’ll get your contact info and you’ll get a notification. I keep an AirTag on my golden, Abby, and she wears a smart collar.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Dawn of the dead: A German startup, Tomorrow Bio, wants to bring you back from the dead for a “cool” $216,500. They’ll freeze your body in liquid nitrogen immediately after you die and revive you when (if?) the technology catches up. Seriously, 650 folks and pets are already signed up. If you can’t swing that price, they’ll freeze just your brain for a mere $80,000.

A woman found an AirTag hidden under her car - Here's how to spot them

GPS-style tracking units are useful for keeping track of your stuff. Simply attach one of these devices to your keys, purse, laptop bag or anything else you don’t want to lose. If the worst happens and an item goes missing, you have a fighting chance to track it down.

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The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out

Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.

Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”

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11 must-have pet products dog and cat owners swear by

Fluffy and Fido aren’t just pets. They’re family. So why not treat them to a few new toys and maybe even some tech now and then?

Our furry friends only get about a decade with us, so it just makes sense to shower them with all the love, toys and treats we can. They love us unconditionally, so the least we can do is spoil them, right?

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Buddy, the first dog in the US with coronavirus, has died

As the novel coronavirus continues to ravage communities around the country, many Americans are looking for answers on a subject that remains murky to this day: Can pets catch COVID-19 as we can?

As it turns out, yes, they can. A number of animals around the world have tested positive for COVID-19 infection, including a dog, a few cats, and a tiger from the Bronx Zoo. On the positive side, it doesn’t look like animals can transmit the disease as easily as people can to one another. Tap or click here to see three proven ways to protect yourself from COVID-19.

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