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Do you spend hours in the kitchen dreaming up sweet confectionery treats and mindblowing savory delicacies? Ever wondered what opening your own bakery would be like, but you lack the startup funds? Don’t even think about taking out a second mortgage – just start a baking business from home!

Before you get started on baking and selling your first batch of goodies, however, there are a few things you need to know first:

Running a bakery from home involves setting goals, complying with regulations, and thorough planning.

Even if you’re not much into the business side of running a bakery, you will have to deal with these inevitable complications before you can get to the fun part: making all those tasty pastries.

I’ve already covered starting your own catering business from home, but now let’s get to baking.

Below, I’ve compiled everything you need to know to get your new home baking business off the ground. Whether you just want to take the occasional order and bake and sell goods on the side or transition into a full-blown baker, these tips will help you realize that dream.

The Reality of Starting a Baking Business From Home

There are a few things that need to be solved before you can start a baking business from home, from both logistical and legal standpoints.

I’ll start with the most important first…

1. Get the legal concerns out of the way first

This is probably the least exciting part of starting a business, but it is still essential that you take these steps before doing anything else.

Comply With Local Business Regulations

Getting to grips with all of the legislation in your country, state and local county can seem overwhelming at first, but it’s not all that hard if you do your research and work through the process methodically.

You could also consider creating a home bakery business plan.

First off, check to make sure whether it’s legal to open your business.

Some states in the US, for instance, don’t allow home bakeries, while others may prohibit certain goods (mainly those that need to be refrigerated).

To get this bakery going, you’ll need a business license that typically needs to be renewed every year. You may also need to have a sales permit (and/or various other licenses or permits) much like a meals-to-go business would.

The type of legal documents you have to acquire will depend on your local laws as well as the type of business you’re aiming to run.

For instance, if you have an area where people can sit and eat then you’ll likely have to obtain different permits than if you were to run a solely delivery-based bakery.

Keep in mind that you might have to pay fees when applying for licenses or permits, so budget ahead for that.

Get up to standard with food safety regulations

You may not be running a restaurant but you’re still working with food and that means food safety laws do apply to you too.

Getting a health and safety certificate will require that an inspector comes to your house to look around so they can make sure your kitchen is up to code. This naturally means that you have to have a sanitary kitchen and the right equipment, but could also involve modifying your kitchen area with commercial-grade upgrades.

Regulations usually aren’t as strict for a home bakery as, say, a restaurant, but there are still a few things that you’ll likely need to take care of. Make sure you prepare your kitchen before the inspector arrives.

Don’t forget about insurance

Like any other business owner, you should apply for liability insurance.

This will cover you in a number of ways, including if any of your clients get sick from eating one of your cakes (which hopefully never happens) or if any property gets damaged during the delivery.

You might also need to take out additional insurance depending on your situation, for instance, stock insurance can come in handy if you buy and store ingredients in bulk, and employers’ liability insurance is necessary if you decide to hire anyone to help you in your bakery.

Make sure to inform any relevant parties

If you’re renting or living on an estate then you may need to inform others of your decision to start a bakery, which can include a landlord or homeowners association.

Otherwise, you might be facing some hefty fines later on, should they have any rules regarding home businesses on the property.

Oftentimes, just talking to them about your plans should be enough.

2. Market Your Business Online and Locally

Your carefully crafted tarts might be the envy of the neighborhood and local bakers alike, but those goods are staying put without proper marketing.

Marketing might seem like another big, scary hurdle in your path (especially if you hate the idea of selling), yet it’s an extremely important part of your business.

Wow the Locals at events and fairs

A bakery isn’t a bakery until someone buys the first baked good.

Starting out, you’ll want to build recognition around your local community so the word about your business can start to spread.

Think about local events that you can get involved with, like fairs, festivals, bake sales, and parties. Really, any place where you can display and sell your baked goodies will work.

Consider letting people taste some of your creations for free as well to draw them in.

If the idea of putting yourself out there leaves you feeling uncomfortable, remember that the best type of marketing is word of mouth – and letting people see and taste your goods in person is your best shot at winning them over.

It won’t be as bad as you’re probably making it out to be in your head either.

After all, who can resist a sweet treat!

Raise that online reputation

These days, promoting your business online can go a long way towards reaching potential clients and building a solid community of supporters, so it shouldn’t be ignored.

Bakers have more online outlets and platforms are available to them now than ever before and it’s much easier to get started than you’d initially think.

There are multiple platforms that allow you to quickly and easily set up your own website, and creating social media profiles for your bakery is easy as pie. Plus, you can get tons of inspiration from other bakers online too!

Social platforms that work well to promote your bakery on, include:

• Instagram (This is a great place to show off snaps and videos of your delectable treats.)
• Pinterest (Create some appetizing pins and share a few recipes that people can save for later.)
• Facebook (Set up a business page and start promoting!)
• YouTube (You might not have ambitions for your own baking show, but if you’re ever up for recording a few tutorials then this is the place to put them.)

3. Plan orders ahead and organize your kitchen

Running a successful home bakery comes down to meticulous planning and proper organization.

Especially as you get busier and have to juggle multiple orders a day, which makes it just that much easier to get confused and mess up an order or miss a delivery.

4. Keep close track of the finances

If pricing your cakes wasn’t hard enough, every year the taxman rolls around and there’s no avoiding him either.

It’s crucial that you keep track of all your income and expenses for when you have to file your taxes.

If this is a potential problem area for you then try using business accounting software (there’s plenty available online) that can help you manage your finances.

Remember to keep all your receipts as well in case you need to provide proof for your tax-deductible expenses.

And make sure to file the right tax forms, depending on whether this is your full-time job or a side income.

The Future of Home Bakeries

Setting up your own baking business from home can be challenging but it’s all worth it if you get to do what you love for a living.

As your business grows and your sweet or savory baked goods get more popular, you might even start to consider selling them at local supermarkets – now isn’t that a treat!

So, you want to learn how to become a fashion stylist?

You’ve seen the glamour of the red carpet and you think to yourself “I can do that!”

The truth is:

You can!

And this guide will show you exactly what you need to do to get started.

What is a fashion stylist?

A fashion stylist is a professional who selects a look, sets of clothing, shoes, accessories and even hairstyles and makeup for a particular person.

When people hear “fashion stylist,” it’s understandable why they think fancy red carpet events and celebrities, models, politicians, and other public figures.

While many fashion stylists aim to land big-named clients, even regular people like you and me can hire these professionals to help us develop a personal style or look.

The job description of a fashion stylist varies significantly depending on the type of client, assignment, or the stylist’s specialization. Those in the magazine and fashion industries work at different seasons and with a bunch of other professionals, such as fashion designers and the press.

Fashion stylists who work on a person-to-person basis is accurately called personal stylists.

They can be hired as a consultant for one-off projects, or contractual (hourly/weekly/monthly) basis.

Those you see on beauty makeover TV shows are definitely a type of fashion stylist. Sometimes, shopping or reorganizing a client’s wardrobe is included in the job.

5 Must-Haves of a Fashion Stylist

There may be different kinds of stylists around, but if you wish to go into this career, you must work on these 5 must-have skills, characteristics and knowledge:

1. Knowledge of Fabrics, Fit and Sewing

Understanding how fabrics affect the appearance of clothes on a person’s body is important because it can make or break the fit and overall look.

Knowing the brands and their signature fabrics and style save a lot of time once you’re running around as a stylist during runway season, or you’re crafting a look for a particular client within his/her budget.

If you started your passion for clothes early, I’m sure you already know different types of fabrics just by feel.

Differences in cuts and designs are also as important.

Knowing these things can empower you to give clients the same tidbits that would help them in shopping for clothes in the future and dressing themselves.

Some fashion stylists are also good at sewing.

They have advanced knowledge of how clothes are constructed, so that they can use it if needed.

2. Up-to-date with Fashion Trends and Events

Fashion trends are probably the quickest-changing trends across all industries.

One day elephant pants are all the rage, the next day everybody was wearing skinny jeans.

And as a fashion stylist, you should be on top of these trends – differentiating which ones are hot and which ones are not because in most cases, your clients wouldn’t know which is which.

The easiest way to get to the bottom of fashion trends is by actually attending events.

It’s also the best way to see designs and fabrics up close and understand the designers’ vision live on the runway as the models move with the clothes as the designers intended.

If you don’t have access to industry events, subscribe to as much fashion magazines you can.

Or better yet, bookmark websites of fashion-centered media like Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Who What Wear, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and so on.

Fashion brands, designers or other similar employers prefer to hire stylists who have insider knowledge and their own ideas based on trends and history.

It shows that the applicant is serious about a career in fashion.

3. Solid Portfolio

It doesn’t matter if you’re doing this career as a freelancer, or as a member of a fashion house.

You should be building your portfolio since you started this line of work.

You can do it old school and print out photos of clients you’ve helped create their own styles – a before and after of sorts, and then place it on a portfolio folder to show potential clients.

You can also create a website to post your work, testimonials, and contact information for anyone who might want to hire you.

It’s best to have both traditional portfolio that you can bring along anywhere you go and modern versions, which you can e-mail as pdf or link to a website.

You don’t have to wait for your name to go big to start placing your work in a portfolio.

You can do this even as a student, or before that.

Just make sure the photos you use are high-quality for a professional look.

4. Passion and Determination

Being a fashion stylist may seem easy, but it’s not.

The industry in itself has some of the most creative people in the world, which also mean that you’ll be dealing with a lot unique personalities.

Your heart has to be in this industry 100%, or the fast-paced fashion industry will eat you up.

This is especially true during the first few years of your career, while completing internships (often unpaid ones) with one brand to the next.

You’ll be learning everything on the job, getting connections in the industry and collecting referrals for future paid work, so internships are definitely worth it in the long run, but they’re definitely not for the faint of heart.

There’s no single path to take in becoming a fashion stylist – some take the traditional way with internships, others go straight into freelancing.

Both routes require that you love your job enough to work through the stresses, body-aching field work, and a million of day-to-day issues that will be coming your way.

5. An Ever-Expanding Network

Everything you do boils down to expanding your network.

From attending industry events to completing your internships and building your own portfolio, these things will give you all the connections and referrals you’ll need once you start working for yourself or another company.

You can also expand your network even if you’re not working.

Use social media as a tool for finding new clients or sharing your work.

Just make sure to follow online and social media etiquette (don’t spam, don’t bully, etc.) while promoting your service.

Fashion Stylist Job Requirements

There is no general requirement of formal training for fashion stylists, but there are courses available in related industries, such as fashion design, retail marketing, fashion merchandising, and visual communication.

Some schools offer fashion styling short courses, which may include lessons in marketing, photo shoots, trends, styling techniques, fashion industry history and principles, fabric construction and fit, and more.

While certificates in courses like these could help in advancing your career as a fashion stylist, most employers would look for referrals and past experience, even if it meant your experience involved an unpaid internship or two because hands-on, on-the-job training holds more value than any certificate.

How much do fashion stylists make?

Those with a fashion design background can earn up to $64,500 year. Some stylists are paid a daily rate, while some are booked per assignment or put on a monthly retainer. The salary of fashion stylists depend largely on where/who they work for. For example:

• Editorial stylists (those who work exclusively on magazines and ezines) work by the hour with an average $17/hour rate.
• Fashion stylists who are employed by PR and advertising agencies earn the most, with salaries ranging from range from$500and$5,000a day.
• Interns and assistants of renowned stylists earn around $150 to $300 daily, but are rewarded with on-the-job training and industry connections

It isn’t easy to become a fashion stylist traditionally, but the job outlook for this profession as a freelancer is good.

Since companies have been gradually adapting to a global outlook where social media and online properties can work as well as old mediums (like magazine, runways, billboards, and so on), fashion stylists have better opportunities at working remotely instead of a 9-to-5 job.

Where to find Fashion Stylist Jobs Online

If you’d rather work as a virtual fashion stylist, there’s a place for you as well.

Here are several sites you should check out if you’re looking for fashion stylist jobs online:

1. FlexJobs

Start out with FlexJobs.

They currently have over 100 different remote positions available in the fashion and beauty industry with new job postings being added every day.

There are listings that feature clothing designers, fashion stylists, sales associates, and much more.

The cool thing about FlexJobs is that it indicates which positions are available as 100% work-from-home, 50% remote, and so on. It’s not just a job search platform for online opportunities either, since offline jobs are posted at FlexJobs as well.

The average fashion stylist salary of virtual positions is $15 per hour, but this can go higher for jobs that require formal education.

2.Stitch Fix

This company provides a personalized styling service for men and women via a monthly subscription box.

As a virtual stylist with Stitch Fix, you help these customers pick out their clothes based on the personal styles they provided and your recommendations.

Stitch Fix then ships a box full of clothes, which the customer will sort for keeping and sending-back.

All virtual fashion stylists must complete a 6-hour training in their workshops at San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Dallas, or Austin.

Once completed, stylists can now work from home initially with part-time positions (that’s about 15 to 30 hours a week).

After 90 days of work, full-time positions will be offered with an average rate of $15 an hour.

3. Dia&Co

If you have experience in fashion retail and customer service, you can apply for a stylist job with plus-size clothing company Dia & Co.

The only downside is that you’d have to begin working part-time (20 to 40 hours a week) for the first 60 days at the company’s New York headquarters.

Once you finish this initial “on-the-job training,” you’ll be given an opportunity to work as a remote visual stylist with a rate of $12 per hour.

4. Rocksbox

This company is similar to Stitch Fix, but instead of a personalized box of clothing, customers receive a monthly curated box of jewelry from well-known designers such as House of Harlow.

As a virtual fashion stylist, you mix and match jewelry pieces for customers using the Rocksbox platform.

You also need to write professional stylist notes for customers, which would help them pair pieces for a type of clothing, event (formal/casual), and so on.

You have to commit 10 to 40 hours weekly for the job, which includes some weekends.

If you’re interested, check back for openings on the site’s career page.

5. Bombfell

Like Stitch Fix, Bombfell provides a monthly subscription box of clothes personalized by a virtual stylist.

The only difference is that Bombfell caters exclusively for men.

Virtual stylists also write personal notes to customers each month and responds to inquiries about the delivered box via the platform.

Those who live near Connecticut, New Jersey and New York are lucky because they can attend the on-site, two-day training at the company’s headquarters.

After the training, remote fashion stylists can then work from home as long as they commit to 20 hours per week and a few hours every Sunday evening.

Pay rates range from $13 to $15 per hour.

The Bottom Line

The goal of many fashion stylists is to work their way from interns to assistant stylists to stylists of celebrities and other famous people.

Who wouldn’t?

Imagine earning thousands of dollars for just a day choosing clothes for a high-fashion model for a magazine shoot.

The years-long hard work, unpaid internships and non-stop networking will definitely be worth the wait once you reach celebrity stylist levels.

However, not every fashion stylist would want to become a stylist to the stars and step into the limelight.

Some prefer to work in the background.

If you’re one of these stylists and still want to use your skills and eye for fashion as a profession, your best bet is to use your connections to find work on the field or stay at the comforts of your home helping regular people make fashion choices by applying for virtual stylist positions.

The choice, ultimately, is up to you.

In the meantime, you can also see how you can get paid to wear clothes.

I know some people dream of travelling the world but can’t afford it so they turn to the next best thing – becoming a travel agent.

A lot of people like to travel.

Like a whole lot.

Which is why the tourism industry is as huge as it is. But not everyone can afford to have their dream holiday, especially when work takes up so much of our time.

So if you can’t do, then you dream, right? Well, a travel agent can do both.

Travel agents get to plan and book dream holidays for their clients and every so often even get to go on those holidays themselves.

Because travel agents get to go on what is known as “familiarization” trips where they try out everything they might want to book for their clients.

This is still a job, though, and you probably won’t get a chance to go lie by the beach with a drink.

But it’s definitely still more attractive than sitting behind a desk for 9 hours a day.

However, if you’re really keen on leaving the desk altogether then you can check out these 15 ways to get paid to travel.

There’s definitely no better time to get into tourism than right now, which is one of the worlds largest industries and makes around $1 Trillion US globally.

So maybe you’re looking for a change or have wanted to know how to become a travel agent for a while now but weren’t sure where to start.

Here’s Why You Should Become a Travel Agent

Well, besides the benefit of having a decent paying job (that’s fun to boot), you also get to travel like you have the kind of money your clients do.

Some travel agents even receive special rewards or bonuses from partnerships they take on with hotels, resorts, or restaurants.

Some travel agents even incorporate social media into their business to show off the destinations they can offer their clients. Instagram is a perfect example of this and is used by many travel agents to get extra perks from hotels and the like.

So really it’s all up to how you want to approach it.

However, this is still a job and with that comes a few downsides that you need to deal with as well.

There’s a reason people would rather hire someone to book their vacations for them – and mostly it’s because it takes a lot of research, time, and effort.

You’ll also have to deal with a lot of people, which comes with its own set of headaches sometimes, especially from entitled clients.

You’ve Got to be a People Person

Like I said, travel agents have to deal with a lot of people and you have to be sort of a sales and service person wrapped into one.

It’s what you make of the relationships that you form with those people you meet that will determine where your career goes.

Travel agents get to do with a lot of hotel reps, for instance, who try to convince them why they should send their clients to their hotel.

Building up solid relationships with some of these reps can come in handy later on when they’re looking for more perks for their clients or need to cash in a favor.

So it’s essential that you know you can work amicably with people (even when they aren’t being friendly) as well as be able to sell your travel packages when business is slow.

It also helps if you’re a pro at sniffing out amazing travel deals.

Become a Travel Agent Working from Home

When working for an agency, a travel agent will generally get a small base salary and work to get commissions.

The agency takes a big chunk of that commission though, which is why working from home and is a great option.

But most people don’t take this option because they don’t know how to start a travel agency.

Travel agents who work from home usually partner with a host agency who take a much smaller piece of the commission they earn.

Starting your career as a travel agent from home can be relatively cost-effective because all you really need is a computer, an internet connection, and a phone. Most people already have these readily available so there might even be no extra cost at all.

You don’t need any specific qualifications to become a travel agent from home, though if you want to work for an agency, they will likely prefer someone who has a college degree.

Here are the steps you need to follow to become a travel agent from home:

1. Find a Great Host Agency

This part will probably take the longest because there are a lot of things to consider and many agencies to choose from.

The host agency you end up choosing can have a big impact on how your startup business will grow.

I’ve already spoken a bit about the benefits of signing up with a host agency if you want to know more. So it’s important to make sure you familiarize yourself with all of the host agencies available to you and choose one that fits your needs.

Someone who has never worked in the tourism industry before may need an agency that offers training and more support at first, for example. Other things to consider include the size of the agency, whether they’re local or international, whether they offer marketing support, and what travel niche’s they cover. I’ll get more into specializing in a niche a bit later on.

I also found that this blog post has a detailed breakdown of what you need to know before choosing a host agency.

2. Create a Website for Your Business

There are many free and paid options for creating your own website.

If you have some spare cash, then you can even spring for a web designer. Though that’s completely optional and not necessary to have a great looking and functional website.

Some great free website builders include Wix, WordPress, and Squarespace.

All three of these services also have paid options which allow you even more creativity and versatility.

But the free options are great to start out with as well.

They’re also genuinely easy to use and you don’t need to know anything about design or programming to get started.

3. Get Social

Marketing your new status as an independent travel agent will be an important step towards gaining new clients.

While a host agency might offer some help getting you off the ground, it’s mostly up to you. It’s therefore essential that you get familiar with the basics of advertising your services on social media.

It’s also a good idea to make sure you remove any potentially embarrassing posts or pictures, or just set your personal accounts to private.

Because in today’s world, you have to sell your digital persona as much as your real-life one.

So make sure everything people can see about you is “on-brand”.

Successful Travel Agents Choose to Specialize

There are quite a few niche categories to specialize in as a travel agent, and it’s widely known that any successful travel agent specializes.

This is because it helps you stand out in a smaller crowd, if you excel in what you do.

It’s much harder to be the best travel agent when competing on an international scale across all travel types.

But someone who specializes in one or two niches can become the best in what they do. This strategy has led many independent travel agents to success.

Some travel niches include: cruises, safaris, honeymoons, rural tourism, cultural and historical sites, theme parks, and luxury travel.

The actual list of niche options travel agents can choose from is very long.

But you can make your niche as small and specific as you want. It all depends on what you’re passionate about.

How much do travel agents make?

Travel agents based in the US had an average annual salary of $40,840 in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though the income travel agents make depend on a number of factors like their region, chosen niche, experience, number of clients, the effort put in, and the host agency they chose.

This is probably the part you’ve wanted to see the most, which is understandable. We’ve all got to make a living after all.

However, there’s no real solid number to go on here. It’s also good to keep in mind that an independent travel agent’s main income is usually commission-based. So the more clients you have, the more you’ll earn.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a travel agent can be an immensely rewarding job.

You have the ability to create dream vacations that are personalized to your clients, giving them once in a lifetime memories. If that idea makes you excited, then you’ve definitely got a career as a travel agent in your future!

Now that you know how to become a travel agent, what niches are you most eager to specialize in?

Let me know in the comments!

Is there anything more intimidating than a job interview? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to improve your chances of getting hired?

There are. I’ve come up with 7 video interview tips that will help you ace your online interview and show your prospective employer that you are the ideal candadiate.

With the rapid growth of outsourcing and freelancing individuals on the internet, more and more people continue to ask the question— How do I land myself an online job? Most of the time, companies, agencies, and individuals who are looking to hire a virtual assistant will screen their applicants through a series of examinations.

Source: RIVS.com

Once the right amount of applicants have been shortlisted, the final step is to usually have a face-to-face interview with a video chat.

This is usually the point where most applicants get uneasy and nervous.

However, it still isn’t too late to become a master at online interviews.

7 Video Interview Tips to Help You Secure That Job

In this list, you will find different ways to gain an advantage over applicants who will be interviewed alongside you.

By taking to heart these tips, you are guaranteed to have a higher success rate at landing a job after a face-to-face interview.

1. Prepare Your Attire and Background

No matter if your video interview is happening in a few days or hours, you should always have enough time to prepare what you’ll be wearing and be sitting behind once the meeting begins.

Even if some applicants may take advantage of the remote setting and dress up very casually, take that extra step of dressing up with class and showing the interviewer that you’re all about your business.

Once your attire is all set up, jump straight into turning on the camera you’ll be using for the interview. Observe your surroundings and notice every little detail that might steal the attention of your interviewer.

Do your best to get rid of all possible distractions to come across as a highly professional applicant.

Being diligent with these kinds of things aren’t guaranteed to have an effect on the outcome at all times but the right people will give notice to such details and take it to consideration when choosing which applicant to hire.

2. Perform Background Research on the Company

Before you jump into having a face-to-face conversation with someone online, it is only right to do your research on the background of the person or whatever company he/she is representing.

Chances are, top-tier human resource departments also do their background research on shortlisted applicants to make sure they’re not missing out on anything.

Simply search the name of the person or company on Google.

Most of the time, you will already come up with the most relevant stuff related to that individual by doing this. To add to this, you can also try searching the name of the person or company on Facebook. Both of these search engines are big enough to cover anything you need to know about who will be interviewing you.

If you want to go the extra mile, give their competitor’s website a look too before the interview. By doing this, you will have something good to ask the interviewer later on such as— “Are you somewhat similar with (competitor’s name)?”.

Asking questions like that will make you stand out and come across as a highly interested applicant who knows exactly what he/she is applying for.

3. Do a Quick Dry-Run of Everything

Another difference of taking interviews online compared to having it in person is that you’re held responsible for technical problems that occur on your end.

This is why it’s a smart thing to do a mock call with yourself or a friend before taking the actual online interview.

By doing this, you will detect all errors that could have occurred during the interview and troubleshoot them before they get in your way of landing the job.

If you’re going to have the call on Skype, do a free test call to be able to hear how you will come across to the interviewer.

If you wish to go the extra mile, simply do a quick summary of what you’ll be saying to the interviewer— From the way you’ll be greeting the person to the first icebreaker you have in mind, feel free to practice it in front of the camera with facial expression while there is only you to criticize anything wrong that happens.

4. Be Early and Delightful

Never underestimate what being punctual can do. Make sure everything is up and working at least 15 minutes before the meeting.

If a few minutes before the actual time and you still haven’t heard from the interviewer, take the initiative of pinging him/her to remind that you are supposed to meet each other in a few moments.

If it ever occurs that the client still doesn’t respond, let him/her know that you were there during the time of the interview and you would love to reschedule at the earliest convenience of both sides. Always show utmost patience as an applicant— Some clients may have messed up schedules; hence why they need someone who can understand such scenarios and work their way around it.

5. Always Respond with Clarity

Now we assume the interview has already started, always remember to keep your composure and talk at an ideally slow rate.

Doing this will minimize the occurrence where you would have to repeat yourself because the interviewer didn’t catch you.

Another thing to note is the 5-second pause— If you’re not sure why the person speaking has stopped talking, wait for at least 5 seconds before butting in,

Overall, just be clear and direct with your answers to show your interviewer that you are indeed a person with conviction.

6. Listen Carefully

Being able to pick up small details is a skill that few people possess.

If you really want to stand out among the other applicants, always take note of what the interviewer is saying and confirm with him/her that you’re on the same page. One thing you can do is rephrase what they’re saying and ask if you understood them correctly.

Before the interview ends, always look out when will the interviewer ask if you have any questions for the company.

Though this can be considered an unwritten rule, asking questions after the interview has been summarized shows that you are indeed interested in working for them.

7. Send a Quick Thank You Note

Once the interview has commenced, take a quick break and proceed to send a note of appreciation to the interviewer for taking the time to know more about you.

Again, you don’t have to be redundant and annoying to show that you have an outgoing personality. Thanking the person who interviewed you also shows your work ethic and how you deal with people.

If days have past and you still have not heard from the company you’re applying for online, give them a follow-up email and just kindly ask them for an update on the job position.

Even if it’s bad news, you’d still want to find out about it and hear the reason. By having the guts to do this, you’ll be able to get priceless advice on how to be even better at your next online interview.

Got any more tips?

At the end of the day, never take any result of an online interview too heavily. The success of an online interview isn’t determined by being accepted or not. Rather, being able to leave a positive impression in the mind of your interviewer, no matter what the result after, is what it’s really all about.

After all, every online interview you participate in that doesn’t turn into an employment should be a lesson to make you a better applicant in the long haul.

If you’ve taken a video interview before and can share some tips on what did or did not impress the interviewer, please help us out and share them below!