How This Leader is Strengthening Inclusion at Her Company and Turning Her Career Vision Into Reality

How This Leader is Strengthening Inclusion at Her Company and Turning Her Career Vision Into Reality Dawn Frazier-Bohnert had a einbildung and sprung to action. As the first-ever global diversity inclusion officer at With the help of their women and allies employee resource group (one of six in a strong network of ERGs), the company expanded its parental leave benefits to 16 weeks for all parents. They also have strong gender and race and ethnicity collaboration initiatives. But Frazier-Bohnerts not stopping there. She says that while the insurance industry is perceived as slow to change, many aspects of it are changing all the time and shes up to the challenge.Liberty wins awards for Frazier-Bohnerts non-stop efforts. So, how does she make it all happen? We talked to the leader about her career path, how shes turning visions into a reality and how shes overcome the challenges that come with being the first in her role.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?I have been at Liberty Mutual Insurance for over six years. Prior to joining Liberty, I was chief administrative officer and lebenspartner at weltumspannend Novations, a Korn/Ferry International Company. There, I developed their human capital strategy and led their post-merger company culture efforts. Before employment with in aller herren lnder Novations, I was at The Gillette Company as vice president, global diversity and inclusion, where I developed and led their Global Diversity Strategic Plan. I have also held HR leadership positions at Lotus/IBM, Fidelity Investments and Millennium Pharmaceuticals.Youre the first Global Diversity Inclusion Officer at Liberty Mutual. Describe what thats been like.Before I was hired, diversity and inclusion efforts were happening, but there wasnt an enterprise-wide strategy. I saw the need for a holistic DI strategy that would reach all areas of the business here in the U.S. and, eventually, globally. I was excited at the opp ortunity to set my own course and build a foundation in DI for the whole company. I also enjoyed the partnership of senior leaders who were committed to strengthening diversity and inclusion. With their support, we have been able to execute on a new vision for Liberty.Whats the biggest challenge you faced being the first Global Diversity Inclusion Officer at Liberty?Coming in and creating an effective diversity and inclusion strategy is a challenge at any company. I dont think its a secret that the insurance industry is perceived as generally conservative and slow to change. But, like other industries, insurance is experiencing shifting demographics and advances in technology with the rise in AI and machine learning. This created the motivation to want to change and quickly Our customers required it.But change doesnt happen overnight particularly for an industry thats regulated and traditionally risk averse. And Liberty is a hundred-year-old Fortune 100 insurance company with near ly 50,000 people in 30 countries I needed a plan that would further develop, lift and take DI across the organization. I had questions like how could a large, global company meet the different needs of a diverse customer base, while simultaneously strengthening the work environment so that all employees feel welcome? How could my team connect with employees in different locations who are at various stages of their DI journey?How has your company been particularly supportive and helped you overcome this challenge?I am fortunate to work with senior leaders who understand that for a DI strategy to be successful, change is required on both the individual and institutional levels. From the beginning, they were open to trying new approaches that required challenging the position quo.With their support, as well as the efforts of our Employee Resource Groups, weve been able to create new policies and programs that strengthen our companys work environment. For example, working with our benef its department, our women and allies ERG WELiberty succeeded in expanding our parental leave benefits to 16 weeks for all parents. That was exciting to seeWeve also had great interest from our senior leaders and others in our gender collaboration and Men as Allies initiative. We held a summit and invited 450 men and women to learn skills to work together more effectively. Were still building on the momentum we created from that event. We have more to do as we continue our gender collaboration work, and its been a good foundation for our race and ethnicity collaboration initiative.These efforts are paying off. For the past two years, we were named a Forbes Best Place to Work for Women and for Diversity and have consistently earned a 100 on the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index. Our LGBTQ+ and allies ERG, PrideLiberty, has been a key partner in achieving that score.How is the sense of support youve felt reflective of Libertys overall culture?One of the reasons I knew I could take on this role is that Libertys culture is rooted in such strong values. For instance, we believe in putting people first by treating everyone with dignity and respect. We strive to be open and willing to look at things differently so that we can make the changes we want to see. I knew our DI work would align well with these values and bring them to life for all.What initially drew you to Liberty? Whats one of the most amazing things about your workplace that you didnt learn until working there?Before I joined the company, I didnt understand the insurance industry and didnt think it was very exciting As Ive gotten to learn the business, Ive been amazed at the many facets of the industry. We are working in the service of others, to protect them when the unexpected happens. There is a great deal of humanity and empathy required in fulfilling our promise to our customers. Its also exciting to see the innovations in technology over the last several years. The insurance industr y has dramatically changed over time and Liberty continues to evolve along with it.Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received?The advice given to me is also the advice I give others even in the face of a challenge, keep moving forward. Push yourself with the fear. You can seek out mini-safe harbors to stop and recharge and connect with others for support but definitely keep moving--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Liberty Mutual.

A Secret Weapon for Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume

A Secret Weapon for Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume Life After Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume Instead, it is going to paint you in corner. A career goal can help you concentrate on what you would like to do for a living. Once you have selected a career, think strategically about the measures to do your objective. I anticipate meeting you so that were able to talk about the value I can bring to your organization, and make certain your company achieves its objectives. These guidelines and samples will allow you to compose your own letters. For instance, the subject line D. PETERSON Resume will clearly demonstrate the recipient the function of the email. Triplicates are far better than duplicates. Just take a peek at all the samples to find a elendion of unique formats, even if youre targeting a particular career path. Save this list for a different document that may be provided to the re cruiter or hiring manager at the close of the interview approach. For example, if you volunteered at a hospital and enjoyed the experience, you might want to think about a health career. Its also important to determine whether the career youre considering is really what you expect and whether it delivers the salary and benefits you desire. For example, if you decide on a health career, you can wish to be a scientist, a nurse or a health care provider. Whats Actually Happening with Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume Understanding and accomplishing your career goal is going to be a great deal easier if you produce a career program. Just like its possible to sort publications on PubMed by relevance to a particular subject, you can sort your work experience by relevance to a particular position. After you have determined what career path that you want to follow, assess what you have to do to get ready for that career. In addition, in profe ssional writing conjunctions arent employed. Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume - Is it a Scam? It ought to be an important tool which increases your probability of employment. Adding the incorrect things or too many things to your resume will save you from getting the business job which you desire. Or it may be used as a healthcare stepping-stone job. Putting an objective stellungnahme at the peak of your resume wont help you receive an industry job. A whole lot of PhDs are scared to use their University email address when applying to jobs since they think their PI is likely to hack in their email account and find out theyre attempting to leave the lab. For instance, if the job necessitates RHIA certification and youre eligible but still have not taken the RHIA exam, ensure you note on your resume or cover letter that you are RHIA eligible. For example, Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering fields require people to be capable o f using konzept programs like CAD computer software. The Fundamentals of Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume Revealed Your industry resume must be utterly perfect. Even in the modern high-tech world, resumes continue to be the very best approach to communicate to prospective employers why you think your unique abilities, abilities, knowledge, etc. make you the ideal candidate for work. New Questions About Principles of Health Science Writing a Cover Letter and Preparing a Resume At MyPerfectCoverLetter, we possess the templates and healthcare cover letter samples you have to assemble a superior cover letter which will help you move up in an exciting and fulfilling field. You may increase the list, or not include areas that you dont feel strongly about. In some instances, a healthcare cover letter is going to be for a focused professional like a direct support professional, which demands an extremely specific background. When youre makin g your healthcare cover letter, be certain to point out your specialty.

You Dont Need To Make Beer Or Cars To Stand Up For Diversity Inclusion

You Dont Need To Make Beer Or Cars To Stand Up For Diversity Inclusion Its been almost a week since the Super Bowl and these truths remain Tom Brady is superhuman, Lady Gaga + Intel drones = historic halftime magic and American brands are brave enough to speak out for equality.We all saw Budweisers for-the-ages diversity and inclusion TV spot and Audis equal pay tear-jerker.We loved the ads, but we also love the companies we mann an ihrer seite with at PowerToFly who outwardly support diversity - not just in words, but in actions everyday on our platform. Weve compiled a list of brands on PowerToFly that have recognized our pledge and are seeking to form a gender diverse workplace. P.S. - theyre all hiring, so take a look below.Cheers, slinte, prost, lchaim and onwards to equal payHelpScout - This job is Remote HelpScout makes customer support tools that keep customers happy as they grow.Avaaz - Another Remote opportunity at a global web movement to bring people-powered politics to decision-making everywhere.AdRoll - A leading performance advertising platform with over 20,000 active advertisers worldwide.BetterUp - BetterUps mission is to help every leader pursue their lives with clarity, purpose, and passion through executive-level coaching.Future Center California for Audi, Porsche VW - The largest automaker in the world.Viacom - Home to the worlds premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, ansprechbar and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. Verizon - A global leader delivering innovative communications and technology solutions that improve the way customers live, work and play.Food Water Watch - A leading national advocacy organization that runs cutting edge organizing campaigns to ban fracking, ensure safe drinking water for all and challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food, water and democracy.RaceYa - a community of curious kids united by play, c reativity and discovery using fun, fast customizable cars as a vehicle for STEM, teaching kids about science and engineering.On Deck Capital - Created to support and empower small businesses, On Deck is 100% committed to serving its customers with the smartest financing solutions for business owners.Hearst - One of the largest, most diversified media and information companies in the world.Time Inc. - Through their 100 news and culture brands, consumers marketers can leverage the power of Time Inc.s stories every day, every hour, on every platform, from every angle, at the best possible moment. Check out the recent webinar we did with Time Inc. that gives you a glimpseof what its like to work there. One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries l ag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot mora to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right t hing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many s killed craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to p ick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Brene Browns advice on stop leading from control and compliance

Brene Browns advice on stop leading from control and complianceBrene Browns advice on stop leading from control and complianceBad bosses, whether of leid they intend to do it, are ineffective leaders who rule through fear and power. They are sticklers about getting it done their way. They do not seek input from their colleagues. Tasks are done because they say so, not because of any higher purpose to the teams mission. This management style builds confusion and resentment from colleagues who work in fear of getting it wrong.But in a new excerpt for her book Dare to Lead,social scientist Dr. Bren Brown argues that there is a better way. Through her years of research on the psychology of shame and the power of vulnerability, she has made a career out of teaching us how to rewrite the untrue stories we tell ourselves. For manager to be better leaders, they need to learn how to cultivate commitment and shared purpose through their actions. Heres how Brown suggests it can be doneHow to si gnal shared purpose in your actionsWhen leaders are working under an ideology of compliance and control, work is reduced to tasks devoid of context. These command-and-control bosses motivate their employees through the the fear of getting caught doing it wrong, so that employees worry more about getting it done exactly how the boss wants it, than about how this task fits into the wider mission. Employees abdicate any autonomy they have.Brown uses an example from her own job as an example of this compliant behavior.Without giving clear direction about how she wanted her colleagues Murdoch and Barrett to facilitate a workshop, Brown said she ends up disappointed with the result. Next time, she spells out what she wants her colleagues to do, and her colleague answers,Sure. What does done look like?This question of what does done look like? is an improvement from no communication about expectations over work, but Brown says the results get better when the question becomes Lets paint don e. That way, both parties feel welcome to give input about any ideas or concerns they have about a problem.It unearths stealth expectations and unsaid intentions, and it gives the people who are charged with the task tons of color and context. It fosters curiosity, learning, collaboration, reality-checking, and ultimately success, Brown said. We want people to share our commitment to purpose and mission, not to comply because theyre afraid not to. Thats exhausting and unsustainable for everyone.By inviting employees input into a decision, it reminds employees and employers that they are not enemies on opposite sides they are colleagues who have a shared purpose. As leadership expert Randy Conley once told Ladders, being transparent and open about collaboration helps employees build trust with one anotherIf you involve your team in not just hiring decisions, but also in the strategies youre developing as a team, the action plans youre focused on, it creates much more ownership. Theyr e invested in it. They will be less likely to work against your plans if theyve had a hand informing them.

This is how dangerous denial is for your mental health

This is how dangerous denial is for your mental healthThis is how dangerous denial is for your mental healthAlmost all of us have had experiences so uncomfortable or traumatizing that we do everything in our power to push the memories or feelings aside. Or maybe there is an everyday reality we live with that feels too impossible to cope with, so we pretend it doesnt exist, and that dealing with it is not our responsibility. That is denial.The state of denial usually feels much mora comfortable than confronting difficult feelings or circumstances. But anyone in the mental health field will tell you that living in denial for too long will only backfire. Denial may feel easier, but it actually only intensifies whatever challenging feelings you are dealing with, making them mora difficult to move on from.Can Denial Ever Be Helpful?Is there ever an amount of denial that is acceptable? Could it, in some circumstances, be protective and possibly useful as you navigate troubled times in your life?Rachel ONeill, Ph.D., professional clinical counselor andTalkspace therapist, says that theremaybe circumstances where this is the case, but denial is only every helpful in very limited quantities and lengths of time.Denial is a defense mechanism and it exists to help us cope with difficult situations, ONeill explains. Its never really helpful per se, because, eventually, an individual will need to face the reality of their situation.However, in some particular instances liketraumatizing events, denial may allow someone to keep a distance from the trauma until they are able to tackle it. Even then, denial is only helpful for very brief periods. Eventually, it becomes necessary to work on finding the space to accept the circumstances of the situation, says ONeill.The Problem With Living in DenialSo whats so problematic about denial, and why should we all learn how to confront and accept the most difficult feelings and events we experience?Avoiding the reality of a situation can be more harmful than whatever painful feelings are wrapped up in it, says ONeill. It may feel more comfortable to pull away from the hard things, but what happens in reality is that the more you distance yourself, the deeper you plunge - usually without even knowing it.In other words, the more entrenched you get in denial, the harder it can be to pull yourself from it, says ONeill.People who live in a state of denial will experience short-term consequences like feelings of isolation, anxiety, and sadness. Long-term consequences can include the feeling that you have never worked through your experience, and you may end up feeling perpetually stuck in it, ONeill explains.How To Conquer DenialIts pretty clear that denial is not a good place to remain, and that it should be avoided whenever possible. The problem is, because of the nature of denial and how prevalent it is, you may not even be aware that you are experiencing itIts the ultimate Catch-22. How can you stop being in denial if you dont know that you are in denial in the first place?Usually its someone outside your life who can point out that you are in a place of denial. It might be a friend or atherapistwho points out the ways in which youre using denial to cope with a situation, says ONeill.It goes without saying, if you are unable to cope with your feelings about an experience, finding a therapist you can trust is an excellent place for you to start.Confiding in close friends or family membersis helpful as well.Denial self-checksAdditionally, ONeill suggests that you can do a periodic self-checks with yourself to see if denial is getting the better of you. This can include asking yourself questions likeDo you spend a lot of time wishing the situation hadnt happened or had turned out differently?Do you find yourself refusing to accept a circumstance even through the circumstance is in fact a reality?If the answer to either or both of these questions is affirmative, ONeill suggest that this is a time where you should consider exploring the ways that your state of denial may be impacting your life or ability to recover.Living in Denial Doesnt Have to be PermanentIf the circumstances that led you to denial are particularly traumatizing, you should certainly consider seeking professional help. However you work through this, be gentle with yourself.Remember that as hard as it will be, it will be freeing and healing to unearth the buried feelings. And you will end up feeling better and stronger in the long-run.This article was originally published on Talkspace.

Milbank@Harvard Offers Mid-level Associates Ivy League Professional Development

MilbankHarvard Offers Mid-level Associates Ivy League Professional DevelopmentMilbankHarvard Offers Mid-level Associates Ivy League Professional DevelopmentThroughout the year, Milbank whisks mid-level associates away from their desks around the world and sends them to Cambridge, Mass. for a one-of-a-kind, intensive professional development program, MilbankHarvard. Every associate completes a week-long module once a year over the curse of four years, with sessions led by top Harvard Business and Law School faculty, alongside Milbank partners.Recently, partner David Wolfson, who helped develop and manages the program, sat down with recent MilbankHarvard graduate Anna Thomander, a senior associate in London who has recently completed the four-year program, and Laura Larsen, a New York-based fourth-year associate, to talk about the program.From Left,David Wolfson,Anna Thomander, andLaura Larsen.David Laura, you recently finished your first MilbankHarvard module. How did it meet your exp ectations so far?Laura Id say it has honigwein and surpassed my expectations. As an associate, you spend a few years hearing the buzz about the program from others going through it, but its hard to describe beyond that its awesome or wonderful. One of the things that I didnt necessarily expect going in was the mix of topics we covered hard business and managerial skills, and then career-planning, marketing and business development, understanding your value and the value of the firm. Learning about macroeconomics in-depth from Harvard professors is wonderful, but thats only a part of it. Personally and professionally, the program also gives each associate a chance to self-reflect and to grow. I think thats all part of the magic of the program that becomes clearer when you experience it yourself.Anna I agree, and from what Ive heard from colleagues, Im not alone in thinking that MilbankHarvard is the best professional education experience Ive had in my career. I havent heard of anythi ng like it at other firms, especially geared toward mid-levels. You hear about programs for first-years or new partners, but not at this level.David Im obviously biased, but I think the key reason why this program is so good is that we dont begin until people have been practicing for three or four years then it develops with them through their seventh or eighth years.Laura Yes, I had done a lot of MBA-oriented courses while in law school, but even the refresher business courses at Harvard were much more valuable to me now that I can apply them in context. Im at a point in my career where Im getting more involved in the harder pieces of deals, where there are problems that you have to actually solve and advise clients on rather than just taking the solutions and turning them into effective legal documentation, which you spend a lot of your first couple of years doingAnna Many of the lessons can be very concretely applied to our day-to-day work with clients. Im a restructuring lawyer . We did a session on valuations, which tends to be an issue more in restructurings in the U.S. than here in London, but that was really interesting, directly relevant to what I do. And I found the sessions where we looked at where things went wrong like case studies on Enron, Jrme Kerviel, and General Motors, extremely thought-provoking they helped me reflect on the reasons things go wrong in business, allocating responsibility, and ethics. On top of that, theres much more thats a lot more subtle, like learning how to assess and work with different personality types.Laura That has been valuable for me as well learning how to communicate across various personality types in a group, and how people approach problems differently. I remember very vividly a class in which we had to survive in the Alaskan wilderness following a plane crash. Youve been stranded, you have a list of supplies available to you, and you have to survive. And I remember that class in large part because we all di ed.Anna My group all died, too, LauraDavid Yes, I can tell you that everyone always dies in that session LaughterLaura But thats the lesson, right? We learned that you have to think about the prejudices you have approaching situations, why you think you know more than you do, how to be aware of your own blind spots, and to value other peoples knowledge. These types of classes also help people to bond, network and talk across the offices and across the cultures that we come from they also taught me a lot about myself.Another big takeaway was the focus on marketing, learning about the firm as a business. They help make you aware as an associate of the need to build a personal brand, to understand the brand of your practice group and your firm. It makes this whole exercise of practicing together more productive and cohesive.David You know, as we developed the program we were thinking that we might need to tailor sessions or break off groups to cater separately to our lawyers who do tr ansactional work and our litigation and financial restructuring lawyers. But once we fell into it, we realized that it does not matter which practice area youre in, its all relevant, pretty much, to everybody.Laura Its actually helpful to look at issues from the perspective of someone in a different practice.David Its interesting, here we have Laura, a young lawyer in New York working in leveraged finance, and Anna, a more senior lawyer in London in restructuring, and theyve had the same training, on numerous levels, in terms of leadership and feedback and various skills, and in each of their class groups they know everyone in the firm worldwide as a result of this. Im very confident that if theyre ever working on the same deal, they would approach things quite similarly, or would at least have a way to communicate, because of this common experience. And so I think the program has had a really significant impact on our culture. This wasnt something we initially focused on, as we wer e focused on excellent training and so on. But I think its one of the most profound things that have come out of it.Anna Having come in as a lateral, the opportunity to spend time with peers from our different offices, as well as partners from all over, and to absorb the culture in this way, was really valuable. Beyond that, its a great thing to have on your C.V. I get asked about my Harvard experience all the time. To be able to spend time learning from top professors at Harvard for four weeks has just been a phenomenal privilege.David Harvards executive team is fantastic. One of the reasons Harvard got into this is it wanted to understand what it should be doing in law schools to teach people who actually practice, to have interactions with young lawyers and learn what they find interesting and effective. So were pleased that theyve found it valuable as well we could not have asked for a better partner.This is a sponsored blog post fromMilbank, Tweed, Hadley McCloy LLP. You can view Milbanks Vault profilehere.Follow Vault Law on TwitterVaultLawand follow Vault on InstagramVaultCareersandFacebook

Video Interview - Tips on How to Ace It [2019]

Video Interview - Tips on How to Ace It 2019Video Interview - Tips on How to Ace It How to Ace a Video InterviewVideo interviews are widely used today as a substitute to, or prior to, an in-person interview. If the position you are applying for is based in another city or the hiring manager is located somewhere else, a video interview can be critical to the interview process. Maybe youve already read ur tips for acing a phone interview, but you also need to be prepared for a potential video interview. With updated technology at our fingertips, video interviews are more widely used instead of a phone interview, and hiring managers jump at the opportunity to see potential candidates and connect with them before bringing them in for an in-person interview. Since this is becoming a common practice in the interview process, you will need to be prepared to face a video interview for any job, and enaya you have the resources and technology available to ace the interview successfully. Video interviews are very similar to in-person, so you need to be just as prepared and ready as you would be for an in-person interview.Here are some tips to keep in mind as you are getting ready for your video interview.Top Video Interview QuestionsTell me about yourselfDescribe your ideal work environmentWhy should we hire you?Where do you see yourself in 5 years?Why do you want to work for our company?1) Check Your Surroundings The most important thing to remember about a video interviewer is that the hiring manager can see you, and they can also see whats around you. You need to be careful when choosing a location to conduct your video interview. The background should be a plain color, with no busy patterns that be visually displeasing or distracting for the interviewer. The location needs to be a quiet place, free from background noise and any potential distractions. Remove your pet or your children from the room and never choose a public place like a coffee shop as that will produce a substantial amount of background noise. Source giphy.comMake koranvers to check the lighting ahead of time and stay away from windows that might create harsh shadows. You want to showcase yourself in the best way possible, and that includes making sure that you appear visible on the camera and that your body is framed correctly, with your shoulders in the frame. You dont want to look like a close-up face, so sit far enough away so that your upper body is visible. You can keep your resume and notes in front of you if you absolutely need them, but dont make it a habit of looking down or reviewing your notes constantly. The key to the video interview is developing a personal connection with the person on the other side and showing how you are the best person for the job, which all starts with the right location.2) Prepare Your EquipmentPerhaps the most important thing about a video interview is making sure that your equipment is working correctly. Theres nothing worse than getting d isconnected or having a spotty internet connection that doesnt allow the hiring manager to see or hear you correctly. Test your video and microphone before the interview, so you know everything is working. If possible, ask a friend to video chat with you using the platform you will be using for the interview. There are so many options today, from Google Hangouts to Skype, that offer video capabilities, so you want to ensure you have the proper account access and the software works before the interview. Generally, you will want to use an ethernet cord to guarantee that you will have a reliable internet connection throughout the interview. If you are using wi-fi, make sure other people in your residence are not using the internet for activities like streaming television or doing other activities that require a high internet connection. Close all open web browsers that might be using the wi-fi, so they dont cause distractions or affect your connection. If the lighting is terrible in th e location you choose, you will want to position a few lamps beside your computer so that the hiring manager can clearly see your face. Make sure to position your webcam at eye level or a bit higher, so you are looking right at the hiring manager and not down at them. Ensuring your equipment is working is a critical step in acing your video interview.3) Conduct Yourself Like Youre In-PersonEven though its a video interview, you need to treat it like an in-person interview. Youll want to dress appropriately for the position you are seeking. If the office you will be working in values professional attire, you should wear a suit for the video interview. You might be tempted to wear something comfortable like sweatpants on your bottom half since the interviewer will never see that part of you. You want to avoid this and dress completely. When you have a full outfit on, you will act more professional than you might if youre wearing casual clothing. Watch the interviewer for any visual cu es they are sending you. Feed off their energy and express your enthusiasm for the position as if you were speaking to them in-person.Try to establish a connection with the person who is interviewing you. Now is the time, when you can see them, to showcase how articulate and professional you are to demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the position.4) Conquer Your Body LanguageDuring a video interview, the way you appear on the screen is very important. Be sure to sit up straight with both feet on the floor, so you look alert and professional. You might fidget when youre nervous, but its important to refrain from unterstellung activities as it will be distracting to the interviewer. Keep your hands on your lap or on your desk and dont shake or sway from side to side. One of the most significant things you can do during a video interview is to maintain eye contact. Youll probably want to stare at the screen or even glance at your appearance on the screen, but when you are t alking to the interviewer, you should be looking directly at them. It might feel odd at first, but you need to look directly at the camera while you are speaking to your interviewer, so they see that youre looking directly at them. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, practice talking to the camera in advance of your interview, so you are more at ease. Its equally as important to smile and remain personable throughout the meeting. Dont scare them off by smiling constantly, but act like you would in person and express your passion for the position you are seeking.5) End StrongThe way you end the video interview will set the stage for the next steps, so make sure you end on a high note. If you dont have the interviewers email address, ask for it now so you can send a thank you note. Then follow up after the interview, not immediately but a few hours later, to thank them again for their time, recap any high points of the discussion and restate your enthusiasm about taking the intervie w process to the next step.Video interviews can be overwhelming at first, but with these tips, youll be armed with the tools you need to ace the interview and get one step closer to securing the position of your dreams.