Thanks to COVID-19, the job market has shifted in several different ways, one of which is the interviewing process. Although in-person interviews are still occurring, there has been a rise in virtual interviews and video submissions for job seekers. How do you market yourself virtually or on video? Here are some tips to help you ace the virtual interview:

1. Have adequate lighting and appropriate décor/backgrounds. You want to make sure that you are properly seen on screen, so having adequate lighting with minimal glare is important. You also want to have appropriate décor or a blank wall behind you so that there isn’t anything distracting while you’re interviewing.
   
   
2. Place Post-It notes with potential responses around the top of your computer near the camera. Having this setup ensures that you’re looking at interviewers and making good eye contact versus looking down at your notes. Even in virtual interviews, having good eye contact is important and can demonstrate confidence in your responses. 
   
   
3. If you’re submitting a video instead of conducting a live interview, use technology such as Zoom, Streamyard, or iMovie. Using these tools will give you the ability to edit and polish a video submission without needing much video editing experience. You can also record responses in one take and edit the video afterward, which saves you time in the long run.
   
   
4. Conduct a practice call with a friend, mentor, or family member. By being able to practice, you can get feedback on why your responses (or your energy or even your non-verbals) aren’t coming across in the way you’d like on screen. You can also make sure your audio and video settings are correct. If you don’t have someone to practice with, set up a Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center.

Let’s face it — now that more companies have shifted to a remote and/or hybrid model, there may be more competition from candidates outside of your local area than ever before. That’s why it’s even more crucial to find ways to stand out when you’ve scheduled a virtual interview. By using these tips and resources like Big Interview offered by the Career Center, you’ll be even closer to your next job position. 

According to the Oxford Dictionary imposter syndrome is “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” 

When you are suffering from imposter syndrome the following signs may occur:

• Fear of failure
• Fear of success
• Burnout
• Perfectionism
• Lack of confidence
• Comparison to others.

All of these signs can be experienced in the workplace. For example, you may procrastinate on a project because you’re suffering from fear of failure. Or, you may spend your days comparing yourself to others in your office, hindering you from making connections with your co-workers. Finally, you may be in a state of perfectionism to show your value, which can result in burnout. Imposter syndrome can cause these scenarios and more, leading to less-than-ideal outcomes.

So how do you overcome it? Try one of these methods:

• Keep track of reminders. Keep a folder in your inbox where you can drop in positive notes (“kudos”) from colleagues and supervisors. Every once in a while, look back at those emails.
• Reframe your thinking. Tell yourself that you’re not the only one who has felt this way. Turn around negative sentiments into more positive ones.
• Practice self-empathy.  Know that you’re not alone, and that you are worthy of the job position you’re in. Give yourself grace and credit for how much you’ve already accomplished.
• Commiserate with others. Find colleagues or mentors who know what it’s like to suffer from imposter syndrome. Perhaps there is even an affinity group you can join. Remember that we all go through it at one point or another!
• Take a broader view. Try to look at your situation from a wider lens. You may get a more realistic picture of how you’re performing vs. zooming in under the microscope.

Need help taking the broader view when it comes to your career? Take the FOCUS 2 Assessment to see how you can best apply your strengths, which can help you avoid imposter syndrome. 

As a member of the MOU Steering Committee, you will play a crucial role in coordinating activities and events related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This internship offers a unique chance to engage in meaningful work and contribute to important initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Must be a student enrolled at UMBC for the 2024-2025 academic year, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students (transfer students and international students welcome)

• Willingness to commit 10 hours per week to coordinating activities and events for the MOU

Requirements:

1. Experience with communications and outreach principles, methods, practices, and techniques

2. Proficiency in developing and executing plans for engagement and outreach

3. Enjoyment in coordinating and building internal and external relationships

4. Demonstrate organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong written and oral communication skills

Please note that this is an unpaid internship.

If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply by completing the application form by May 17, 2024. More information can be found on the UMBC/EPA/USGS Website:https://epa-usgs.umbc.edu/.

Join us in making a meaningful impact and gaining valuable experience! If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Questions, contact:

Anyone on the job market knows about the importance of the résumé. This is typically an employer’s first look at who you are and what you bring to the table. That’s why it’s crucial that you can make your résumé stand out from the rest.

1. Lead with the most relevant information. This refers to both categories and individual bullet points. You want to lead with the most important information on the top and left-hand side of the page, as well as within sections. 
   
   
2. Your personalized LinkedIn URL. At the top of your résumé with the rest of your contact information, you can add your LinkedIn URL. Need a personalized URL that’s not full of random numbers and letters? Go to your profile, and on the right side you’ll see an option to edit "Public profile & URL.” If you need assistance with this, schedule a LinkedIn appointment with a career advisor. 
   
   
3. Course projects. If your résumé is lacking in terms of work experiences, you can include projects from your classes. Just list the name of the project and/or course and include a few bullet points highlighting what you did. Remember: coursework experiences do count as work experiences! 
   
   
4. Relevant coursework. By listing relevant courses, you can demonstrate that you have foundational knowledge in key areas related to the job you’re applying for. You can also show that you’ve learned specialized skills in a specific area of study. 
   
   
5. Skills as categories. These can be comprised of hard skills (e.g., programming languages, statistical analyses, data analysis), soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership, problem-solving), and transferable skills (e.g., customer service, research skills, presentation skills).   
   
   
6. Extracurricular activities. Adding these to your résumé can demonstrate leadership potential. They also can help highlight transferable skills that you otherwise may not be able to show on your résumé.

Looking for some examples of résumés as you build your own? Download our Career Guide and review the guidelines listed on p. 26 of the PDF.