Being technologically literate is becoming more and more important in the public relations workplace, and having experience with Adobe programs is sure to look great on your resume. Using InDesign for the first time can be intimidating and confusing. But once you’ve mastered the features in templates, master pages, layers, fonts and images, you’ll be creating a new project in a flash. 
 
Adobe’s InDesign is a design industry-standard application that allows publishing in both digital and print. The program allows users to expand their skills and expertise in print and digital marketing, making it a great tool to master for both journalism and public relations students.
 
1. Choosing the right template:
 
When creating on InDesign, it is important to know what type of project you’re designing. Whether it’s for print, web, or mobile, choosing the right template is essential for an effective layout. If you’re not comfortable with creating your own templates just yet, you can use one of the pre-made layouts suggested by InDesign.
 
If you choose to create your template, decide if the template you need is for print, web or mobile. Also, determine if the layout orientation should be horizontal or vertical and how many columns you need.

Once you create the template or open a premade template, on the top right you’ll see a button that reads “advanced.” Click that button and it will expand allowing you to choose whether you need advanced features, digital publishing, interactive for PDF and so forth. These sections will give you the necessary tools needed to create your file.
 
Since this is a beginner’s guide, we’ll be working with the feature “Essentials Classic” that is located on the top right corner

2. The importance of a master page:

The master page feature on InDesign works as a template that incorporates a design, text or audio onto every page. The master page feature is found on the top right and is titled “pages.” This feature is important because it can save you a lot of time when you are incorporating a design or text, without having to do it to the master page. Be sure to consistently save your work along the way.

So, you’ve added all the text and images onto your master page, what now? Your next step would be to gather your ideas and plan out where you want to place your content. To begin, you’ll create layers.
 
The layers feature comes in handy because not only does it allow you to layer images and text, but it makes it so much easier when changing a design. Three basic sets of layers to include when working on InDesign are text, images and background. Clicking on the separate layers is important when incorporating text, images or background images; it saves you the headache of going back and changing the layers.
 
The “layers” feature is located directly underneath the “pages” feature, so it should be easy to find. The first layer you’ll find is your default layer titled “layer 1,” from there you can add a new layer by clicking on the plus sign on the bottom right. Changing the layer names is important to keep yourself organized.

When using layers, you can hide layers you do not want to see. For instance, if you’re editing text that is sitting on top of an image, you can lock the image, so it stays in place. To lock the image, click on the box that sits before the images section and the lock will appear. The same goes for content you want to hide while editing other content. Click on the eye icon to the left and all of your content for that section would be hidden. Again, to make content reappear, you’d click where the eye icon was, and your content will be visible.  

3. Fonts and where to find them:

InDesign offers a variety of fonts that are available for immediate use. The fonts can be found after selecting the text tool that is sixth down the list and located on the far left of the document. The fonts have different effects, which you can use to fit the aesthetic of the project you are creating. But if you find that the fonts available are not suited for your project, you can add fonts with InDesign Layout Love curated by Adobe.

The image to the left indicates where to find the paragraph alignment box. The image on the right indicates where to find the fonts and size. ​

Additionally, there will be times when a “Missing Fonts” sign will pop-up when opening a new document. To find the missing fonts, the program will suggest to either replace the fonts with similar fonts or skip and incorporate different fonts.

4. High quality images: 
 
When it comes to images you want to ensure every image is high quality. First, you want to create an image box from the tools on the left and from there you can drag the image in. You can also go to the file on the top left and select “place.” From there, choose the image for your document.

​What if you’ve added your images in, but they don’t exactly fit the frame? This is an easy fix. Right-click on the image and select “fitting” from the list. Once the list expands after selecting “fitting”, select “fit frame to content” and the image will fit the image box. Now your images fit the frame perfectly!

​Before you think you’re done, go back and look at your content and ensure your spelling is correct and your images are in a high-quality display. Checking your images are in a high-quality display requires a right-click and selecting “graphics,” then selecting “high quality display. Your results should show you have no errors.

​These are a few basic tips everyone should know when working with InDesign. But before we go, here’s one final tip. Whether you are producing for print or digital, it is important to know what ink palettes to use and how to check you are using the correct palettes. CMYK is used for print and RGB is used for digital. To ensure the best quality of your projects, be sure to use the correct ink palette. Looking for this feature on InDesign is simple, select the “color” tool to the right, and the toolbar will expand to show your ink palette.

Your photos are also important when it comes to whether you’re creating a project for print or digital. Images will for the most part be in RGB. But if you need to change your images ink palette, Photoshop is the program to use. Open the image on Photoshop and select "image" located on the top toolbar. Select the “mode” feature found under “image.” Once you click, you’ll change your RBG photo to CMYK.

​InDesign is an important tool that if mastered, can help elevate your projects in print and design. InDesign is used in digital marketing, graphic design and interior design just to name a few, so why not expand your skills and raise your potential.

Have you ever been called in to your supervisor’s office because of what you were wearing? Well as someone with a unique style, a nose ring and visible tattoos, I definitely have. After what seemed to be my millionth time of being spoken to for a minor detail of something I was wearing, something dawned on me: If I continue to work in such a professional environment, will I have to give up my style entirely? Will I have to buy clothes that I don’t even like? Will shopping become a dreadful activity!? Okay maybe I was being a bit dramatic, but no. No to all of these questions I was asking myself. What I had to do was discover a way to maintain my personal style aesthetic while maintaining professionalism. I finally mastered this new-found collaboration of personal and professional style. This mastery, that seems rather simple, is crucial in the corporate world. Adhering to your company’s dress codes demonstrates respect for your coworkers, supervisors and to your company’s workplace culture. If you were like me, there is no need to worry. Shopping for work, and getting dressed to go into the office does not have to be a chore. I will show you how looking for new pieces to wear for work can still be enjoyable, and how to preserve your individualism in a professional manner.

First thing you want to do as you begin this journey, is to read your company’s dress code. Every company is different, which means different guidelines. Now let’s just cover the basics here. Every employee needs to have a blazer. Blazers are a polished piece that works any day of the week. They can come in all colors, and with all sorts of patterns to fit your personality. Button-ups are another must have piece you need to look for. Button-ups are the perfect statement piece. You can button all the way up, or keep several buttons from the top unbuttoned to put your personal touch on it. The combination of a blazer and a button up, as shown in the photo above, exhibits how beautifully the two work together. Vests are also a perfect garment to wear to work. Both sweater vests and button vests can be fun to wear when dressing up to work. The outfit possibilities are endless with these garments.

Now let’s talk accessories. Accessories are the gateway to injecting your work outfits with your personal touch! Eyeglasses are a great way to bring your look together. If you don’t necessarily need glasses, but you admire the look, you can purchase clear lens frames so you can still use them as an accessory. Jewelry is a must when you want to maintain your style in the office. From earrings, to watches, to bracelets, to rings, they are the perfect staple to feeling true to you. Ties, suspenders, scarves and bowties are another accessory that you can use to your advantage. These simple yet influential pieces are perfect with almost any outfit, and they exhibit a sense of your distinctive style, as seen as this photo found on Pinterest. Belts are also an essential part of an outfit. They not only keep your attire properly fitted, they can take your outfit to the next level.

Last, but not least we will talk about shoes. You can never have too many shoes for work. Whether your personal style is laid-back or fancy, there are plenty of shoes that are available to match your aesthetic. When it comes to the office, it is best to wear neutral colors like black, brown, beige etc. Shoes truly pull your outfit together, so they are one of the most important pieces when shopping for your work outfit. With selected shoes, socks may be needed. You can always have fun with choosing what pair of socks to wear, because they aren’t as visible as most accessories.

I hope you have learned a bit more about how to dress for success while putting your own spin on it. Now take this new found sophistication, and bring the visualization of you being your best self at work to life! 

​In the public relations sector, branding and creating an image to establish a prominent identity is vital to a client’s success. To reinforce a company’s image, designing an easy-to-remember and consistent color scheme rather than one that blends into the thousands of other companies, is very important. As the iconic Tevin Campbell song “Stand Out” from Disney’s A Goofy Movie says “to stand out above the crowd” you often “gotta shout out loud.” Just the same, hundreds of companies use unique color schemes to also stand out above the crowd. Although some may feel color is of little importance, a brand’s colors are essential in creating an image that is both memorable and able to convey characteristics of their identity. To showcase how companies use colors to do so, below is a list of 10 of some of your favorite companies and how they use color psychology to present themselves to the public.

1. Target

​Over the years Target has grown exponentially, reaching new audiences that vary from college students who are transitioning into adulthood, to gen-z hoping to pick up the latest craze they saw on TikTok. But one thing that hasn’t changed for Target is the iconic red color associated with the company. Though red is commonly seen in many other company brand colors, Target’s red color has been trademarked. Red, being a color that is both bold and evokes passion, is perfect when combined with the signature Target logo.

2. Ikea

​Ikea, the Swedish multi-industry company, flaunts the bright colors yellow and blue not only because Sweden’s national flag contains similar shades, but also because of the emotions conveyed by the two. Yellow is often associated with smiley faces, usually symbolizing happiness, also aids in presenting a friendly demeanor to clientele. Blue complements the friendly demeanor since color science explains it to be associated with feelings of tranquility.

3. Apple

​Apple has been at the forefront of technological advances for decades now. Although the colors associated with the brand have transformed over the years from rainbow to black, they have remained loyal to their modern gray/silver base color. Although this color isn’t as bright or eye-catching as others, it does well in evoking class, professionalism and practicality. Apple, a company that places a lot of value on efficiency, uses gray to evoke this very feeling.

4. Starbucks

​Starbucks, a favorite coffee location for students, has served as the perfect location for studying with its tranquil and serene ambiance. According to Nick Carson’s 2020 creative blog article, the  stylization of the Starbucks logo from a brown to a green color was decided as a reference to the University of San Francisco, where the three founders of the coffee franchise were educated. But the color does much more in helping present its image. Now placing more emphasis on environmentally friendly practices, green is a great representation of the company’s eco-conscious goals. Along with this, green is also known to invoke feelings of relaxation—necessary for a place frequented by stressed-out college and high school students.

5. McDonald’s 

The multinational fast-food franchise McDonald’s has, for decades now, held up its use of the bright red and yellow colors of its brand. The food location, known to be huge amongst the younger audience because of their Happy Meals, does right in choosing such colors. As mentioned before, yellow is usually associated with happy feelings and it also is representative of youthful energy, while red has gone as far as being scientifically proven to increase heart rate and appetite. As a fast-food restaurant, an increase in appetite is definitely a desired outcome from a color scheme.
​
6. Goodwill

Goodwill, now a location frequented by teens and younger millennials hoping to find cute gems to add to their growing wardrobe at an affordable price, is lucky to have chosen the serenity of their soft blue color. Black, one color which accompanies blue in their logo, is usually a color that elicits elegance and luxury. Unfortunately in their case, secondhand goods are not representative of such characteristics. On the other hand, its complimentary white color delivers an efficient and pure element.

7. Victoria’s Secret

Victoria’s secret is famed for its bombshell fashion shows, but it is also a go-to for women to find bras, panties and fragrances. The color pink is commonly associated with femininity, therefore brands like Victoria’s Secret, Barbie and Justice, with a high percentage of female customers, target women with pink in their logos.
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8. Twitter

Twitter has become one of the biggest social media platforms in the past decade, serving as the location where many hash out their political disagreements, rant about how awful their boss was to them at work or post images of their achievements. Twitter is a platform people use for a multitude of reasons and their sky blue color, inspired by their logo in the shape of a bird, communicates dependability. Not only is this blue harmonious, social media platforms know that it is known to boost interaction.

9. Best Buy

Even though Best Buy’s color scheme is very similar to Ikea’s, the reasoning behind their choice of colors differs slightly. Yes, yellow is used in hopes of evoking a friendly demeanor, but the yellow is also used in the image of a price tag. This friendly demeanor, along with the blue shirts worn by employees, makes their employees more approachable. The logo and its font are both bold and big, which is great usage to motivate window shoppers to make actual purchases. 

10. Coca-Cola

​As mentioned with McDonald’s, as a food company Coca Cola’s usage of red helps induce an increase in appetite. Not only does their red carry energy and excitement, because red can sometimes be associated with danger, the sense of urgency that red creates also increases the likelihood of consumers following through on a purchase when looking at their product. Keeping this consistent image across many channels compels people to want to take action once there is an increase in appetite, and buy a Coke. 

Through strategic analysis of these successful brands, we can see how much of an effect color has on consumers. Marketers, as well as individuals in the public relations sector, should be aware of color psychology and use it to affect their publics when communicating a specific message. 

Do any of your favorite companies have colors not covered on this list? Maybe the streaming platform Twitch’s purple or Home Depot’s orange have psychology behind their colors. Remember, if you want your audience to experience certain emotions when viewing your brand, consider using color psychology.

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​The whole process of applying for internships can be scary. It can be gruesome when a company you want to work for denies your application. Here is a scenario: You impress the hiring manager with your resume and are given a chance for an interview. A few days later, you receive an email stating that you did not get the position. Everyone knows a thing or two about succeeding in interviews, but how does one deal with rejection? What happens if you receive that dreadful rejection email? This how-to list will help you positively deal with rejections from internships.

1. Stay Active When Rejected:
Life is not always perfect, and the internship process is not always perfect either. There are instances where you receive that dreadful rejection email in your inbox. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but it is essential to know that all will be okay. First and foremost, it is okay if you get rejected from an internship--it happens to everyone. There can be many factors contributing to why you weren’t selected, and those factors may not have anything to do with you! But the most important thing to do after a rejection is to continue applying to other opportunities that best match your qualifications. It is okay to be upset; putting in so much effort just to get rejected is draining. However, it is vital to get back out there and be positive for the next interview. Use the rejection as a learning experience for yourself and future career endeavors. Rejection should not be seen as a sign of defeat, but as a way to learn from an obstacle.
 
 2. Move Forward:
When it comes to rejection, it is always best to move forward. Do not take it personal in any way, lingering in the past will only hurt you more. It is ill-advised to focus on the negative and best to focus on the future. Yes, rejection may be the worst feeling, but you have to endure many "no's" to be successful. It is how you handle the rejection that determines the type of applicant you are. Opportunities are always within your reach; you have to make the best out of the situation and confidently move forward. Not feeling the confidence? Blast some music to keep your motivation going during the application process. It helps, trust me. 

3. Be Gracious and Stay Connected:
How can you be kind while facing rejection? Even though you did not land the job, it is always good to show gratitude towards the interviewer. Thank them for the opportunity that was given to you. If it is a company that you are interested in joining, it is also important to include that you are interested in future opportunities that they may have. You never know, their first choice for the internship may have accepted an internship elsewhere which could lead to them reconsidering you. The smallest gestures can provide a favorable outcome, even if it is from an unfavorable situation.
 
4. Ask for Feedback:
If you are unsure of what you could fix for your next interview, you can always ask for feedback. Feedback and acting on it is the most crucial part after getting rejected from an internship. Receiving feedback can help you improve on critical elements that you may not have known. You may not want to hear it, but it is necessary information that can help you in the future. When you thank them in your email, you can ask for any constructive criticism that they may be able to offer. According to Indeed.com, “explaining your motives for requesting feedback gives the interviewer an idea of the type of advice that would benefit you the most.” When asking for feedback, it is best to do it within 24 hours of receiving your rejection. Most hiring managers will be thrilled to give you advice. It shows that you are interested in learning from past mistakes.

 5. Practice and Learn:
The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. If you continue to get rejected, it is vital to take a few minutes and see what skills you need to work on. As mentioned before, if you receive feedback from your interviewer, it can provide a footprint on what to work on for your next interview. Receiving all your feedback and learning from your previous interviews can help you prepare for the next one. If you want to improve on your interview skills, ask a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview with you. They can give you real interview questions, help catch any mistakes and receive additional feedback from them. Practice makes perfect! 

Always acknowledge your career journey as a work in progress. Everyone has a different story, but with hard work, you can succeed. There are many failure stories that are shared, and if you need any inspiration check out http://www.rejected.us. This is a website where people post their rejection stories or past failures from their career. Most of the people who have posted were able to obtain positions where they had been rejected before. It is all about persevering and prospering, even at the worst moments.

A classic that always hits the spot, pasta and meatballs can fill up a hungry student for hours and it’s perfect for leftovers.

Ingredients:

• ¼ yellow onion
• 3 cloves fresh garlic
• ½ can tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 fresh tomatoes
• Seasonings 
• Veggie meatballs 
• Pasta 

Makes approximately four servings

Instructions: 

1. In a saucepan heat up olive oil then add onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper then let brown.
2. Dice tomatoes and add to pan, season with salt and pepper and let cook down.
3. Add tomato sauce and paste, season with salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes. 
4. In another pan heat up olive oil and add veggie meatballs. Cook until browned.
5. In a pot heat water until boiling then add a pinch of salt. Cook pasta until soft (Fun trick: to see if your pasta is done cooking take a noodle and throw it against the door, if it sticks: it’s ready.)
6. Dump pasta water leaving about 1 tbsp in the pot. Dump pasta and left-over water into pot with sauce. Toss together. 
7. Serve with browned veggie meatballs and enjoy!

Bonus: Top with vegan cheese of your choice. 

Notes:

• Any kind of veggie meatball that you like can work, for this recipe I used the vegetarian version of the classic IKEA Swedish meatballs. Local grocers like Grocery Outlet usually have cheaper prices on alternative versions of food. 
• For this recipe I used salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, but feel free to add or subtract to fit your preferences.​

Mixed Veggie Salad

The trope that all vegans eat is salad and tree bark isn’t true, but this hearty, veggie-filled salad is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of meat eaters.
​
Ingredients:

• Handful of mixed greens 
• ¼ cup garbanzo beans
• ¼  bell pepper
• ⅛ thinly sliced yellow onion 
• ⅛ cubed zucchini
• ½ chopped roma tomato
• ¼ avocado 
• 2 tbsp vinaigrette
  
  

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, toss garbanzo beans in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and cumin together
2. Add veggies to the mix and toss, leaving out the avocado
3. In a larger bowl, lay a bed of mixed greens then top with garbanzo bean and veggie mix
4. Top with dressing and avocado
   
   

Notes:

• This salad is one of those “What’s in my fridge?” type of salads. Grab whatever veggies or topping you’d like.
• Pro-tip: Dressings have a tendency to have hidden egg and dairy products in them and vegan dressings tend to be more expensive. Here’s an easy vinaigrette recipe:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of pepper
  • Pinch of oregano
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • Splash of lemon juice

    Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and there you have an easy, healthy and 
vegan friendly salad dressing.

B.M.C. Burrito (Beans, meat and cheese)

This hearty burrito is a great lunch or dinner option, quick to make and easy to take on the go.

Ingredients:

• ½ package of Beefless ground beef from Trader Joe’s
• 1 can of black beans
• Soy cheese blend 
• Burrito size tortilla
• Toppings (I used red salsa, sliced avocado, vegan sour cream and lettuce)
• Seasonings (I used Trader Joe’s taco seasoning, salt and pepper)

Makes approximately two servings

Instructions:

1. In a pan heat up oil and add beefless ground beef and beans, adding 1 tbsp of the juice from the can then draining the rest.
2. Season beef and beans then cook until brown.
3. Heat up the tortilla on the burner until warm and crispy.
4. Lay meat and beans down the middle of the tortilla then add cheese and other toppings.
5. Roll up and enjoy.

Notes:

• Any toppings can be added to your liking​
  
  

Breakfast Scramble

Packed full of carbs, nutrients and protein, this breakfast scramble is a great jump starter to your morning. 
Ingredients: 

• 1 package of soy chorizo from Trader Joe’s
• 4 hash brown patties from Trader Joe’s
• ½ yellow onion
• 2 cloves of garlic 
• ½ bell pepper
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, chili powder)

Makes approximately two servings
​
Instructions:

• In a pan heat up olive oil and add onions, garlic and bell peppers.
• Add seasoning then veggies until brown
• Cut up hash browns into cubes and add to pan, cook until golden brown
• Add soy chorizo to the pan and cook until browned
• Can be served on its own or with a warmed tortilla. Top with salsa, avocado or vegan sour cream.
  
  

Notes:

• The soy chorizo is pre seasoned so be aware of seasonings you add to the dish.
• Beans can be added for a more robust meal.
• This meal can either be served on a plate or in a tortilla.
  
  

Vegan Chili

​Ever since high school, I started to realize that graphic design was the career for me. I knew that I wanted to do what I love, and get paid for it. Not only had I taken art classes at Art Center Saturday High every weekend, I also had experience in my high school’s journalism class as the Graphic Designer and Visuals Editor. 

In college, I had some doubts that maybe I wasn’t going down the right path. Eventually I realized that while I probably will never have everything figured out, I’m still able to design in a way that will allow me to do what I like and have a lasting impact on others.

Here are some lessons I learned throughout my past few years as a student pursuing a career in graphic design.

1. There are many different types of graphic design.
Becoming a graphic designer isn’t a one-way street for the rest of your career. A graphic designer can also mean illustrator, animator, UX designer, package designer and more. There are a variety of paths within graphic design that offer versatility and opportunity in many different roles.

2. Design and art are not the same.
I tend to use art and design interchangeably; however, I’ve come to realize that design is not art. Design is all about having a concept and building towards that concept. Artists tend to create work through instinct and self-expression, while designers are problem solvers and are constantly thinking about the user.

3. Design is everywhere.
Paul Rand wrote, “Everything is design.” All the products around us, even the buildings, had to be designed by someone. Every business needs a logo, and different brands all need designs. You don’t have to give up your passion to pursue graphic design. Pursue your passion with graphic design.

4. Keep it Simple — Have Faith in the Process.
Not all design is about having an elaborate, complicated end product. Design is all about the concept and the process in getting to your solution. Sometimes it’s all about experimentation, iterations and challenges. As long as you have the confidence to sell your idea, a simple design can go a long way.

5. The creative process in reality is very collaborative
In school, I always thought design to be a very independent role. We rarely did group projects, and a lot of the ideation, from start to finish, was created on our own. Nevertheless, I came to realize that design can be a very collaborative process. In advertising and public relations, you have the opportunity to work with other copywriters and strategists. In UX design, you get to work closely with UX researchers, project managers and developers. In motion graphics, you may even get to work with videographers and musicians. Depending on the path you choose, being able to collaborate well with others plays a huge role when entering into the industry.

6. You can’t learn everything in college.
The industry is constantly changing, and new design trends are always emerging. With design, it’s all about experimentation and gathering inspiration from your surroundings and the people around you.

Throughout the past few years, I’ve learned a lot of lessons about design; however, I am still just a college student figuring things out. I plan to constantly challenge myself as a designer and continue to learn without regrets. 

If you had to compare the difficulty of in-person interviews to online interviews, you’d be comparing
​T-ball to the MLB. Making that lasting impression over the computer can be deemed very challenging, especially for newly graduated students. Although this may not be the case for everyone, the challenge of online interviews can be difficult for anyone of any age and level of experience. In this blog, I’ll be explaining a few do’s and don'ts when being interviewed virtually. I developed these tips over years of not landing a job due to my own online interview mistakes. I hope these tips and tricks can save another young adult from bombing their online interview and help you land the job of your dreams. 

1. Don’t rely on the notes you’ve written in preparation of the interview. 
I thought it would be a great idea to write out my answers to the questions for my interview. Little did I know, my nerves would make me appear like a robot with a monotonous tone and deer-in -headlights look. This is one way to guarantee that you have lost your chances at getting the job, because who wants to work with a robot with no personality?! It’s alright to have a few things jotted down, but by adding higher vocabulary words and memorizing your answers like a script, nothing about the interview comes off as unique or authentic. 

2. Do make sure to use those practice answer rounds.
If you have the option to practice your answers before submitting them, take every practice round you can get. I cannot express this enough! Every online interview I didn’t do well in was partly because I didn’t take the practice rounds. Taking the practice rounds allows you to get a little more comfortable with the questions and sound more confident in your answers. If there isn’t an option to practice your answers in a practice round, don’t worry. In-person interviews never have practice rounds, therefore your online interview is already being treated more like an in-person interview. But, do take time to practice potential questions and answers with friends or family so that when you are interviewed you will be quick with your words and thought process. 

3. Don’t wear casual clothes just because you are in the comfort of your own home.
This is as simple as it gets. Dress to impress; it’s not too hard. Believe it or not, I have heard from numerous friends and colleagues that they didn’t see a problem in dressing “comfortably” during an interview because it was at home. With that mindset, you might as well show them your dirty kitchen because you’re in the comforts of your own home. At least dress up from the waist up. Dressing nicely for an interview makes you seem more professional and shows the interviewer that you are taking this interview seriously. 

4. Do your research prior to your interview.
Most of the time, companies will usually throw in at least one question that involves the company itself. These questions usually involve a question as to why you want to work for that specific company. Knowing a little bit of information about the company such as its history, values, products and distribution channels will set you apart and give you a higher chance at landing the job. This is such a simple task to complete and ultimately could make you stand out in comparison to other applicants, making your interview sound more cohesive and professional.

5. Triple check your microphone!
During an interview for my dream job a couple years ago, I had the option to view my answers after they were submitted. Low and behold, every question I had submitted, I was muted. Fast forward a week later, I received my rejection letter. Of course, not checking if my mic was properly working didn’t come to mind due to the large number of other things on my mind in preparation for my interview. The little things truly end up becoming big things, therefore it is vital to have somewhat of a checklist when going over what is needed for the online interview (including reading this blog). 

There you have it. With all of this knowledge under your belt, you are sure to set yourself apart from other applicants and get yourself that much closer to the job you're chasing after. Although some of these tips may seem like common sense, someone, somewhere didn’t know them and had to learn from their mistakes the hard way. Similar to how every job is different, every job interview is different. Hopefully, some of these do’s and don’ts for Zoom interviews was helpful and has made you feel more confident prior to going into an online interview.

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​8. Bronzer, blush and highlight
To avoid looking one dimensional you want to use some additional products to your face. Use bronzer to carve out your cheekbones and to make your forehead and nose appear smaller. Apply blush to the top of your cheeks to add a flash of color. Last, apply highlighter! Because, who doesn't love a good highlight? Highlighter is a light-reflecting product that will give your skin a brighter glow and make your features more prominent. 

​If you are going for a more natural look you can completely skip this step; but if you are over the top like me put some falsies on. Fake eyelashes tie the look altogether and make it seem like you put on way more makeup than you actually did. Trust me they make a difference! If you do not know how to apply false eyelashes, follow this ‘how to make your lashes pop’ tutorial. 

10. Lips
After drinking my first cup of coffee in the morning, the last thing I want to see is a lipstick stain on my cup. In order to take measures to prevent my lipstick from fading, I first go in with lip liner to draw out and fill in my lips. This will help prevent my lip products from bleeding when drinking and eating. For lipstick, I use a soft matte or liquid matte lipstick. A matte lipstick is what’s going to last the longest. 
TIP: If you have dry lips, apply Chapstick either before your lip liner or on top of your lipstick. 
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11. Setting spray
Use a matte setting spray over your face and then you are done. Someone with dry or combination skin might be worried about using a matte spray, but it really does lock in your makeup. For someone who has dry skin, I was always hesitant to use a mattifying product, but this has drastically changed the longevity of my makeup. 

Now that you took the time to do your makeup, you are ready to attack your goals and have a successful day ahead of you. I know setting aside time in the morning for makeup may be the last thing on anyone’s mind, but it will really make a difference in how you go about your day. Doing your makeup is a form of self-care. It will boost your confidence levels, which will lead you to have a better mindset about yourself and the work you produce. ​