Five Mistakes Wireless Users Make, and How to Avoid Them

When it comes to the world of technology, while there are plenty of exciting moves forward, there are also pitfalls to avoid. And for average computer users, feeling too savvy can sometimes lead to major disappointments. After all, there's nothing less pleasurable than assuming that one's time spent online is productive and efficient, only to end up on the phone with the local internet company for hours, trying to figure out why a computer cannot get online in the first place. Or even worse, sometimes people decide that the best way to get motivated is a change of scenery, only they end up making a faux pas at the local Wi-Fi hot spot without even realizing it, only to never snag a table in time again. Here are five mistakes that wireless internet users often make, and ways to avoid them in the future.

#1 - Being too self-assured. Sure, there are plenty of people out there who are legitimately skilled in the digital world. But since most of them are happily employed or getting online from an office at a fancy start-up, the rest of the people who assume that they are doing a great job sometimes are falling short of the mark, causing themselves a slower network speed or too many steps between turning a computer on and connecting to the world wide web. If you assume you're great at surfing the net, it's always good to keep those expectations in check and actually spend time learning what to do.

#2 - Not remembering to click the box that allows one's computer to save passwords for wireless internet networks. Anyone who is feeling rushed or stressed will notice what a godsend this simple move can be for going to places more than once and then needing to pester the waitstaff for the password. Instead of doing that, just remember to click the box in one's web settings that remembers all of that information. It's a much better experience after figuring that out.

#3 - Trying to get too much done with major file uploading or downloading in a public place. It's just not going to work to upload a major chunk of data if there are a ton of people on the same network, because the fact of the matter is that a single router only has a limited amount of space to send the transactions back and forth. Be smart, and make it so that the major chunks of information that need to be sent effectively on the first try are being processed through a superior connection.

#4 - Being confused with the free Wi-Fi available in a spot suddenly dips out or lags. Sure, it's a bummer when there are too many people on a single network to get things done, but the truth is that free wireless internet does have its limitations, and should be no reason to get cranky at the establishment that happens to be providing it! Realize that a ton of people on the same network means this is going to happen, and deal with it--or do tasks elsewhere.

#5 - Not realizing that at-home wireless internet networks should be password encrypted. People can access files in a computer or even poach the signal, both of which are frustrating things to deal with. So be sure that one's own method of getting online wirelessly at home comes with a password that the neighbors--or anyone with a laptop--cannot figure out.

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7 Monumental Mistakes Made During Video Conferencing Interviews

Despite what many people may think, a video conferencing interview is not the same as a face to face interview. During a face to face interview you are present with the interviewer but during a video conferencing interview you are not actually in the same room as the interviewer which can bring a false sense of security which trips people up. On the other end of the scale it can make people overly nervous which causes people to make schoolboy errors. Here are 7 major mistakes made whilst conducting a video conferencing interview.

1. "Showing up" late
It's one thing to be late for an in-person interview. While the interviewers aren't going to care that there was traffic or you spilled coffee on your pants, those are actual reasons for being late. Being late for a video conference? Unacceptable. If you're not on screen at the scheduled time, you can pretty much forget about getting the job. How can an employer trust someone that can't even turn their computer on promptly

2. Having too many distractions
If you're being interviewed from your home computer, make sure you're not going to get interrupted. If Fido has a tendency to have an insane barking fit every time a chipmunk runs by, let him spend the half hour in the garage. Don't think a video conference means you don't need a babysitter - the last thing you need is a screaming child running through the room while you're discussing why you'd be an ideal candidate for the position. Try to be home alone, or at least have another adult take care of kids and pets while you're in a closed room.

3. Not doing your research
You might think you can use a reference sheet for company info and job description during a video conferencing interview, but the interviewer is going to notice your awkward glances downward. It doesn't look professional when you're looking down for information every few minutes.

4. Not completely dressing the part
Some people think video conferencing means you only have to look good from the waist up. Not true. For one thing, what if you have to stand up for some reason? Do you want the interviewer to know about your cartoon character pajama pants and bunny slippers? Probably not. Besides, dressing the part - from head to toe - helps get you in the right mindset to be interviewed.

5. Forgetting to make eye contact
Eye contact is natural in face-to-face situations, but people often forget about it during video conferencing. Remember, you might not be in the same room (or maybe not even the same country!), but you're still looking at each other in real time. Maintain eye contact as you would in person, and don't forget to smile.

6. Yawning
It seems so simple, but let's say you're video conferencing for a job halfway across the world. The difference in time zones means you're probably up in the middle of the night, and you're tired. It makes sense that you're tired, but you can't show it. Schedule far enough in advance so you can plan sleeping enough prior to your interview. It may seem silly, but think about how unprofessional excessive yawning would seem to an interviewer.

7. Not asking questions
This is a common mistake in any interview, and video conferencing is no exception. If you don't ask questions, the interviewer is going to assume that you're not interested in the company or the position.

Make a list and practice it before your video conference interview. Be prepared. If you avoid these 7 mistakes, you will prevent yourself from falling into the pitfall which many candidates fall into and will therefore have a distinct advantage over many other candidates before the interview even begins. Now that you have read this, start preparing!

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