My team has conducted hundreds and hundreds of video interviews over the last year and we have learned a thing or two about what it takes to be successful in this new-ish virtual world.
Floss more – we are up close and personal all the time. Where I used to advise people to check their buttons and zippers before a meeting, now my advice is to check your teeth for errant kale or bagel seeds.
Pants less – we all joke about not wearing pants anymore but a word of caution: when you jump up to close your door, we will all know that you are not wearing pants.
Check your mug – I was talking to my straight-laced colleague, Stephen, yesterday and he kept staring at something and moving closer to the camera. Finally, he asked me what my mug said. I realized I was using a gift from my sister-in-law with some colourful language that seemed appropriate for women our age but not really for a Zoom call. We both turned all kinds of red but had a good laugh about it.
Find a phone stand – do not hold your phone in your hand. Get a phone holder or lean it against something. A moving phone is nausea inducing for your audience. Trust me on this one. Your hand is never as still as you think it is and if you sneeze, all bets are off.
Watch the angle – people don’t want to be looking up your nose or at the side of your face. Pay attention to what your audience will see.
Check your background. Sure, it’s fun to check out each other’s home office set up but you don’t have to share that if you don’t want to. Here’s how you can change your Zoom background (link) and blur the background in MS Teams (link)
Video calls on one of the best tools we have to keep ourselves together and connected. Use them well and often.
Recruiter's Couch 