Be aware of your background
Piles of laundry or personal photos may be fine when you’re having a video chat with friends, but for professional interactions, you need to select a more polished background. I’ve been on calls where I see clothes hanging in the background or closet doors open. Treat your background as you would your workspace in your office. Take some time to consider where you’ll be calling from, and test ahead of time to make sure nothing unexpected leaks into the frame. Can’t find a suitable space in your home? Many programs, including Zoom, allow you to use an image as a virtual background.
Keep your information private
If you are going to share your screen at any time, be careful that your personal computer activity is not displayed for all to see. Have your slideshow open in the background and ready to upload and share. Whenever possible, share the specific application you want your audience to see (for example, a PowerPoint presentation or Word document) rather than sharing your entire desktop. If you’re sharing an internet browser, make sure to close all unnecessary tabs beforehand. You should also be aware that if you search in your browser’s address bar, autocomplete may reveal previous searches to your audience. To avoid this, clear your history or browse sites before sharing your screen.
Minimize distractions
Family members or pets can be a huge distraction if they cross your frame while you’re talking. If you can, make your call from a room with the door closed and put up a sign outside to remind people you’ll be on a call at a certain time. If you can’t isolate yourself, try making calls with your back to a wall so no one has to walk behind you as you cross the room. If you have a furry friend who can’t resist cuddling while you work, put them in a closed room or distract them with a long-lasting toy or treat before you begin. Of course, working from home has its challenges, and keep the audience in mind on the call. Many will not mind the occasional child or pet, but many will mind the barking of the pet.
The virtual platform is here to stay. We will continue to do business in the new “hybrid era”. Be sure to advance professionally in this new chapter.
