During regular meetings, you’re expected to silence your phone and pay attention. Same thing applies for video conferences, except that there’s an added difficulty level since technology is involved. Still, if you keep these notes in mind then your video conference should go smoothly even if it is from home.
Make sure the camera is at eye level
Weird camera angles are not only unflattering, but also distracting to the other person. Keep the camera at eye level for a clear frame. If you’re using a laptop, stack up books underneath until the hardware reaches your eye, which brings us to the next tip.
Look to the camera instead of to the screen when you’re talking
This one might sound like a no-brainer, but we’re used to looking at people’s faces when we talk which is why we tend to stare at the screen rather than the camera when we’re on a video conference. It might take some getting used to, but if we look at the camera instead of the screen then the others will get the feeling that we’re looking into their eyes and then the message will get delivered in a better way.
Mute the microphone when you’re not talking
Again, background noise can be quite distracting and even if you’re in an isolated room your bodily functions could still act against you, think of a sneeze or a cough — or God forbid a burp or a fart.
Dress like you’re going to a regular in person meeting
One of the perks of working from home is that we can wear whatever we want, but when you’re in a video conference you need to think of it as an actual face-to-face meeting rather than a freelance job because the stakes are the same.
Oh, and I know it’s tempting to wear boxers with your button-up, but I’d stick to trousers if I were you. Because if for some reason you need to get up and fetch that paper you forgot in the middle of the conference, then it could get very awkward.
