How to Put Your Best Foot Forward on Your Next Zoom Call
In today’s world, it’s likely that you will have a virtual internship or job interview. Even though you’re working from home it is important to treat this like you are meeting in person. First impressions are important, as are seconds and thirds. Here are 5 tips and tricks to help you to look your best on Zoom.
Lighting is Key
One of the best lighting choices you can have is natural light. The easiest way to do this is to sit in front of a window. While natural lighting is the best option if you don’t have access to natural light sit in a well-lit room. Use cool lights and avoid blue or fluorescent lights. Make sure you are not backlit. This will create weird shadows and turn you into a silhouette. Good lighting is the base for looking your best on Zoom.
Best Background
Lighting is just the tip of the iceberg. Background choices are also important. The best thing to do is to keep your background plain and simple. This will cause the least amount of distractions for others on the call. The more boring the background the less distracting it will be. Plain walls are a great option. If you are in less of a professional setting and want to do something fun you can also change your virtual background in Zoom. Meeting in Hawaii maybe? Or on the moon?
Position is Important
The position and angle of your camera also have an impact on looking the best for Zoom. It’s best to position your laptop so the camera is at your eye level. You can do this simply by raising your computer on a stack of books. This is the most natural-looking and flattering position. The key is to also look into the camera when you’re speaking. This will make it appear that you are talking to people and it helps to give the illusion that you are making eye contact.
What to Wear
Look professional on top. Don’t worry so much about your bottoms. Brighter colors look great on camera. Also, touch up your hair or makeup and make your appearance look clean and neat. All the small details don’t show up on camera as much so there’s no need to worry about that one piece of hair that didn’t curl right. Appearing put together will help you look your best on Zoom.
Consider Sound
Good audio is also key to looking your best on Zoom. The easiest way to make your computer microphone sound better is to eliminate any background noises. Keeping the computer microphone as close to you as possible will help cut out ambient noise. Putting on headphones can also help eliminate some of those pesky background noises. If possible, try to find a quiet space for your Zoom call to eliminate any distractions or interruptions.
Follow these tips and tricks to help you look your best on zoom from class to interviews. Also, check out our blog post on tips and tricks to work from home.
