4 Tips for a Better Appearance on Zoom Calls
Want to look professional during your virtual meetings? A few simple steps can make a big difference when you’re on a Zoom interview or business meeting.
Remote working comes with a plethora of benefits. But one of its main drawbacks is that it can be hard to tell who’s sitting on the other side of the screen. Zoom calls are an excellent way to overcome this and make the most of your time with remote employees or clients — but only if you’re prepared.
Let’s explore four steps you can take to optimize your Zoom call experience.
- Use a Neutral Backdrop
Using a neutral backdrop is the first step to ensuring you have the best possible appearance on Zoom. Let’s be real — nobody needs to see your messy bed and dishes piled up. With that said, it’s best to have a blank white wall behind you. But if that’s not possible, try avoiding distracting colors. A muted grey that’s not too dark works, too.
Don’t have access to a clean background at home? You have a couple of options:
- Use Zoom’s built-in blur feature.
- Upload your virtual background on Zoom.
2. Good Lighting Makes a Difference
When you’re on a Zoom call, both parties need to see each other. When choosing where to host your video meeting, keep these pointers in mind:
- Natural light is best! Ample natural light in your home office means you won’t need to worry about adjusting the room’s lighting.
- If your workspace isn’t well-lit, try turning on a lamp or ring light instead of relying only on overhead lights or LED bulbs. This helps to ensure even lighting across your face, so you don’t appear too dark or washed out on screen.
- Avoid glare on your monitor by positioning yourself at least six feet away from the screen. Any closer than this may distort the edges of whatever happens to be behind it (like a window). Try moving around until there are no reflections from nearby surfaces, such as glass doors or mirrors, in sight. Finding your perfect Zoom call spot might take some trial and error!
3. Reposition Your Camera
Zoom’s software is pretty good about optimizing your camera and microphone quality. But a little more work on your part can make the experience even better.
For starters, position your camera at eye level. This way, participants in the meeting won’t have to tilt their heads to see you. If you attend Zoom meetings on your phone or tablet, consider placing it vertically on a tripod or stand. The tripod approach is an effective strategy because:
- It keeps your device steady so people don’t get dizzy watching you move around with your phone or tablet.
- It’s mobile, which means you can move to another room with more natural light if your usual workstation is too dark.
- You can position yourself so that the wall is behind you, which helps avoid harsh shadows.
4. Dress for Success
It’s age-old advice that still holds true today. When you dress professionally, people take you more seriously. Wear simple, solid-colored clothing so that the focus remains on your face during a Zoom meeting. Busy patterns and bright colors are distracting and don’t translate well on-screen.
Proper Zoom Etiquette Goes a Long Way in Showing Professionalism
These days, many interviews and meetings take place virtually via Zoom. With online technology becoming such an integral part of the business world, it’s crucial to know how to use it properly. The way you present yourself on video calls can go a long way in showing professionalism and making a good impression.
