Especially with soring gas prices, you may be finding yourself invited to participate in meetings via webcams or through webconferencing systems. Phone conferences are easy - you can sit in your pajamas, cut your toenails, pet your dog - do practically anything if you want to but once that little camera is involved, things are different. You could just throw on a nice shirt and jacket and hope for the best but there are a few additional steps you can take to make a better impression during the web conference.
First, check out what's behind you. The camera will pick up more than just your smiling face so check out what else will be in the view. While you don't want a wall full of posters or a bulletin board crowded with papers in the background, you also do not want a plain blank wall behind you either. An organized bookcase is a good choice or even a wall with your diplomas. You don't want anything distracting like a large window with a lot of activity outside. If you are by a window you might want to reconsider. Although we are not professional on camera speakers, it isn't too hard to make yourself look better. You should have a light source in front of you and not behind you. Consider placing a lamp in front of you but out of the camera's view. Another "professional" hint is to make yourself look less rumpled. You may have been told in class pictures to sit on your jacket and this technique still works today. If you are wearing a suit jacket, pull it down and sit on the ends so that it doesn't bunch up. If you are a woman (or even a man that wears jewelry) keep it simple. Wear jewelry that fits close to your body. For example, avoid long dangling earrings and lots of jingling bracelets. Finally, remember all you know about good presentation and speaking skills and put your knowledge to good use. Just because there may not be anyone else in the room with you doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules. With a little extra preparation, your web presence will be close to the real thing.
Comments