Remember your first Zoom call? Wasn’t it amazing? A miracle – like being there in person!

If you’re like me, and nearly everyone else, you have been spending a lot of time on Zoom. In many ways, it has been a lifeline during the pandemic: a terrific platform for webinars and professional development, meetings with colleagues and clients and even family.

Many of us even developed our ‘Zoom wardrobe’:  all business on top and all jammies below, like the woman in the hilarious Extra Gum commercial.

There are a few ways to avoid unflattering looks on your Zoom calls.

Peering down at the screen (never a good look – that double chin!). Invisible in the frame of a window full of daylight. Perhaps looking like just a tiny head, too far from the screen.  Or, in one case I had recently, a man veering in and out of focus which I finally figured out was because he was in a rocking chair!

Until face-to-face meetings become the norm again, here are some tips I try to follow:

• Raise your laptop or phone until the camera is level with your face. No need for special equipment, a pile of books will work.
• If you are sitting in front of or beside a window, draw the curtains. Natural light can be harsh and unflattering. Instead, put a table lamp behind the screen, it will give a much kinder light.
• If it’s a professional call, dress professionally. Bright clothing will appear cheerful and make you stand out.
• Look at the camera, not the screen. If you find the look of your own face too distracting, you can hide the self-view.
• Check out your background. Some advisors like to show travel posters or a wall of diplomas and certificates. If you’re not happy with yours, you can download a destination ‘mood shot’ from Zoom or even simply make the background fuzzy.
• Keep background noise to a minimum. Let those you live with know you’ll be on a call. Even if you are going to be muted for the entire call (e.g. a webinar), you may have to unmute to ask or respond to a question.

Next time, we’ll look at how to overcome Zoom fatigue. If you feel you are sometimes ‘Zoomed out’ you’ll want to look out for it!