Virtual communication: stay professional while working remotely
Be aware of your background
Piles of dirty laundry or personal photos may be fine when you’re having a video chat with friends, but for professional interactions, you need to select a more polished background. I’ve been on calls where I see clothes hanging on the bottom or closet doors open. Treat your background as you would your workspace in your office. Take some time to consider where you will be calling from, and do a test ahead of time to make sure nothing unexpected is infiltrating the frame. Can’t find a suitable space in your home? Many programs, including Zoom, allow you to use an image as a virtual background.
Keep your information private
If you are going to share your screen at some point, be careful that your personal computer activity is out of sight for everyone. Have your slideshow open in the background and ready to upload for sharing. Whenever possible, share the specific application you want your audience to see (for example, a PowerPoint presentation or a Word document) instead of sharing your entire desktop. If you are sharing an internet browser, make sure to close all unnecessary tabs beforehand. You should also be aware that if you search your browser’s address bar, the autocomplete feature may reveal previous searches to your audience. To avoid this, clear your history or browse sites before sharing your screen.
Minimize distractions
Family members or pets can be a great distraction if they step into your frame while you speak. If you can, make your call from a room with the door closed and post a sign outside beforehand to remind people that you will be on a call at a certain time. If you can’t isolate yourself, try making calls with your back to the wall so that no one has to walk behind you across the room. If you have a furry friend who just can’t resist cuddling him while you work, place him in a closed room or distract him with a durable toy or treat before you begin. Of course, working from home has its challenges and consider the audience on the call. Many will not mind the occasional child or pet, but many will mind the pet’s barking.
The virtual platform is here to stay. We will continue to do business in the new “hybrid age.” Be sure to advance professionally in this new chapter.
