Video conferencing is such big part of our working life post-covid so I thought it was worth covering off what I see as salient considerations to take into account when attending important meetings such as job interviews.
I believe it is imperative to spend some time thinking about the brand message we would like our audience to take away from our meeting and what we can do (our surroundings) or wear to assist that message to get through.
This is one tool I use with my clients to assist them in nutting out their brand message. For the point of this exercise let’s assume my client is applying for a position as the CFO of a superannuation fund, we’ll call her Sandra. Sandra has this as homework before we meet. A noughts and crosses diagram provides the outline with Sandra being in the centre square.
I ask Sandra to sit quietly and visualise/imagine she has been to the meeting/interview and it has been super successful…. she’s left the building (or VC call) and the interviewing panel are discussing why she is PERFECT for the role – what are they saying? Sandra then fills in the blank boxes with phrases or words e.g.
Confident Presenter. Strategic Thinker. Creative Problem Solver.
Ability of collaborate to achieve company financial goals
Sandra
Job Interview
CFO Super Fund
Ability of work under pressure
Ability to make make critical business decisions
Great Relationship Builder
Results Orientated
Next Sandra gets dressed in what she is going to wear to the interview and, standing in front of a full length mirror, reads these phrases out loud. Is she buying it? Is her visual presentation congruent with her brand message? If the answer is no then it is a missed opportunity.
This is even more important on a VC call because our audience is only seeing us from the shoulders up. Here are some suggestions to assist in solidifying your brand message:
1. Make sure your computer camera is at eye level, a “coming from below” camera angle is not flattering on anyone. It showcases a double chin and potentially looks straight up ones nose! A shoe box or a pile of books is perfect to elevate your laptop.
2. What’s in your background? Keep it professional and on brand. A good alternative is to use the blur feature or green screen if you are on zoom.
3. If you are going to be on lots of VC calls it is worth investing in a ring light. The ring light needs to be positioned directly behind your camera. Overhead lights or lighting to one side throws shadows and accentuates dark circles.
4. After you have set up for your important meeting/interview it pays to do a trial run with your image professional or a friend, they’ll be able to offer advice and take screenprints so you get to see what your audience will be seeing.
Outfit Suggestions:
1. Be wary of patterns, stripes and plaids – they tend to strobe on camera and become a distraction. If you want to wear a pattern do a trial run to check for strobing.
2. Technically you can wear anything from the waist down but in my experience dressing from head to toe in your “professional outfit” helps keep your mind on the job at hand.
3. Avoid wearing the same colour or tone as the wall behind you i.e. wearing white against a white wall. You could blend in with the wall and look like a floating head.
4. Solid, bold colours are flattering and give life to our skin tone but it’s your version on bold.
5. Medium contrast level is the most professional for job interviews etc.
6. Keep the noise down – that means no noisy earrings, clanging bangles etc as they are a massive distraction and annoyance to many.
7. Wearing earrings and/or a necklace that is on brand with your message can be a valuable tool in solidifying your brand/message.
8. If you aren’t a jewellery person a beautifully tied scarf can also be used to emphasise your brand message.
9. Double check your hair, teeth and makeup before the call and have a glass of water handy.
10. Most importantly let your personality come through during the call.
Please feel free to share this if you have found it helpful and if you would like more in depth personal advice please don’t hesitate contacting me or booking in a complimentary capsule consultation via the link below.
Happy Dressing!