Recruiters know what to expect when it comes to engaging with top talent while interviewing in-person. With the wave of change in the interview industry, Google Hangout, TEAMS, GoToMeetings or Zoom are your new best options to engage now. New expectations during all-remote interviews are a great way to manage the meeting.

An all-remote interview process can be a growth opportunity

Approach the remote interview opportunity as a great new way to ride the frontier of video interviews, meetings and webinars. Creating touchpoints with an employer, recruiter and co-workers can be tricky when you are virtual. Take steps to be well received and to get comfortable on camera.

Here are some practical ways to get there before the meeting

As you would prepare for a meeting with a new employer, candidate or coworkers, review your notes for the meeting. Non remote meetings require focus, video conference requires more focus because distractions abound on video conferences. All of the at-home distractions like package deliveries, crying babies or barking dogs can prohibit your reaching your objectives for the meeting. Have a list of objectives or an agenda for your meetings.

Getting comfortable on camera is just a matter of practice. Consider the following tips:

Before you begin your week, get on your Video Conferencing Software with a friend or relative. See where your video camera sits and how your face and upper body are displayed. Make adjustments to position of the camera, volume and lighting, this will reduce the stress of meeting day.

If you want to be taken seriously during the meeting, prepare the background. It should be uncluttered, well-lit and complimentary in color. Plain white is better than a wall of cluttered frames or over exposed personal items, but color is always a warm, welcoming touch. Always dress your background to mirror the professionalism of your company culture.

Dress for a meeting

Like your background, always dress to mirror the professionalism of your company culture. If you are unsure of the current climate, err on the side of simple yet professional.

Practical Positive Body Language

Posture: Leaning back or slouching looks lazy or arrogant yet leaning too far forward comes off aggressive. Experts say to aim for a neutral position, sitting tall as if connecting your head to the ceiling.

Arms: Don’t use crossed arms, even if the screen doesn’t show them. It’s a posture that can be sensed and it comes off defensive. Also, don’t leave your arms hanging, that appears stiff. It’s best to keep your arms forward in a folding- of-your-hands stance. Use your hands to be expressive but avoid pointing fingers or chopping hand motions into the screen. It detaches the connection and appears overly emotional.

Fidget: As you see yourself in the video, be careful not to fidget or fix yourself like you’re looking into a mirror. It gives off a lack of confidence or nervous energy.

Expression: Make sure you speak clearly and just slightly louder, with facial expressions that matches your tone. Avoid a dead pan look while listening as well, use expression to communicate you are understanding the conversation. Use your head nodding in agreement, but don’t over bobble-head it. Small intermittent nods with a smile are reassuring that you are listening and agree. Also, find a still center and stay there for awhile.

Eye Contact: This is the most important part of the article. Focus on eye contact during the online introduction segment. Hold eye contact long enough to make a personal connection, but don’t stare. Excessive blinking and looking up at the ceiling while talking makes you look unprepared, dishonest or nervous. Look directly at the camera while talking.

Overall, leave the “room” or in this case “Zoom” better for having entered the conversation. Always thank the participants or interviewer for their time.