Tips from "Smile for the Camera:  11 Ways to Make Yourself Video Ready for Interviews & Meetings" published on September 28, 2020 on LinkedIn by JT O'Donnell, CEO and Career Coach of WorkItDaily.com

There are some simple things everyone can do to be comfortable and effective on video.   Between virtual meetings and interviews, video will continue to play a large role in our professional future, so it's important to know the ins an douts of being video ready.  Here are JT's tips:

1. Make sure you find the place in your house where the internet is strong. You don’t want the meeting going out because your signal is weak.

2. Remove all clutter and distractions.

3. Make sure it is a place where you can close a door and be alone.

4. Create a well-lit space where the light faces your face. Ie. put a lamp behind your camera facing your face.

5. Choose a neutral backdrop or invest in a green screen.

6. Get the camera eye height or slightly higher to ensure you are looking at the person or even up at them. Looking down gives a negative effect.

7. Practice looking at the camera, move the software up on the screen so it’s right at the camera so you feel like you are looking at the person but are focused on the camera.

8. Check your sound and invest in a microphone. The mics on the webcams are tiny. A good quality mic makes you sound in stereo and is more appealing to the ears.

9. Test your setup in advance and make sure everything works well.

10. Don’t cut your head off or have too much room above your head. Try the 3-finger rule. Put your middle three fingers on top of your head. And the top is where the end of the screen should be.

11. Avoid a swivel chair if you are someone that is fidgety.