Zoom call etiquette...

25 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 3:26PM UTC

   I just started a job and they use Zoom for everything. That's a good question; I have been tending to follow the lead and see who does and who does not and if it's required for all the meetings. My direct report and I turn the camera on and if I am leading a meeting.. Most have pictures as profiles.. that's what I am thinking of doing. A professional headshot.

2. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 7:12PM UTC

   Thanks good thoughtI guess you can upload your headshot prior to the meeting?

3. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 3:59PM UTC

   I always have the camera on. People often assume you are not paying attention if you don't. You can choose to blur out the background if you're afraid something in your environment will be distracting. Or stay on mute until you have something to say (have had many experiences with others that have a background soundtrack of barking dogs!).

4. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 7:11PM UTC

   Thanks! Can you blur the background out in advance of the meeting?

5. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 12:15AM UTC

   Not sure, sorry. I know you can check how you look before you join.

6. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 2:45PM UTC

   You can set the background to blurred for all Zoom meetings using your settings. Open the Zoom application, in the menu choose Settings or Preferences (depending on your OS) then choose Background and Effects from the list and select blurred. This setting should stay in effect for all meetings until you choose to change it.

7. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:28PM UTC

   Makes sense... yes I have had experiences with babys crying, lawn mowers... lol!

8. Debra SesholtzFebruary 18,2023 at 8:46PM UTC

   Initially I always had my camera on with clients and coworkers. In too many instances, I was the only one with the camera on. Now I tend to follow the lead of those on the call. I prefer everyone have their camera on. In some cases I’ve tried setting that expectation up front if I set up the call, especially with new clients. If I have my camera on, but they don’t, I will sometime tell them I’m turning my camera off because it’s uncomfortable being the only one with the camera on.

   In response to blurring the background or adding your own background image, you can do either of these in advance of a meeting. Just go into your Zoom settings.

9. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:25PM UTC

   Your points are very valid! Thank you.

10. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 1:16AM UTC

    Had an interview recently which HR setup as a MS Teams video call.
    I had the HR interview via video call. I passed, and was scheduled to interview with the hiring manager a couple days later. I got a blowout at Drybar, put on makeup, wore a nice blouse, only to have the hiring manager join on his phone, audio only and not come on video at all. I stayed on video the entire time, but it left a bad impression.

11. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:24PM UTC

    Oh.. that definitely would leave a bad impression on me too.... hope your job is turning out well for you!

12. Ryann RedmondFebruary 20,2023 at 1:33PM UTC

    It's personal preference but I always leave my camera on, even if the client's is off. I think it shows I am prepared, professional and not distracted. Although I wish clients would turn their camera on so we can have a more interactive conversation, I respect whatever their reason is for leaving it off.

13. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:23PM UTC

    Love your words.. prepared.. professional and not distracted.

14. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    It depends on how I feel that day. I honestly don’t trip either way. Zoom became such a burden during COVID that folks forgot we use to just talk on the phone before sans video.

    I’ve come to find that it’s mainly Boomers or older Millennials who want to be on camera all the time.

15. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

    I see the same... it’s mainly Boomers or older Millennials who want to be on camera all the time.

16. Paula BrantnerFebruary 20,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

    One thing that the pandemic has brought to the forefront is that there are some people for whom being on camera is very challenging. I find it very draining, as staying focused and appropriate on camera for hours at a time is hard. On some days, having the makeup on and the hair in place is just too much with everything else going on. Or there are days when I want to listen in on something but also have a deadline where I have to multitask.

    Before we had Zoom, we had conference calls, and even though there wasn't video, we could still transact business. (I've worked remotely for over 20 years, and one of the benefits was that I didn't have to worry about my appearance every day, all day.) I always have my first client calls via telephone and keep some of them that way as long as I can, just so there aren't entire days where I'm on camera all day long.

    So I think you should follow the other person's lead. You also don't know what your client's day is like -- they may welcome a break as well.

17. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

    Points well made.. especially you dont know what your client's day is like...Good point about conference calls and transacting business.... the 'ol Polycom unit in the middle of the conference room table!

18. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    Sometimes it's good to have your video especially if you share a data-hogging app. We have some folks who insist on cameras on, and I've been in Zoom workshops with up to 400 people and the facilitator has turned off all cameras. It all depends on what the facilitator wishes. And to be polite, you should follow suit. If it's your meeting, you set the rules. I've spent days with 8 hours of my 9-hour day on-camera - and it's very draining, but I am grateful that I don't have to run to a bunch of meetings- so count your blessings, no matter how small.

19. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:20PM UTC

    Thank you for your suggestions!

20. Vicky Johannsson GearyFebruary 20,2023 at 7:43PM UTC

    Good question. I tend to have my camera on for most meetings regardless of what my clients do. It forces one to focus on the meeting and not multi-task. I actually would prefer if my clients would turn the camera on, particularly when presentations are involved so that we can read engagement, body language or see if someone has a question.

    That said, I do get the fatigue that comes with being on camera all day long. But then again, that is no different than being in an office and going from meeting to meeting.

21. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 10:19PM UTC

    You make some good points.. thank you!

22. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 8:12PM UTC

    If you are in Sales, HR or a customer support role definitely turn it on - after all a client pays the bills. Be sure that your surrounding area is professional and otherwise I do agree with you that it should be on. You could always ask before the meeting if they have a preference so as to not make it uncomfortable for them. If you have not met them before in person or over video I would definitely also have it on.

23. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 7:04PM UTC

    Great suggestion to ask if they have a preference

24. Kathy LeskiFebruary 23,2023 at 1:10AM UTC

    I personally follow that of the client, especially if I'm the only one on the phone with their camera on. I found people making excuses on the other end like "oh, there's something wrong with my camera, or I don't know what's up with teams, or my internet is acting up." So I would wait to see if their camera was on.

25. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 7:05PM UTC

    thank you - good suggestion!