Have you found yourself relying on online communication more and more?
It seems we may continue to do so for some time to come.
You might work for a firm or organisation that utilised the power of online connection before lockdown started, or you may have been with an IT reluctant firm, either way things have certainly changed in terms of the acceptance of online communication.
How many grandparents have used facetime, zoom, whatsapp, skype or similar for the first time and realised that it is better than not seeing people at all?
We have all had to adapt.
This month: New ways of working in lockdown
Here, we are promoting hosted zoom sessions which allow us to introduce individuals to a hiring partner or HR contact online before they select for interview. Allowing both parties to ask all important pre-interview questions.
Don’t worry, we would fully brief you before any zoom introduction!
By offering this online service we can give you a real platform to promote yourself and we are hoping to reduce the time it takes for firms to make the decision to interview. The additional benefit would be that we can take some of the stress of waiting out of the process. Something which can only be a positive, whether or not we are in lockdown!
Online networking is also starting to take shape and personally I have attended a few events which have all moved to online platforms to great effect. It is not quite the same but in the absence of the ability to meet face to face it is nice to have these opportunities to meet people still.
- If you are nervous about professional online communications here are few tips.
- Dress smart/ casual, not full office attire. Suit and tie in your home office is overkill!
- Be aware that people are looking only at your face so body language cues are reduced. Make sure you show when you are listening and that you are actively paying attention.
- Have a camera that you look directly at. Second screens are great for working, but you want to be looking at the people you are talking too not off into the distance.
- Have good lighting. With a window behind you, you will appear in spooky silhouette, others will struggle to see your features and facial expressions.
- Speak clearly but naturally, when you do commit to speaking follow through. There can be a delay and there is nothing worse than lots of people apologising over the top of each other for interrupting each other.
- Make a contribution, but don’t monopolise. A bit like in normal conversation, but even more obvious online!
I hope that this is helpful. Let me know your own top tips, or your horror stories; they do happen with technology!
