Zoom Etiquette

Don’t be late

It seems like a no-brainer, but don’t be late. It’s considered inconsiderate in person and it’s certainly inconsiderate virtually. We suggest testing your tech (camera, microphone and speaker) 10 minutes prior to the meeting, to rectify any issues to avoid being late especially as the public sentiment of late has signalled that showing up late to Zoom meetings is more noticeable than when meeting in person.

Turn on the camera

It’s tempting to switch off your camera for meetings when you’re looking a little tired or dishevelled, however, be aware that this act comes across as rude and unengaged. Put it this way, would you rock up to an in person meeting with sunglasses on to hide your face? We’re assuming not. Plus, if it’s any consolation, no one cares about your appearance as much as you think they do. Don’t believe us? After your next Zoom, ask someone to describe the shirt you were wearing…

Save your snacks for later

Snacks are a key staple in getting through the day, what they are not, however, is appropriate during Zoom meetings. You may think you’re being efficient by eating and meeting at the same time but in reality, the sound is annoying and you won’t be fully engaged. If it is 100% necessary for you to eat while in a digital meeting, ensure your microphone is muted where possible and opt for non-crunchy or slurpy sounding snacks.

Check your environment

Before any digital meeting, you should check the following:

• The position of your camera to ensure you can see yourself and that there’s not anything embarrassing or inappropriate in the background.
• Whether the space is quiet and without any annoying sounds or noises.
• That entries, doors or windows are closed for the meeting.

By checking your surroundings before meetings you’ll be saving meeting time, avoiding potentially embarrassing situations and minimising any disturbances.

Stop multitasking

You’re not as slick as you think, people can often tell when you’re checking emails or mindlessly scrolling through Facebook in a Zoom meeting. Not only is it considered rude, but you’ll also be missing key points from the meeting.

Know when to mute

When not speaking, it’s best to have your microphone muted. This ensures that no small sounds are picked up causing your Zoom meeting to focus your screen unnecessarily – just remember to unmute your microphone when you need to speak.

Turn off screen notifications

This is especially important when sharing your screen. No one wants to see or be distracted by your notifications whether they be professional or personal. If you have iMessage connected to your computer, just remember that if you share your screen and notifications aren’t switched off, your colleagues or vendors could see messages you really don’t want them to see…