When Zoom has the power to turn off

Two similar but different Zoom-related situations came up a few weeks ago.

One was a presentation hosted by one of our business development staffers for a new client. The client had a few questions for four potential vendors, each of whom was on the video call.

To our staffer’s surprise, two of the potential vendors didn’t bother to turn on their video cameras, and worse, failed to ask even one question of the human (not an avatar) decision-maker. 

Assuming they were indeed present on the call, how could they possibly think they’d win the business by remaining ghostly silent and thus snubbing the decision-maker?

The other example came from a local newspaper editor who told me about a recent Zoom interview she had with a candidate who applied to be a reporter.

The candidate’s impressive resume came across her desk and after several phone interviews, the editor thought this could be the right person for the job. As the decision-maker, she set up a follow-up Zoom call because she didn’t want to let this one get away.

But when the time came to conduct the video call, the candidate didn’t have the courtesy to turn on their camera. Asked by the editor to do so, he/she refused, and that was that.

It turned out to be a very short interview. 

Dynamics of the workplace

Clearly, the longer-term impact of COVID and working hybrid has changed the dynamics of the workplace. There is much less interaction at the “watercooler” and less personal interaction between co-workers and management. 

As employers and workers, we need to reach out for connections, not ignore them. And these days, nothing says “I don’t care” more than an unopened participant window during a Zoom session.

What that says to me is you couldn’t make the effort to spend some time on your appearance before going on Zoom. 

You might as well be saying, “I didn’t care enough to make myself look presentable,” and “I don’t care what you think about that.” 

Believe me, I’ve heard excuses like “I don’t have a nice desk and chair,” and “My kids are running wild around the house,” and “The cat sits in my lap while I work,” and many more.

Those excuses simply don’t cut it.

I suppose there might be some situations where you’d be better off with your camera off, like when your dog or cat is climbing all over you. Or when you’re slurping your breakfast cereal or wearing a sloppy T-shirt with non-PC sayings on it. 

Or you’re lying in bed with a hoodie over your head and your unmade bed is in the background.

What’s more, how can I trust you to be a productive employee if you let your kids and pets run amok in your cluttered workspace? 

And having a “bad hair day” or being bashful doesn’t work for me either.

When I’m hosting work readiness presentations to groups via Zoom, as I often do, I’m very specific at the start that if your camera isn’t on, then you’re not participating and you might as well leave now. 

Most online meetings are not suddenly announced events. Usually, participants have been given plenty of time to prepare themselves for the topic of the meeting and to visually participate on-camera. 

If you’re not convinced about the reasons why you should turn on your camera, consider these benefits:

• Builds trust: Seeing you helps establish a connection with the interviewer or other attendees, showing that you are engaged and present.
• Enhances communications: Visual cues, such as facial expressions and body language (a huge part of your ability to communicate with others) can clarify misunderstandings and improve overall communication.
• Conveys professionalism: Being online makes you appear more professional and less distracted. It shows you care enough to bring your best to the meeting.
• Gives you full accountability: Being on camera shows that you’re fully vested in the meeting, are contributing and are literally present.

I’d love to hear your best (and worst) Zoom stories, on- and off-camera.

Blair is co-founder of Manpower Staffing and can be reached at pblair@manpowersd.com.