Remote and Free? Look Sharp, They See!

Have you ever noticed the variety of unpleasant camera angles on video calls? There is the up-the-nose inspection (my mother is an expert), the too-close portrait, the show-too-much landscape, the obviously-fake background, and of course the infamous top-business, bottom-party (which I was guilty of!). We've seen them all—and some we’d rather not recall.

Many celebrate working from home because they "don’t have to" get dressed for work. But this mindset is like not putting on your uniform to play in the game. How you dress directly affects your mindset and performance. Studies show that dressing professionally—even when working remotely—boosts confidence and productivity.

The reality is, your online presence speaks volumes before you say a word. When working remotely, we lose the informal moments—the pre-meeting small talk, the coffee break discussions, the casual walk to the next meeting. Our engagement on video calls needs to be even stronger because these moments of collaboration are now limited.

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” – Will Rogers

Treat every video call like a career-defining opportunity—because it might be. Why? Because you never know who is watching. A senior leader, a potential mentor, or a future collaborator might be in that virtual room thinking, “This person is all business, and I want them on my team.”

Your virtual Golden Trifecta™—mindset, environment, and preparation—determines how you show up. How you do anything is how you do everything. If you show up sloppy and disengaged, that’s the impression you leave. If you show up sharp, attentive, and professional, that’s what people remember.

6 SIMPLE ACTIONS

✅ PLAN AHEAD. Ensure good connectivity. If your internet is unreliable, wake up earlier and set up in a location where your signal is strong.

✅ TURN ON VIDEO. Position the camera at eye level, center yourself in the frame, and look into the lens when speaking. Ensure good lighting and test your sound at least 15 minutes before the call.

✅ BODY LANGUAGE. Stand up if possible to keep your energy high and help you stay engaged.

✅ SHOW HANDS. This simple body language cue builds trust and openness. It conveys non-verbal cues, signals active listening, and makes you appear more present and approachable.

✅ AVOID EDITED BACKGROUNDS. They scream inauthenticity before you even start speaking.

✅ DRESS TO IMPRESS. What you wear head to toe influences your confidence and mindset. Dress like the best version of yourself, not just for others, but for you.

"The well-dressed man is he whose clothes you never notice." - William Somerset Maugham

If you wouldn’t compromise your professionalism and work ethic when spending a day at the office, why lower your standards when you have just a few hours on video to make an impact? Online is your time to shine!

Own your virtual presence—make every call golden!

See professional image coach tips from Parmita! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G0QQ2XYpZo

© Nuri Dimler 2025