The world may have opened up but because of the pandemic, it has also discovered the wonders of working at home.

So many companies have introduced a hybrid set-up of working or have gone work-from-home full-time. Because of this, online video conferencing has become so famous. You must have lived under a rock these past few years if you do not know how to use a single online platform that uses video calls.

Social media is flooded with memes that make fun of customary video call protocol. Most of us also fail to change out of our pajamas under the table, in addition to failing to make the microphone silent when speaking to someone or failing to turn off the camera after falling asleep. No one really cares what we wear underneath what they see in social media.

While being prepared is still a good idea, we must put a priority on reducing distractions that others might be able to see or hear. When all those are out of the way, we can focus primarily on our actual work and show up in the most professional look we can. Here are some suggestions for looking your best to get the approval of an interviewer who's looking for someone to hire, a client who wants to know his project is in good hands, or your boss who will see that he or she can bring you to events and meetings.

Set up your laptop or webcam at eye level.

It's best to maintain eye contact with your supervisors and fellow employees. If you're staring at them from above, there might be a power play issue that may arise. If you're staring at them from below, they might not see you as an authority in what you're discussing. Plus, it shows your double chin that's not very attractive to look at.

Standing Desk Converter M7B-28”

This unit comes with a keyboard tray and a desktop cutout that is great for laptops (up to 17”) because of its 34.1” wide U-shaped desktop cutout. It also comes with a keyboard tray that you can quickly remove if you’re not using it. It also has a stable base that you won’t have to worry about shakiness. The height can easily be adjusted through a single handle, so that the desk height will perfectly suit what you fancy from a range of 4.7” to 19.7”. It also has rubber crash prevention pads that were made for safety, protection, and comfort. Its weight capacity is up to 33 pounds for the desktop and 4.4 pounds for the keyboard tray.

Another gem of advice is to get an external web camera rather than relying on the built-in camera of your laptop. You might use a capture card to link your DSLR or mirrorless camera to your laptop. To link the camera on your smartphone to your laptop, you can also utilize apps like EpocCam.

It's much better to use a solid backdrop wall for your video conferences or meetings.

When presenting a deck to your employer and the rest of the board, keep interruptions to a minimal. You want them to pay complete attention to you and your presentation. A neat background also reveals your personality, whether you are orderly and disciplined or unorganized and careless in the workplace.

Ensure that your home office has the right storage solutions installed or within reach so that your workspace doesn't appear unkempt during a video conversation.

Create a suitable lighting setup.

It's acceptable that only a few of us will have a studio setup at home. All you have to do is set up your working computer at an angle or in front of the window. Your face and aura will instantly become more radiant as a result. You might use a table light and put it on the back of your laptop or desktop if your room doesn't have any windows. Check how you appear in front of the camera at various light angles before the call. The camera can be moved left to right, up and down. As long as it still appears professional and natural, you can experiment with shadows.

Have proper posture when sitting or standing up.

Posture demonstrates self-assurance and self-control. During a video conference, you shouldn't slouch or lean excessively on your chair because it could come across as lazy. The Flexispot Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair is ideal for ensuring that you sit upright during each of your video calls. It boasts a beautifully curved backrest thanks to the 3D lumbar support system. Set it up at a straight angle to prevent you from slumping backward and giving the impression that you're nodding off throughout the meeting.

Your posture might also be enhanced by using a standing desk. The FlexiSpot E5 uses an improved motor technology to be more user-friendly. Basically, its dual-motor lifting system is combined with the double crossbeam structure which ensures a smoother operation and a stable experience.

No need to worry about its stability because with a loading capacity of up to 220 pounds, it remains sturdy and wobble-free at its highest point and even during movement.

It features an advanced keypad panel featuring three height presets, a sit-stand reminder that allows you to set a timer from 0 to 99 minutes, and an anti-collision feature that automatically stops movement when obstacles are encountered. The height range of this desk is from 24.4 to 50 inches and can be easily used by people from 4’6” to 6’7”.

Make sure your internet connection is reliable.

Use an Ethernet cable to connect your work computer to a modem or router for a stronger connection. Relying on a wireless internet connection is unstable and is likely to cause your frame to occasionally freeze during awkward speaking pauses or unattractive facial expressions.

Put headphones on.

One-half of your video call's performance is audio. If you're on speaker or using the built-in microphone on your laptop, you want the people in the call to easily hear you so that there won't be any misunderstandings among the participants in the meeting.