Page 2 | How do you look human on Teams or Zoom?

RambamThankyouMam · 30/12/2022 14:47

I wish I knew! I look like an absolute troll on Zoom. My facial features disappear, with the exception of my nose, which becomes oddly witch-like.

roselune · 30/12/2022 14:59

If you go into settings on Zoom there are quite a few things you can adjust. If I have a more important meeting I use the video preview in settings to make sure my top looks OK on screen- some things, like very thin stripes or certain colours can look strange.

PenguinLove1 · 30/12/2022 15:44

On teams go in to settings and theres a soft lighting or something option, makes you look much better!
Choose a good background too, a bit of lippy and a plain top and you will be fine

Workinghardeveryday · 30/12/2022 15:47

So sorry for your loss x.

agree with pp, lighting and make up

BenCoopersSupportWren · 30/12/2022 15:56

Honestly OP, as someone who has done a lot of interviewing, both face-to-face and over Teams, I genuinely could not give one tiny shiny rat's arse about how the candidates look. I mean yes, wash your hair, wear clean clothes and try not to have the camera pointing straight up your nostrils but beyond that I really only care about how well you can describe how you have the skills to do the job. If a recruiter is judging you for the quality of your maquillage over a 15" screen, then unless you're applying to work for Charlotte Tilbury it's probably not somewhere you'd want to work anyway.

I'm sorry for your loss, and good luck in your job hunt.

Original poster

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2022 19:25

I know it shouldn’t matter but I want to look presentable at the very least.

OP posts:

qualitystreetwrappers · 30/12/2022 20:17

Use an external webcam. The inbuilt camera on my laptop makes me look pale, washed out and for some reason I also end up with a halo.

Xenia · 30/12/2022 20:18

If it is for an interview I can understand. For me doing work calls I could not care less and indeed I try to go for voice calls only on my landline whenever I can manage it.

CMOTDibbler · 30/12/2022 20:35

I've had to put a lot of thought into this as stuff I present on Teams gets recorded and sometimes I do big groups - and if your face is going to be on a big screen somewhere you want it to not look quite so living dead.
Using a ring light with the camera just above eye level so that you are looking up into it is important. If you can spring for even a £30 external web cam they are loads better than the inbuilt ones.
A really good colour close to your face helps massively. I'm pale, so cerise or cobalt blue are my preferred colours, and I buy cheap pashminas from ebay as they are warm and come in a zillion colours. Unless its a statement necklace they just fade into being a mark on your top.
I don't need foundation, but I do need mascara and eyeshadow plus lipstick to give some definition
Use a plain virtual background to stop your background being distracting, but if your office chair has a headrest, sit on a plain chair for an interview so you don't get the funny effects around your head
Good luck!

Lisarinnaslipss · 30/12/2022 20:42

So sorry for your loss.

A good ring light, as others have said, lipstick and blusher.

silentpool · 30/12/2022 20:47

I agree with all the suggestions - I look dreadful on Teams etc but those really help.

Do you have access to Linked In Learning (my library gives me access or they do a 30 day trial)? They had some very helpful videos on presenting yourself professionally on Zoom etc. I did one and made some changes before I started interviewing for my current role. Good luck!

twoastars · 30/12/2022 20:54

A generous swish of bronzing powder on the neck, cheeks and chin plus lip balm makes me feel a bit more human on camera.

ThePoshUns · 30/12/2022 21:00

Lipstick and good lighting.
Sorry for your loss and good luck with the job hunting

AnnunciataZ · 30/12/2022 21:16

Teams only has a soft-focus option but Zoom, in addition to the touch up skin option, has some makeup filters. I use the lipstick and eyebrow ones as I can't be arsed putting on makeup. You can adjust the intensity too so that it looks natural.

Dollythesheepagain · 30/12/2022 21:20

Good lighting and both programs have a ‘smoothing’ filter (can’t remember the exact name but it vanishes fine lines and stray hairs).

I’ve got quite good at a good virtual image, dread to think what people think after seeing real life me!! Maybe ‘wow those wrinkles!!

purpledalmation · 31/12/2022 12:13

Put the camera/laptop higher so you are slightly looking up. Face a window but one with a gauzy curtain, so the light is soft focus. A simple background and good makeup.

purpledalmation · 31/12/2022 12:15

I look dreadful in photos too. I had an ID badge at work once which I thought finally flattering. My female boss said it didn't do me justice which really pleased me!

Annasgirl · 31/12/2022 12:20

Sorry for your loss OP.

There is a soft focus on Zoom and it has changed my life. I do a lot of zoom meetings with young Australians - don’t ask - and I always looked so unhealthy compared to them until I discovered the soft focus. Now I don’t even need to wear make up!!! Google it as I am hopeless with technology but it is very easy to find and set up.

Also I know how daunting it is going back to the job market - good luck. And ignore the people telling you it doesn’t matter - it matters to your confidence in the interview.

HelenHywater · 31/12/2022 12:21

I didn't realise there was a strong brows option on zoom! I must explore that more...

I'm sorry for your loss OP. As others have said it's mostly about the lighting. Natural lighting is best imo - if you can sit in front of a window (not too close) that's best, otherwise a ring camera but not necessarily on the brightest setting. Sit with the camera at eye level , and put on some make up. Lipstick is important.

Brush your hair too plus earrings.

I make the same effort on teams (with my face and make up, not with my clothes) that I do when I meet people in person. Why would I not wear make up to attend a work meeting?

BenCoopersSupportWren · 31/12/2022 16:53

Why would I not wear make up to attend a work meeting?

Why do you need it? Genuine question. I don’t mean “why do you enjoy wearing it”, that’s obviously a choice millions of women make, but the way you worded that question reads as though you believe it’s genuinely unthinkable to work without makeup, and that intrigues me.

I don’t wear makeup for work, and it hasn’t stopped me getting jobs, promotions, workplace awards. Makeup doesn’t make me any more or less competent at my job, doesn’t alter the value of any contribution I make in a meeting. Why do you feel that your natural face isn’t “enough”?

LittleDisaster · 31/12/2022 17:22

BenCoopersSupportWren · 31/12/2022 16:53

Why would I not wear make up to attend a work meeting?

Why do you need it? Genuine question. I don’t mean “why do you enjoy wearing it”, that’s obviously a choice millions of women make, but the way you worded that question reads as though you believe it’s genuinely unthinkable to work without makeup, and that intrigues me.

I don’t wear makeup for work, and it hasn’t stopped me getting jobs, promotions, workplace awards. Makeup doesn’t make me any more or less competent at my job, doesn’t alter the value of any contribution I make in a meeting. Why do you feel that your natural face isn’t “enough”?

You can believe that all you like but the sad fact of the matter is that more attractive people earn more and make up, hair style, good clothes etc, helps people make the most of what they've got. Unfortunately appearance does matter.