I am a body language expert. I am a speaker and
consultant with Fortune 100 companies and the media about nonverbal communication.
I have written several books, including "Snap, Making the Most of First Impressions
Body Language, and Charisma.
Research shows that perceptions of
professional attributes, like competence, composure, and knowledge, "are affected
most by dress, with formal dress resulting in the most positive perception."
It also affects how you see yourself. Research shows that dressing
"properly" has an impact on how you see your own skill set.
On Zoom, the top half of your body is
the focus. Try all the outfits you are considering, sitting down on a rehearsal
zoom call to see how they look. Does everything fit without pulling, gapping,
or tugging on the button? Does it look too big or bulky?
The look should be crisp, well-ironed,
and ideally, solid colors that "read" stronger, rather than distracting
or too personalized (not plaid, polka dotted, flowered, a Hawaiian, or shirts with
slogans.)
Next, pull down your jacket, shirt, or
dress down in the back. I can't tell you how many people I coach forget that step.
They check their outfit standing in front of a mirror and forget they need to
look good in it while sitting down. Make sure if you're a woman that camera doesn't
let the viewer see down the top of your dress or shirt to your bra.
Look at significant newscasters on TV
to find the model of someone you think looks good on camera from the waist up.
Make sure that the shoulders of your jacket,
shirt, blouse, or dress fit. The seam for the sleeves should be right at the
end of your shoulders. There are women's clothes that are currently popular with
dropped sleeves or no sleeve seam that are cute but look overwhelming and messy
on camera. For women, a sleeveless or short sleeve solid color dressed in jewel
tone looks the best. Note how female newscasters seldom wear look sleeves or brown,
beige, black, and pastels.
If you are interviewing for job wear,
you will dress casually and go at least one level up from the casual you would
see in that business. In an interview, you show respect for the person
interviewing you, the job, and the company.
