2020 was the year of the Zoom call. Moving your meetings online while working from home comes with definite perks, but I’m sure we’ve all had our share of embarrassing Zoom blunders along the way.
Let’s take a look at some Zoom boo-boos to break up with this year and have a laugh at our funniest fails from 2020.
1. The background blunder
When you’re working from home, keeping your ‘office’ professional at all times isn’t easy.
We’ve all seen someone’s dirty washing in the background, or worse – their boyfriend in his underpants!
Which begs the question – why aren’t we all using virtual backgrounds by now? They hide the mess and help keep your boyfriend’s dignity intact.
2. The inappropriate username
Changing your Zoom name during Saturday night’s boozy Zoom quiz is funny at the time…
Until you launch your candidate meeting on Monday morning and BOOM ‘billy big ballz’ has joined the call.
So pencil in to check your username on a Monday first thing, or pray your candidate has a good sense of humour. Otherwise, those ‘big ballz’ might lose you a placement!
3. The awkward angle
How do people still not know how to angle a camera in 2021?
We’ve all had calls with our parents or grandparents where the camera is pointed directly up their nose, but it’s not been much different in the professional world lately.
And the only thing worse than talking to someone’s nostrils is talking to their crotch!
If you only want to dress your top half, that’s cool. But let’s make 2021 the year we commit to pointing the camera at our faces. Your candidates don’t want to see your underpants – trust me!
4. The mute mistake
“You’re on mute” must be the most-said phrase of 2020. It’s fair to say we’re all a bit crap at this one.
But the real problems arise when you think you’re on mute when you’re not!
There are so many ways this one can go wrong, from passing wind on a call with a hiring manager to having a chat with your roommate when you’re in a company meeting.
So keep your eyes on the microphone icon – it could save you from some real embarrassment!
5. The forgetting to turn your camera off
If you think you’d never forget to turn your camera off before doing something… err… private, oh you would!
There were some high-profile cases of this fail in 2020. The most infamous example has been when a Spanish politician took an on-screen shower during a Zoom call. Unsurprisingly, he resigned when he got out.
Any time you decide to use the bathroom during a Zoom call, please make sure your camera is switched off. Your candidates don’t want to see you on the loo!
6. The child crasher
Kids bursting into online meetings online have to my favourite fail – it’s hard to be annoyed at something so cute!
And even though it’s not ideal to have your meeting taken over by a two-year-old - I’m not ready to break up with this fail yet.
Working from home with kids around isn’t easy, so let’s just accept this one is here to stay for a while.
7. The filter fail
Did you know Zoom has filters to dress your face up with animal ears and weird hats? Well, if you ever discover them remember to remove them before your next business call!
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a less than purr-fect call, like this Lawyer who turned up to his meeting as a cat.
This also caught out our Chief Fish Wendy, who joined a Monday client meeting with green eyebrows and a moustache.
Zoom can be a fantastic tool for recruitment, even if you make a few mistakes along the way. Download the eBook below to learn how to make video part of your strategy - successfully!
