Any Advice on How Not to Bomb a Coffee Chat Amid COVID-19?

I've got some video chats coming up with some top management consulting firms (think Deloitte, MBB, Accenture, Oliver Wyman) and I'm aiming to leave a good impression. I REALLY suck at that, so I'm wondering if you guys have any tips.

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Having been on the receiveing end of many coffee chats:

  • You will be over video, so ensure you speak very clearly.
  • Stare at the camera lense the whole time. It may seem awkward and your eyed will drift to the video, but it looks like you distracted. So stare at the camera when you talk and while listening.
  • If you have a list of questions, have them written out and posted on a wall or something right above the lense. Looking far off to the left or right at the table or tabbing over to your other monitor it distracting to the person on the other end.
  • Be dressed like you are going to an interview. Shirt, tie and jacket.
  • Set up the video in advance and check your surroundings, so that roommates or whatever will not be seen in the background. Same goes for an unmade bed or pile of laundry.
  • Make sure your lighting is good. Don't have the sunlight behind you or you will be a shadowy silhouette
  • Research who you are speaking to and ask them about their work, why they focus on X or how have things changed for them since joining. Try to make the questions personal and open-ended.
  • Be very concise with your bio and why you are interested in their firm.

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