How to prepare for your first end-client meeting. Part 2; On the day

Congratulations! Stellarmann's end-client would like to meet you to give a final assessment of whether you're the right person for their project. Hopefully you've already done your homework (see our article on how to get prepared) and now the day itself has dawned.

Here are our top tips to make sure your meeting goes smoothly and that you don't miss any opportunities to shine.

1. Video meetings

Technology working?

You’ll start the meeting flustered if you’ve spent ten minutes trying to get connected, so log on early to check your wi-fi and see that everything is working as expected.

Dress code

An online meeting doesn’t mean you should dress more casually than you would if it were face to face. We advise against t-shirts, hoodies or other WFH staples and instead recommend that you wear the same smart, professional clothes you would in person.

Ties are generally not necessary for men nowadays, and it makes sense to avoid tight checks, lines or patterns on tops or shirts that create blurry waves on camera. Your personal grooming should also be work-appropriate.

Mobile no-no

Meetings conducted on your mobile device or smartphone tend to look unprofessional, so laptop is preferred, or at least make sure your phone is on a flat surface and not moving around.

Location

Most video calls are done from home, but if you are working elsewhere and need to step out to have this meeting, try to avoid a noisy space like a coffee shop.

Distractions

Ensure you won’t be distracted – put a sign on the door to ask family or housemates to avoid barging in, try to keep pets under control and make provisions if you’re expecting a delivery.

Background

Your video meeting background is now seen as a key part of your personal branding so don’t ignore it. If you are going to be showing your real location, make sure your room is tidy and uncluttered. A plain wall is fine, but many people choose to show a bit of personality via the books seen on a shelf or a picture on the wall.

If you prefer to keep your real location private, we recommend selecting one of the stock backgrounds available in Teams, Zoom or Google Meet etc rather than using a blurred background, which can suggest you've got something to hide.

Be seen

Think about your lighting – if it’s going to go dark during your meeting, start with a light on. Avoid sitting anywhere where the sun will blind you or shadows will result in half of you disappearing.

Position

Position your camera. Most of us look down to our screen which can be unflattering. Prop your laptop up on a box or a couple of books so you are level and centred with the camera.

2. Face to face meetings

The most important piece of advice that never changes, is to set off early and anticipate travel delays. There is nothing worse than arriving late and flustered, so give yourself plenty of time.

The dress code advice given above remains the same for in-person meetings.

3. During the meeting

Body language

Some studies suggest that as much as 90% of our communication is non-verbal. The amount we smile, our posture and hand movements can all give an impression that might be at odds with our spoken answers.

• Smile often and try to establish eye contact – although the latter is admittedly difficult on video calls

• Sit up straight or lean in to suggest enthusiasm, including whilst waiting at reception or on-site tours

• Control nerves – if you know you have a nervous habit, try to take action to avoid repetitive, distracting movements. Have a glass of water nearby for dry mouth moments

We hope these recommendations will give you the confidence to enjoy a positive first meeting.