A curious question.

[shaunkahler]

So in today's day and age, people are taking calls from home on a regular basis. Most of us when we're at home, well. Sometimes we're not so professionally clothed.

Say you're on a business call and someone asks to do screen sharing with you, but you are full on in your chair and have to answer the question.

What do you do?

Sincerely,
Underpants Anonymous

[roberty1y]

Let's take bets on who'll be the first Upworker arrested for indecent exposure.

[petra_r]

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Shaun K wrote:

What do you do?

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I don't do video and there is a sticker covering my webcam.

[roberty1y]

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Petra R wrote:

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Shaun K wrote:

What do you do?

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I don't do video and there is a sticker covering my webcam.

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You're the kind of freelancer I could get along with. I hate any kind of video contact. It's completely unnecessary, and it's intrusive if someone insists on calling you up at short notice. 

[petra_r]

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Robert Y wrote:

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 I hate any kind of video contact. It's completely unneccesary, and it's intrusive if someone insists on calling you up at short notice. 

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I have cats. As soon as I start speaking, the cats come to see what I'm doing and want to play. As does dog. I can keep the animal wrestling out of my voice, but hard to hide on a video call.

I also can't be bothered with make up and hair. And tidying up.

Voice is fine. Video is not.

[roberty1y]

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Petra R wrote:

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Robert Y wrote:

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 I hate any kind of video contact. It's completely unneccesary, and it's intrusive if someone insists on calling you up at short notice. 

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I have cats. As soon as I start speaking, the cats come to see what I'm doing and want to play. As does dog. I can keep the animal wrestling out of my voice, but hard to hide on a video call.

I also can't be bothered with make up and hair. And tidying up.

Voice is fine. Video is not.

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Unneccesary? I need to wake up, or get Spellcheck.

[a_lipsey]

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Petra R wrote:

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Robert Y wrote:

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 I hate any kind of video contact. It's completely unneccesary, and it's intrusive if someone insists on calling you up at short notice. 

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I also can't be bothered with make up and hair. And tidying up.

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Zoom has a filter for that. I never do mine anymore. I also keep a zip up jacket that I put on before all calls, more like a sweater. Clients probably wonder why I always wear the same thing. I let my dogs come on camera, seems to weed out the bad clients. If client likes dogs, good client. If client minds, bad client. 

But I require a Zoom video call with all clients before I will take a contract. But my work is different than yours. 

[roberty1y]

Job postings that talk of "regular Zoom sessions with our team" I avoid like the plague, especially when the client is seven or eight time zones away. Get up at 3am to be stared at by strangers 5000 miles away? No.

[sullivanliz]

A client that expects a freelancer to be fully clothed and ready for a video call at all times is an unreasonable client!

[moonraker]

I don't own a webcam - problem solved. 

[roberty1y]

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Jamie F wrote:

I don't own a webcam - problem solved. 

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I wish I didn't, but they're on every laptop, tablet and phone these days. Some company needs to start making webcam-free devices and corner the growing Zoomophobe market.

[rainmaker1145]

I do high-end consulting and believe the client has expectations.  I am always ready.  I have my studio set up, background, starched shirt, jacket, and game face on.  I have to do that because:

• I'm older.
• I'm ugly.
• Got a mouth full of teeth destroyed by smoking my tobacco pipe for 30 years.
• I tend to be direct.
• I'm vulgar sometimes.
• I'm high energy.
• Real reason: they deserve to be shown respect.  They are spending their money and I want them to know I am professional enough to care to address them with integrity of character, thought, and appearance.

Truth is they buy for different reasons and some may have otherwise bought my services if I was wearing a barrel and smoking a bong.  Who knows?  If you aren't closing 10% of your interview customers, then change your gig, brother.

[petra_r]

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Clinton L wrote:

I do high-end consulting

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So you keep saying....