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Module 2: A. How to prepare for your interview with the client

B. Setting client virtual professional boundaries

Online C. Communication forms & audiences

D. Email structure, language & tone

communication
E. Writing & speaking online
(texting, blogging, and social media)
F. Video conferencing features & best practices

skills
G. Presentation/ slides features & best practices
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7 tips to a successful online interview

Module 2-A 1. Test run your computer

How to prepare * You need to feel ok using whichever method

for your interview available (Zoom, Skype, Facetime, etc).

with the client

* Test your internet connection.
* Test your audio and sound capabilities.

Pro tip: Ask for the interview format to be prepared.


2. Pick the perfect spot
* Stay away from overhead lights.
* If possible, try to settle down
near a window.
Pro tip: Scope out a good spot for
the meeting the day before.
Module 2-A
How to prepare for your interview with the client
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3. Eliminate distractions 4. Dress professionally
* Silence everything that could * Make sure you dress for
interfere with your conversation success and sit up straight.
(phone, notifications on the
Pro tip: Don’t forget to smile!
computer, etc).
Pro tip: Make sure no one else is
around during the interview.

5. Read the job offer carefully
* Prepare for questions, look for
the skills they’re requesting,
tools, software, etc.
Module 2-A
How to prepare for your interview with the client
6. Calm your nerves
* Practice your main talking
points if you’re nervous.
* Practice in front of a mirror.
Pro tip: Review your traditional
interview skills.
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7. Look directly into the camera
* Eye contact is important,
stay engaged.
Pro tip: Put a picture of someone
you know near the webcam.
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Establish boundaries early in the

relationship so your clients go in knowing
what to expect from you in terms of
communication and workflow:
Module 2-B
1. Communication times
Setting client virtual * Be open to discussing with the client:
& professional time availability, duties at work, etc.
2. Form of communication
boundaries * Share your preferred form of
communication with the client.
3. Workdays & hours
* Include your time zone.
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5. Extra work isn’t free

* You can only work extra hours if it was
previously discussed with the client.
* Either you or the client need to
submit the Changes & Approvals form.

4. Project/task deadline 6. No emails or work

* Put deadlines in writing. when you’re on vacation
* Use a task/project
management tool.

Module 2-B
Setting client virtual & professional boundaries
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* Set them early

Make your boundaries clear from day 1.

* Be consistent
Don’t start the project responding to
Tips to set
every email within the hour, then realize
boundaries
it’s not sustainable and start taking a few
days to respond.

Module 2-B
Setting client virtual & professional boundaries
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Internal communications methods

* Formal Communication
Communication
* Informal Communication
needs to be: * Verbal Communication
Module 2-C * Clear * Non-Verbal Communication
* Visual Communication
Communication * Concise
* Compelling * Written Communication

forms & audiences * Curious

External communications methods
* Compassionate

* Text messages/SMS
* Social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
Whatsapp, LinkedIn)
* Email
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* Greetings, general body text

& sign-offs
- Common ways to address
your reader:
Important components ° Dear Professor Smith,

Module 2-D of an effective email ° Hello Ms. McMahon,

° Hi Mary Jane,
Email structure, * Subject lines - If you don’t know the name

language & tone - Subject lines are like

headlines. They should convey
the message’s main point.
- Be as specific as possible.
- Include a date if the message is
time sensitive.
of the person, or if the email
addresses a diverse group, try
something generic, yet polite:
° To whom it may concern,
° Dear members of
° Hello everyone,
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* Body text * Recipients field

- Introduction and conclusion * Closing - To: Main recipients
- Short paragraphs - Something brief but friendly: - Cc: Carbon copy
° Thank you If you want to send the
* Greetings & sign-offs ° Best wishes message to more than one
- Always sign off with your full name and title. ° See you tomorrow person.
- Consider including title and the organization ° Regards - Bcc: Blind carbon copy
you belong to. Example: - For formal messages: Useful when you don’t want
° Mary Watkins ° Sincerely everyone on the list to have
° Senior Research Associate ° Respectfully yours each other’s addresses.
° Bain and Company

Module 2-D
Email structure, language & tone
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Tone is the quality in your writing that

reveals your attitude toward your
topic and reader. Tone comes from:
Tips:
* Choice of words * Choose an appropriate
* Structure of sentence greeting & closing
* Order of information * Order information to
maintain a professional tone
Email tone Why is tone important? * Use personal pronouns
* Write in the active voice
You can’t rely on body language or vocal tones to
convey your message.

Written tone helps you transmit emotions.

Module 2-D
Email structure, language & tone
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You should consider:

1. Follow “Netiquette”
Netiquette is the framework of accepted behaviors
when communicating online. Some rules:
* Refrain from personal abuse
* Don’t spam
* Write clearly & concisely
Module 2-E * Remember that your posts are public
* Stay on topic
Writing & * Do not post copyrighted material

speaking online 2. Avoid using ALL CAPS

* Could be interpreted as an angry tone
(texting, blogging, and social media) * Use them to draw attention to something important

3. Break up your text

* Use subheadings, bullet points, and lists

4. Proofread your writing

* Grammar and punctuation errors
* Poor sentence structure
* Incorrect use of tenses
* Spelling errors or typos
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You should consider:

1. Make sure to have a stable internet connection.
* Use a LAN cable
2. Select a good video conferencing software.
Module 2-F
Video conferencing
features & 3. Dress properly.
best practices 4. Send an agenda prior to the conference.
5. Keep time zones in mind.
6. Get rid of distractions.
7. Be acquainted with video conference features.
8. Never speak at the same time.
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Find a balance between keeping the interest of

your audience, while not distracting them from
your key message.

Module 2-G Best practices for designing

presentations/slides:
Presentations/slides
features & best practices 1. Keep it simple
* Avoid slides with a lot of text
* Include only main speaking points
* Less is more!
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2. Decide your presentation's slides ratio 3. Have a title page that stands out 4. Limit transitions and animations
* 4:3 ratio: Create a visually engaging title page * Use animation with a purpose.
Beneficial for presentation slides that need so that the audience is interested and * Animations should be subtle
to be viewed across multiple devices. ready to listen before you begin and professional.

* 16:9 ratio: speaking. * Use no more than 3 types

Should be used for conference presentations. of animation.

Module 2-G
Presentations/slides. Features & best practices

5. Use visual aids
* Summarize information
* Reduce number of spoken words
* Clarify and show examples
* Create more of an impact by making
the audience feel a certain emotion
* Emphasize what you’re saying
* Make a point memorable
* Enhance your credibility
* Engage the audience
* Make it easier to understand
Module 2-G
Presentations/slides. Features & best practices
7. Use suitable charts & diagrams
6. Use high-quality graphics
Main points can be illustrated
with images, but they shouldn't
be a stretched low-resolution
photo.
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* Use horizontal bars for
comparing quantities
* Use vertical bars for displaying
changes over time
* Use a maximun of 8 bars
* Pie charts highlight percentages,
use a maximun of 6 segments
* Line charts show trends
* Table graphics are used
for comparison
* Graphs show the interpretation
of data