First impressions matter on Zoom. Try to avoid technical glitches if you want to make a good one

Time to upgrade? New research indicates that you might see your peers as less likable on videoconferencing platforms if you have poor audio and video quality.

First impressions matter a great deal. Traditional networking guides focus on everything from your smile to the strength of your handshake. But what happens when your first impression is over Zoom? A new study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin compares first impressions over Zoom versus first impressions in-person. Good news for Zoom users: As long as your audio and sound quality are good, there’s very little difference between a first impression online versus in person.