By now, almost everyone is familiar with a Zoom or online video meeting. Even if you don’t have to partake in the daily ritual of logging on to chat with your coworkers, you have probably heard of them. Whether the stories are funny or cute or embarrassing, one thing is for sure. Online meetings are here to stay.

Since Zoom calls and other meetings on online platforms seem to be the “new normal,” it may be time to start treating these meetings more like how we used to treat professional gatherings. It is fun to go to work in pajamas and have your pets in the background, but it is also important to maintain a level of professionalism during your calls.

Here are a few basic dos and don’ts for online meetings:

Do look professional and put together. You don’t have to put on makeup or wear a suit, but you do need to look ready for the meeting. Have a nice sweater or shirt to throw on for meetings. I shouldn’t have to say this but just in case – make sure you brush your hair and your teeth. 😊

Don’t be late. You wouldn’t be late to this meeting if it were in person, so definitely don’t be late virtually! It is essential to treat online work as seriously as you would in-person appointments.

Do speak up. Even if you have to go through the trouble of unmuting yourself, don’t be afraid to share your ideas. Different means of communication can be intimidating initially, but it is necessary not to fall behind because you didn’t want to ask a question.

Don’t multitask. You wouldn’t be able to scroll through social media or watch TV behind your boss’ back at an in-person meeting. This also means you shouldn’t try to get away with it online either. It is both ethically wrong and will not help you in your career going forward. Even if it feels like no one is paying attention, someone is. So if you must be distracted, find something to fidget with, or better yet, take notes!

Do have fun with it. Yes, work needs to be professional and serious. But it’s a new era, so don’t be afraid to have a little fun exploring your new meeting platforms.

Whether you work at a small casual company or a large corporate firm, don’t forget to act professional and engaged while on a Zoom call. And who knows, some of these dos and don’ts may get you a stand-out reputation from your colleagues.