EDUCATION

HAVE YOU BEEN ON A RECENT VIRTUAL DATE OR JOB INTERVIEW AND JUST NOT FELT THE ENERGY YOU MIGHT HAVE IN PERSON?

You’re not alone - as the pandemic has taken away the ease and safety of in-person meetups, “Zoom fatigue” has become a regular part of our vocabulary.

Sometimes, trying to connect with someone through a webcam just doesn’t feel right, but the good news is that there are solutions.

HOW TO CRUSH INTERVIEWS

AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS -EVEN THROUGH

Some people have mastered A SCREEN the Zoom life and have some tips to share about how to foster meaningful personal interactions, Start in a Place of Mutual because you never know where they even through a screen. Understanding might take you. Having interviewed everyone

“You’ve got to let your curiosity from President Obama to Karl Rove, Surprise Yourself fuel you,” says OZY CEO Carlos Tomi Lahren to Rep. Ilhan Omar, with Creative Questions Watson. As host of the viral YouTube Watson knows he might not agree Along with avoiding presuppositions talk show sensation The Carlos with every guest, but emphasizes of the conversation, avoid presupposing Watson Show, Watson has created the importance of finding common what your conversation-mate might the warmest place on the internet, ground. “It feels like one of the most be interested in talking about. In where his uniquely charming divisive times in history, but we need his show, Watson focuses on asking conversation style leads to some to remember that there’s more that creative questions. He might talk of the most intimate conversations connects us than divides us,” he says. about love with politicians, politics with the world’s biggest names. Try to find something you do agree with musicians and music with “Don’t think of it like you’re miles on or a mutual friend or favorite athletes. Whether on a virtual date away; appreciate the intimacy activity. Starting things off on the or job interview, the likelihood Zoom brings - you’re in each other’s right foot will allow the rest of the is the person you’re talking to is homes.” And while Watson has conversation to go more smoothly. used to getting similar questions invited TV’s most diverse lineup to his and doesn’t get to be creative with virtual coffee table, boasting names Have an Open Mind their answers. By thinking outside from Ava DuVernay to Mark Cuban, and no Expectations the box with the questions you ask, John Legend to Megyn Kelly, here Don’t approach a new conversation and pivoting from the norms, you are his top tips for anyone trying with expectations, because you can get the most genuine answers. to get past Zoom fatigue and may be disappointed if they’re create real relationships not met. But an open mind allows Hopefully, you feel prepared to tackle over calls: conversations to take whatever that next Zoom interview or ask your serendipitous turn they might. Watson Hinge date for a virtual coffee. And knows this and covers a notable range make sure to check out Carlos Watson’s of topics with the world’s top names. expertly charming conversations on Let your conversations wander The Carlos Watson Show. (BPT) l