Conducting Effective Video Sessions
Master the art of virtual mentorship with best practices for engaging, productive video sessions.
Pre-Session Technical Setup
Test Your Equipment (5 Minutes Before)
- Camera: Ensure it's working and positioned at eye level. Check lighting – face a window or use a desk lamp behind your screen.
- Microphone: Test audio levels. Use headphones to prevent echo. Consider a USB mic for better quality.
- Internet: Close unnecessary apps and tabs. Aim for 5+ Mbps upload speed. Use wired connection if possible.
Prepare Your Environment
Background
- • Clean, professional setting
- • Minimal distractions
- • Use virtual background if needed
- • Good lighting on your face
Notifications
- • Enable Do Not Disturb mode
- • Close Slack/Teams/Discord
- • Silence phone
- • Inform household members
Pro Tip: The "Tech Check" Routine
Create a checklist and run through it 10 minutes before every session. This builds trust and ensures you never lose precious session time to technical issues.
Structuring Your Session
Standard 60-Minute Session Breakdown
Warm-Up & Check-In
Greet mentee, test tech, review agenda. Ask "How are things going?" to gauge mood and readiness.
Progress Review
Review action items from last session. Celebrate wins, discuss blockers. This shows accountability and continuity.
Core Content
Main teaching/discussion. Break into 2-3 segments with transitions:
- • 15 min: Deep dive on main topic
- • 10 min: Live example/demo/code review
- • 15 min: Q&A or hands-on practice
Action Items & Next Steps
Summarize key takeaways. Define 2-3 specific action items with deadlines. Confirm next session topic.
Wrap-Up & Feedback
Ask "What was most helpful today?" Share resources. End on a positive note.
Don't Go Over Time
Respect your mentee's schedule. Set a 5-minute warning timer. If you need more time, schedule a follow-up rather than running long.
Keeping Mentees Engaged
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Good:
"How would you approach this problem?"
Avoid:
"Does that make sense?"
Use Screen Sharing
Make sessions interactive:
- • Walk through code together
- • Annotate documents live
- • Demonstrate tools and workflows
- • Let mentee share their screen
The "Think Aloud" Method
Verbalize your thought process when solving problems. This helps mentees understand not just what to do, but how to think like an expert.
Pause for Processing
After explaining something complex, pause 5-10 seconds. This gives mentees time to process and formulate questions.
Check Understanding
Don't just ask "Got it?" Instead try:
"Can you explain back to me how this works in your own words?"
Energy Management
Vary your pace and tone. Take brief breaks in 90+ minute sessions. Your energy is contagious – stay enthusiastic!
Handling Common Situations
Mentee is unprepared or hasn't completed action items
Approach this constructively:
- 1. Don't shame them – ask "What got in the way?" to understand blockers
- 2. Pivot the session to address the real obstacle
- 3. Help break down tasks into smaller, more achievable chunks
- 4. If it's a pattern, have a direct conversation about commitment and expectations
Technical difficulties mid-session
Stay calm and have a backup plan:
- • Switch to phone call if video fails
- • Use platform chat for code sharing if screenshare breaks
- • Offer to extend the session by the time lost to tech issues
- • If unresolvable, reschedule immediately and document the issue
Mentee is shy or not asking questions
Create psychological safety:
- • Share your own mistakes and struggles
- • Ask direct questions: "What part is confusing?"
- • Use chat for questions if they're camera-shy
- • Frame questions positively: "Great question!" not "That's basic stuff"
Session scope is expanding ("Can you also help me with...")
Politely redirect:
"That's a great question, but we're running low on time. Let's add it to the agenda for next session so I can prepare properly and give it the attention it deserves."
Post-Session Best Practices
Send Follow-Up Notes (Within 24 Hours)
Summarize key points, action items with deadlines, and links to resources discussed. This reinforces learning and shows professionalism.
Document Session Notes
Keep a running document of each mentee's progress, topics covered, and goals. Review before next session.
Request Feedback
After every 3-5 sessions, ask "What's working well? What could I improve?" This shows you're committed to growth too.
Block Reflection Time
Schedule 10 minutes after each session to decompress and jot down observations. What worked? What would you do differently?
Video Call Etiquette
DO
- ✓ Join 2-3 minutes early
- ✓ Look at the camera when speaking
- ✓ Mute when not speaking in group settings
- ✓ Use good posture and maintain presence
- ✓ Smile and use natural hand gestures
DON'T
- ✗ Multitask or check your phone
- ✗ Eat on camera (water is fine)
- ✗ Position camera too high or too low
- ✗ Have bright windows/lights behind you
- ✗ Monopolize the conversation
Related Guides
Need Technical Help?
Our support team can help troubleshoot video issues, optimize your setup, or provide coaching on mentorship best practices.
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