I'm sure we've all been there. We jump on a video call and realize that the room isn't quite right. In my case, I was doing a webinar for high-level job seekers on how to build a #LinkedIn profile that brands and optimizes you.
As I joined the call, I realized there was a container of Lysol behind me on my file cabinet (see photo above). Now, this isn't a huge embarrassment, but as someone who has spoken on camera thousands of times, it was uncharacteristic.
The lesson I learned is that you have to be cognizant of the room; just as you should if you're being interviewed via video. Not only should you be aware of your background, you should adhere to the following:
1. Have proper lighting: You don't want the room to be too dark or bright. If you need to drag lamps into the room, so be it. On the other hand, if you're sitting next to a window during a sunny day, it might cause glare on your computer screen.
2. Make sure the plumbing works. I'm talking about the sound on both ends. Can they hear you and can you hear them? Do a test run with someone to make sure all is copacetic. You don't want to irritate the interviewers.
3. Add connectivity. There's nothing more frustrating than when a candidate freezes on the screen and the interviewers miss what they've said. Again, do a test run and if all fails, find a place like a library to be interviewed.
4. Dress the part. It's important that you dress as if you're going to an in-person interview. This means not under- or over-dressing. In other words, don't dress like a Wall Street broker...unless you're applying for that role. And ditch the gum. Would you want the interviewers seeing you chew gum like a cow chewing cud?
5. Back the background. Using your treadmill as a clothe hanger? That's fine, but don't let the interviewer know this. Situate yourself with a bookcase, nice paintings, or a vase of flowers in the background. On the other hand, bland backgrounds like mine won't impress.
6. Eliminate annoying noise. This can be a major distraction to the interviewer. If you live on a road where emergency vehicles whiz by, or there's construction going on, etc., at least forewarn the interviewer. But if your TV is blaring, that's on you.
7. Hey, whose computer are you using? I can't tell you how many times I've gotten on a call with someone who's name is Jack Jones but the name on his Zoom screen says "Sandy Jones" or "Emily Jones," or worse yet "The Bulls Rule." Make sure you change the video name to yours before an interview.
8. Be on time. Yeah, I'm on the call a minute before it begins, you say to yourself. Well, that's too late, especially if the interviewers are on the call waiting for you to show up. You know the old saying, "On time is late." I tell my clients to be on the call 10-15 minutes before the interview begins.
10. Have a cheat sheet—off camera. One of the perks of video interviews is that you can place key talking points or metrics nearby. Just make sure you don't keep darting your eyes to read it. I personally like Post-it pasted to the top of the screen to seem more seamless.
11. Check your frame. Your head and shoulders should be centered in the shot—not too far, not too close. Leave a bit of space above your head and avoid weird angles (we’re not filming a horror movie).
12. Test your platform login. Whether it’s Zoom, Teams, or Webex, make sure you can log in and know how to use features like screen sharing or muting. Last-minute tech confusion is avoidable. Unfortunately, you're at the whim of the interviewers; if they are using an unfamiliar platform, be able to adapt.
13. Act natural, but professional. It’s easy to be stiff on camera. Try a practice run so you can adjust your tone and body language to sound more conversational—without being too casual. On the other hand, don't overdue it; you're not auditioning for a Broadway show.
14. Have a plan B. If the connection drops or something goes wrong, have a backup ready. Keep the interviewer's phone number or email handy to reconnect or reschedule. It happens, and interviewers will appreciate your ability to shake off issue like this.
15. Wrap it up smoothly. Don’t just say “bye” and click out. Thank the interviewer, reaffirm your interest, and wait a beat to see if they have any final comments. Then exit gracefully—no scrambling, sighing, or muttering as you close the window. You're still "on stage" until the call fully ends
These are some tips to ensure that your room is in order. Of course you might make the occasional faux pas like I did, but if you're hitting a majority of these annoyances, you will jeopardize your chances of going further in the interview process.
Another thing to consider is that more than 93% of employers use video interviews to determine if candidates will make it to the in-person interviews. In some cases, the video interview will be the deciding factor.
Do you have any other tips?
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