By now you’ve likely seen co-workers, friends, or family members testing out virtual backgrounds in Zoom meetings. Whether it’s your company’s office or the Oval Office that you’re putting in the picture, virtual backgrounds are a great way to lighten the mood.
With the current covid-19 crisis, many companies are only conducting interviews remotely, through apps like Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Teams. This means, if you’re on the job hunt, virtual communication skills have become a necessity.
When on a video call, your background is important. You wouldn’t walk into an office with dirty laundry trailing behind you, or invite a future employer into your home with dishes on the counter. Virtual backgrounds are a great way to mask the current chaos of daily life.
While the ideal solution is probably to set up a dedicated space in your home to take video calls, using a virtual background is a quick alternative that can be applied anywhere. They also open up new opportunities to creatively showcase your personality in the interview process.
Changing your virtual background in Zoom is easy. You can read the instructions on Zoom’s website.
Make sure not to choose virtual backgrounds that are too busy, or whose colors clash strongly with your hair, skin, and clothing. This will distract the interviewer, and ultimately take the attention away from you and what you have to say. (Unless it’s Happy Hour, in which case, refer to “A Sea of Yellow Balls”, provided below.)
So during your next job interview, try using one of these awesome free virtual backgrounds!
Simple All White Office with Clock
Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash.
Office Gallery Wall with Art
Photo by Jonny Caspari on Unsplash.
Chic and Cozy Library Corner
Photo by Victor Xok on Unsplash
Clean and Well-Lit Studio Apartment
Photo by Deborah Cortelazzi on Unsplash
Green Plants and Shelf Near Balcony
Photo by Huy Phan on Unsplash
Relaxed and Airy Piano Room
Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash
Wood-Laden Empty Coffee Shop
Photo by Alessandra Caretto on Unsplash
Simple Black and White Framed Art Wall
Photo by Crew on Unsplash
Blue and White Empty Cafe
Photo by Al Ghazali on Unsplash
Sunset Ombre
Photo by César Couto on Unsplash
A Few Fun Bonus Virtual Backgrounds…
An Abstract, Colorful Painting
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
A Sea of Yellow Balls
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
Blue and Pink Light Gradient Illustration
Photo by Gradienta on Unsplash
Interested in switching careers? Check out our remote UX Academy!
.jpg)
.jpg)
