Virtual Interview: Dress Code, Home Décor, and the Job Hunt
Starring a virtual interview during a pandemic? You’re in the golden age of hopeful vibes, only to be whisked away by a new villain: what you’re wearing and how your living room looks.
Why the nervous breakdown happens
Recent studies pour a cold dose into the myth that “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Traditional interviews, with their floaty question sets and no hard metrics, tend to pull strings out of the wrong pockets. Employers lean on:
- Random physical sensations (do you look tired?)
- Unnecessary nonverbal signals (did you tilt the chair?)
- Bias that’s illegal in theory but legal in practice (gender, race, etc.)
The Legal Twist
Sure, the early 2000s saw companies get hit by lawsuits for subjective hiring, wages, and promos. A 2012 Supreme Court decision almost silenced class‑action claims, leaving firms with minimal incentive to tie interview tactics to real work performance.
Result? Candidates in a frenzy
Now, job seekers shove all their effort into making themselves look nice rather than capable. And that’s pre‑pandemic when a neutral conference room was the backdrop.
The Home’s New Screams
Picture the chaos: you, your pet, your cat that’s a suspect in the murder of your appetite, and your neighbor’s neighbor’s dad. Adding that chaotic “home-office” vibe to your video call? Trophy selling?
My Practical Take
As your employee‑law‑guru & professor, I’m telling you: No obligation to make your boss into a furry sidekick. Give yourself the playlist to push that office vibe home.
- Dress code? Tuck in that pre‑quarantine blazer.
- Background? Pretend you’re in a conference room. You can set a plain wall or a virtual backdrop.
- Pets? Let them nap. Let them strut. But if they’re alert, click “mute.”
Bottom line: Keep it professional, keep it simple. If someone asks for the “disaster zone” vibe, politely decline and say “We’re aiming for the business‑vibes version” — and then shift that camera.
What should you wear?
Why Pants Are a Must‑Do for Your Zoom Introduction
Picture this: you’re on a live stream, a camera is staring at the white‑washed background behind you, and – your bare legs pop up! That’s exactly what happened to a half‑dressed reporter on Good Morning America. All eyes went to her legs instead of the headline – and trust me, that’s not the impression you want to leave.
The “No‑Policy‑Violation” Rule
Tough as it sounds, you’re not just dressing up for the lessons of fashion – you’re adhering to basic workplace courtesy. Shirtless toes in a meeting? Nope. Even if your camera is set up in a corner, read the room or, better yet, the company’s dress code.
Step Back to a Real‑Life Interview
Think of your virtual video call as a modern‑day, in‑person interview. The attire you choose should mirror what you would wear if you were walking into an office for a face‑to‑face interview:
- Law firms: Suits are the norm – even if the workplace says “business casual.”
These firms insist on a polished appearance to set the professional tone. - Tech start‑ups: A smart‑tshirt with plain jeans can suffice – the culture leans toward relaxed, but not barefoot.
- Financial services: A blazer + dress pants or a tidy dress is the safest bet. The idea is to show respect for the client and the role.
The Ultimate Hack: Talk to Your Insider
Know someone already working in the industry? Don’t be shy—ask them what they wear. Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when it comes to getting your first job interview right at a distance. Just wire a quick text or drop a DM asking: “What’s the go‑to look for the next big gig?” The answer is usually a straight‑forward guide built from actual office experiences.
Bottom line: keep that pants together, keep your leather shoes polished, and remember that the camera doesn’t know but can watch.
How should I set up the camera’s background?
New‑Age Interviewing: Keep Your Couch A‑Hidden
Why Virtual Calls Are a Privacy Minefield
Imagine your potential boss popping through your front door—just to sniff around for a “quirky” décor or a thoroughly messy day.
That’s the kind of random inspection the old‑school interview feels like, but now it happens right on your screen.
The whole game shifts from a polite, closed‑door conversation to a “show me everything, see what’s up” showdown.
The Unfair Play
The Drake Method: A Quick Fix
Just like the guy who points the camera at a clean white wall in a music video, set your laptop to face a neutral, feature‑less corner.
That means:
“If a stranger were to look over your shoulder at your mug “, “you’re already giving them that information.” – Drake Method Coach
Bottom Line
The new‑world interview doesn’t have to be a reveal‑the‑entire‑room circus.
With a simple camera‑position trick, you keep your private life well‑hidden while still delivering your professional best.
Just keep the focus on the conversation—your words, your skills—and let the background be a blank canvas.
Should I hide my children?
Keeping Kids Out of the Job Interview Handshake: A Playful Take on Workplace Gender Bias
Picture this: You’re sitting in a sleek conference room, ready to ace that interview. Suddenly, the prospect of your little ones pops up in the conversation. Do you spill the beans? Not really. In fact, if the recruiter asks about your family life, you probably want it to stay under wraps.
Why the “Kids, Can I Disclose?” Question is a Red Flag
Asking about children is often a sneaky way to dip into gender prejudice. The weight of motherhood can drag down hiring decisions, while fathers might even get a subtle boost.
In a Stanford study, when women mentioned their PTA involvement, interviewers rated them lower and offered less pay. Interestingly, men with children received higher salaries than their childless counterparts, implying a double standard that leans on old-school stereotypes.
Do Men Widen the Ice Cream Truck?
Some might think men could stealthily call in their kids for a “just in case” cameo, to appear the traditional breadwinner. But it’s a bit more complicated.
Business professor Erin Reid discovered that men sometimes shield their childcare duties to protect their power.
The Masterplan: Concealing Babysitting & Skiing
- One consultant claimed he juggled consulting projects while secretly taking his son to school and hitting slopes all week.
- By keeping his child-rearing role low-profile, he sidestepped the bias that rattles men—who worry that admitting to the duty might hurt their prospects.
- And it all rides on the deep-rooted assumption that women are the primary caretakers.
What Does This Mean for Parents?
If you’re tempted to toss a lollipop or a device our way to smuggle your child past the HR radar, take heart. You’re not alone—many professionals, both moms and dads, are doing a dance to stay productive at work while caring for the little ones.
Remember, the seasoning of a career and a family is a mix of juggling, humor, and a pinch of secrecy—just don’t let it overpower your authenticity.
—Elizabeth C. Tippett, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Oregon
