Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
CXO

Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

By N.F. Mendoza December 18, 2020, 4:30 PM PST

Image
1
of 16

zoom-chinnapong.jpg
zoom-chinnapong.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Modern open area

New year, new job? Here are 16 appropriate virtual backgrounds to use for job interviews or onboarding. Here’s what a couple experts we spoke to said:

“While Zoom backgrounds can be a fun way to express your creativity and personality, a neutral background is actually best, since part of the reason we get Zoom fatigue is because our eyes have to take in so much detail, said Kristen Hayward, head of people at Superhuman. 

“Using a virtual background is a surefire way to make the right first impression,” said Tim Sanders, vice president of customer insights at Upwork. Select “backgrounds that replicate an office environment. Simple backgrounds, like those that have a single texture or color scheme, will help you stand out, and a color that contrasts with your skin tone so you don’t fade into the background.” Sanders added, “topical [backgrounds] are a good way to show your personality. Avoid selecting busy backgrounds; it could be distracting.” Don’t use “a background with the prospective employer’s brand on it or futuristic, dystopian backgrounds that might produce negative or stressful emotions”

To download any of these images, see TechRepublic’s article The best virtual backgrounds to use on Zoom for your next business meeting.

SEE: Zoom 101: A guidebook for beginners and business pros (TechRepublic Premium)

zoom-cofotoisme.jpg
zoom-cofotoisme.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Blurred office

Image: iStock/cofotoisme

Blurred office

Image: iStock/cofotoisme
zoom-denisik11.jpg
zoom-denisik11.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Simple bookshelf above

Image: iStock/denisik11

Simple bookshelf above

Image: iStock/denisik11
zoom-dragana991.jpg
zoom-dragana991.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Blurred neutral room

Image: iStock/dragana991

Blurred neutral room

Image: iStock/dragana991
zoom-irina-shisterova.jpg
zoom-irina-shisterova.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Blurred holiday background

Image: iStock/Irina Shisterova

Blurred holiday background

Image: iStock/Irina Shisterova
zoom-irisimages.jpg
zoom-irisimages.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Shades of blue

Image: iStock/Iris Images

Shades of blue

Image: iStock/Iris Images
zoom-japanese-print-elinalee.jpg
zoom-japanese-print-elinalee.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Horizon Japanese print

Image: iStock/elinalee

Horizon Japanese print

Image: iStock/elinalee
zoom-larineb.jpg
zoom-larineb.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Blurred bookshelves with light wood

Image: iStock/larineb

Blurred bookshelves with light wood

Image: iStock/larineb
zoom-lek-3dphoto.jpg
zoom-lek-3dphoto.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Empty elegant room

Image: iStock/Lek 3D Photo

Empty elegant room

Image: iStock/Lek 3D Photo
zoom-mirror-image-studio.jpg
zoom-mirror-image-studio.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Window view, seating

Image: iStock/Mirror Image Studio

Window view, seating

Image: iStock/Mirror Image Studio
zoom-mukk.jpg
zoom-mukk.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Ocean impressions

Image: iStock/Mukk

Ocean impressions

Image: iStock/Mukk
zoom-polina-lebed.jpg
zoom-polina-lebed.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Winter cable sweater

Image: iStock/Polina Lebed

Winter cable sweater

Image: iStock/Polina Lebed
zoom-takasuu.jpg
zoom-takasuu.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Artsy, pale-colored background

Image: iStock/Takasuu

Artsy, pale-colored background

Image: iStock/Takasuu
zoom-vanit-janthra.jpg
zoom-vanit-janthra.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Streamlined living room

Image: iStock/Vanit Janthra

Streamlined living room

Image: iStock/Vanit Janthra
zoom-vicnt.jpg
zoom-vicnt.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Windowed, modern office

Image: iStock/vicnt

Windowed, modern office

Image: iStock/vicnt
zoom-vicnt-2.jpg
zoom-vicnt-2.jpg
Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

Crisp, minimalist living room

Image: iStock/vinct

Crisp, minimalist living room

Image: iStock/vinct
  • CXO
  • Tech & Work
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding

    Your email has been sent

Share: Photos: 16 of the most appropriate virtual backgrounds for job interviews and onboarding
Image of N.F. Mendoza
By N.F. Mendoza
N.F. Mendoza is based in Los Angeles. She has a BA in Broadcast Journalism and Cinema Critical Studies and a Master's of Professional Writing, both from USC. Nadine has more than 20 years experience as a journalist covering film, TV, entertainment, b
  • Account Information

    Contact N.F. Mendoza

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of N.F.'s content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hardware inventory policy

    This policy describes guidelines your organization can follow to track, process and decommission IT equipment. From the policy: SUMMARY An organization’s IT hardware inventory constitutes a significant capital investment in order to perform company operations. Because hardware represents a critical asset and often holds organizational data, it is important for the company to track each ...

    Published:  January 23, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 24, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Malware response checklist

    Whether an infection is the result of a disgruntled employee, hardware vulnerability, software-based threat, social engineering penetration, robotic attack or human error, all organizations must be prepared to immediately respond effectively to such an issue if the corresponding damage is to be minimized. Because even the best protected networks become infected, all organizations must have ...

    Published:  January 22, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 23, 2023, 1:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Checklist: Securing Windows 10 systems

    Every operating system should be appropriately secured, especially end user workstations which often contain or permit access to company data and upon which most employee job duties are based. To get the maximum security protection out of your Windows 10 deployments follow this checklist from TechRepublic Premium. Also included in this checklist: Security solutions Product ...

    Published:  January 22, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 23, 2023, 2:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Cloud data storage policy

    Third-party cloud-based file storage applications such as Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive have all contributed to the success of business cloud data storage. These products have brought proven flexibility and ease of data access to users and businesses alike while ensuring security of confidential information. Cloud data storage offers many benefits to consumers and companies ...

    Published:  January 22, 2023, 11:00 AM EST Modified:  January 23, 2023, 3:00 PM EST Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice