Not to move computer for interview?

[notyourmummy]

More than happy to be told IABU because I'll do anything to increase chances of getting the job!
I have an interview via MS Teams and husband told me I have to move the PC because at the moment the background to the video call would be the front room, with a wall of children's drawings directly behind where I'll be sitting. The interview is for a 1:1 TA for a 3 year old and the Headteacher, who's leading the interview, knows I have children. I don't see this as a problem, they know they're interviewing me from home, and it's a few pictures of motorbikes, Trolls etc, nothing offensive. He says it's really unprofessional and the window/sofa would be a better background. Who's right?!!

[Throwntothewolves]

Blur the background, move the computer or take the pictures down so you have a plain background. No one should judge, no, but they do and will. As others have pointed out, kids drawings as a backdrop might look a bit try hard.

[JustSleepAlready]

Can you sit in front of a blank wall? Like on the sofa, window behind you would be ok if it doesn’t glare into the camera. I think you’re original idea would be suitable for the job you are applying for, but, under normal circs for interview I would go with a plain background. Good luck.

[Geamhradh]

It really doesn't look secretive. It looks professional and as though the interviewee has taken the time to think "I'm having an interview, for a job I really want, and I want to show the interviewer(s) I've taken the time to check that there are no distractions visible around me, that the interviewer can see me properly, and hear me properly.

Thankfully (strangely) due to WFH and video calls becoming more usual, the times are fewer when we sit afterwards saying "can you believe that in an interview, they didn't check the light and sat with their pants on the radiator behind them?"

[MoiraNotRuby]

Don't blur your background, it looks like you're being secretive. The pictures sound nice and it shows you are genuinely someone who is good with kids. Just make sure its clean and tidy and well lit. And good luck!!

[JustMeAndWheatley]

Window would be a bad idea.
Neutral is good, but your background would be perfect for the role you are being interviewed for.

[WeatherwaxOn]

I'm interviewing people next week (part of a panel)
I shall be paying attention to what they say and how they say it. They could have an inflatable t-ex costume in the background for all I care.

If you are concerned, blur the background or put a fake one up. It'll be fine.

[Shoxfordian]

I don’t think it’s an issue to leave them there but you could blur the background or give yourself a neutral fake background on teams instead

[BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand]

I did a job interview over teams while sitting in a room that was literally a building site. I used a fake background in the end, as I thought the chaos might distract from what I was saying to the interviewer. I got the job.

Children's drawings should be fine though. Its your house, and they know that. I've also interviewed over teams and I didn't judge candidates on their decor.

[GoWalkabout]

It's partly because you want them looking at you, not the wall, so no distractions.

[Ohdoleavemealone]

If you are interviewing for a job with kids then I thinkkids art on the wall is perfectly appropriate.

[MiniTheMinx]

I would blur the background. I had an interview yesterday and it felt intrusive to have these people in my home. I didn't realise you could blur the background, so they will have seen a half decorated wreck and a lot of antique guns and swords.....probably think I'm a mad person. To be honest though I'm not too concerned, I'm more disturbed by their intrusion into my home. I think blur the background, not because its more professional, but because it protects your privacy. In ordinary circumstances potential employers would not have any means or opportunity to judge candidates against any criteria not relevant to the role.

[RaininSummer]

Either leave it or blur. You are at home and your home does not have to look like an office.

[ZoBo123]

I work with a window behind me and have to make sure the blind is down during calls as it is hard for people to see me. It is the only room in my house for a desk so I can't move it. I close blind and blur background, that way you could be anywhere

[Brownteddybear]

Your DH is wrong! You cannot have a window behind you as you will look like you're on crime watch.

However a plain background with no distractions is better than a busy (messy?) one, particularly for an interview. They don't know you and first impressions count for a lot at this stage.

[MeltsAway]

I’d say the main thing is the light - if you have the light behind you, your interviewer will have difficulty seeing you. Blur your background or choose a fake blank background from the Teams app.

[timeisnotaline]

I don’t care, I like personal touches and the way it says this is me, I don’t have a fake work persona. Whatever you do don’t sit back to the window with light coming in turning you into a silhouette. That just looks unprofessional! If you want to sit that way test it beforehand and draw curtains if needed.

[Geamhradh]

Definitely change it. Neutral wall, fine. Otherwise, no. I am often involved in recruiting from abroad, so have been using video calls for years. It absolutely does matter.
Check your lighting as well. If you're sitting with the light behind you, the interviewer might not be able to see you properly.

If I were interviewing (as I often do) for teaching staff for young learners, and saw a wall of children's drawings, I'd also probably assume (wrongly, I know, but still) that they'd been put there specially to impress me. It wouldn't.

[KatherineJaneway]

Blur your background, safest option.

[Cornishmumofone]

I'm now wondering whether I interviewed @FrankGrillosFloof

I recently had an internal interview where the panel all knew me. I chose to be in a different room with a more neutral background... however, some children's pictures on the wall sounds fine.

[FreeFallingFree]

I'd blur it if at all possible. Interviewers are not supposed to be influenced by whether you have children, so it could be seen as a bit manipulative, as though you've chosen that background deliberately to increase your chances. Like applying for a job at the Treasury with a picture of Sunak on the wall behind you. I jest, obviously, but we all make judgements.

[StealthPolarBear]

I agree stoop.

[Aurorie11]

I had a Zoom interview and didn’t realise it had the scout emblem as background. My son had last used Zoom for a scouts meeting and set this background, I got the job

[SunIsComing]

Blur the background!!

[stoopider]

If you’re interviewing for a TA then I’d say children’s art work behind you is an excellent idea

[Pinchoftums]

First impressions count and all that...