How do you set up for a video interview?

- You've finished your homework. You've studied up on this company's products or services. You've done some research on their people. And without a doubt, you're going to just lay it down with that outfit you picked out. Now you need to think about the setup. Where are you going to do this thing? And what kind of backdrop should you use? This can be that nice little added layer of stress when you're interviewing, unless you happen to be a vlogger or a regular on web conferences, which most of us are not. Let's simplify it a bit. Here are the two most important setup things to get a handle on before the actual interview. Meaning, things to think about a day or two prior, not 10 minutes ahead of time. First, location. Now, hopefully you've thought about where you'll record as you picked out your outfit. Whether you did, or aren't quite there yet, you'll want to make sure that the location sets you up for success. My number one bit of advice, make sure it's an environment you have some control over. The absolute last thing you need in the middle of your interview is to have your kids arguing over the remote or sirens going off in the background, or your dog barking at the FedEx guy, which by the way mine does every time. For this same reason, I strongly recommend that you avoid public spaces like coffee shops. The buzz in the background, that can be super distracting on video. If you have a home office, that's probably perfect. If you don't, ship the family off for a little while, and set up at your dining room table, or a quiet and well-lit corner of your house. Next most important thing to think about, the backdrop. What's going to be going on behind you? You probably won't go wrong with a plain wall, but use care. Stark, light-colored walls can make you look really washed out, and if you wear a light shirt, you risk looking like a talking head. And that's probably not what you're aiming for. Muted wall colors like tan or gray, those work pretty well, or even something bluish. Just make sure it matches your skin tone and isn't super busy. I wouldn't go any busier than this. If you have things on the wall or shelves behind you, or if you're inspired to stage the room, take a close look at what's going on back there. Make sure everything looks organized and tidy and avoid anything that could be polarizing like your antique gun collection or your shelf full of scary-faced porcelain clowns. You want to make sure that the background doesn't say something about you that may not work to your advantage. And it could be a subtle thing. A couple of years ago, I interviewed a candidate who appeared to be sitting in his childhood bedroom. I could see the trophies on the shelf and a little baseball-themed twin bed in the background. And it instantly positioned him as entry level. Unfortunately, this was not an entry-level job, so be mindful of that. A poorly selected location or background have the potential to make or break even the most qualified candidate. Let your competition make those mistakes, and be the one who has your setup on point.