Online video interviews are becoming the new normal for job applicants. However, they require some forethought that you don’t have to consider for an in-office interview, and it can be a bit paradoxical. While you’ll present yourself as professionally as possible during your interview, an online video interview lets the interviewer into your most personal and private space—your home.

So, how do you make sure you have an acceptable interview environment, especially if you don’t already have a home office set up? The good news is that any space in your home can work, provided it is reasonably quiet, has good lighting, and is as free from distractions as possible.

It’s also important to prepare your video interview setting just as much as your wardrobe and answers. After all, this is your best chance to make a good first impression.

What Your Virtual Interview Background Reveals

The one downside of virtual interviewing is that with the camera on, the interviewer gets a peek into your personal life, and you may inadvertently reveal some things you want to keep private.

As you create your Zoom interview background, give it a very critical look to make sure it’s sending the message you want. Beyond being clutter-free and professional, what does it reveal about you? That you love Star Wars? The causes you support and are passionate about? That you have kids?

What you display in the background could take away from what you’re saying—and that’s where the real focus should be. Anything you add to or take away from your video background should support your interview answers and overall candidacy.

Keep in mind that what’s appropriate for more traditional career fields is different than for more casual or creative fields, so use your best judgment based on your knowledge of the profession. Here are some common scenes in your home office that may convey to a hiring manager.

— Books

Showcasing your home library behind you may send the message that you’re well-read and intellectual, but a busy bookcase or shelf could keep the interviewer focused on trying to read your book titles instead of what you’re saying. Not to mention, a penchant for literature that your potential employer disagrees with—whatever it may be—could affect the hiring decision.

What to do: Reduce the number of books displayed to just a few, or only those books that may harmonize with your desired job in some way.

— Souvenirs From Traveling

Your much-loved souvenirs convey that you’re well-traveled, cultured, and adventurous, which is a wonderful aspect of your personality. But not only can souvenirs be distracting to an interviewer (especially if they love to travel too, and feel inspired by your wanderlust!), but having them in your background can lead to potential assumptions about your lifestyle—whether true or not.

What to do: The key here is to select only a few souvenirs. Focus on some that may be a good talking point or show a bit of your personality, and choose those appropriate to your profession.

— Your Bedroom

Having your home office in your bedroom or guest room may work for your daily office needs, but a view of your bed or guest bed during your video interview, even if it’s nice and well-kept, may not be the most professional background setting. You want your interviewer to see you as a professional that has a legitimate work-from-home setup.

What to do: Adjust your camera angle to eliminate the bed from view. Even move furniture around if you have to. Remember, this isn’t a permanent situation—you only need to create this temporary space for your video interviews.

— General Clutter

You might think nothing of the piles of paper behind you or the trinkets haphazardly placed on the shelf, but to a recruiter, they may be a sign of questionable organizational skills. Even if you know the clutter has no bearing on how you work—after all, it may not even be yours—the interviewer might wonder if the lack of organization is likely to carry over into your job.

What to do: Clear the clutter before the interview, knowing you can always put it back afterward. Clean surfaces will help focus the interviewer’s attention on you.