Now that you know potential pitfalls and what to avoid, here’s what your background should reveal for a successful video interview.

— Start With Lighting

To look your best in a video interview, move your desk, lamps, and other equipment around to get the best lighting. Well before your interview, test out different setups to find what works well for you.

Brie Reynolds, FlexJobs’ former Career Development Manager and Career Coach, says:

“The best lighting for any video interview is the natural light that is positioned in front of you. If there’s a window you can sit in front of or next to, that’s ideal. The sun shouldn’t be shining directly through the window because that can be too bright, washing out your image and causing you to squint. Indirect, natural light coming through a window is your best bet.”

If you don’t have a window perfectly positioned near your computer, lamps and other electrical lights can work well too. Try to place those behind your camera, so the light will be in front of you and shine evenly across your face.

Avoid backlighting (where the light source is behind you) because it makes the light on your face incredibly dim, and the interviewer will see you in a shadow.

— Evaluate What’s in View

Once you find a good setup for your lighting, turn on your computer’s camera and check out what’s behind you on the screen. Reynolds offers:

“If there’s artwork, make sure it’s professionally appropriate and not too flashy, shiny, or busy. If it’s a blank wall, is it clean? Removing scuff marks with a handy Mr. Clean magic eraser pad is an easy way to clean things up. Is the paint chipped or otherwise damaged? If possible, patch up that paintwork for a fresh background. If it’s furniture or household items, are they clean and organized? Are they professionally appropriate?”

Think about the type of company you’re interviewing with. Is it traditional, buttoned-up, and conservative? Or is it more casual or creative? Style your video background in a way that is appropriate for each company’s version of professionalism. You can find clues about this on a company’s social media, its website, and even in the job listing itself.

— Get Pets Under Control

You may be used to your dog sleeping on the floor behind you, but what happens when he decides to start a midday cleaning session or the UPS driver shows up? If possible, leave pets out of the space during your interview.

If you let your pet stay in the room, take off their collar to reduce the noise of pet tags jangling together. If they usually bark or growl when someone approaches your front porch, hang a sign at the front door politely asking people not to knock or ring the doorbell.

— Make It a “Do Not Disturb” Zone

Just because you’re doing your video interview from home doesn’t mean you’ll be alone. Although employers understand that “things happen,” it’s still best to keep your video interview environment quiet and distraction-free. Close the door if you have one, and remind children and other family members that you’ll need an hour or so of quiet “alone” time to complete your interview.

— Go Virtual

Sometimes, professional and tidy just isn’t an option. When that’s the case, consider a virtual background instead.

Just like an actual background, though, choose something that’s professional and fits the company’s culture. For example, if you’re interviewing with a more traditional company, a neon tie-dye background may not be the way to go. Likewise, no matter where you’re interviewing, pictures of you dancing on the table during your last vacation may not send the right message, either.

When in doubt, a plain background will always do. But if you want to inject a little of your personality into the interview, consider going with something a little more creative. For example, if you’re applying for a food blogger position, consider using a background with your favorite foods around the edges.

If you’re getting ready for a Zoom interview, stay calm. Remember that—no matter what space you choose—if you simply clear out the area behind you and make your background a plain wall, door, or closet, you’re likely to have a distraction-free interview where you, not your environment, are the focal point.