The Virtual Interview Overreach: When Privacy Takes a Backseat to Transparency

Job interviews are inherently awkward and vulnerable situations. Sitting down in front of a stranger and basically saying, “My financial stability is in your hands,” never gets any less stressful, no matter how many jobs you apply for. These days, most initial interviews are being conducted via video conference. This medium can make the whole interview process more nerve-racking because it can be difficult to read body language when you’re not in the same room as the interviewer. 

It is incumbent upon the person conducting the interview to make candidates feel at ease and try to sell them on the job and the company. That’s why I found this interview request that a client got to be rather bizarre:

Thanks for your interest in the position. Upon reviewing your resume, I think you could be a great addition to our growing team. I’d like to schedule a 30-minute video interview on Google Meet. We require candidates to have their cameras on and would prefer no virtual background in use.

We pride ourselves on our transparency, which is reflected in our interview process. Please know that in addition to this screening, you may be asked to complete an assessment or case study (something indicative of the type of work you would be doing here).

We take interviewing and candidate experience seriously and want to ensure you understand our process well. If you have any questions, please reach out.

I completely understand wanting candidates to appear on camera, assuming that the interviewer also does. But the “preference” on the part of this employer that candidates not use any virtual background is just weird. Yes, the interviewer is supposed to get a better understanding of your background during the interview. Your professional background. Not what you have decorating your walls! 

I do several videoconferences; almost everyone uses a virtual or blurred background. The only reason to ask that these backgrounds not be used is because the interviewer wants to inspect and snoop on the candidate’s surroundings! People use virtual backgrounds in meetings to avoid this—they want to ensure that the focus stays on the business, not on decorating skills or messy workspaces. 

This also feels more than a little bit intrusive. Many of these video meetings are conducted from candidates’ homes. Prohibiting the use of a virtual background means that the interviewer is in your home, uninvited. My client declined the interview. What other personal information might this employer want? 

In a world where remote work and virtual meetings have become the norm, it’s crucial for employers to respect candidates’ privacy and boundaries. Requiring cameras is understandable, but dictating how candidates manage their personal space crosses a line. As much as interviews are about assessing a candidate’s fit, they’re also an opportunity for candidates to determine a company’s values and respect for their comfort. In this case, my client chose to step away from an environment that valued curiosity about their home over professional boundaries. It’s a reminder that finding the right fit goes both ways—and respecting privacy is an excellent place to start.