What are the worst Zoom/Teams backgrounds you've seen on a work meeting or interview

[Anonymous]

Seeing a bed in your background is very awkward. I realize some people have limited work space at home, but I agree with the suggestions to do whatever will allow for a different angle in the room so we don't see your bed behind you.

[Anonymous]

We started doing them during Covid. They can record on their own time and we don’t have to coordinate schedules for days of interviews which often are hard for them to get to anyway. It’s not perfect but it can be easier.

That just seems like an ideal way to select for the worst, most desperate candidates. Top candidates wouldn't put up with this and would expect a live interview with a real person (either in person or via Zoom).

[Anonymous]

Not an interview but an eccentric coworker who had some classic art print of naked ladies dancing around on the wall behind her. I thought it was both hilarious she had the balls to show that in front of the whole office (it was an office wide virtual conference) but also inappropriate.
Also not a fan of seeing people's beds/bedrooms. I feel awkward like I'm in their private place and I'm seeing where they sleep.

[Anonymous]

Why did we move away from phone interviews? They are so much better for focus—you can listen more clearly without being distracted.

[Anonymous]

Interviewee had a cross in the background. Can’t risk hiring white supremacists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seeing a bed in your background is very awkward. I realize some people have limited work space at home, but I agree with the suggestions to do whatever will allow for a different angle in the room so we don't see your bed behind you.

I agree, if it were me, I would get a cheap trifold screen and put it up behind me. It's really not that hard and makes you look so much better.