How Your Zoom Background Can Impact Trust and Competence Perception

“This research shows how our Zoom backgrounds can affect the first impressions we make. If you want to come across as trustworthy and competent there are some backgrounds you should use and some you should definitely avoid,” says Professor Paddy Ross, a co-author of the study from Durham’s Department of Psychology, in a media release.

In today’s digital age, virtual meetings have become a staple of our professional lives. Zoom, in particular, has emerged as a key platform for remote communication. But did you know that your choice of Zoom background can significantly influence the first impressions you make?

Research from Durham University in the United Kingdom reveals that your choice of Zoom background can significantly impact how trustworthy and competent you appear to others during video meetings. Their findings were published in the journal PLOS One.

This study sheds light on the subtle yet influential role that your virtual environment plays in shaping perceptions.

In this blog post, I will explore the key findings and offer practical tips to help you make the best impression in your video meetings.

Key Findings

The research conducted by Durham University involved 72 photos of 36 adults with both happy and neutral expressions, placed against various virtual backgrounds.

Here are the key findings:

1. Background Matters: The choice of background in your Zoom meetings matters more than you might think. Participants consistently rated faces against backgrounds featuring plants and bookcases as the most trustworthy and competent.
2. Plants and Books Boost Trust: Images with plants and bookcases in the background garnered higher trustworthiness and competence ratings. This suggests that a well-curated backdrop can positively influence how others perceive you.
3. Smiles Make a Difference: Regardless of the background, a smiling demeanor makes you appear more trustworthy and competent. So, remember to put on a friendly face during your video meetings.
4. Women Inspire Trust: The study found that women generally inspired more trust and were perceived as more competent, irrespective of their chosen background.
5. Home and Novelty Backgrounds: On the flip side, backgrounds featuring a living room or novelty images (like a walrus on an iceberg) received lower trustworthiness and competence ratings. These backgrounds may be seen as less professional or serious.
6. The New Business Suit: In today’s digital age, your video call background seems to be the new equivalent of a business suit. Just as you’d carefully choose your attire for an in-person job interview, consider your virtual environment when meeting online. It’s an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and attention to detail.

“With videoconferencing, most of what everyone else sees — the majority of your screen — is taken up with your background. So you no longer have to just worry about how you look and how you’re presenting yourself to other people, but also what you have all around you,” says Paddy Ross, study lead.

Tips for a Positive Impression

Here are some practical tips based on the research findings to ensure you leave a positive impression in your video meetings:

1. Choose Wisely: Opt for backgrounds featuring plants or bookcases to convey trustworthiness and competence. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds.
2. Smile: A warm smile goes a long way in building trust and competence, no matter the backdrop.
3. Professionalism: Treat your video call environment as an extension of your workspace. Keep it clean and clutter-free.
4. Attire Matters: While the study focused on backgrounds, don’t forget that your clothing choices still play a role in forming impressions.
5. Practice: Conduct mock video interviews with different backgrounds to see which one works best for you.

Takeaway

In the era of virtual meetings, every detail counts. Your choice of Zoom background, coupled with a friendly smile and professional demeanor, can significantly impact how others perceive you.

The next time you log into a video meeting, remember that your background might just be the key to inspiring trust and confidence in your virtual interactions.

Sources:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291444

https://studyfinds.org/zoom-backgrounds-trustworthy/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/28/world/zoom-background-trustworthy-scli-intl-scn-wellness/index.html

What are your thoughts on zoom backgrounds?

A version of this story originally appeared on Medium.