Main Points to Remember
Put your main light source right behind your camera, at eye level. This gets rid of hard shadows and makes sure people can clearly see your face and expressions.
Sit at least three feet away from the wall behind you. This makes your video look professional by adding depth and stops you from looking flat or "stuck in a box."
Make sure there are no objects moving, shelves that are too full, or busy patterns in your background. This keeps all attention on you and your professional image.
Raise your webcam so it matches where your eyes naturally look. This makes it seem like you are making real eye contact and builds authority right away.
Setting Up Your Look: Becoming Authoritative Online
To look professional on video calls, place your main light directly in front of your face at eye level, sit at least three feet from the wall behind you, and position your camera at eye level. These three adjustments eliminate shadows, add visual depth, and create the impression of confident eye contact — without expensive gear.
Don't just settle for a video setup that is "okay." Many professionals just hide the mess and turn on the basic light, thinking that’s enough. Using default lighting and simple background tricks doesn't make you look professional—it makes you blend in with everyone else.
This habit of accepting "good enough" shows a lack of polish that makes you seem easily replaced.
When you are in important meetings, your video is your digital handshake. How good it looks directly affects how much people trust you.
Visual Trouble vs. Faster Trust
- » If your video is dark or has shadows, your audience has to work harder just to see you clearly.
- » If an important person has to focus on figuring out your image, they have less mental space to focus on your actual ideas.
- » A high-quality look speeds up trust. It proves you have the standing to be taken seriously in that meeting.
The data confirms it. According to Zoom's video engagement research, 84% of people managers feel more confident evaluating candidates when video is on, and 70% of professionals report that camera-on calls increase their trust in the other person. Your lighting and background are the first cues that tell the viewer which category you fall into.
Don't wait for the company to give you a new camera or worry that looking "too good" seems unnatural.
While others wait for IT support, the best professionals spend time setting up their own look to gain a big advantage in how they are perceived.
You need to switch from just "setting up a room" to actively "building your presence." Treat your video screen like a stage. Remove distractions and make your professional message as strong as possible. This applies whether you're joining a virtual coffee chat or a board-level presentation. Every call is a chance to reinforce your brand.
How to Take Control: Three Steps for Your Digital Look
You can't look like a top performer if you use basic tools meant for everyone else. Your laptop camera and standard room light are only good for basic needs, not for building a strong image. By buying your own better camera and an external light, you move past these limits and show that you hold yourself to a higher professional standard than the average person.
Do a "Before and After Check." First, turn off extra lights and use only your laptop camera, then take a picture. Next, set up a dedicated 1080p external camera at eye level and one main light (like a desk lamp) slightly to the side of your face. Take another picture. The big improvement in clarity proves you have a "Trust Accelerator"—you show that you put effort into looking excellent.
"I chose to upgrade my remote setup so that my digital look matches the high quality I bring to my projects. I want to make sure our conversations are as clear and powerful as possible."
We notice the level of care you take right away. A dark, blurry feed makes us subconsciously link you to "just getting by." When someone shows up clear and well-lit, we instantly label them as "high-potential" and ready for important meetings. Surveys of hiring managers find that 97% prefer candidates with a professional background setting — most poor-setup candidates are already behind before they say a word.
Stop decorating your room and start designing your screen frame. Use Three-Point Lighting to create depth, which makes you look more real than your peers who look flat and washed out. Use one main light (Key), a second light to soften shadows (Fill), and a light behind you (Backlight) to separate you from the wall. This look tells the viewer's brain to focus 100% on your words, not on trying to see you.
"Your screen can be a large source of light, so adjust your screen brightness accordingly. If you're in a dark room and your screen is on full brightness, you'll end up with a blue cast and uneven shadows across your face."
— Becca Farsace, Video Director, The Verge
Try the "Shadow Fill" test. Turn off your main overhead light. Put your brightest light at a 45-degree angle to your nose and notice the dark shadow on the other side of your face. Now, put a second, weaker light (or a white board) on that shadow side to "fill" it. This creates a 3D look that gives you a commanding, expert look that basic setups don't have.
"I choose to prepare for our video calls with the same focus I bring to a meeting room, which is why I made sure this space is set up to remove any visual distractions."
Hiring managers get tired of "Video Fatigue." When you look clear and well-lit, you actually make it easier for them to listen to you. They will naturally feel more positive about you than the person they talked to an hour ago whose feed was harder to watch.
Avoid the fake look by choosing a real background instead of a blurry one or a digital picture. A blurred background suggests you are hiding something or are uncomfortable. A real background, slightly soft, shows that you have real space and real authority. This builds trust faster because it makes you seem established, organized, and "real," unlike generic digital filters.
Do the "Background Check." Look at what shows up in your video frame. Remove anything that isn't planned (like dirty clothes or open closets). Replace them with 2-3 items that show your status, like a nice plant, some work-related books, or professional art. Make sure these items are 3-5 feet behind you so you look like you have space.
"I like to keep my workspace clean and professional, even when working from home. It helps me focus on high-level work, and I think my environment should show my professional standards."
Companies worry about hiring people who disappear remotely. By showing a high-quality, organized real space, you prove you can manage your brand without someone watching you. This signals "Leadership Maturity" that a blurred background can never show.
How Cruit Helps You With Your Look and Feel
Step 1: Gear Limits
Networking ToolHelps you build connections. It takes your LinkedIn contacts and uses an AI guide to help you write personalized messages, making networking easier.
Step 2: Command Look
Interview ToolMakes sure what people hear is polished. The AI coach checks the job details and organizes your past work stories using the STAR method for strong answers.
Step 3: Quick Trust
LinkedIn ToolTurns your resume into a persuasive story with a strong headline and job descriptions that match your professional appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Building Your Digital Power
Won’t a great setup make me look like I’m trying too hard, like an online personality?
Being "authentic" doesn't mean looking messy. Professionalism is about a clear delivery, not a bad picture. If your video is blurry, you force people to strain to see you. A clear, professional look removes the screen barrier between you and the viewer. You aren't "trying too hard"; you are proving you have high standards. If you want to be seen as a leader, stop looking like a hobbyist.
Should I upgrade my own camera and lighting if my company doesn’t provide them?
Your boss cares about your results, not your webcam. Relying on standard gear keeps you hidden among average employees. You are responsible for your own professional image. If you wait for the company to give you the tools to look like a leader, you’ve already fallen behind. The best people invest in their digital setup because they know it builds trust fast. When you look better than everyone else on the call, you signal that you perform at a higher level. Don’t ask for permission to look like an expert.
Should I use a blurred or virtual background if my room is messy?
Neither. A blurred background suggests you are hiding something, which damages trust. A real background, even if slightly soft, shows that you have real physical space and authority. If your room is small, create depth by pulling your desk away from the wall. Use intentional lighting to separate yourself from the background. Organize a corner you can own. Intentionality is key, not forced perfection.
What is the best lighting color temperature for video calls?
Aim for color temperatures between 5000K and 6500K, which mimic natural daylight and render skin tones accurately. LED ring lights and softbox panels labeled "daylight" typically fall in this range. Avoid warm overhead bulbs around 2700K — they cast downward shadows and can make your face look tired or uneven on camera. If your current light feels yellow or orange on video, it’s probably in the wrong range.
Does camera height affect how professional I look on video calls?
Camera height has a significant impact on how authoritative you appear. Position your webcam at eye level or slightly above — looking down at a camera makes you appear smaller and less confident, while eye-level framing creates natural eye contact. Raise your laptop with a stand or a stack of books if needed. Most default laptop setups place the camera too low, which is one of the easiest problems to fix for free.
Take Control of Your Online Stage
Falling into the trap of accepting "good enough" video makes you look like someone who can be easily replaced, not a valuable leader. Elite companies want people who communicate with expert-level clarity. Making the switch to an expert setup shows you don’t just take a seat. You command the attention in the room. This isn’t about looking fancy; it’s about making sure your important message isn’t lost because of a poor video signal. And if you’re ready to show up with that same level of preparation in person, start with how to prepare for an in-person networking event.
Take Command Today
