Last Updated: on November 29, 2023 by Jack
Navigating the world of virtual interviews can be tricky, and a common question arises: Is it professional to wear headphones during a video interview?
Yes, it is professional to wear headphones or a headset during a video interview and is probably encouraged by most employers.
In this post, we’ll explain the reasons why headphones are beneficial in an interview setting, how to overcome potential drawbacks and share top tips for achieving the best sound quality during one.
Key Takeaways:
- Wearing headphones in video interviews is okay. They can improve sound quality and help you stay focused.
- Choose your headphones wisely. Opt for high-quality ones with noise reduction, avoiding flashy gaming headsets.
- Test your headset before the interview. Ensure they work properly – no one wants audio problems.
- Ensure there’s no reason to draw attention to your headphones, earbuds or headset during the interview.
Reasons To Use Headphones for A Video Interview
1. Improved Audio Quality
To state the obvious, audio quality is crucial in video interviews. By using headphones instead of relying on your computer or laptop’s built-in speakers, you’ll get a clearer, crisp sound. It’s important that you hear as much detail as you can from the interview, and headphones will give you the best chance at doing that.
Even inexpensive headsets can significantly enhance call quality during video interviews. You don’t need to go with a headset either; a cheap pair of earbuds and a separate microphone is absolutely fine here.
2. Reduced Background Noise
Most modern headphones and earphones have some sort of noise-cancelling features built-in as part of their design. This is especially helpful for video interviews as it helps cut out any unwanted ambient sounds or background noise that could cause you to lose focus or not hear an important part of the conversation.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is highly sought after, especially in earbuds or earphone models that are commonly used out and about for calls and listening to music. ANC uses a small microphone on the inside of the headphones that detects any outside sounds and tries to block them out in the sound output.
Sound isolation is more common with over-ear headphones and is about creating a tight seal around the ear thanks to the large earcups combined with the headphone clamping pressure. It’s just meant to physically block and reduce any outside sounds getting into the ear canal.
Purchasing headphones with either noise-cancelling technology or a sound-isolating design is an excellent choice for making your audio experience that little bit more professional during an interview.
3. Enhanced Privacy
Headphones can greatly enhance your privacy, especially in shared spaces where someone might accidentally overhear your conversations. They provide a barrier to potential eavesdroppers, protecting sensitive information discussed during the interview.
Hopefully, you can find a private spot for conducting the interview in the first place, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case for some people. Computer speakers are far too intrusive if there are other people lurking around in the background during your call. They may put whoever is conducting the interview off if they know they’re being broadcast to several people.
4. Increased Focus
Headphones can sharpen your focus by minimizing external distractions, allowing you to fully engage in the conversation and concentrate on the interviewer’s questions. As long as you have a comfortable and reasonably tight-fitting pair, then you should at least get a little boost in concentration.
5. Professional Appearance
Wearing headphones can emphasize your commitment and professionalism. Good-quality earphones or over-ear headphones show preparedness, signalling respect for the interviewing process and demonstrating attentiveness to the overall sound quality.
You’ll want to choose something that doesn’t stand out and draw attention to them during the interview.
When Are They Seen as Unprofessional?
Despite the benefits and mentioning them as having a professional appearance above, there are some instances where headphones could be seen as unprofessional. It’s not down to the fact that you’re wearing headphones that’s unprofessional; it’s more the nature of them.
Gaming headsets are fine, but don’t turn up to a professional interview with one that’s oversized and has lots of LED flashing lights on the side of it. Also, ensure there are no tacky stickers or anything rude, offensive or political written across them that an employer could see.
Another thing to look out for is sporting a brand of headphones that sponsors one of the competitors of the company you are joining on the interview. Do a quick bit of research beforehand to see if there are any brands to steer clear of.
One last thing is to make sure that the headphones are in respectable condition. Don’t turn up with wires hanging out and bits of the headset taped up or held together.
As mentioned further up, the key is not to draw attention to them during the whole process.
Things To Check Before The Interview
There are a few important things to do with regard to your headphones before you go live for your big interview. You don’t want to end up with egg on your face looking lost if you connect, only to have to disconnect because you can’t hear a thing. Here are a few quick points that you should double-check before connecting.
- Test your headphones with a friend or family member before your scheduled video interview and get their feedback on the audio clarity and volume.
- Try different applications to judge the quality better; Skype, Zoom or Google Meet can be options.
- Aim for headsets with a built-in microphone. These options generally produce better mic quality than most stand-alone mics on laptops.
- Record your voice and play it back to assess the microphone quality. If you’re experiencing an echo during the test run, try adjusting the headphone settings or switching to a different device.
- Open mics can sometimes lead to echoing voices during video calls, so consider using the Push-To-Talk function. This feature allows you to control when your microphone is live, minimising any potential audio feedback problems. If you decide to go the mute and unmute route instead, ensure you know how to unmute yourself swiftly when it’s your turn to speak.
- Choose a professional setting for the video call. Overly loud areas or places prone to echoing voices can detract from clear communication.
- If you’re using wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods Pros or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live, ensure they are fully charged before the meeting.
- Check for any latency issues – there should be no significant delay between speaking and hearing the voice on the other end.
Conclusion
We would recommend using headphones during a video interview over speakers for lots of different reasons. Using the right headphones or headset will show you’re taking things seriously and will hopefully provide a clearer audio and microphone experience. They’re also important for privacy if people are around in the background and should improve your overall focus.
Employers in today’s digital landscape are conducting more and more interviews online to save money and fit in with the working-from-home trend that’s emerging. They are seen as professional, but the key takeaway is not to draw attention to them during the interview for any reason.