Power Colors for Zoom Interviews: What to Wear to Influence the Screen
In the era of virtual hiring, your screen appearance has never been more important. While your skills and resume get you in the door, how you present yourself during a Zoom interview can help solidify a great first impression. Your clothing color can subtly communicate confidence, calm, creativity, or leadership—even through a screen. So, what should you wear to project the right energy and professionalism? The answer lies in the power of color. Here’s how to harness the visual strength of color to make your next Zoom interview a standout.
Go Bold With Confidence-Boosting Shades
Wearing color with intention can influence how you’re perceived by the interviewer—often within seconds. That’s why style experts recommend the best colors to wear on Zoom interviews are shades like navy, royal blue, forest green, and burgundy. These hues look professional and translate well across camera settings. Not only do they stand out without being too flashy, but they also convey trustworthiness, authority, and stability.
Avoid the Color Wash-Out Trap
Zoom lighting can be tricky. If you wear pale or overly bright colors like beige, white, or fluorescent shades, your face can appear washed out or overexposed. These colors often compete with your skin tone or camera brightness, making you look tired or flat. Stick to mid-range tones that offer contrast without harshness. If you must wear light colors, layer them with a darker blazer or add a pop of deeper color through your accessories or lipstick to bring balance to your appearance.
Red: A Power Move With a Purpose
Red is known as a power color for a reason—it symbolizes strength, passion, and action. But in a Zoom interview, it’s a color that should be used carefully. Bright red can sometimes dominate the screen or distract from your face. Opt for deeper reds like cranberry or brick to keep the energy bold yet balanced. When worn well, red can communicate leadership and assertiveness, which may be exactly the impression you want to make for certain roles.
Earth Tones for Calm and Connection
Not every role requires boldness—sometimes, you want to convey approachability, groundedness, and emotional intelligence. In those cases, earth tones like olive green, rust, soft browns, and warm tans are a great choice. These colors come across as calm and confident, and they tend to look great under most lighting conditions. They’re especially effective for roles that require collaboration, empathy, or trust-building.
Consider the Background and Lighting
Your clothing color isn’t the only thing on screen—your background plays a big part too. Wearing a color that blends too closely with your background can make you look like a floating head or visually disappear. Before your interview, test your outfit on camera with your real background and lighting. Make sure there’s enough contrast to keep you visually centered and well-defined. You want your interviewer to focus on you, not trying to adjust their screen.
Neutrals That Work (And Those That Don’t)
Neutrals can work for Zoom interviews, but they need to be the right ones. Charcoal gray, taupe, and soft navy are fantastic for a clean and polished look. These tones don’t overwhelm the frame and allow your facial expressions to shine. However, stark white and pure black can either glare or absorb too much light, flattening your features. If you’re set on wearing black or white, layer with a blazer or scarf in a richer shade to soften the contrast.
Choosing the right color for your Zoom interview isn’t about fashion—it’s about strategy. The shades you wear help shape your message and impact how you’re perceived before you even speak. With just a little planning, you can use color to boost your confidence, create clarity on the screen, and leave a strong impression that lasts long after the call ends.
