The Perfect Interview Background (Or, How I Ended Up Interviewing in My 5-Year-Old’s Bedroom)

So let me tell you about an interview I had recently.

I was nervous going into it—this role was two levels up from where I am now. At my company, it’s tough to even get a new role, so when I got the invite, I was honestly shocked. Normally, when I prep for interviews, I reread the job description, jot down a few bullet points, and call it good. But this time, I knew I had to step up my game. I wanted to look polished, less casual, more “director-level ready.”

The interview itself went pretty well. The director was conversational, which helped me relax and not feel like I had to sit there stiff as a board. But here’s the kicker.

The day before, the recruiter sends me the standard reminder email:

“Your interview is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. Please be aware that everyone can see your background.”

Cue flashbacks to my last interview, where my 8-year-old walked in wearing nothing but underwear—even though the door was locked. So yes, this time, I was determined to get the background situation under control.

No kids were home (victory!). I just needed one decent spot. By “decent,” I mean:

• A little natural light so I don’t look like I’m telling ghost stories under a flashlight.

• No clutter or chaos behind me.

• A surface I could actually set my laptop on.

  
  

Friends, I walked through two living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, five bedrooms, and multiple hallways. And do you know the only spot that checked all the boxes?

My 5-year-old’s bedroom.

I turned the changing table so it faced the wall, set up my laptop, and voilà—a blank wall with good lighting. Professional enough!

Now, in fairness, we do have a gorgeous office wall with Ikea bookshelves full of books and décor. It’s the kind of backdrop I’d love to show off. But with Zoom’s blur feature, all those spines and colors just end up looking like a chaotic mess. So, sadly, the cool wall was out.

And there I sat, interviewing for a director-level position with my laptop perched on a toddler’s changing table.

Sometimes professionalism looks like a power suit. And sometimes? It looks like a mom who found the one uncluttered corner in her house and made it work.

---

Motherhood is beautiful, but let’s be honest—it’s also exhausting. You spend your days giving everything to everyone else, and it leaves very little left for you. That’s why I love creating “Back to You” sessions. In just half a day, you’ll be styled, pampered, and photographed in the most flattering ways, leaving with portraits your children will treasure and a memory of finally doing something just for you.

_______________________

Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.