Video interviews are now a normal part of hiring, from first screens to final rounds. They save travel time, but they come with their own challenges: dodgy connections, bad lighting, awkward pauses and the strange experience of watching yourself talk.
A little setup and practice make a big difference. Here is how to look and sound professional on camera, even with basic equipment.
Test your technology the day before
- Install the platform the employer uses (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or another) and update it. Create an account if needed.
- Use a computer if possible. A phone works, but use a stand so it is stable and horizontal.
- Test your camera and microphone in the app’s settings.
- Check your internet. Sit close to your router or use a wired connection. Ask others at home to avoid heavy streaming during your interview.
- Have the employer’s contact details ready in case the link fails.
- Rename your display name to your full name if needed.
Camera position
- Place the camera at eye level. Stack books under a laptop if necessary.
- Sit far enough back that your head and shoulders fill most of the frame, with a little space above your head.
- Look at the camera when speaking, especially for key points. It feels unnatural, but it reads as eye contact to the interviewer.
- Hide your self-view if seeing yourself is distracting; most apps allow this.
Lighting
- Face a window or light source; never sit with a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.
- If natural light is limited, put a lamp behind your screen, pointed at your face.
- Avoid overhead light alone; it creates shadows under your eyes.
- Do a test call at the same time of day as your interview.
Sound
- Use earphones with a built-in microphone if your laptop’s audio echoes.
- Choose a room with soft furnishings (curtains, carpet) to reduce echo.
- Close windows and turn off fans, TVs and notifications.
- Mute yourself only if there is unexpected background noise, and remember to unmute.
Background
A plain wall or tidy room is ideal. Remove clutter, laundry and anything personal you would not want an interviewer to see. Virtual backgrounds can glitch and blur your outline; a simple blur effect is usually fine if your room is not suitable.
What to wear
Dress as you would for an in-person interview, at least from the waist up (and ideally fully, in case you need to stand). Solid colors usually look better on camera than busy patterns. Check your outfit on camera during the test call.
Etiquette during the interview
- Join 3–5 minutes early. You may wait in a virtual lobby.
- Greet everyone when you join and smile.
- Pause slightly before answering to avoid talking over others, especially with lag.
- Keep answers concise. It is harder to read cues on video, so aim for one to two minutes.
- Show engagement with nods and an attentive posture.
- Keep notes discreetly on paper rather than typing, which can be noisy and look distracted.
- Do not read answers from the screen. Interviewers notice eye movements.
For what to say, follow our 48-hour interview preparation plan and prepare stories using the STAR method.
Handling technical problems
Problems happen, and how you respond is part of the impression.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Video freezes | Say “I think my video froze; can you still hear me?” and turn off video briefly if audio works |
| Audio cuts out | Use the chat to say you are reconnecting, then rejoin |
| Call drops | Rejoin immediately; if impossible, email or call the interviewer with your phone number |
| Noise interruption | Briefly apologize and continue: “Sorry about that, my neighbor’s dog.” |
Stay calm and polite. Interviewers have experienced every glitch imaginable.
One-way (recorded) video interviews
Some employers ask you to record answers to on-screen questions. Usually you get a short preparation time and a limited recording time per question.
- Use any practice questions offered to test your setup.
- Keep each answer structured: point, example, result.
- Look at the camera, not at your image.
- Check whether you can re-record; if not, accept small stumbles and continue.
After the interview
Leave the call cleanly, then make sure your camera and microphone are off. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours using our thank-you email templates.
Do a test call today
Do a full test call with a friend today in the room where you will interview. Check your light, sound, framing and background, and practice answering “Tell me about yourself” on camera. Ten minutes of testing removes most of the stress on the day.