Technical setup

Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection the day before, not the morning of. Join the meeting link early on the day to confirm the platform works. Most video interview failures are technical and entirely preventable. Use a wired ethernet connection if possible. Have your phone ready as a backup if your laptop fails: switch to the mobile app and tell the interviewer what happened briefly.

Camera positioning and eye contact

Position your camera at eye level. Looking down at a laptop camera creates an unflattering angle and makes eye contact difficult. Stack books under your laptop to raise it. Frame yourself from the chest up with a small amount of space above your head. Maintain eye contact by looking at the camera, not at the video feed of the interviewer on your screen. Looking at the screen appears to the other person as if you are looking down.

Lighting and background

Light from in front of you, not behind. Sitting with a window behind you creates a silhouette. Natural light from a window in front is ideal. If unavailable, a simple LED ring light makes a significant difference. Do a camera test with your specific setup to see what the interviewer actually sees before the day of the interview.

A plain wall or tidy neutral background is ideal. Virtual backgrounds are acceptable if your physical space is not available. Avoid the stock blurred backgrounds: they often clip hair and look unprofessional. Tell anyone in your home you have an interview and ask not to be interrupted for the duration.

How to perform on camera

Show engagement more actively than you would in person. Video flattens expression and energy. An interviewer watching you on screen sees a compressed version of your presence. Be a slightly more expressive version of yourself without tipping into performance. Nod to show you are listening. Use natural pauses before answering. Dress for the role you are interviewing for: the fact it is a video interview does not change the dress standard.

Platform preparation

Most companies use Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams. Some use specialist platforms like HireVue or Karat. The recruiter will tell you in advance. Install the app rather than using the browser version where possible. Create an account if required before the day of the interview. Wired earbuds generally produce cleaner audio than Bluetooth for an important call, and are more reliable than laptop built-in microphones in less than ideal acoustic environments.

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Frequently asked questions

What if my internet drops mid-interview?
Reconnect immediately via whatever means you have. A brief message to the interviewer via email or text explaining the issue and confirming you are rejoining is helpful. When you reconnect, apologise briefly and move on. Interviewers almost always handle this with understanding and it does not typically affect the outcome if everything else went well.
Should I use a headset or built-in microphone?
A headset or earbuds with a built-in microphone usually produces cleaner audio than a laptop microphone, especially in a noisy environment. However, a bad headset with interference is worse than a good built-in mic. Test whichever you plan to use. Wired earbuds are more reliable than Bluetooth for an important call.
How early should I join a video interview?
Two to three minutes before the start time. Early enough to confirm everything is working but not so early that you are sitting in the waiting room for five minutes. If you join and the interviewer is already there, acknowledge them briefly and let them set the pace. If you have to wait, use the time to do a final camera and audio check.