Video interviews are now the default first or second round for most professional roles. The quality of your setup, your on-camera presence, and how you handle the unexpected all signal something about you to the interviewer before you've answered a single question. Get the basics right and you remove friction. Get them wrong and the interviewer is already adjusting their opinion.

Camera, lighting and audio setup

Camera

Position your camera at eye level. Sitting with the laptop on a desk means the camera is usually below your face and shoots up your nose. Put the laptop on books, or use an external webcam on a small tripod at eye height. Frame yourself with your face in the upper third of the screen and a little headroom above you. Too close is worse than too far away.

Lighting

Face a window or a lamp. Light source behind your camera, in front of your face. If the window is behind you, the interviewer sees a silhouette. A ring light positioned behind your monitor works well and is inexpensive. Natural light from a window is actually better than most ring lights for skin tones.

Audio

Audio quality affects how people perceive your intelligence. Poor audio makes you sound less competent. AirPods, a USB headset, or a USB microphone all sound significantly better than built-in laptop audio. Test your audio the day before, not five minutes before the call.

Pre-interview setup checklist
  • Camera at eye level, face in upper third of frame
  • Light source in front of you, not behind
  • External microphone or headset (not laptop speakers)
  • Background clean and neutral (no laundry, messy shelves)
  • Phone on silent, notifications off
  • Browser tabs closed except the video call
  • App tested with a friend the day before

Eye contact and on-camera presence

Eye contact on video means looking at the camera, not the screen. This is counterintuitive because you want to look at the person's face, but if you're watching their face you're looking slightly below the camera and they see you with a downward gaze. Practice making the camera your default focus point, especially when you're speaking. Look at their face while they talk, then shift to the camera when you respond.

Slow down slightly. Video calls have slight audio lag and your natural speaking pace often feels rushed. Pause a half beat before responding to make sure they've finished speaking. Nodding and facial expressions matter more on camera than in person because body language is cropped out.

Get help with the actual interview questions, not just the setup
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What to wear

Dress at the same level you would for an in-person interview at that company. When in doubt, dress one level up from what you expect the interviewer to be wearing. Solid colours look better on camera than fine patterns, which can create a moiré effect. Avoid white if your background is also light.

Handling tech problems

Have the interviewer's email address saved before the call so you can contact them immediately if something goes wrong. If you get dropped, call back or email within 30 seconds. Don't wait for them to reach out. Apologise briefly and move on: spending the first five minutes apologising about the connection makes it more memorable than a quick "sorry about that, where were we?"

If audio is one-sided, say so immediately: "I can hear you but I think you may not be able to hear me, let me check my settings." Trying to power through a technical issue usually makes it worse.

Use your video interview setup to your advantage
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Frequently asked questions

Should I use a virtual background?
Only if your real background is genuinely unsuitable. Virtual backgrounds often cause edge blurring that looks unprofessional, especially with laptop webcams. A real neutral background is better: a plain wall, a tidy bookshelf, or a clean room. If you must use a virtual background, choose a simple solid colour or a professional blurred background, not a beach or space scene.
Is it okay to have notes visible during a video interview?
Yes, but use them carefully. Bullet points to the side of your screen that you can glance at without obviously looking away from the camera are fine. Don't read from notes directly: interviewers can tell immediately. Live Interview Help shows answers on your screen itself, so your notes are integrated with the call view rather than off to the side.
What if my internet is unstable?
If you know your WiFi is unreliable, plug in via ethernet cable. Use a mobile data hotspot as a backup if needed. If your internet does fail mid-interview, email the interviewer immediately from your phone with a brief note and ask if you can continue. Most interviewers are understanding about genuine technical issues if you handle them professionally.
Google Meet vs Teams vs Zoom: any differences to prepare for?
Download or update the app before the interview — don't join from a browser tab if the invite gives you a desktop option; desktop apps are more reliable. Test joining from the specific link in the calendar invite the day before. Each platform has slightly different audio/video settings. Find the settings menu before the call so you're not hunting for it mid-interview.