Video Interview Tips: Set Up, Show Up, Stand Out

Video interviews are now a common part of hiring, whether as a first-round screen, a full interview, or a recorded set of questions you answer on your own. The good news: a few simple preparations make a big difference, and most of them take less than an hour.

Before the interview

Test your technology

• Device: A laptop or desktop is usually more stable than a phone. If you use a phone, put it on a stand so it doesn’t move.
• Platform: Install the video app the employer uses a day early, create any required account, and run a test call with a friend.
• Connection: Sit close to your router if you can, and close other apps and browser tabs that use bandwidth.
• Battery: Plug in your device.
• Backup plan: Keep the interviewer’s phone number or email handy in case you get disconnected.

Set up your space

• Camera at eye level. Stack books under your laptop if needed. Looking down into a camera is less flattering and less engaging.
• Light in front of you. Face a window or place a lamp behind your screen. Avoid sitting with a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.
• Simple background. A tidy wall or bookshelf works well. If you use a virtual background, test it first to make sure it doesn’t flicker.
• Quiet room. Close the door, silence your phone, and let others in your home know your interview time.
• Good audio. Wired earbuds with a microphone often sound clearer than built-in laptop speakers.

Prepare like an in-person interview

Research the employer, prepare your STAR stories, and write your questions. Our guide to common interview questions walks through this. Dress fully, not just from the waist up. It helps you feel professional and avoids surprises if you need to stand.

During the interview

• Join a few minutes early. Check that your camera and microphone are on and that your display name looks professional.
• Look at the camera when you speak. It feels odd but creates eye contact for the interviewer. Glance at the screen when listening.
• Speak a little slower than usual. Slight audio delays can cause people to talk over each other. Pause briefly before answering.
• Show engagement. Nod, smile, and use natural hand gestures within the frame.
• Keep notes minimal. A few keywords on a sticky note near your camera can help you stay on track.
• Handle interruptions calmly. If a dog barks or someone walks in, a quick “Excuse me one moment” is perfectly fine.

Recorded (one-way) video interviews

Some employers send questions you answer by recording yourself, with no live interviewer. Tips for these:

• Read all the instructions first, including how many attempts and how much time you get.
• Use the practice question if one is offered.
• Treat the camera like a person. Smile at the start and end of each answer.
• Use the STAR method and aim for about one to two minutes per answer.
• Don’t worry about perfection. Clear and genuine beats polished and stiff.

After the interview

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours, mentioning something specific you discussed. Note any technical issues you want to fix before your next call, and log the interview in your job search tracker.

Phone interviews

Some first-round screens happen by phone with no video at all. Find a quiet spot with good reception, keep your resume and notes in front of you, and stand or sit up straight, since posture affects your voice. Smile when you speak; it really does come through. Answer with your name (“Hi, this is Maria”) so the caller knows they have the right person.

A quick pre-call checklist

1. App installed and tested
2. Device charged and plugged in
3. Camera at eye level, light in front
4. Background tidy and quiet room ready
5. Earbuds connected
6. Notes, resume, and questions nearby
7. Interviewer contact info saved for backup
8. Notifications silenced

Making a real connection through a screen

Video can feel less personal, so small touches help you come across warmly:

• Start with a friendly greeting. A simple “Thanks so much for making the time today” sets a positive tone.
• Use the interviewer’s name once or twice during the conversation.
• Share a short, specific story for each key question rather than general statements. Stories are memorable on any screen.
• Mirror the energy. If the interviewer is relaxed and conversational, you can be too, while staying professional.
• End clearly. Thank them, restate your interest in one sentence, and ask about next steps before the call ends.

If you are interviewing from a shared space such as a library study room, book it ahead of time and arrive early to set up.

Your next step

Do a full test call with a friend this week using the setup you plan to use, and ask them for honest feedback on lighting and sound.