Video interviews are standard now, and they come with a specific set of ways to trip up that in-person interviews don’t: frozen screens, bad lighting, looking like you’re staring at the floor, and the deeply strange experience of one-way recorded interviews where you talk to a camera with no human on the other end.

The good news: the technical stuff is completely controllable. Sort it in advance and you can spend the interview thinking about your answers instead of whether they can see up your nose.

Sort the setup before the day

  • Test the platform (Zoom, Teams, Meet) beforehand — install it, check your camera and mic, and know the join link.
  • Put your light in front of you, not behind — a window or lamp facing you beats a bright window at your back.
  • Raise your camera to roughly eye level so you’re not filming up your nose; a stack of books works.
  • Pick a tidy, plain background and a quiet room where you won’t be interrupted.
  • Use a wired or reliable connection, and have a backup (phone hotspot, a number to call) ready.

How to come across well on camera

  1. Look at the camera lens, not the person’s face on screen, when you’re speaking — that’s ‘eye contact’ on video.
  2. Sit up, and let yourself use some natural hand movement so you don’t look frozen.
  3. Speak a touch slower and pause a beat before answering — it covers any lag and stops you talking over them.
  4. Keep notes just off-camera for key points, but don’t read from a script — it’s obvious.
  5. If the tech glitches, stay calm and name it: ‘I think you froze for a second, could you repeat that?’
💡

Look at the lens, not their face

It feels unnatural, but looking at the little camera dot is what reads as eye contact to them. Glancing at their face on screen makes you look like you’re staring down or away. Put a small arrow sticky-note near the lens if it helps you remember.

The one-way recorded interview

Some employers use recorded interviews where you get a question and a time limit to record your answer, with no interviewer present. They’re awkward because there’s zero feedback. Treat it like a rehearsed presentation: use the practice takes if offered, structure each answer (situation, what you did, result), look at the lens, and don’t aim for a flawless take — aim for a clear, warm, human one.

⛔

Don’t neglect the interview fundamentals

The format is only half of it. You still need strong, prepared answers — the video setup just makes sure they land. Do the core prep too: research, example answers, and questions to ask. See how to prepare for a job interview, and if it’s an early role, get the CV right first.

Dress and behave like it’s in person

Dress fully and appropriately (yes, including the bottom half — you might have to stand up), show up five minutes early to the call, and treat it with the same seriousness as walking into an office. The screen makes it feel casual; the stakes are exactly the same.

Checklist

Written by Ashutosh Sharma ·Reviewed by Mohit Detwani (Finance professional (France)) · Last reviewed

Frequently asked questions

How do I make eye contact in a video interview?
Look directly at your webcam lens when you’re speaking, rather than at the interviewer’s face on the screen. Looking at their image makes you appear to be staring down or away, while looking at the lens reads as eye contact to them. It feels unnatural at first, so it helps to place a small sticky-note arrow near the camera as a reminder, and to position their window near the lens.
What should I do about lighting for a video interview?
Put your main light source in front of you, facing your face — a window or a lamp — rather than behind you, which turns you into a silhouette. Soft, even light is best; avoid a bright window at your back. Combine good front lighting with a camera raised to eye level and a tidy, plain background, and you’ll look far more professional with zero special equipment.
How do I prepare for a one-way recorded interview?
Treat it like a rehearsed presentation. Use any practice takes offered to check your setup, structure each answer clearly (situation, what you did, the result), look at the camera lens, and keep your energy warm and natural. Don’t chase a flawless, robotic take — aim for clear and human. Sort your lighting, framing, and quiet space in advance so the tech isn’t a distraction.
What do I do if the technology fails during an interview?
Stay calm — how you handle it is part of the impression. If someone freezes or cuts out, name it politely: ‘I think you froze, could you repeat that?’ Have a backup ready, such as a phone hotspot or a number to call, and test everything beforehand to minimise the risk. Interviewers understand tech hiccups happen; a composed response actually works in your favour.
What should I wear for a video interview?
Dress fully and appropriately for the role, the same as you would in person — including the bottom half, since you may need to stand up. The screen can make it feel casual, but the stakes are identical to an in-person interview. A tidy, professional appearance against a plain background, plus arriving to the call a few minutes early, signals that you’re taking it seriously.

People also ask