Video interviews are now standard for first and second rounds at most companies, and they have their own set of challenges that in-person interviews do not. Lighting, background, audio quality, and camera angle all affect how you come across, often more than candidates realize. Here is how to set up and perform well in every video interview.
Set up your environment before the interview
Your background matters more than most people think. A plain wall, a bookshelf, or a clean desk reads as professional. A cluttered room, a busy kitchen, or a bed in the background sends a message about your attention to detail and how seriously you are taking the conversation.
Test your lighting. Natural light facing you is ideal. If you are backlit by a window, you will appear as a dark silhouette on camera. Add a lamp in front of you if natural light is insufficient. Ring lights work well but are not required. Just make sure your face is clearly visible. For more on this, see our guide on virtual interview tips.
Position your camera at eye level or slightly above. A camera below your face creates an unflattering upward angle. Prop your laptop on books or use a monitor stand. When you are speaking, look at the camera, not at the interviewer on your screen. That is what creates the illusion of eye contact.
Handle audio and technical setup
Audio quality matters more than video quality. A poor image is distracting. A poor audio connection where the interviewer struggles to hear you is disqualifying. Use headphones or earbuds to eliminate echo. If you have a USB microphone, use it.
Test everything the day before. Join a test call on Zoom, Teams, or whatever platform is being used. Check your microphone level, camera quality, and internet connection stability. Identify any technical issues when you have time to fix them, not two minutes before the interview starts.
Close all other applications before the interview. Turn off notifications. Put your phone on silent and out of view. A notification sound, a Slack ping, or a pop-up notification appearing on screen during an interview signals that you are not fully focused on the conversation.
Dress professionally even on camera
Dress the same way you would for an in-person interview. The camera does create some differences. Busy patterns and thin stripes can cause a moiré effect on video, appearing to vibrate or create visual noise. Solid colors photograph more cleanly.
Dress your entire outfit, not just the top. There is always a moment where you need to stand up or move, and wearing interview attire on top and sweatpants on the bottom is a risk you do not need to take.
Your appearance signals that you take the opportunity seriously. Interviewers notice when candidates show up to video calls looking like they just rolled out of bed, and it does affect their assessment of your professionalism and motivation.
Master the video-specific communication challenges
Silence and lag make video communication feel awkward compared to in-person conversation. Pause slightly longer than you normally would before answering questions. This gives the audio time to catch up and prevents you from speaking over your interviewer.
Speak more deliberately and slightly slower than you normally would in person. Video compression and minor latency make rapid speech harder to follow. Clear, measured pacing comes across as confidence rather than slowness.
Smile and nod to show engagement even when you are listening. In person, interviewers can read your body language easily. On a small video thumbnail, expressionless listening can look disengaged. Active listening cues matter more on video than they do in person.
Handle nerves and unexpected technical issues
If technical problems occur during the interview, stay calm and communicate clearly. Say “I am having some audio difficulty, can you repeat that?” or “My connection dropped for a moment, I caught that you were asking about…” Handling issues gracefully actually demonstrates problem-solving skills. For more on this, see our guide on interview body language.
Have a phone nearby as a backup. If your video connection fails completely, you can call in on audio and explain the situation. Having a plan shows you anticipate problems and adapt quickly, which is exactly what good employees do.
Nerves on video often look worse than they feel. Your voice might sound steady while your heart is racing. Focus on slowing your breathing before the call, and remember that video interviews are more casual than they feel. Most interviewers are rooting for you to do well.
Follow up after a video interview
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, the same as you would after an in-person interview. Reference something specific that came up in the conversation to personalize it. This demonstrates follow-through and attention to detail.
If you felt a technical issue affected your performance, you can briefly acknowledge it in your follow-up. “I apologize if the audio issues in the first few minutes made it harder to hear my answers about…” This is honest without being excessive about it.
Ask about next steps if the interviewer did not tell you. “Could you share what the timeline looks like for next steps?” gives you information and signals that you are genuinely interested in moving forward. Always end on a proactive, forward-looking note.
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Read next
- Video Interview Tips: How to Succeed on Zoom
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use virtual backgrounds in a video interview?
Only if your real background is genuinely problematic. Virtual backgrounds can glitch, blur, and look obviously artificial, which can be distracting. A real, clean background almost always looks more professional than a virtual one. If you must use one, choose something simple and neutral.
How early should I log in for a video interview?
Log into the meeting link about 5 minutes early. This gives you time to check audio and video one final time without keeping the interviewer waiting. Joining too early can also be awkward if the interviewer is finishing another call.
Is it okay to take notes during a video interview?
Yes, a notepad out of frame is fine and often expected. Just do not let note-taking break your eye contact with the camera for extended periods. Glancing down briefly is normal. Staring at a notepad while the interviewer is speaking reads as disengaged. For more on this, see our guide on do a mock interview that actually prepares you.
Can I have notes visible during the video interview?
Sticky notes with a few key points out of camera frame are acceptable. Actively reading from notes or a script is obvious and off-putting. Use notes as reminders of specific examples or questions you want to ask, not as a script.
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