Virtual interview tips video is the topic of this expert guide. Virtual interviews have become standard at almost every company, and many hiring processes now stay on video through the final round. The good news is that a video interview has a learning curve, and people who prepare for the specific challenges of video will outperform those who treat it like an in-person interview on a screen.
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Your Background and Lighting Are Part of Your Presentation
A cluttered background or harsh backlit window does not just look unprofessional, it is distracting. Set up a clean background, a bookshelf, a plain wall, or a virtual background that is not distracting. Light your face from the front, not from behind. A $30 ring light is a worthwhile investment if you interview frequently.
Camera at Eye Level, Always
The most common video interview mistake is a laptop sitting on a desk with the camera pointing up at your chin. Prop your laptop on books, use an external monitor, or place the camera at eye level. Eye-level camera position is the most natural and professional angle and it is immediately noticeable. For more on this, see our guide on ace a remote job interview.
Test Everything 30 Minutes Before
Test your microphone, camera, internet connection, and the platform itself at least 30 minutes before the call. Open the meeting link early. Have a backup plan if the platform fails: your phone hotspot, a different meeting tool, or the interviewer’s direct phone number. Technical problems are forgivable but only if you have communicated proactively.
Look at the Camera, Not the Screen
When you are talking, look at the camera lens, not at the interviewer’s face on your screen. This simulates direct eye contact for the person on the other end. It feels unnatural because you want to look at them, but looking at your screen looks like you are looking slightly downward to the viewer. Practice this specifically.
Have Water and Notes Nearby, But Use Notes Sparingly
A glass of water is expected and professional. Brief notes with three or four key talking points are fine, but resist the urge to read from them. Looking down at your notes repeatedly breaks eye contact and makes you appear unprepared. Use them only as a safety net, not a script. For more on this, see our guide on write a thank you email after a job interview.
Read next
- How to Research a Company Before a Job Interview
- How to Ace a Technical Interview
- What Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STAR method?
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is a framework for answering behavioral interview questions by providing context, your role, what you did, and the outcome.
How long should a STAR answer be?
Two to three minutes. Situation and Task together should take 30-45 seconds. Spend the most time on the Actions and always end with a concrete Result.
What are common behavioral interview questions?
Common ones include: “Tell me about a time you handled conflict,” “Describe managing competing priorities,” and “Give an example of when you failed and what you learned.”
Should I memorize STAR answers word-for-word?
No. Memorized answers sound robotic. Know your 6-8 strongest stories well enough to tell them naturally. Practice key points, not exact wording.
Preparation is the one variable in an interview that you can control completely. The questions a recruiter asks are largely predictable because interviews are structured around a short list of competencies: communication, problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, and adaptability. When you map your experience to those competencies before you walk in the door, you stop improvising answers and start delivering evidence.
After debriefing hundreds of interviews over my career, the single biggest differentiator between candidates who get offers and candidates who do not is specificity. Vague answers about being a “team player” or a “fast learner” signal that you have not reflected on your own experience. Specific answers with real numbers, real timelines, and real outcomes signal that you know exactly what you have accomplished and can do it again.
Research is the second pillar of interview preparation. Most candidates look up the company’s homepage and stop there. Strong candidates go deeper: they read recent earnings calls if the company is public, review Glassdoor comments from employees in similar roles, and follow the company’s LinkedIn for news from the past three months. Specific, well-researched questions at the end of the interview signal genuine interest and leave a lasting impression. For more on this, see our guide on video interview tips that will actually make you stand out.
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