Video interviews are no longer the exception.
82% of employers now use virtual interviews as part of their hiring process. For remote positions, it's often 100% virtual.
Yet most candidates prepare for video interviews the same way they'd prepare for in-person interviews - and miss critical elements that can make or break their first impression.
The webcam adds unique challenges: awkward eye contact, lighting that makes you look tired, audio issues that derail your train of thought, and backgrounds that distract interviewers.
This guide covers everything you need to ace your next video interview - from technical setup to virtual body language.
The Video Interview Tech Checklist
Technical issues are the #1 killer of video interviews. 15% of candidates experience significant tech problems that hurt their performance.
Here's how to eliminate technical risks:
24 Hours Before: Full System Test
Internet connection:
- Run a speed test (minimum: 10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload)
- Test on the same network you'll use for the interview
- Have a backup plan (mobile hotspot, nearby coffee shop)
Video platform:
- Download and install the latest version (Zoom, Teams, Meet, etc.)
- Create an account if required
- Join a test meeting to verify camera and microphone work
- Know how to share your screen if needed
Hardware:
- Fully charge your laptop (or plug it in)
- Test your webcam - is it clear, not blurry?
- Test your microphone - use headphones with a built-in mic for best audio
- Test your speakers - can you hear clearly?
Environment:
- Test your lighting at the same time of day as your interview
- Check your background on camera
- Ensure no echo or background noise
30 Minutes Before: Final Prep
- Close all unnecessary applications (especially anything that makes notification sounds)
- Disable desktop notifications
- Put phone on silent (and out of reach)
- Have water nearby (but off-camera)
- Open the meeting link to ensure it loads
- Have backup phone number for interviewer if tech fails
If Something Goes Wrong
Internet cuts out:
"I apologize - my connection dropped for a moment. Could you repeat that last part?"
Audio issues:
"I'm having some audio difficulty. Could we both turn off video for a moment to improve bandwidth? Or I can dial in by phone."
Catastrophic failure:
Immediately call/text the interviewer: "My [internet/computer] just failed. Can we reschedule for [time]? I'm so sorry for the inconvenience."
Pro tip: Always have the interviewer's email or phone number accessible so you can reach them outside the video platform.
Lighting: Look Professional, Not Like a Villain
Bad lighting is the most common video interview mistake. It can make you look tired, unprofessional, or even sinister (harsh shadows).
The Rule: Light Your Face From the Front
Good lighting setup:
- Main light source in FRONT of you (facing your face)
- Position light slightly above eye level
- Soft, diffused light (not harsh direct sunlight)
What to avoid:
- Light behind you (window, lamp) = You become a silhouette
- Light directly above = Harsh shadows under eyes
- Light from one side only = Half your face in shadow
- No light = Dark, unprofessional appearance
Easy Lighting Fixes
Best option: Natural light from window
- Sit facing a window (window in front of you, not behind)
- Overcast days are ideal (soft, diffused light)
- Sunny days may need a sheer curtain to soften light
No window? Use a desk lamp:
- Position lamp behind your laptop, facing you
- Add a diffuser (white paper, thin fabric) to soften harsh light
- Two lamps (one on each side) eliminate shadows
Budget ring light ($20-40):
- Clips onto laptop or sits on desk
- Provides even, flattering light
- Eliminates under-eye shadows
Test Your Lighting
Take a photo with your webcam at the same time of day as your interview. Ask yourself:
- Can I clearly see my face?
- Are there dark shadows under my eyes or on one side?
- Is the background brighter than my face?
- Do I look tired or washed out?
Adjust until you look bright, clear, and professional.
Background: Clean, Professional, Distraction-Free
Your background says a lot about you before you speak a word.
What Interviewers Notice
Good backgrounds:
- Plain wall (any neutral color)
- Bookshelf (looks intellectual, but not cluttered)
- Simple home office setup
- Plants (one or two, not a jungle)
- Tasteful art (neutral, not controversial)
Bad backgrounds:
- Messy bedroom
- Unmade bed
- Piles of laundry
- Busy kitchen with dishes
- Too many distractions (posters, collectibles)
- Other people walking through
The Virtual Background Debate
Pros of virtual backgrounds:
- Hides messy real background
- Shows company logo (for certain contexts)
- Privacy for home environment
Cons of virtual backgrounds:
- Can look glitchy without a green screen
- Hair edges often blur/disappear
- Movements cause weird artifacts
- Some interviewers find them unprofessional
Recommendation: Use your real background if it's clean and professional. Virtual backgrounds are acceptable if your real space isn't suitable, but test them thoroughly first.
The 5-Minute Background Fix
If your space is messy and interview is soon:
- Find a plain wall with good lighting
- Set up laptop/camera facing that wall
- Remove anything distracting from frame
- Add one professional element (plant, simple art) if available
- Test on camera - less is more
Camera Position: Look Engaged, Not Up Their Nose
Camera angle dramatically affects how you're perceived.
The Perfect Camera Position
Height: Camera at eye level or slightly above
- Eye level = natural conversation feel
- Slightly above = slightly more flattering
- Below eye level = looking down on interviewer (avoid!)
Distance: Show head, shoulders, and upper chest
- Too close = uncomfortable, can see pores
- Too far = disengaged, like you're sitting back
Angle: Camera straight on (not from the side)
- Centered frame = professional
- Off to one side = awkward
How to Achieve Eye Level
Laptop on desk = camera too low (the most common setup problem)
Fixes:
- Stack books under laptop
- Use a laptop stand
- Get an external webcam mounted at eye level
- Stand at a standing desk
Test: Your eyes should be in the upper third of the frame.
The "Look at the Camera" Problem
Here's the challenge: To make eye contact on video, you need to look at the camera lens, not the screen.
But you want to see the interviewer.
Solutions:
-
Position the video window near the camera
- On Zoom/Teams, drag the window to the top of your screen, near the webcam
- This minimizes the disconnect between looking at them and looking at camera
-
Alternate strategically
- Look at camera when YOU'RE speaking (critical for first impression)
- Look at screen when THEY'RE speaking (to read their reactions)
-
Practice the glance pattern
- Every few sentences, briefly look directly at camera
- This simulates eye contact without feeling robotic
Body Language: Being Expressive Through a Screen
In-person, you use your whole body to communicate. On video, you only have your face and upper body.
What Translates Well on Video
Nodding: Slightly exaggerate your nods when listening. Small movements don't read well on camera.
Smiling: Your smile is even more important on video. It reads as warmth and engagement.
Hand gestures: Keep them in frame (near your chest/shoulders). They add energy and expressiveness.
Leaning in slightly: Shows engagement and interest.
What Doesn't Work on Video
Looking at other screens: Interviewers can tell when your eyes are elsewhere (checking email, reading notes). Your eyes literally point in a different direction.
Fidgeting: Movements are amplified on camera. Spinning in chair, touching face, playing with pen - all distracting.
Crossed arms: Looks defensive and closed off.
Leaning back: Reads as disengaged or overconfident.
Resting face: Without active expression, you can look bored or angry. Slight smile helps.
Posture Tips
Sit up straight:
- Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head
- Shoulders back, but relaxed
- Both feet flat on floor (helps stability)
Stay in frame:
- If you gesture, keep hands visible
- Don't lean out of frame
- Avoid dramatic side-to-side movement
Energy level:
- Increase your energy 10-20% from normal
- Video can flatten your personality
- What feels "too enthusiastic" in person often reads as "appropriately engaged" on video
Audio: Sound as Professional as You Look
Audio quality matters more than video quality. Interviewers can forgive a grainy webcam, but they'll struggle if they can't hear you clearly.
Microphone Hierarchy (Best to Worst)
- Wired headphones with built-in mic (best: isolates your voice, reduces echo)
- External USB microphone (great audio, but picks up room noise)
- AirPods/wireless earbuds (good, but check battery)
- Laptop built-in microphone (acceptable, but picks up keyboard/room noise)
Audio Best Practices
Use headphones: Eliminates echo and feedback. Even cheap earbuds improve audio significantly.
Mute when not speaking: In panel interviews, mute yourself when others are talking to reduce background noise.
Test audio levels: Record yourself speaking. Are you too loud? Too quiet? Adjust input volume.
Eliminate background noise:
- Close windows (traffic noise)
- Turn off fans, AC if possible
- Alert housemates you're interviewing
- Put pets in another room
Speaking pace: Slightly slower than normal conversation. Audio compression can make fast speech harder to understand.
If Audio Problems Arise
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I think there might be audio lag on my end."
"Let me switch to phone audio - I'll dial in now to improve the connection."
"My audio seems unstable. Would it help if I turned off my video temporarily?"
Video Interview Etiquette
Before the Interview
Join 2-3 minutes early: Not 10 minutes (awkward waiting), not 1 minute (cutting it close).
Wait in the lobby: Some platforms have waiting rooms. Stay present - don't tab away.
Have notes ready: Unlike phone interviews, interviewers can see you reading. Keep notes minimal and glance-able (bullet points, not scripts).
Water and tissues nearby: But off-camera.
During the Interview
Greet with energy:
"Hi [Name], great to meet you! Thanks for taking the time today."
Acknowledge technical reality:
"Please let me know if there are any audio or video issues on your end - I want to make sure we can communicate clearly."
Handle interruptions gracefully: If a pet/child/roommate appears:
"I apologize for the interruption - let me just handle this quickly." [Deal with it calmly, return] "Sorry about that. Where were we?"
Don't apologize for your setup: If your background isn't perfect, don't draw attention to it. Just proceed professionally.
After the Interview
Thank them by name:
"Thank you so much, [Name]. I really enjoyed learning more about [topic discussed]. I'm looking forward to next steps."
Wait for them to end the call: Or offer to end: "I'll let you go - thanks again!"
Send follow-up email within 24 hours: Reference something specific from the video conversation.
Platform-Specific Tips
Zoom
- Virtual backgrounds: Best support, but still test
- Gallery view: See all participants; useful for panel interviews
- Touch up appearance: Settings > Video > "Touch up my appearance" (subtle filter)
- Record (if allowed): Review yourself after practice sessions
Microsoft Teams
- Background blur: Works well without green screen
- Together mode: May be used for panel interviews
- Chat function: Can use for backup communication if audio fails
- Join early: Teams can take time to load
Google Meet
- Grid view: Extension needed for larger meetings
- Captions: Enable for backup if audio is unclear
- Check-in: Make sure you're signed into correct Google account
- Background options: Limited compared to Zoom
Webex/Other Platforms
- Download in advance: Many require desktop apps
- Test thoroughly: Less common platforms = more potential issues
- Have browser backup: If app fails, try browser version
The 15-Minute Pre-Interview Routine
T-15 minutes:
- Close all apps except interview platform
- Silence phone and put it away
- Use bathroom
- Get water
T-10 minutes:
- Final lighting check
- Camera position check
- Audio test (record 10 seconds, play back)
- Background visual check
T-5 minutes:
- Open meeting link (don't join yet)
- Review key points you want to make
- Take 5 deep breaths
- Smile and do a "power pose"
T-2 minutes:
- Join the meeting
- Final camera check in self-view
- Smile, sit up straight, breathe
Virtual Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Technical Mistakes
- Not testing beforehand: Always do a full tech test 24+ hours before
- Joining from phone without warning: Ask if that's okay first
- Forgetting to unmute: Have "unmute" as first instinct
- Internet overload: Ask housemates not to stream during your interview
Environmental Mistakes
- Bad lighting: Most common visual mistake
- Distracting background: Keep it clean and simple
- Background noise: Dogs, kids, construction - plan ahead
- Phone notifications: Visible or audible - turn them off
Behavioral Mistakes
- Not looking at camera: Practice "eye contact" with the lens
- Reading obviously from notes: Brief glances okay, reading scripts is not
- Low energy: Increase your expressiveness 10-20%
- Checking other things: Interviewers can see your eye movement
- Forgetting you're on video: Stay professional even when they're talking
Practice Your Video Interview Skills
Video interviews require practice - not just for content, but for the medium itself.
How to Practice
- Record yourself answering common questions on video
- Watch the recording critically (lighting, eye contact, audio, energy)
- Practice with a friend via video call - get feedback
- Use AI interview practice for realistic simulation
What to Practice
- Looking at the camera while speaking
- Natural hand gestures in frame
- Smiling and nodding appropriately
- Speaking at the right pace
- Handling pauses (video can make pauses awkward)
Interview Whisper's PRACTICE mode lets you simulate video interview scenarios with AI, getting feedback on your responses without the pressure of a real interview.
Practice Video Interviews with AI →
Video Interview Checklist
The Day Before
- Tested video platform (Zoom/Teams/Meet)
- Tested camera, microphone, and speakers
- Tested internet speed (10+ Mbps download)
- Checked lighting at interview time
- Cleaned background
- Charged laptop/device
One Hour Before
- Set up in interview location
- Final tech test
- Closed unnecessary applications
- Silenced phone
- Prepared water (off-camera)
- Reviewed key talking points
5 Minutes Before
- Joined waiting room
- Camera at eye level
- Lighting on face
- Headphones connected
- Sitting up straight, smiling
- Deep breaths, confident mindset
Key Takeaways
-
Tech is non-negotiable: Test everything 24 hours before. Tech failures destroy first impressions.
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Light your face from the front: Bad lighting is the #1 visual mistake in video interviews.
-
Clean, simple background: Less is more. Remove distractions.
-
Camera at eye level: Looking down at your laptop = looking down at the interviewer.
-
Use headphones: Dramatically improves audio quality and reduces echo.
-
Increase your energy: What feels 20% "too much" often reads as appropriately engaged on video.
-
Practice on video: The medium is different - practice specifically for video format.
Master video interviews with AI-powered practice.
Interview Whisper helps you practice video interview scenarios, get feedback on your responses, and build confidence before the real thing.
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