Preparing for a Video Interview

Video interviews are now standard in most hiring processes. They require the same preparation as an in-person interview — knowing your material, preparing your answers, and presenting yourself professionally — plus an additional layer of attention to the technical and visual environment.

Prepare your environment first

Your environment communicates before you say a word. Choose a location with a clean, neutral background and good lighting. Light should come from in front of you — a window or lamp facing you — not from behind, which will create a shadow effect. Eliminate visual distractions in your background. A plain wall, a bookshelf, or a tidy room all work well.

Test everything before the interview

Test your camera, microphone, internet connection, and the video platform being used at least the day before. Know how to join the call, where the mute button is, and how to handle a technical problem calmly if one arises. Arriving in the virtual room a few minutes early allows you to confirm everything is working before the interview begins.

Position your camera at eye level

Camera placement significantly affects how you are perceived. A camera positioned below eye level — as often happens with a laptop on a desk — creates an unflattering angle and makes you appear to be looking down at the interviewer. Raise your laptop on books or use an external camera positioned at eye level. This creates a more natural, direct line of sight.

Look at the camera when speaking

Looking at the interviewer's face on your screen and looking at the camera are not the same thing. When you look at the screen, your eyes are slightly off-axis from the camera, which reads as a lack of eye contact. When you are speaking — particularly when making a key point — look directly at the camera lens. This creates the experience of genuine eye contact for the interviewer.

Prepare your answers as you would for any interview

The core of interview preparation does not change in a video format. Prepare specific answers to likely questions using concrete examples from your experience. Practice your answers out loud, not just in your head. Know your resume thoroughly. Have questions prepared for the interviewer. These fundamentals apply regardless of the medium.

• Prepare a clean, well-lit environment.
• Test all technology the day before.
• Position your camera at eye level.
• Look at the camera when speaking, not just the screen.
• Prepare your answers as specifically as you would for any interview.
• Dress professionally from head to toe — it affects your posture and confidence.

Video interviews reward preparation. The technical details are straightforward to address if you handle them in advance. With the environment set up and the technology confirmed, you can focus entirely on the conversation — which is where interviews are won or lost.