Video Interview Tips: How to Do Well on Camera

Most of what makes a good interview is the same online as in person: preparation, clear examples and genuine interest. Video just adds a few practical things to get right, and most of them take ten minutes the day before.

The day before: test everything

• Open the link early and check which app it uses (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or a recruiter’s own platform). Install it or test it in your browser.
• Test your camera, microphone and speakers with a friend or the app’s test feature.
• Check your internet. Sit close to your modem if you can, and ask others at home not to stream video during your interview.
• Charge your laptop and keep the charger plugged in.
• Set your display name to your full name, and use a sensible profile picture or none.
• Have a backup: your phone with the app installed, and the interviewer’s phone number in case the connection drops.

Set up your space

• Camera at eye level. Stack books under your laptop so you’re not looking down at the camera.
• Light in front of you, not behind. Face a window or a lamp; a bright window behind you turns you into a silhouette.
• A plain, tidy background. A blurred or simple virtual background is fine if your space is busy.
• A quiet room. Close windows, silence your phone and let others know you’re in an interview.
• Use headphones or a headset if you have them. They cut echo and make you easier to hear.

You don’t need special equipment. A laptop or phone on a stable surface, good light and a quiet room are enough for most interviews.

What to wear on camera

Dress as you would for an in-person interview, at least from the waist up (and it’s safer to dress fully in case you need to stand). Solid colours usually look better on camera than busy patterns or very fine stripes. See our guide on what to wear to an interview for more.

How to come across well

• Log in five minutes early so you’re settled when the interviewer joins.
• Look at the camera when you’re speaking, not at your own picture. It feels like eye contact to the interviewer.
• Smile, nod and sit up straight. Small reactions show you’re listening.
• Pause before answering. A slight delay is normal on video, so let the interviewer finish first.
• Keep notes short. A few bullet points beside your screen are fine; don’t read a script.
• If something goes wrong, stay calm. Say “Sorry, you dropped out for a moment, could you repeat that?” or rejoin and send a quick message.

Prepare your answers the same way you would for any interview. Our common interview questions and answers guide is a good place to start.

One-way recorded video interviews

Some employers, especially large ones and graduate programs, use one-way interviews. You log in, read or hear a question, then record your answer on your own, with no interviewer on the call.

• Read the instructions carefully. Check how long you get to prepare, how long each answer can be, and whether you can re-record.
• Do the practice question if one is offered, to test your camera and timing.
• Use a simple structure such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep answers focused.
• Talk to the camera as if it’s a person, and keep your energy up. It can feel strange, but warmth comes across.
• Watch the timer, and aim to finish a little early rather than being cut off.
• Find a time when you won’t be interrupted, and check the deadline for completing it.

After the interview

Send a short thank-you email the same day, mentioning something you discussed. If you were given a timeframe and it passes, a polite follow-up is fine. Our Interview Thank-You Message Generator can write it for you.