Video interview tips that actually work

Video interviews have gone from a novelty to a normal first stage for jobs of every kind, from warehouse roles to office careers. They save everyone time and travel, but they add a layer of technology and a slightly awkward format that can throw people off. The reassuring part is that a handful of practical steps put you ahead of most candidates. Here is how to look and sound your best on screen.

Sort your setup in advance

Most video interview problems are avoidable with a little preparation the day before:

• Test the technology. Install and open the platform (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or the employer's own tool) ahead of time, and check your camera and microphone work.
• Check your connection. Use the most reliable internet you can, and close other apps and downloads that might slow it down.
• Pick a quiet, private spot where you will not be interrupted by family, pets or noise.
• Have a backup. Keep your phone and the interviewer's number to hand in case the link fails.

Get the lighting and framing right

You do not need special equipment, just a bit of thought. Sit facing a window or a lamp so the light is on your face, not behind you, because backlighting turns you into a silhouette. Raise your laptop or device so the camera is roughly at eye level, which is far more flattering than looking down at it. Frame yourself from the chest up, centred, with a little space above your head. A plain, tidy background is best, and blurring it is fine if the platform allows.

Look at the camera, not the screen

This is the trick that makes the biggest difference and the one most people miss. It feels natural to look at the interviewer's face on your screen, but that makes it look as though you are gazing down or away. To make eye contact, look at the little camera lens instead, especially when you are making an important point. Position the window showing their face just below your camera so the two are close together, which makes it easier.

Dress and behave as you would in person

Treat it exactly like a face to face interview. Dress a notch smarter than the workplace dress code, top and bottom, because you may need to stand up. Sit up straight, smile, and let your genuine interest show. Because video flattens energy a little, it helps to be slightly more expressive than you would be in the room, without overdoing it.

Handle the conversation smoothly

• Allow for a slight delay. Pause a beat before answering so you do not talk over the interviewer.
• Keep notes just off camera. A few bullet points about your examples and questions are fine, but do not read from a script.
• Speak clearly and a touch slower than usual, since audio can drop the odd word.
• If the tech glitches, stay calm. Everyone understands. Suggest reconnecting or switching to a phone call.

One way and recorded interviews

Some employers use one way video interviews, where you record answers to set questions with no interviewer present. These feel strange, but the same rules apply. Read the question, take a breath, use the STAR method to structure your answer, and remember you can usually redo a take. Practise with the test question they provide so you are warmed up before the real ones start.

The bottom line

A video interview rewards preparation more than any other format. Test your kit, fix your lighting, look at the camera and treat it with the same respect as an in person meeting. Get those basics right and you will come across as calm, capable and easy to picture in the job, which is exactly the impression you want to leave.