Video interviews are now a normal part of hiring. A little preparation keeps technology from getting in the way of the conversation.

Check your setup

  • Test your camera, microphone and internet connection beforehand
  • Use a quiet room with light falling on your face
  • Close other apps and silence notifications

Look and sound natural

Position the camera at eye level and look at it when you speak. A steady, clear voice matters more than a perfect background.

Have a back-up plan

Keep the interviewer's phone number or email handy in case the connection fails, and join a few minutes early.

Treat it like any other interview: be on time, be prepared and keep a notebook beside you.

Make eye contact work for you

It feels odd to look at a camera instead of the face on the screen, but it makes the other person feel you are looking at them. Place the interviewer's window near your camera to make it easier.

Keep notes, lightly

A few bullet points beside your screen can help you remember key examples. Avoid reading from a script, as it comes across as stiff. Use the notes as prompts rather than as lines.

Be mindful of what is in the frame

Choose a tidy, neutral background and make sure nothing distracting is behind you. Tell people in your home that you will be on a call, and silence your phone.

When the call ends, wait for the interviewer to close it, thank them and then end the meeting. Small touches like this leave a good final impression.

The day before

  • Confirm the link, the time and the time zone
  • Install any required software and test it with a friend
  • Charge your device and keep a charger nearby
  • Decide what you will wear and check it looks clear on camera

If something goes wrong

Connections fail sometimes. If yours does, rejoin calmly, apologise briefly and carry on. If it keeps failing, move to a phone call and offer to reschedule. Interviewers generally understand, and how you handle the problem says something good about you.

A note on fairness

Not everyone has a fast connection or a quiet room. Employers can help by offering a phone alternative, and candidates can ask for one if they need it.