Video Interview Tips: Setup, Camera and Preparation

Start with the basics: camera, light and sound

Most video interviews happen on a laptop, a phone or a desktop app. You do not need professional gear. A stable connection, decent light and clear sound matter far more than an expensive webcam.

Put the camera at eye level. If you use a laptop, a stack of books under it often works better than looking down at the screen. Sit so your head and shoulders fill a reasonable part of the frame, not a tiny face in a big room.

• Camera: at eye level, slightly above your face, not below your chin
• Light: a window or lamp in front of you, never behind you
• Sound: a headset or earphones with a microphone usually beats the built-in laptop mic
• Background: plain wall or tidy shelf; avoid busy rooms and bright windows
• Framing: head and shoulders visible, a little space above your head

Test everything before the day

A short test run prevents most problems. Do it the day before, and again about fifteen minutes before the interview.

1. Join a test call with a friend or use the app's own test mode.
2. Check that your microphone is heard clearly and your camera shows your face.
3. Confirm which app and link the interviewer will use, and install or update it in advance.
4. Close other apps, tabs and notifications that could interrupt you.
5. Charge your device or keep it plugged in, and have a phone number as a backup contact.

Choose a room you can control

Pick the quietest space you can find with a door you can close. Tell the people you live with when the interview is and ask them not to interrupt.

Think about what the camera will show. A plain wall, a plant or a tidy bookshelf is fine. Avoid making your bed, kitchen clutter or other people visible in the frame.

• Silence phone notifications and any smart speaker in the room.
• Put pets in another room if possible.
• Keep a glass of water within reach, off camera.
• Have a notepad and pen ready for notes.

Dress and present yourself for the camera

Dress as you would for an in-person interview at that company. When in doubt, slightly smarter is safer than too casual.

Solid colors in medium tones usually look best on camera. Very bright white, busy patterns and thin stripes can distract or shimmer on screen.

Prepare your answers and your notes

Prepare the same way you would for any interview: research the company, reread the job description and think of examples from your experience. The video format adds a few practical points.

Write short bullet notes and stick them next to the camera, not on the screen. Reading full sentences looks stiff and breaks eye contact.

"Hi [Name], thanks for making the time today. I'm [Your name], and I'm looking forward to talking about the [Job title] role."

"Can you hear me and see me clearly?"

"Before we start, is there anything you'd like me to clarify about my background?"

• Prepare two or three short stories about your work, using a simple situation-action-result structure.
• Have your questions for the interviewer written down.
• Keep a copy of your CV and the job ad nearby.
• Practise out loud once, ideally on video, so you get used to speaking to a screen.

The goal is not a perfect performance. It is to be clearly seen, clearly heard and clearly prepared.

During the call: presence and body language

Look at the camera when you speak, not at the interviewer's face on screen. It feels odd, but it reads as eye contact to the person watching.

Speak a little more slowly than usual and pause between points. Video calls can lag, and a short pause stops you from talking over each other.

• Sit up, keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid rocking in the chair.
• Nod and smile to show you are listening.
• Avoid reading from notes in a way that pulls your eyes away from the camera.
• If you lose your train of thought, say so briefly and take a breath.

Common worries, answered honestly

Many people worry about their accent, their home or their equipment. Interviewers generally expect a normal home setting. What helps most is being understandable, polite and prepared.

If something goes wrong, such as a delivery at the door or a pet appearing, a brief apology and a smile is usually enough. Do not spend the rest of the call apologizing.