A video interview is judged on the same things as an in-person one, plus one more: whether the technology gets in the way. Take that risk out the day before. Test the platform, camera, microphone and connection on the device you will use, raise the camera to eye level, put your light in front of you and pick a quiet spot with a plain background.
During the interview, look at the camera when you speak, keep answers slightly shorter than you would in a room, and have the interviewer’s phone number ready in case the call drops.
Key takeaways
- Test the exact platform on the exact device and network the day before, then again shortly before the interview.
- Camera at eye level, light in front of you, plain background, quiet room.
- Look at the lens when you answer and at the screen when you listen.
- Keep a backup: the interviewer’s phone number and email, your charger, and your phone within reach.
- A one-way recorded interview has no live interviewer and usually a timer. Assume you get one take unless the instructions say otherwise.
01
What are the types of video interview?
There are two, and they need different preparation.
| Type | How it works | What changes for you |
|---|---|---|
| Live video interview | A real-time conversation on a conferencing platform such as Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams | Everything from an in-person interview applies, plus setup and eye contact on camera |
| One-way (recorded) interview | You open a link, read or watch pre-set questions and record your answers. The hiring team reviews them later | No one reacts or asks follow-ups, and answers are usually timed |
One-way interviews are most common early in a hiring process, as a replacement for the phone screen. Some employers also use software to help score recorded answers, which the guide to AI interviews covers.
02
How to do a tech check before a video interview
Do this the day before, at the desk you will use.
- Open the invitation link. Install or update the app, sign in, and check that your display name is your full name. If the app needs an update, today is the day to find out.
- Test camera, microphone and speakers. Zoom runs a test meeting at zoom.us/test where you can check your video, audio and connection before joining a real call. On other platforms, use the preview or settings screen, or start a meeting with yourself.
- Check the connection. If the video lags, MIT’s career office suggests moving closer to the Wi-Fi router. Ask the people you live with to stay off video and downloads for the hour.
- Plug in. Do not rely on the battery for an hour of video.
- Clear the screen. Close other tabs and apps, especially if you may share your screen, and turn off notifications on the computer and the phone.
- Rehearse with a person. Call a friend on the same platform and ask how you look and sound on their screen. They will notice things you cannot.
- Write down a backup. The interviewer’s phone number and email, on paper. Keep your phone charged and next to you.
On the day of the interview, test the connection again about half an hour ahead, then join a few minutes early.
03
How to set up your camera, light and background
Small changes fix most of what makes people look worse on camera than they do in person.
| What the interviewer sees | Fix |
|---|---|
| A view up at your chin | Raise the laptop on books until the lens is level with your eyes |
| A dark face or a silhouette | Turn so the window or lamp is behind or beside the camera, facing you |
| A face too close to the lens | Sit back until your head and shoulders fit with a little room above |
| A busy room | Face the camera toward a plain wall and move anything distracting out of frame |
| Echo or a hollow voice | Use headphones with a microphone, and avoid an empty, hard-surfaced room |
A real, uncluttered background is the safest choice. If you need to blur it or use a virtual background, test it on a call first, in the clothes you plan to wear.
Dress as you would for the same interview in person. The dress code does not change because the room did; what to wear to an interview covers how to read it.
04
How to make eye contact and come across well on camera
On a screen, eye contact means looking at the lens, not at the interviewer’s face. It feels unnatural, and it is what makes you look engaged on their side.
- Lens when you talk, screen when you listen. You still need to see their reactions.
- Move their picture. Drag the interviewer’s video window to the top of your screen, directly under the camera, so the two are almost the same place.
- Keep notes near the lens. A sticky note beside the webcam with a few keywords keeps your eyes up. A script on the screen does not; your eyes will visibly track across it.
- Sit toward the front of your chair. It keeps your back straight and your energy up.
- Show that you are listening. Nod and react a little more than feels necessary. Small sounds of agreement get lost or cut across the other speaker.
- Leave a beat before answering. Delays make people talk over each other. If it happens, stop and say, “Please go ahead.”
- Shorten your answers slightly. A screen hides the small signals that tell you when you have said enough. Finish the point, then ask whether more detail would help.
The guide to interview body language goes further on posture, hands and voice.
05
What to do if the technology fails
It happens to interviewers too. Stay calm and work through these steps.
- Say what is happening, in the chat if your audio is not working.
- Leave the call and rejoin once.
- If that fails, switch: turn off video, dial in to the meeting by phone, or call the interviewer directly.
- If you cannot reconnect at all, email right away and offer to finish by phone or to reschedule.
Hi [Name], my video connection has dropped and I'm rejoining now. If it fails again, I can continue by phone right away. My number is [phone number], or I can call you at whichever number you prefer. Apologies for the interruption.
06
How to prepare for a one-way recorded interview
In a one-way interview you answer pre-recorded or written questions on an online platform, and nobody is on the other end. That removes the small talk and the follow-up questions, so each answer has to stand alone.
- Read the instructions twice. Look for the deadline, the number of questions, the time allowed per answer, whether retakes are allowed and who to contact for help.
- Assume one take. MIT’s career office advises that unless you are told otherwise, you should expect a single attempt at each answer.
- Use the practice question if the platform offers one. It tells you how the timer and the recording controls behave.
- Rehearse with a stopwatch. The University of Washington’s career center tells students they will generally have two to three minutes per response. Check the timer on your own interview and practice finishing inside it.
- Give the answer first. State your point in the opening sentence, give one example, say what resulted, and stop. There is no interviewer to steer you back if you wander.
- Do not leave it to the deadline. If something breaks, you need time to reach the employer.
Set up light, sound and background exactly as you would for a live call, and look at the lens, not at your own picture.
07
Common video interview mistakes
- Testing on a different device or network than the one you use for the interview.
- Sitting with a window behind you.
- Watching your own image instead of the camera.
- Reading answers from the screen.
- Letting a notification sound go off mid-answer.
- Joining at the exact start time and discovering an update.
- Having no phone number for the interviewer.
- Dressing only for the part of you in frame, then having to stand up.
Afterward, a video interview is followed up like any other: send a thank-you email within a day.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where should I look during a video interview?
Look at the camera lens while you are speaking, because that is what reads as eye contact on the interviewer’s screen. Look at the screen while they speak so that you can see their reactions. Moving their video window to just below your camera makes switching between the two less obvious.
Can I use notes in a video interview?
Yes, sparingly. A few keywords on a sticky note beside the webcam work well. Avoid full sentences or a document open on the screen: your eyes move along the lines, and the answer sounds read. Keep your resume and the job description within reach in case you need a detail.
Should I use a virtual background for an interview?
A real, plain, uncluttered background is the safer choice. If your space cannot be made neutral, a simple blur or a plain virtual background is acceptable. Test it on a call beforehand, because some setups blur the edges of your hair or hands when you move.
How early should I join a video interview?
Open the link early enough to deal with an update or a sign-in problem, then join a few minutes before the start time. Test your connection about half an hour beforehand. Joining at the exact minute leaves no margin if the app needs to restart.
How long do I get to answer in a one-way video interview?
The employer sets it. The University of Washington’s career center tells students to expect two to three minutes per recorded answer in general, and MIT’s career office notes that most one-way interviews limit response time. Look for the timer when you start, and practice ending your answer before it runs out.
Can I redo an answer in a recorded interview?
Only if the employer allows it. Some interviews permit retakes and others do not, and the instructions or the first screen should say which. If nothing is stated, assume you have one attempt and rehearse before you press record.
Sources
- MIT Career Advising & Professional Development: Virtual Interviewing Tips: camera, light and background setup, handling technical problems, eye contact on camera, and one-way interviews.
- University of Washington Career & Internship Center: Ace Your Virtual Interview: live and one-way interview types, testing the connection, timing recorded answers and keeping notes by the webcam.
- University of Pennsylvania Career Services: Career Services Interviewing Guide: professional dress, lighting and practicing on screen with someone you know.
- Zoom Support: Joining a Zoom test meeting: the test meeting for checking video, audio and connection.
Published by Jobbie and last updated on October 6, 2026. This guide is general information for job seekers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.