Video interviews are now a standard part of hiring, from the first recruiter screen to final rounds. They need the same preparation as in-person interviews, plus a few extra steps to make sure the technology doesn’t get in the way. Here’s a practical checklist.
The Day Before: Test Your Setup
- Check the platform. Find out whether it’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or something else, and install or update the app if needed.
- Test your camera and microphone with a friend or the platform’s test call feature.
- Check your internet connection. If it’s unreliable, sit close to your router or use a wired connection, and have your phone ready as a backup hotspot.
- Charge your laptop and plug it in during the interview.
- Save the interviewer’s phone number or email in case you get disconnected.
Set Up Your Space
- Lighting: face a window or a lamp, so your face is lit from the front rather than from behind.
- Camera height: raise your laptop so the camera is at eye level.
- Background: keep it tidy and simple, or use a subtle blurred background.
- Noise: choose a quiet room, close windows, and silence notifications on every device.
Prepare Your Answers
Prepare exactly as you would for an in-person interview. Research the company, reread the job description, and prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Our guides to common interview questions and behavioral interview questions are good places to start.
Practise out loud, ideally on camera. Recording yourself shows habits you won’t notice otherwise, like looking away too often or speaking too fast. An AI mock interview lets you rehearse realistic questions for your role before the real thing.
During the Interview
- Join 5 minutes early so you can fix any last-minute issues.
- Look at the camera when you speak, not at your own video. It feels like eye contact to the interviewer.
- Pause slightly longer than usual before answering, because video calls have a small delay and it avoids talking over each other.
- Keep notes short. A few bullet points beside your screen are fine, but reading long notes is obvious on camera.
- Show engagement by nodding, smiling and sitting up straight.
If Something Goes Wrong
Technical problems happen. Stay calm. If the connection drops, rejoin straight away and send a short message if you can’t. If the audio is poor, it’s fine to say “Sorry, you cut out for a moment. Could you repeat the question?”. How you handle a hiccup can show composure.
How AI Can Help During the Interview
AI tools can now support you in the interview itself, not just beforehand. ApplyQuick Interview Copilot follows each question as it’s asked and suggests a structured answer on your screen, based on your resume and the job description. It works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and phone calls, including coding interviews. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.
After the Interview
Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Our guide on writing a thank-you email after an interview has templates you can use.
