The 12 highest-impact video interview tips
Look at the camera lens, not at the interviewer's face on screen.
Your face on screen looks down when you look at their face. Put a small sticker near your camera as a reminder.
Position your camera at eye level — not looking up your nose.
Laptop on a stand or stack of books. Eye-level camera reads as confident and direct.
Sit facing your light source — window or lamp behind the camera.
Light behind you puts your face in shadow. Light from the side creates unflattering harsh shadows. Front-facing light is even and professional.
Use a ring light if your room has poor natural light.
A $25 ring light eliminates most lighting problems. Worth it for any role you care about.
Use headphones with a built-in mic or a dedicated mic — not laptop speakers.
Laptop mics pick up room echo. Headphone mics reduce echo and background noise dramatically.
Test your audio 10 minutes before with a test call.
Most video platforms have a 'test audio' feature in settings. Use it every time.
Close every unnecessary application and tab before the interview.
Notifications during an interview are jarring. Slack, email, phone — all on do-not-disturb.
Have a physical notepad for notes — not a keyboard.
Typing during an interview sounds like you're writing emails. A notepad is quieter and more natural.
Sit slightly forward, not slumped back.
Leaning slightly forward signals engagement. Slumped back signals disinterest even if you're paying close attention.
Smile and nod naturally — verbal acknowledgment ('mm-hmm') is more obvious on video.
On video, passive expressions look blank. Slightly exaggerate your active listening signals.
Do a full mock run the day before at the same desk with the same setup.
Catch problems with lighting, background, internet, and software before they happen during the real thing.
Have your resume, notes, and key bullet points visible on a second screen or printed.
Don't read from them — but a quick glance at a bullet point you prepared is completely acceptable in a video format.
One-way video interviews — special considerations
Platforms like HireVue, Spark Hire, and Montage record asynchronous video answers. You record your response to a question and submit — no live interaction. These require different preparation:
Most one-way platforms show your time limit per answer (30s, 90s, 2 min). Practice answering within the limit before you record.
No live interviewer to warm up to. Open with a clear, confident statement — not 'Um, so, like, I think...'
Most platforms allow 1–2 retakes. Don't over-retake — your first or second take is usually more natural than your fifth.
A ping mid-answer in a one-way video looks far worse than it sounds. Full DND before you start.
The 10-minute pre-interview checklist
Log into the video platform and test audio/video
Close all apps except the video call
Silence phone and put it face-down
Put notepad and pen within reach
Have water accessible (not fizzy)
Confirm the meeting link and dial-in backup
Set your camera at eye level
Check your background and lighting
Open your resume on a second screen or print it
Take 3 slow breaths — go