Video interview tips: how to prepare for an online interview

Video interviews are now a common part of the recruitment process, whether you are applying for a permanent, temporary, contract or interim role. 

While much of the preparation for an online interview is the same as for a face-to-face interview, speaking to an employer through a screen brings a few additional things to think about - from your internet connection and camera angle to where you look when answering questions. 

The good news is that most of these can be addressed before the interview starts. 

In this guide, we explain how to prepare for a video interview, what to expect from live and recorded interviews and how to make the very best impression on camera. 

What is a video interview? 

A video interview is a job interview conducted remotely using a video platform such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meet. 

There are generally two types: 

Live video interviews 

A live video interview takes place in real time with one or more interviewers. 

The format is usually very similar to an in-person interview. You will be asked questions, have an opportunity to expand on your experience and will usually be given time to ask questions of your own. 

Pre-recorded video interviews 

Some employers use recorded interviews, particularly during the earlier stages of recruitment. 

Instead of speaking directly to an interviewer, you will usually see a series of questions on screen and record your answers individually. 

You may be given a short amount of preparation time before each question and, depending on the system being used, may have the opportunity to practise or re-record an answer. 

Check the instructions carefully beforehand so you know how much preparation and recording time you will have. 

Prepare for a video interview as you would any other interview 

It can be easy to focus on the technology and forget that this is still a job interview. 

You should prepare for the role in exactly the same way as you would if you were meeting the employer in person. 

Research: 

• The organisation and what it does 
• The role and its main responsibilities 
• The person specification and essential requirements 
• The people interviewing you, where you know their names 
• Examples from your experience that demonstrate the skills the employer is looking for 

It’s also worth preparing answers to some of the questions you are most likely to encounter. Take a look at our top 10 common interview questions article for further guidance. 

Check the interview platform and technology 

Don't wait until five minutes before the interview to use a platform for the first time. 

When you receive the interview invitation, check which platform will be used and whether you need to download any software or create an account. 

Before the day, test: 

• Your camera 
• Your microphone and speakers 
• Your internet connection 
• The interview link 
• Your camera permissions 
• Your headphones, if you plan to use them 
• Your device battery and charger 

If possible, arrange a test video call with a friend or family member using the same platform. 

Check how you appear and sound, rather than simply confirming that the camera switches on. 

Close unnecessary apps, browser tabs and downloads before the interview. This can help your device run smoothly and reduce the risk of notifications appearing during the call. 

Choose the right location 

Find somewhere quiet where you are unlikely to be interrupted. 

Ideally, choose a room where you can close the door and let anyone else at home know that you will be unavailable during the interview. 

Try to minimise potential distractions such as: 

• Televisions or radios 
• Pets 
• Washing machines or other noisy appliances 
• Traffic or open windows 
• Phone and computer notifications 

You can’t control every possible interruption, so don’t panic if something unexpected happens. The aim is simply to reduce the chances as much as possible. 

Check your lighting and background 

Your interviewer needs to be able to see you clearly. 

Where possible, position yourself facing a source of natural light rather than sitting with a bright window behind you. 

Test your setup at roughly the same time of day as the interview. A room that looks bright in the morning may be much darker later in the afternoon. 

Your background does not need to look like an office, but it should be reasonably tidy and free from anything particularly distracting. 

Most video platforms also allow you to blur your background if this makes you feel more comfortable. 

Position your camera correctly 

Set your camera at approximately eye level, with your head and shoulders clearly visible. If your laptop camera is too low, placing the laptop securely on a stand or a few sturdy books can help. 

Avoid sitting either extremely close to the screen or so far away that your facial expressions are difficult to see. Once you have found a good position, try to keep your device in the same place for the duration of the interview. 

Make eye contact on camera 

Eye contact can feel slightly unnatural during a video interview because looking directly at the interviewer on your screen is not quite the same as looking into the camera. 

You do not need to stare into the lens throughout the interview. 

Instead, try to look towards the camera regularly when you are speaking and back at the interviewer when listening. This creates a more natural sense of eye contact. 

It may also help to hide your own video preview once the call starts if you find yourself distracted by looking at your own image. 

Think about your body language 

Only part of your body may be visible, but body language still matters. 

Sit upright, keep your posture open and avoid excessive movement or fidgeting. 

Smile naturally and show that you are listening when the interviewer is speaking. 

Video calls can sometimes have a slight delay, so take care not to speak over the interviewer. Pausing briefly before answering can help the conversation feel more natural. 

Speak clearly and at a steady pace 

Technology can make fast speech more difficult to follow. 

Speak clearly and avoid rushing your answers, particularly if there is any slight delay or variation in sound quality. 

Listen to the whole question before answering. If you do not hear something properly, it’s absolutely fine to ask the interviewer to repeat it rather than trying to guess what they said. 

Practising some answers aloud before the interview can help you find a comfortable pace. 

What should you wear for a video interview? 

Dress as you would for an interview taking place in person. 

What this means will depend on the organisation and type of role, but if you are unsure, it is generally better to be slightly more formal than too casual. 

It can also help to switch your device camera on while choosing your outfit. Some patterns or very bright colours can appear differently on screen. 

Most importantly, choose something professional that you feel comfortable and confident wearing. 

Can you use notes in a video interview? 

One advantage of interviewing remotely is that you can usually keep a few prompts nearby, unless you have been instructed otherwise. 

You might have: 

• A copy of your CV 
• The job description 
• A few key achievements or examples 
• Important facts about the employer 
• Questions you want to ask at the end 
• A notepad and pen 

However, treat these as prompts rather than a script. 

If you constantly look down or read prepared answers word for word, this is likely to be noticeable and can make your responses sound less natural. 

Keep notes short - a handful of keywords is usually more useful than full paragraphs. 

What interview questions should you prepare for? 

Prepare both for the questions the employer may ask and the questions you would like to ask them.  

Review the job description and think about examples that demonstrate areas such as: 

• Problem-solving 
• Communication 
• Leadership 
• Teamwork 
• Managing competing priorities 
• Delivering results 
• Handling difficult situations 

For competency-based questions, the STAR method - Situation, Task, Action and Result - can help you structure your examples clearly. 

You should also prepare two or three questions of your own. 

For example: 

• What would success look like in this role during the first six months? 
• What are the team's main priorities at the moment? 
• Why has the role become available? 
• What do you enjoy most about working for the organisation? 
• What are the next stages of the recruitment process? 

For more ideas, read our guide to the best questions to ask during an interview. 

Log in early and test the interview link 

Do a final check before the interview begins: 

• Make sure your device is fully charged or connected to power, your camera and microphone work and you have the interview link readily available. 
• Aim to be ready around five to ten minutes before the scheduled start time. 
• You do not necessarily need to enter the meeting extremely early - particularly if the platform places you straight into the call - but you should be ready to join without rushing. 
• If you have never used the link before, check whether the platform allows you to test your camera and microphone before entering. 

What should you do if the technology fails? 

Even with good preparation, technology can occasionally go wrong. 

If your connection freezes, your sound disappears or you are disconnected, try not to panic. Tell the interviewer immediately if you can still communicate with them. For example: 

"I'm sorry, I think my connection has become unstable. Would you mind if I rejoin the call?" 

If the meeting drops completely, use the original link to reconnect. 

It is also sensible to have the interviewer's or recruiter's contact details available so you can explain what has happened if you cannot get back into the meeting. 

A genuine technical problem will not automatically ruin an interview. How calmly and professionally you deal with it can be just as important. 

Asking for reasonable adjustments for a video interview 

If you need an adjustment to take part in the interview effectively, speak to your recruiter or the employer in advance where possible. 

Depending on your needs, this might include: 

• Extra time for a recorded response 
• Receiving information or instructions in a particular format 
• Captioning or other communication support 
• Using a different platform or interview format 
• Additional breaks 
• Adjustments to the interview format or process 

You don’t necessarily need to wait until the interview begins to raise this. 

If you are working with Sellick Partnership, speak to your recruitment consultant and they can help you discuss any adjustments required during the recruitment process. 

Tips for a pre-recorded video interview 

A recorded interview can initially feel more awkward because there is no interviewer reacting to your answers. 

Before starting: 

• Read all of the instructions carefully 
• Check how much preparation time you receive 
• Check the maximum length of each answer 
• Find out whether you can re-record responses 
• Use any practice questions available 
• Make sure your camera and microphone are working 

When answering, imagine that you are speaking directly to a person rather than simply recording yourself. Look towards the camera, speak clearly and give structured answers with specific examples. 

Don’t feel that you need to fill every second available. A focused two-minute answer can be stronger than a repetitive three-minute one. 

Video interview checklist 

Before your interview 

• Research the organisation and role 
• Review the job description and person specification 
• Prepare examples and practise common interview questions 
• Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer 
• Check whether the interview is live or recorded 
• Download or update the interview platform if needed 
• Test your camera, microphone and speakers 
• Check your internet connection 
• Test your lighting, background and camera angle 
• Choose what you are going to wear 
• Keep your CV, job description and brief notes nearby 
• Arrange any reasonable adjustments you require 

During your interview

• Look towards the camera regularly when speaking 
• Sit upright and use positive body language 
• Speak clearly and avoid rushing 
• Listen to the full question before answering 
• Use your notes as prompts rather than reading from them 
• Give specific examples where possible 
• Ask your prepared questions 
• Clarify anything you have not heard or understood 

After your interview

• Make a note of anything important discussed 
• Follow any instructions the employer has provided 
• Let your Recruitment Consultant know how you felt the interview went, if you are working through an agency 
• Follow up professionally if appropriate 
• Think about any answers you could strengthen for a future interview 

How Sellick Partnership can help you prepare 

A video interview should be treated with the same preparation as a face-to-face interview. The main difference is that you also need to make sure the technology and environment allow you to communicate at your best. 

Taking some time to test your setup, prepare examples and practise answering questions on camera can make the experience feel much more natural. 

If you are interviewing for a role through Sellick Partnership, your Recruitment Consultant can support you throughout the process. They can give you insight into the organisation and role, help you understand what the employer is looking for, talk you through the interview format and share any useful information they have ahead of the interview. 

Having that extra context can help you prepare more confidently and focus your answers on the areas that matter most to the employer. 

Alternatively, search our latest jobs or get in touch with our team to discuss your next career move.