Test the complete setup

Open the interview platform before the day if possible. Check whether it needs an app, browser permission or account. Test your camera, microphone, speakers and internet connection using the same device and room you plan to use.

Place the device on a stable surface at roughly eye level. Plug it in, close unnecessary apps and silence notifications. Keep the interview link, contact name and a phone number or email for technical problems within reach.

  • Use headphones only if they improve the sound and you have tested them.
  • Restart the device earlier in the day if it has been unreliable.
  • Join five to ten minutes early, but not so early that you interrupt another meeting.
  • Have a backup device or phone connection available where possible.

Set up the room

Choose the quietest realistic space. Put the main light in front of you rather than behind you, remove distracting items from the visible background and tell other people when you need privacy.

Your framing should show your head and upper shoulders with a little space above you. Sit far enough from the camera to use natural hand gestures without disappearing from view.

Communicate naturally on camera

Look towards the camera when making an important point, but do not force constant eye contact with the lens. It is natural to look at the interviewer's face while listening.

Video calls can have a small delay. Let the interviewer finish, pause briefly and then begin. Speak slightly more slowly than usual and use short signposts such as 'The action I took was...' to make longer answers easy to follow.

Use notes without reading a script

Keep one small page near the camera with the role's main requirements, three example prompts and the questions you want to ask. Large paragraphs encourage you to read and can make your eyes move away from the conversation.

Have your CV and the job description open or printed, but organise them before the call. Searching through windows while someone is speaking looks and feels distracting.

Handle problems calmly

If sound breaks up, say so early and politely. Ask the interviewer to repeat the question rather than guessing. If the call drops, rejoin using the same link, then use the contact route in the invitation.

A technical problem is not automatically a failed interview. Clear communication and a calm recovery can demonstrate the same qualities the employer is assessing. Send a short thank-you afterwards and mention any answer that was cut off only if it genuinely needs clarification.

QUICK ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a phone for a video interview?

Yes if the platform supports it and the phone is your most reliable option. Stabilise it at eye level, use landscape or portrait as instructed and test audio in advance.

Should I use a virtual background?

A real, tidy background is usually less distracting. Use a simple virtual background only when privacy or the room makes it necessary, and test it first.

What should I do if the connection fails?

Try to rejoin, then contact the interviewer using the details in the invitation. Explain the problem briefly and ask how they would like to continue.