Video interview tips: setup, camera presence and what to do when tech fails

Updated October 19, 2026

To do well in a video interview, test your connection, link and audio the day before, put the camera at eye level with light in front of you, and look at the lens when you speak. Keep answers a little shorter than in person, leave a beat for lag, and have a phone number ready in case the call drops.

To do well in a video interview, sort out the technology the day before (connection, link, sound, camera at eye level, light in front of you), then on the day look at the lens when you speak, keep your answers a little tighter than in person and pause for the lag. If something breaks, say so calmly and switch to the backup you prepared, usually a phone number.

How should you set up for a video interview the day before?

Most video interview problems are avoidable, and almost all of them show up in a five-minute test the day before. Do it at the same time of day and in the same room you'll use.

Connection. If your Wi-Fi is shaky, sit closer to the router or use a cable.
The tool and the link. Open the exact link from the invitation. Some apps want an update or a browser permission the first time. Check the display name that will appear: your full name, not a nickname or your partner's account.
Camera at eye level. Raise your laptop on books or a box so the lens is level with your eyes. Frame yourself from mid-chest up, with a little space above your head.
Sound. Wired or wireless earphones with a microphone usually beat the laptop's built-in speakers: less echo, less background noise. Record a short test or call a friend to check how you sound.
Light in front of you. Face a window or a lamp. A window behind you turns you into a silhouette.
A neutral background. A plain wall or a tidy shelf is enough. If you blur it, check it doesn't cut off your hands when you move.
Notifications off. Close email and chat apps, mute your phone, and turn on do-not-disturb on your computer, especially if you might share your screen.
Charger. Plug in your laptop and keep your phone charged too; it's your backup.

Also note the start time in your time zone and a phone number or email to use if the link fails. If the invitation has none, ask for one.

What should you wear for a video interview?

Dress as you would for the in-person interview at that company, at least from the waist up, and ideally all the way: you may need to stand up, and dressing fully helps you get in the right frame of mind. Plain, solid colors work better on camera than thin stripes or small checks, which can flicker. Avoid a top the same color as your wall, so you don't blend into the background.

How do you come across well on camera?

Speaking to a screen is a different skill from speaking across a table. A few habits make a big difference:

Look at the lens when you talk. That's what reads as eye contact on the other side. When you listen, it's fine to look at the interviewer's face on screen. Shrinking the video window and moving it right under the camera helps.
Keep answers shorter. Long monologues feel even longer on video, and the interviewer can't easily interrupt. Aim for one to two minutes for a story, then stop and let them follow up.
Pause for the lag. A delay of half a second is common. Wait a beat after the interviewer finishes before you start, so you don't talk over each other. If you do, stop and say “Sorry, go ahead.”
Show you're listening. Nod, smile, say a short “Right” or “Yes” now and then. Without those signals, you can look frozen even when the video is working.
Don't read your notes. Your eyes give it away immediately. Keep a few keywords next to the camera at most.

Preparing your content matters as much as your setup. Our guide to how to prepare for a job interview covers the research and stories you need before any format.

What should you check 15 minutes before the call?

A short routine keeps you from scrambling:

Close everything except the video call app and the job posting.
Plug in the charger and put your phone on silent, face down, within reach.
Open the link and check camera, microphone and speakers in the preview.
Have water, a pen, paper and your keyword notes nearby.
Check the light and the background one last time.
Join two or three minutes before the start time.

What do you do when the video freezes, the sound cuts out or the call drops?

Tech problems happen to everyone, interviewers included. What they notice is how you handle them.

The video freezes or the sound breaks up. Say it simply: “Sorry, I think I lost you for a few seconds. Could you repeat the last part of the question?”
They can't hear you. Check your mute button and selected microphone first. If it still doesn't work, use the chat to say you're reconnecting.
The call drops. Rejoin the same link right away. If that fails after a minute or two, call or email the number or address you noted the day before: “We were cut off, I'm trying to reconnect. I can also continue by phone if that's easier.”
Your connection is getting worse. Offer to turn off your video and keep the sound: audio uses less bandwidth.

If the interview continues by phone, the same rules apply as for a phone screen: speak clearly, keep answers structured and confirm the next steps at the end.

How do one-way recorded video interviews work?

Some employers send a link where you record answers to written or pre-recorded questions, with no one on the other side. The format is less natural but very manageable:

Read the instructions first. You'll usually see how long you have to prepare for each question, how long you can speak and whether retakes are allowed.
Treat each question as a short, complete answer. Context, what you did, the result, in about one minute. Don't try to fill the maximum time.
Watch the timer, not yourself. Glance at the countdown, then look back at the lens.
Use retakes wisely. If you're allowed one, use it for a real stumble, not to chase perfection; second takes are often stiffer.

The questions are usually the classic ones, so rehearsing the common interview questions out loud is the best preparation.

How do you rehearse for a video interview?

Run one full rehearsal on camera. Ask a friend to call you on the same video call app and fire three or four questions at you, or simply record yourself answering. Watch it back once and check where your eyes go and how long your answers run.

Fictional example: Jordan, applying for a customer success role, recorded himself answering “Tell me about a difficult customer” and noticed he looked down at his notes every few seconds. He replaced his page of notes with four keywords on a sticky note beside the lens, and on the real call he kept his eyes up.

If you're nervous about the call itself, our guide to interview nerves has simple ways to stay steady before and during the interview.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use my phone or my laptop for a video interview?

A laptop or desktop is usually better: the screen is bigger, the camera is steadier and you can see the interviewer and any shared document at the same time. If a phone is all you have, put it in landscape on a stand or a stack of books at eye level, plug it in and turn on do-not-disturb.

Is it okay to have notes on screen during a video interview?

A few keywords on a sticky note next to the camera are fine and nobody will notice. Full sentences are a trap: your eyes move from line to line and you start to sound like you're reading. Keep notes to reminders, like the names of your interviewers and the three stories you want to tell.

What if my kids, roommates or pets interrupt?

Tell people at home when the interview is and close the door. If something happens anyway, stay calm and name it briefly: “Sorry, one second,” mute, deal with it, come back and say where you were. Interviewers have all been on calls like this; how you handle it matters more than the interruption.

How early should I join the video call?

Open the link five to ten minutes early to check that it works, then join the waiting room or the call two or three minutes before the start time. Joining much earlier can put pressure on an interviewer who is finishing another meeting.