Video Interview Tips: A Best Practice Guide for Candidates

Last updated: 28 July 2026

Congratulations! You have secured a video interview.

Video interviews are now a familiar part of the recruitment process. Although the setting may feel different from meeting an employer in person, the purpose is exactly the same: to understand your experience, assess your suitability for the role and give both sides an opportunity to learn more about one another.

The technology does not need to make the interview more difficult. With some preparation, you can create a professional setup, avoid preventable distractions and focus on presenting your skills and experience confidently.

Prepare as you would for an in-person interview

A video interview should receive the same preparation as an interview held at the employer’s premises.

Before the interview:

Research the organisation, its products or services and the markets in which it operates.
Read the job description again and identify the experience most relevant to the role.
Prepare examples that demonstrate your skills, achievements and approach to solving problems.
Think about the questions you are likely to be asked.
Prepare several thoughtful questions of your own.
Check the name and job title of each person attending the interview.

For competency-based questions, it can help to structure your examples using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action and Result. Concentrate particularly on what you personally did and the outcome you achieved.

Test the technology in advance

Do not wait until the interview is about to begin before checking the technology.

Confirm which platform will be used, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meet, and make sure you can access the meeting. If an application or update needs to be installed, complete this in advance.

Ideally, conduct a test call at least one day before the interview. Check:

Your camera and microphone are working.
Your internet connection is stable.
Your speaker volume is comfortable.
Your display name appears professionally.
You know how to join, mute and unmute the call.
Your device is connected to its charger.
The correct camera and microphone are selected if you use external equipment.

A laptop or desktop computer will generally provide a more stable and professional setup than a mobile phone. If you need to use a phone, secure it in a fixed position rather than holding it throughout the interview.

Choose the right position for your camera

Position your camera approximately level with your eyes. If your laptop is too low, raise it securely using a laptop stand or a small stack of books.

Frame the image so that your head and shoulders are clearly visible, with a little space above your head. Sit at a comfortable distance from the screen and check that the camera is stable.

Try to look towards the camera when answering important questions, as this creates the impression of eye contact. It is completely natural to look at the interviewer on your screen as well, particularly when listening or responding to their reactions. You do not need to stare continuously into the camera.

Check your background and lighting

Choose a quiet, comfortable location where you are unlikely to be interrupted. A simple, tidy background is usually best because it keeps the interviewer’s attention on you.

Sit facing a window or another soft light source where possible. Avoid placing a bright window or lamp directly behind you, as this can leave your face in shadow.

Before the interview, open your camera and check the complete image rather than only looking at yourself. Remove anything distracting or unsuitable that can be seen within the frame.

A blurred or virtual background can be useful when you cannot create a neutral setting, but test it beforehand to make sure it works reliably and does not distort the image as you move.

Dress professionally

Dress as you would for an in-person interview with the same employer. The appropriate level of formality may depend on the organisation and role, but it is better to appear slightly more professional than too casual.

Wearing a complete interview outfit—not just dressing professionally from the waist up—can also help you feel more prepared and avoid an awkward situation if you need to stand or move during the call.

Avoid very busy patterns that may appear distracting or distorted on camera.

Remove potential distractions

Small interruptions can break your concentration, so take a few minutes to prepare your environment.

Before joining the call:

Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs.
Silence email, calendar and messaging notifications.
Put your mobile phone on silent and disable vibration.
Silence smart speakers and video doorbell alerts where possible.
Let other people in your home know that you should not be disturbed.
Arrange for children and pets to be looked after or kept away from the room where possible.
Place everything you may need within easy reach.

If an unexpected interruption does happen, remain calm. Briefly apologise, deal with it and return your attention to the interview. Employers understand that people are sometimes interviewing from home.

Keep useful information nearby

Have a copy of your CV and the job description available. A printed copy can be useful because it allows you to check information without changing windows on your computer.

You may also want:

A pen and paper for brief notes.
A glass of water.
The interviewer’s name and contact details.
A short list of questions you want to ask.
A few key reminders about your most relevant achievements.

Small prompts placed close to your screen can be helpful, but avoid covering your laptop with detailed notes. Reading prepared answers will make it harder to sound natural and may prevent you from listening properly.

Your notes should act as reminders, not a script.

Join the interview early

Aim to be ready around ten minutes before the scheduled start time and join the meeting approximately three to five minutes early.

Use the final few minutes to:

Check your camera framing and lighting.
Close any remaining applications.
Put your phone on silent.
Have your CV, notes and water ready.
Take a few slow breaths and settle yourself.

Joining too early can occasionally interrupt another meeting, so follow any specific instructions provided by the employer or recruiter.

Communicate clearly during the interview

Video conversations can include slight delays, so allow the interviewer to finish speaking before you begin your answer. If you accidentally speak at the same time, pause and let them continue.

Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Try to avoid rushing your answers because you are nervous. A short pause to think is perfectly acceptable and is usually preferable to beginning an answer before you know what you want to say.

Listen carefully to each question and answer it directly. Use relevant examples and explain the result of your work rather than simply listing your responsibilities.

Your body language still matters on video. Sit comfortably upright, keep an open posture and show interest through natural facial expressions. Avoid repeatedly rocking your chair, looking away from the screen or fidgeting with objects.

Most importantly, be yourself. The interviewer is not expecting a television-style performance—they want a clear and genuine conversation about your suitability for the role.

Have a backup plan

Even after testing everything, technology can occasionally fail.

Keep the interviewer’s telephone number or email address available so you can contact them if the connection is lost. If you experience a problem:

Remain calm and try to rejoin the meeting.
Check whether your internet connection or application has disconnected.
Contact the interviewer or recruiter if you cannot reconnect promptly.
Be prepared to continue by telephone if appropriate.

A technical problem will not normally count against you if you communicate clearly and handle it professionally.

Ask questions at the end

A video interview is also your opportunity to decide whether the position and organisation are right for you.

Prepare several questions, but listen throughout the conversation in case some are already answered. You could ask about:

The priorities for the successful candidate during their first few months.
The team and reporting structure.
The main challenges associated with the role.
How performance will be measured.
The organisation’s plans for growth or development.
The next stage of the recruitment process.

Try to avoid asking questions that could have been answered through basic research on the organisation’s website.

What to do after a video interview

When the interview finishes, make a few notes while the conversation is still fresh. Record any important information about the role, questions you found difficult and anything you may want to clarify later.

It is also good practice to send a brief thank-you message shortly after the interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, confirm your continued interest and refer to something specific you found useful or interesting during the conversation.

If Euro Projects Recruitment arranged your interview, contact your recruitment consultant afterwards. They will want to hear how it went, discuss any questions or concerns and obtain feedback from the employer.

Final video interview checklist

Before your interview, make sure you have:

Researched the organisation and interviewers.
Reviewed the job description and your CV.
Prepared relevant examples and questions.
Tested the meeting platform, camera, microphone and internet connection.
Positioned your camera at approximately eye level.
Checked your lighting and background.
Connected your device to its charger.
Turned off notifications and removed distractions.
Placed your CV, notes, water and contact information nearby.
Allowed enough time to join the meeting calmly.

Thorough preparation will allow you to spend less time worrying about the technology and more time demonstrating why you are a strong candidate for the position.