In this guide
Interviews and salary conversations
How to prepare for a video interview
Set up camera, sound and light, rehearse on the platform the employer uses, and agree a backup plan so a dropped connection does not derail the interview.
Rehearse on the real platform
Employers use different tools, and each handles joining, screen sharing and permissions slightly differently. Open the invitation link early, install anything it needs, and run a test call with a friend on the same device. If the employer's system has a device-check page, use it.
Check the time zone on the invitation. Calendar invites from another region can show the wrong local time if your settings differ.
Camera, light and sound
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Looking down at the interviewer | Raise the laptop on books so the camera is at eye level |
| Face in shadow | Face a window or put a lamp behind the screen, not behind you |
| Echo or background noise | Use wired or wireless headphones with a microphone |
| Busy or personal background | Sit facing a plain wall, or use a subtle blur if the platform offers it |
| Notifications popping up | Close other apps and turn on do not disturb |
| Unstable connection | Move closer to the router or connect by cable if you can |
How answers come across on camera
Video flattens energy and adds a small delay, so speak slightly slower than usual and pause briefly at the end of each answer so the interviewer can come in. Look at the camera when you make your main point; looking at the screen reads as looking slightly away.
Short notes beside the camera are fine for prompts such as your three main examples. Reading a script is obvious on video and makes answers sound flat.
Illustrative example
Recovering from a frozen screen mid-answer
- Notice the freeze and stop talking rather than carrying on into silence.
- When the connection returns: “Sorry, I think the connection dropped. The last thing I heard you say was about the handover process. Shall I pick up from there?”
- If it keeps happening: “Would it help if I switched off my camera for a moment, or called you on the number from the invitation?”
Your backup plan
Agree these before the interview starts
- A phone number you can call if the link fails, or that they can call you on.
- A second device, such as a phone with the app installed, ready to join.
- The interviewer's email address in case you need to send a quick message.
- Your charger plugged in.
Most interviewers have had calls drop before. A calm, practical recovery tells them more about how you handle problems than a flawless connection would.
Recorded video interviews are different
Some employers send one-way recorded interviews: a question appears, you get a short time to think, and then you record an answer. Read the instructions for how many attempts you get and how long each answer can be. Practise with a timer, because the clock is the main difference.
Treat each answer as a short, complete response: the point, one example and why it matters for the role. You cannot rely on an interviewer prompting you for more.
Common questions
Should I wear formal clothes for a video interview?
Dress as you would for an in-person interview with the same employer, at least from the waist up. It also helps you treat the call as the real thing.
Is it acceptable to use a virtual background?
It is usually fine, but some backgrounds flicker around your outline. A plain wall or a soft blur is less distracting than a novelty image.
Put it into practice
Prepare with interview practiceDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.