7 Video Interview Tips to Stand Out to Employers and Land the Job

While video interviews offer convenience, landing the job still takes the same level of thoughtful preparation as an in-person meeting, plus a few camera-specific considerations. Success comes down to balancing classic interview prep — such as researching the company and articulating your achievements — with virtual best practices such as optimizing your setup and building screen-to-screen rapport.

7 tips for acing your video interview

Read on for practical tips that will help you feel polished, calm, and ready to shine.

1. Plan as you would for an in-person interview

While mastering the virtual format matters, what you bring to the conversation carries the real weight. Take time to thoroughly research the company, the position, and your interviewer's background before you go on camera. 

Polish your elevator pitch for common questions such as:

• Tell me about yourself.
  • Use the present-past-future framework to deliver a focused, two-minute summary of your current role, key achievements, and future career direction.
• Why do you want to work for this company?
  • Demonstrate interest by connecting your personal values and goals to specific details about the company's mission, culture, or recent accomplishments.
• What makes you the best candidate for this position?
  • Directly link your skill set and track record of proven results to the specific needs and goals outlined in the job description.

The objectives and the flow of a video interview are exactly the same as a traditional in-person meeting. The difference is in the nuances of how you achieve those objectives and build a connection with the interviewers.

Virtual meetings make traditional non-verbal cues harder to read, so intentional camera contact becomes key. Looking directly into the camera lens creates the feeling of eye contact for the listener. When responding to a panel, open with the specific interviewer's name to keep the dialogue personal and direct.

2. Practice your answers and prepare questions for the interviewer

You would never read from a pre-written script in a face-to-face interview, so you shouldn’t do that in a video interview either. While it's tempting to keep multiple windows open, reading aloud canned answers makes you sound rehearsed rather than eloquent. If you use notes, keep them brief; just a few bulleted reminders to reference at a quick glance so you can practice weaving key points into a natural conversation.

Beyond your responses, prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer. When evaluating a remote or hybrid role, asking targeted questions about communication tools, team dynamics, and virtual culture gives you a clear picture of how the team collaborates day-to-day.

3. Test your technology setup

This is one of the most critical virtual interview tips. Take the time to test out your computer setup before the call. Having to troubleshoot internet issues in the first few minutes of your interview will only cause added stress.

Here are some tips to make sure it goes smoothly:

• Determine what platform you’ll be using and download or update it if you haven’t already.
• Restart your computer ahead of your interview.
• Make sure you know how to mute and unmute your microphone.
• Have your computer fully charged or plugged in for the interview.

Keep in mind that even if you check and test everything to the best of your ability, something could still go wrong. If that happens, don’t panic. Handling a tech glitch with calm poise shows the interviewer you can adapt smoothly when unexpected challenges arise.

4. Set the stage

One benefit of a virtual interview is you have much more control over your environment. Instead of stressing over transportation and worrying about arriving at someone’s office, you can set up your space on your own time.

Keep in mind some of the following tips:

• Choose a quiet space and remove any unsightly clutter that’s in camera view.
• Showcase your personality if you feel it’s advantageous. If you have plants, décor, or a gallery wall of art you’re proud of, set up your shot to highlight these examples of your unique style.
• Diminish distractions, including keeping pets in a different room if possible. Be sure to inform roommates about the timing of your interview.
• Make sure your lighting is good. Natural light from a window is preferable. Otherwise, set up a lamp or other light source behind your computer (placing it behind you will create a shadowy effect).

5. Know your angles

After you set your scene, do a test run on the video platform you’ll be using for the interview. Here are some things to look out for:

• Check for glare. Is your computer screen so bright that it’s reflecting in your glasses? That might be distracting for the interviewer. Try adjusting your screen or moving farther away.
• Find the right distance between you and the computer. You don’t want your head looking like a dot in the distance, but you also don’t want to look zoomed in.
  • A good proportion to aim for is a small space above your head in frame and the tops of your shoulders visible.

6. Dress for success

It’s important to dress in a way that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and professional for a job interview, and a video interview is no exception. Even if you’re interviewing from your kitchen, you want to appear as formal as you would be at an in-person interview.

Work-from-home professionals often talk about whether to dress up “only on top” for virtual meetings, but dressing professionally from head to toe for an interview is a reliable way to boost your confidence and put your best foot forward. Dressing completely gives you peace of mind and keeps you looking polished, so if your camera shifts or you need to step away unexpectedly, you stay calm, composed, and professional.

7. Remember, it's just a conversation

At the end of the day, a video interview is just a conversation between you and the interviewer. 

• Their task is to determine whether your skills and experience are a good match for the job.
• Your goal is to learn more about the opportunity and decide if the role and the company align with your goals.
• Both parties must come to the conversation well-prepared to talk, listen, and determine if working together is the right next step.

Conquer your next video interview

With your environment prepped, your tech tested, and your answers practiced, you have everything you need to log on with confidence. Trust your preparation, stay relaxed, and let your authentic self come through.

When all goes well and you land that new job, make sure you’re stepping into the role with your best foot forward. Set yourself up for success by exploring our article, “Professionalism in the Workplace: A Guide for Effective Etiquette.”