Video Interview Tips: Master Zoom & Teams Interviews
Virtual interviews are now the norm for first rounds—and often beyond. This guide covers everything from technical setup to building rapport through a screen, so you can perform your best.
💡 The Video Advantage
Video interviews can actually work in your favor. You control your environment, can keep notes nearby, and often feel less pressure than in-person. Nail the setup, and you'll project confidence.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Video Interview Setup
The Technical Setup Checklist
📹 Camera
- Position at eye level. Stack books under laptop or get a laptop stand. Looking up or down at the camera is unflattering and awkward.
- Center yourself. Your face should be in the middle of the frame with some headroom above.
- Use external webcam if possible. Built-in laptop cameras are often low quality. Even a $50 external webcam is noticeably better.
- Look at the camera, not the screen. When speaking, look at the camera lens—that's "eye contact" on video.
💡 Lighting
- Face a light source. Natural light from a window in front of you is best. Never have a window behind you.
- Avoid overhead lighting only. It creates harsh shadows under eyes. Add a desk lamp in front.
- Consider a ring light. A $25-50 ring light provides flattering, even illumination.
- Test at the same time of day. Lighting changes throughout the day—test your setup at interview time.
🎤 Audio
- Use headphones with a mic. Even Apple earbuds sound better than laptop speakers and prevent echo.
- Mute when not speaking. Eliminate background noise from keyboard, shuffling, etc.
- Wired is more reliable. Bluetooth can have delays or connection issues.
- Close windows. Traffic, construction, and neighbors are picked up more than you'd expect.
🌐 Internet & Tech
- Use ethernet if possible. Wired connections are more stable than WiFi.
- Close other applications. Especially browser tabs, downloads, and streaming services.
- Restart before the call. Fresh restart prevents background processes from hogging bandwidth.
- Have backup plan ready. Know the dial-in number or have your phone ready to switch to.
- Test the platform ahead. Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet all have quirks. Join early to test.
Your Background
✅ Good Backgrounds
- • Clean, uncluttered wall
- • Bookshelf (not messy)
- • Plants or tasteful art
- • Professional blur (if needed)
- • Neutral colors
❌ Avoid
- • Bed or bedroom
- • Kitchen/laundry visible
- • Bright windows behind you
- • Distracting movement
- • Virtual beach/novelty backgrounds
💡 About Virtual Backgrounds
Virtual backgrounds can help hide a messy space, but they often look artificial and distract. A simple blur is better than a fake office. If you use a virtual background, choose something plain and professional—never a beach, game scene, or novelty image.
What to Wear
Dress as you would for an in-person interview—at least from the waist up.
Do:
- ✅ Solid colors (blue, gray, white work well)
- ✅ Professional attire matching company culture
- ✅ Something you feel confident in
- ✅ Dress fully (you might need to stand up)
Avoid:
- ❌ Busy patterns (stripes, small checks)
- ❌ Bright white (can blow out on camera)
- ❌ Distracting jewelry or accessories
- ❌ Green if using virtual background
Body Language on Video
Eye Contact = Camera
This is the hardest part. To make "eye contact," look at your camera lens—not the screen. Place a sticky note near your camera to remind yourself. It feels unnatural but looks natural to the viewer.
Smile and Nod More
Energy doesn't translate as well on video. Increase your expressions by about 20%. Nod to show you're listening. Smile when appropriate. It's harder to read subtle cues on a small screen.
Sit Up Straight
Slouching looks worse on camera. Sit on the front half of your chair, shoulders back, back straight. It also helps you breathe and project your voice better.
Use Your Hands (In Frame)
Hand gestures are natural and help you communicate. Just make sure your hands are visible in the frame. Wild gesturing off-camera looks strange.
Speak Slightly Slower
Audio lag can cause people to talk over each other. Pause slightly before answering to ensure they've finished. Speak clearly and at a measured pace.
Before the Interview
📋 Day-Before Checklist
- ☐ Download/update the video platform (Zoom, Teams, Meet)
- ☐ Test camera, microphone, and speakers
- ☐ Check internet speed (minimum 10 Mbps for stable video)
- ☐ Prepare your background and lighting
- ☐ Charge laptop fully or plug in
- ☐ Have dial-in number as backup
- ☐ Review company research and prepare questions
- ☐ Set up hidden notes near your camera (not visible looking down)
📋 Day-Of Checklist (30 min before)
- ☐ Close all unnecessary apps and browser tabs
- ☐ Turn off notifications (Do Not Disturb mode)
- ☐ Silence phone and put away
- ☐ Have water within reach (off-camera)
- ☐ Use bathroom
- ☐ Alert household members not to interrupt
- ☐ Put pets in another room
- ☐ Join 5 minutes early to test everything
During the Interview
The First 30 Seconds
- • Smile when you join
- • Have your camera and mic on (not muted)
- • Wait for the interviewer to speak first if there's a delay
- • Quick technical check: "Can you hear me okay?"
Managing Notes
- • Keep notes on a stand near your camera (not on your desk)
- • Glance briefly, don't read
- • Use bullet points, not full sentences
- • Don't shuffle papers audibly
If Technology Fails
- • Stay calm—interviewers understand tech issues happen
- • "I'm sorry, I'm having a connection issue. Can you hear me now?"
- • Switch to dial-in if video keeps freezing
- • Rejoin quickly if you get disconnected
Video Interview Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Common Mistakes
- Looking at yourself. Minimize or hide your self-view. Looking at yourself is obvious and distracting.
- Reading from notes obviously. Eye movement down or to the side is very visible.
- Multitasking. Checking email, typing, or browsing is audible and visible.
- Eating or chewing gum. Just don't.
- Interrupting due to lag. Wait 1-2 seconds after they stop speaking before you start.
- Not testing beforehand. "Can you hear me?" issues waste time and look unprepared.
- Ignoring your background. Messy rooms, TVs on, or people walking by are distracting.
Building Rapport Through a Screen
Connection is harder on video, but not impossible:
- Mirror their energy. Match their pace and tone. If they're casual, relax. If they're formal, stay professional.
- Use their name occasionally. "That's a great question, Sarah" feels personal.
- Reference something about them. "I noticed on LinkedIn that you also..."
- Show genuine curiosity. Ask follow-up questions about things they mention.
- Be appropriately personal. A brief comment about something in their background (if visible) can be a connector.
Platform-Specific Tips
Zoom
- • "Touch up my appearance" can help
- • Use "Speaker View" not "Gallery"
- • Test in Zoom settings beforehand
- • Know how to share screen if needed
Microsoft Teams
- • Join from browser if app has issues
- • Background blur works well
- • Check you're not in "guest" mode
- • Test audio in settings first
Google Meet
- • Works best in Chrome
- • "Check your audio and video" before joining
- • Blur or replace background available
- • Captions are available if needed
Quick Reference Card
📝 Print This
Before:
- ☐ Test tech 24 hours ahead
- ☐ Prepare background + lighting
- ☐ Close apps, enable DND
- ☐ Join 5 min early
During:
- ☐ Look at camera (not screen)
- ☐ Smile and nod more
- ☐ Pause before speaking
- ☐ Sit up straight