Video Interview Tips: How to Perform Well Online (UK Guide)

Video interviews became the norm during the pandemic and have remained a standard part of UK recruitment ever since. For many roles, your first — and sometimes only — interview will happen over Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.

Performing well on camera requires slightly different skills than performing well in person. Here is how to prepare.

Technical Setup

Camera

Position your camera at eye level or slightly above. A camera angled up from below is unflattering and creates an odd power dynamic. A camera angled down from above feels more natural for the viewer.

Most laptop webcams are at or slightly below eye level when the screen is tilted — prop the laptop up on books to raise the camera if needed. An external webcam on a monitor is often better positioned.

Lighting

Natural light from a window in front of you (facing you) is ideal. If you are back-lit (window behind you), your face will be in shadow. Ring lights are inexpensive and solve most lighting problems.

Avoid fluorescent overhead lighting alone — it creates unflattering shadows.

Background

A neutral, uncluttered background is safest. A plain wall, a tidy bookshelf, or a clean office space all work well. Avoid distracting backgrounds — busy rooms, unmade beds, or messy spaces create a poor impression before you have said a word.

Virtual backgrounds are an option but can look unnatural, particularly with fine hair. Test yours in the lighting conditions of your actual interview space before using it.

Audio

Audio quality matters more than video quality. If your laptop microphone produces hollow or echoey sound, consider using headphones with a built-in microphone or an external USB microphone. Test how you sound before the interview.

Eliminate background noise: close windows, turn off fans, and notify anyone in the house that you are not to be disturbed.

Internet connection

Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible — it is more stable than Wi-Fi. If you must use Wi-Fi, be as close to the router as possible.

The Test Run

Do a full test before the interview day, not on the morning of:

• Open the video platform (Zoom, Teams, Meet)
• Test camera, microphone, and audio output
• Check the background, lighting, and camera angle
• Have the link and login details saved somewhere accessible

On the day, open the video software fifteen minutes before the scheduled time and have everything ready. Joining a video call at exactly the start time with technical problems is a poor start.

Eye Contact on Camera

The hardest adjustment for most people: eye contact in a video call means looking at the camera, not the screen. When you look at the interviewer's face on your screen, you appear to be looking downward to them.

Train yourself to look at the camera lens — particularly when making key points or listening actively. You do not need to stare at the camera constantly, but returning your gaze to it during important moments creates the impression of genuine eye contact.

Managing Your Presence on Camera

• Speak slightly more slowly and clearly than you would in person — audio compression can lose nuance
• Use facial expressions and nods to show engagement — they read less strongly on camera than in person
• Avoid swivelling or moving around excessively — it is distracting on camera
• Sit up straight — camera angles amplify slouching

Handling Technical Problems

If your audio or video drops during the interview, stay calm. A brief, clear message — "I think my connection dropped for a moment — could you repeat that?" — is perfectly professional.

If a technical problem is severe, call or email the interviewer directly. Have their contact information to hand before the interview starts.

Before You Go on Camera

Close all unnecessary applications — particularly anything that produces notifications. Silence your phone. Brief your household.

Have a glass of water nearby. Video interviews tend to be drier than in-person ones — literally.

Use CVCircuit to ensure your application materials match the professionalism of your video setup — so that from the moment a recruiter reads your CV to the moment the interview ends, you present as the same strong candidate.