Video Interview Guide

1. Camera & Positioning

Your camera position dramatically affects how professional you appear. Get this right before anything else.

1.1 Camera Height

Position your camera at eye level. Stack books under your laptop if needed.

• Looking down at your camera makes you appear disinterested or dismissive
• Looking up makes you appear submissive or uncertain
• Eye level creates a natural, professional conversation dynamic

1.2 Framing

Proper framing ensures you look professional and engaged.

• Your face should fill about 1/3 of the screen
• Leave some headroom (don't crop the top of your head)
• Show from mid-chest up to capture natural hand gestures
• Center yourself in the frame

2. Lighting Setup

Good lighting is the single most important factor in video quality. Even expensive cameras look bad with poor lighting.

2.1 Key Principles

• Face your light source — Window or lamp should be in front of you, not behind
• Avoid overhead lighting only — it creates harsh shadows under your eyes
• Natural window light is ideal if it's facing you directly
• Soft, diffused light is more flattering than harsh direct light

2.2 Common Mistakes

• Backlit setup: A window or bright light behind you turns you into a silhouette
• Mixed lighting: Warm and cool lights together look unprofessional
• Too dark: If they can't see your expressions, you lose connection

3. Background

Your background communicates professionalism and attention to detail.

• Keep it simple: Plain wall, tidy bookshelf, or professional virtual background
• Avoid: Unmade beds, clutter, high-traffic areas, distracting posters
• Check for motion: Fans, pets, or people walking by are distracting
• Test beforehand: What looks fine in person may look cluttered on camera

4. Eye Contact

Eye contact builds trust and engagement. On video, this means looking at your camera, not your screen.

4.1 The Challenge

When you look at the interviewer's face on your screen, you're actually looking slightly away from the camera. They perceive this as broken eye contact.

4.2 Solutions

• Look at the camera lens when speaking, especially for key points
• Position the video call window near your camera so looking at it is close to eye contact
• Put a sticky note near your camera as a visual reminder
• It's okay to look at the screen when listening — just return to camera when speaking

5. Audio Quality

Poor audio is more distracting than poor video. Invest here first.

• Use headphones with a built-in mic — Even basic earbuds are better than laptop speakers
• Close windows to reduce outside noise
• Mute notifications on your computer and phone
• Test beforehand using the platform's audio test feature
• Have a backup plan: Know how to dial in by phone if audio fails

6. Technical Preparation

Technical issues can derail an otherwise great interview. Prepare obsessively.

6.1 Before the Interview

• Test the platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) at least 24 hours ahead
• Update your software to avoid forced updates during the call
• Close unnecessary applications to free up bandwidth and processing power
• Restart your computer the morning of the interview
• Have a charged laptop even if plugged in, in case of power issues

6.2 Backup Plans

• Have the interviewer's phone number ready
• Know how to dial into the meeting by phone
• Have a mobile hotspot ready if your internet fails
• Know an alternate location (coffee shop, library) within 10 minutes

7. Day-of Checklist

30 minutes before:

• Close all unnecessary applications
• Test audio and video one more time
• Have water nearby (off-camera)
• Put phone on silent (not vibrate)
• Let household members know not to disturb you

5 minutes before:

• Join the waiting room
• Take a few deep breaths
• Review your key talking points
• Smile — it affects your voice even before the video starts