What's the best way to prepare for a video interview?

Preparing for a video interview comes down to mastering three main pillars: your tech setup , your environment , and your content delivery.

1. Master Your Tech Setup

• Test the platform early : Download the required software (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.) days in advance. Run a test call with a friend to check audio and video quality.
• Position your camera : Set your webcam at eye level . Prop your laptop up on books if you need to avoid looking down, which creates an unflattering angle.
• Look at the lens, not the screen : When speaking, look directly into the camera lens rather than at your monitor. This creates the illusion of direct eye contact with the interviewer.

2. Control Your Environment

• Lighting is key : Face a window or place a lamp behind your computer facing your face. Avoid having a bright light or window directly behind you, which will turn you into a dark silhouette.
• Choose a clean, quiet background : Opt for a tidy, neutral background or a clean professional virtual background if your real space is cluttered. Silence all notifications, phones, and house pets.
• Dress professionally head-to-toe : Even though they only see your top half, dressing in a full professional outfit shifts your mindset into "interview mode" and prevents awkward accidents if you need to stand up.

3. Polish Your Delivery and Content

• Use sticky notes for prompts : Place sticky notes with key talking points, your main achievements, or questions for the interviewer right next to your webcam so you can glance at them naturally without shifting your gaze away.
• Prepare your cheat sheet : Open a digital document with your resume and project notes on the screen right under your camera level, but rely on them only as a safety net—don't read off them.
• Practice out loud : Record a 2-minute mock answer on your phone or webcam. Watch it back to check your pacing , hand gestures, and filler words ("um," "like").

If you'd like, I can:

• Help you practice common video interview questions
• Give you a list of great questions to ask the interviewer
• Share tips on how to handle a tech glitch mid-interview

The best approach is to prepare as if it were an in-person interview, plus do a separate technical rehearsal. That combination handles both what you say and how you come across on camera.

1. Prepare your answers

• Research the company and role. Know what the company does, what the position requires, and why you're interested.
• Review your résumé. Be ready to explain your experience and give specific examples.
• Prepare 4–6 stories using STAR: Situation → Task → Action → Result. This works especially well for questions about teamwork, conflict, leadership, mistakes, and accomplishments.
• Practice common questions: - “Tell me about yourself.”
• “Why do you want this job?”
• “Why should we hire you?”
• “Tell me about a challenge you faced.”
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Prepare 3–5 questions for the interviewer.

Don't memorize complete answers. Practice enough that you can speak naturally rather than sounding scripted.

2. Do a technical rehearsal

At least a day before, test:

• Camera and microphone
• Internet connection
• Interview platform/software
• Headphones, if you're using them
• Laptop battery/charger
• Screen-sharing, if relevant

A test call with a friend is ideal because you can check both how you sound and how you look on their end.

3. Make your camera setup work for you

Aim for:

• Camera roughly at eye level
• Face well lit, preferably with light in front of you rather than behind you
• Clean, uncluttered background
• Quiet room
• Phone and computer notifications turned off
• No possibility of people or pets unexpectedly interrupting

Looking into the camera while speaking creates more natural eye contact, even though it feels strange at first.

4. Dress like you're going in person

Wear professional clothing from head to toe—not just what the camera sees. It helps put you in the right mindset and prevents an awkward situation if you need to stand up.

5. During the interview

A few small things make a big difference:

• Join 5–10 minutes early.
• Smile when greeting the interviewer.
• Speak slightly slower and more clearly than you normally would.
• Pause for a second after the interviewer finishes speaking; video lag can otherwise make you accidentally interrupt.
• Look at the camera when answering, but occasionally look at the screen to read their reactions.
• Keep a résumé, pen, paper, and a few brief notes nearby—but don't constantly read from them.
• If you don't understand a question, it's completely fine to ask them to repeat or clarify it.

6. Have a backup plan

Know what you'll do if the technology fails. Keep your phone nearby and, if possible, know how to contact the interviewer or rejoin the meeting. Technical problems happen; calmly explaining the issue and reconnecting is much better than panicking.

The night-before checklist

Research → practice → test technology → set up background/lighting → choose clothes → prepare questions → charge everything → get some sleep.

Then, right before joining, take a couple of deep breaths and remind yourself: the goal isn't to give perfect answers; it's to have a good professional conversation.

If you tell me what job you're interviewing for, I can also give you the 10 most likely questions and strong sample answers for that specific role.

The best approach is to prepare for two things at once: your answers and your on-camera setup. A polished setup won't save weak answers, but a great answer can be undermined by poor audio, lighting, or distracting behavior.

1. Research the role and company

Before the interview:

• Re-read the job description and identify the 3–5 skills they care about most.
• Research the company's products/services, recent developments, values, and competitors.
• Prepare a few specific reasons why this role and company interest you.
• Review your résumé and be ready to explain anything on it.
• Prepare 2–3 thoughtful questions to ask at the end.

2. Prepare stories, not scripts

For behavioral questions, use STAR: Situation → Task → Action → Result.

Have 5–6 examples ready covering things like:

• A difficult problem you solved
• A successful project
• A mistake or failure and what you learned
• A conflict with a colleague
• A time you showed leadership
• A situation where you had to adapt quickly

Keep the Action and Result portions especially concrete. Practice enough that you know the stories well, but don't memorize them word-for-word.

3. Do a real video rehearsal

This is one of the highest-value things you can do. Record yourself answering common questions and watch the recording back. Look for:

• Rambling or overly long answers
• Speaking too quickly
• Excessive "um," "like," or "you know"
• Looking away from the camera
• Low energy or monotone delivery
• Nervous fidgeting

A mock interview with another person is even better because you can get feedback on both your answers and your camera presence.

4. Make your setup boring and reliable

The goal is for the interviewer to focus on you, not your environment.

• Put the camera roughly at eye level.
• Have light in front of you rather than behind you.
• Use a quiet, uncluttered background.
• Test your microphone and camera.
• Make sure your internet connection is reliable.
• Close unnecessary apps and notifications.
• Charge your laptop or plug it in.
• Know how to mute/unmute and share your screen if necessary.

I'd also do a complete test call the day before, rather than discovering an audio or software problem five minutes before the interview.

5. Dress for the interview

Dress roughly as you would for an in-person interview at that company. On camera, simple professional clothing generally works better than distracting patterns or accessories.

6. Adjust your eye contact

This is one of the biggest differences from an in-person interview.

When speaking, look toward the camera lens—especially when making an important point. When listening, it's natural to look at the interviewer's face on your screen.

Also, don't stare rigidly at the camera the entire time. Natural movement is better than trying to look "perfect."

7. Have a small cheat sheet

Put a few bullet points near your screen:

Role: 3 key requirements Stories: 5 STAR examples Why them: 2–3 reasons Questions: 3 things to ask

Don't put full answers there. You want reminders, not a script—the interviewer will notice if you're repeatedly reading.

8. The 10 minutes before

Don't spend those minutes frantically studying.

Instead:

1. Close everything you don't need.
2. Check camera, microphone, and lighting.
3. Put your phone on silent.
4. Have your résumé and notes nearby.
5. Get some water.
6. Join early.
7. Take a few slow breaths.
8. Remind yourself: the goal isn't to give perfect answers; it's to have a good professional conversation.

For a pre-recorded/one-way interview, prepare somewhat differently: practice answering within the platform's time limits, because you won't have an interviewer to react to or redirect you.

If you tell me the job title and industry, I can also give you the 10 questions you're most likely to get and how I'd answer each one.

When speaking, look toward the camera lens—especially when making an important point. When listening, it's natural to look at the interviewer's face on your screen.

Also, don't stare rigidly at the camera the entire time. Natural movement is better than trying to look "perfect."

7. Have a small cheat sheet

Put a few bullet points near your screen:

Role: 3 key requirements Stories: 5 STAR examples Why them: 2–3 reasons Questions: 3 things to ask

Don't put full answers there. You want reminders, not a script—the interviewer will notice if you're repeatedly reading.

8. The 10 minutes before

Preparing for a video interview is all about mastering your tech setup and projecting the same energy and confidence you would in person.

1. Master Your Technology

• Test the platform: Download and log into the software (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) beforehand. Check your display name and profile picture.
• Check your connection: Hardwire with an Ethernet cable if possible, or move close to your Wi-Fi router.
• Frame your camera: Position your webcam at eye level. Stack books underneath your laptop if you need to bring it up—you want to look straight ahead, not down.

2. Optimize Environment and Lighting

• Light your face: Position a lamp or face a window so light hits the front of you. Avoid sitting with a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.
• Keep the background clean: Choose a tidy, neutral space or use a subtle, professional virtual background if your actual space is busy.
• Eliminate noise: Close windows, turn off notifications/alarms, and let household members know you are on an important call.

3. Body Language and Delivery

• Look at the lens, not the screen: When speaking, look directly into the camera lens to create "eye contact" with the interviewer. Look at the screen only when they are talking.
• Dress the part: Wear professional attire from head to toe. Dressing fully for an interview triggers a professional mindset, and you never know if you'll need to stand up.
• Mind your posture: Sit up straight, shoulders back, and keep hand gestures natural and within the camera frame.

4. Strategic Prep Work

• Use digital sticky notes: Place brief bullet points or keywords (like STAR method prompts) on your screen or right next to your webcam using apps or physical notes so you can glance at them without looking away.
• Have documents ready: Keep a digital copy of your resume and the job description open on your desktop in case you need to reference them quickly.
• Prepare a closing question: Have 2 or 3 thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about the role or company culture.

Would you like to practice with a mock interview question or get tips on how to use the STAR method for behavioral questions?

The best preparation is to treat a video interview like an in-person interview plus a technical rehearsal. The biggest difference is that you need to deliberately manage your camera, audio, surroundings, and eye contact.

1. Research the role and company

Before the interview:

• Re-read the job description and identify the 3–5 skills they care about most.
• Research the company, its products/services, and recent developments.
• Prepare a clear answer to “Why this role?” and “Why you?”
• Think of 4–6 specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your strengths.

For behavioral questions, structure examples with STAR: Situation → Task → Action → Result.

2. Practice out loud—not just in your head

Do a mock interview on the same platform you'll use. Record yourself if possible.

Pay attention to:

• Whether you ramble
• How quickly you speak
• Filler words like “um” and “like”
• Whether your answers actually address the question
• Your facial expression and posture
• Whether you look at the camera when speaking

Recording yourself is particularly useful because some habits aren't obvious until you see yourself on screen.

3. Get the technology boringly reliable

At least the day before—and again shortly before the interview—test:

• Camera
• Microphone and speakers/headphones
• Internet connection
• Interview software and login
• Charging/power
• Screen sharing, if relevant

Close unnecessary applications and tabs, and have a backup plan such as your phone if the connection fails.

4. Optimize your camera setup

Aim for:

• Camera roughly at eye level
• Your face clearly visible
• Light in front of you, rather than behind you
• Clean, uncluttered background
• Camera framing around your head and upper torso

During the conversation, look at the camera when you're speaking and at the screen when you're listening. This creates more natural eye contact.

5. Prepare a small cheat sheet

Keep a few unobtrusive notes beside your screen—not a script.

I'd have:

• 3 key accomplishments
• 3 strengths relevant to the job
• 4–6 STAR stories
• Why you want the job
• 3 questions to ask them

This lets you glance at reminders without sounding like you're reading.

6. Prepare good questions

Don't finish with “No, I think you've covered everything.”

Good questions include:

• “What would success look like in the first six months?”
• “What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would tackle?”
• “How would you describe the team's working style?”
• “What distinguishes people who do particularly well in this role?”

7. On the day

Get everything ready 15–20 minutes early. Have water nearby, silence your phone, eliminate interruptions, and give yourself a few minutes to settle down before joining.

One final tip: don't try to memorize perfect answers. Memorize your key points and stories. You want to sound prepared, not rehearsed.

If you tell me the job/industry and whether it's a first-round, behavioral, technical, or final interview, I can give you a targeted set of questions and the best way to answer each one.

Preparing for a video interview requires a mix of traditional interview prep and technical readiness. Here is a step-by-step guide to nailing it:

• Technical Setup: Test your internet connection, webcam, and microphone the day before. Ensure your chosen video platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) is updated and you know how to use it.
• Environment and Lighting: Choose a quiet, clean, and distraction-free background. Position your light source (a lamp or window) in front of you rather than behind you so your face is clearly visible.
• Camera Eye Contact: Position your camera at eye level. When speaking, look directly into the camera lens rather than at the screen—this creates the illusion of direct eye contact with the interviewer.
• Professional Appearance: Dress professionally from head to toe. Even if the bottom half isn't on camera, dressing the part puts you in the right mindset.
• Cheat Sheets and Notes: Use the digital nature of video calls to your advantage. You can stick sticky notes with key talking points, achievements, or questions right around your camera lens where you can see them without looking away.
• Practice and Body Language: Record a short practice video of yourself answering common questions to check your pacing, posture, and non-verbal cues. Sit up straight and use hand gestures naturally.

Would you like me to help you practice with some common interview questions or give you advice on how to set up your specific background and lighting?

A strong video interview combines the same preparation as an in-person interview with extra attention to your technology and on-camera presence. www.fidelity.comwww.deloitte.com Here’s a practical approach:

1. Prepare your interview content

• Research the company, role, and interviewer(s) if you know who they are.
• Review the job description and identify 3–5 examples from your experience that show relevant skills.
• Practice answers to common questions:
  • “Tell me about yourself.”
  • “Why do you want this role?”
  • “What’s a challenge you faced and how did you handle it?”
  • “Why should we hire you?”
• Prepare a few questions to ask at the end.
• Use a structure like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions so your answers stay clear and focused.

2. Do a technology test

At least a day before:

• Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection.
• Make sure you know how to use the interview platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.).
• Plug in your laptop or fully charge it.
• Close unnecessary apps and disable notifications.

3. Set up your interview space

Aim for:

• A quiet, private room.
• A clean, simple background.
• Light coming from in front of you rather than behind you.
• Camera at eye level (raise your laptop with books if needed).
• A stable setup where you won’t need to move things around.

4. Practice being on camera

Do a short mock interview and record yourself:

• Look at the camera when speaking (that creates eye contact).
• Sit upright and keep an open posture.
• Speak a little slower than normal to account for video delays.
• Avoid reading full answers from notes—use brief prompts instead.

5. Dress like it’s in person

Wear professional clothing appropriate for the role. Even if only your upper body is visible, dressing fully can help you feel more prepared and avoids surprises if you need to stand up.

6. Have a “last 10 minutes” routine

Right before:

• Join early.
• Have your resume, notes, and questions nearby.
• Put your phone on silent.
• Get water.
• Take a moment to check framing, lighting, and audio.

A simple rule for notes

Keep a small note near your screen with:

• 3 strengths you want to highlight
• 2–3 accomplishments
• 3 questions to ask
• A reminder to look at the camera

The goal isn’t to look perfect—it’s to make the conversation feel as close as possible to an in-person interview.

Preparing for a video interview requires a mix of standard interview readiness and technical polish. Here is a clear, actionable guide to help you nail it:

Environment and Technical Setup

• Lighting : Face a window or place a lamp behind your camera (not behind you) so your face is brightly and evenly lit.
• Camera Angle : Raise your laptop or webcam so it sits right at eye level . Avoid looking down into a laptop camera or looking up from a phone propped too low.
• Background : Choose a clean, uncluttered, and professional background. If your space doesn't permit this, use a subtle, professional virtual background—avoid distracting moving backgrounds.
• Audio : Use external headphones or a dedicated microphone if possible to cut down on background noise and echo.
• Tech Check : Test your internet connection, microphone, and video platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.) at least 30 minutes before the call.

Delivery and Body Language

• Eye Contact : Look directly into the camera lens when speaking, not at the screen or your own image. This creates the psychological feeling of direct eye contact with the interviewer.
• Attire : Dress professionally from head to toe. Even if the bottom half isn't on camera, wearing full professional attire shifts your mindset into "interview mode."
• Notes Management : Place sticky notes with key keywords, metrics, or your elevator pitch right next to your webcam so you can glance at them quickly without breaking your line of sight.

Content Preparation

• Research : Review the company website, recent news, and your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile.
• STAR Method : Prepare 5 to 6 stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) highlighting your achievements, quantified with numbers or percentages where possible (30%, 2× growth, etc.).
• Questions : Have 3 to 4 thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer at the end.

Would you like me to help you practice common interview questions or refine a specific story using the STAR method?

The best approach is to prepare for a video interview like a normal interview, plus a little extra attention to camera, sound, and delivery.

1. Know the role and company

Before the interview, be able to answer:

• Why do you want this job?
• Why this company?
• What parts of your experience match the job description?
• What do you know about their products, customers, or goals?

Research the company and reread the job description, looking for the skills they emphasize.

2. Prepare 4–6 strong stories

Don't memorize answers word-for-word. Instead, prepare real examples involving:

• A difficult problem you solved
• A successful project
• A mistake or failure and what you learned
• Working with a difficult person or team
• Taking initiative or leadership
• Adapting to change

Use STAR: Situation → Task → Action → Result. Focus especially on what you personally did and quantify the result when possible.

3. Practice on camera

This is one of the highest-value things you can do. Record yourself answering questions such as:

• "Tell me about yourself."
• "Why are you interested in this position?"
• "What's your biggest strength?"
• "Tell me about a time you made a mistake."
• "Why should we hire you?"

Watch the recording once. Look for rambling, speaking too quickly, excessive filler words, poor eye contact, or answers that take too long. Practicing on video helps make your delivery more natural.

4. Get the technical setup right

The day before:

• Test the interview software.
• Check your microphone and camera.
• Make sure your internet connection is reliable.
• Put the camera roughly at eye level.
• Face a light source rather than sitting with a bright window behind you.
• Choose a quiet, uncluttered location.
• Plug in your computer or fully charge it.
• Have headphones available as a backup.

On interview day, log in early enough to troubleshoot rather than joining at the last second.

5. Treat the camera like the interviewer's eyes

When you're speaking, look at the camera, particularly when making an important point, rather than constantly watching your own image on the screen. Keep your posture relaxed and show some energy—video can make a naturally enthusiastic person appear flat.

6. Have a small "cheat sheet"

It's fine to have a few notes just off-screen:

• 3 key things about the company
• 4–6 story keywords
• Your questions for them
• A couple of accomplishments/metrics you don't want to forget

Use keywords, not scripts. Reading full answers tends to make you sound unnatural and can interfere with eye contact.

7. Prepare questions for them

Have 3–5 ready. Good ones include:

• "What would success look like in this role after six months?"
• "What are the biggest challenges the person in this position will face?"
• "How would you describe the team's working style?"
• "What distinguishes people who do particularly well in this role?"

A simple preparation schedule

2–3 days before: Research the company and role; prepare your stories.
Day before: Do a complete practice interview on camera; test your setup.
1 hour before: Review your notes, get dressed, set up your space, and eliminate distractions.
5–10 minutes before: Get online, check audio/video, take a breath, and stop studying.

The biggest mistake is trying to memorize perfect answers. Aim instead to know your experiences well enough that you can talk about them naturally and adapt them to whatever question you're asked.

If you tell me the job title and paste the job description, I can help you identify the most likely questions and build your strongest STAR stories around them.

Preparing for a video interview requires a mix of traditional interview readiness and technical polish.

1. Master Your Tech Setup

• Check connection: Test your internet speed, microphone, and webcam at least a day prior.
• Optimize lighting: Face a window or a lamp so your face is clearly visible without harsh shadows or backlighting.
• Declutter your background: Choose a clean, professional, or neutral backdrop (or use a subtle, high-quality virtual background if necessary).
• Position the camera: Set your webcam at eye level so you look straight ahead rather than looking down or up.

2. Perfect Your Delivery

• Look at the lens: When speaking, look directly into the camera lens rather than at the interviewer's face on the screen; this creates the psychological illusion of direct eye contact.
• Dress fully: Wear your complete professional outfit from head to toe. It shifts your mindset into "interview mode" and prevents awkward moments if you need to stand up.
• Minimize distractions: Close all unrelated browser tabs, silence your phone, and put pets or family members in another room.

3. Ace the Content

• Use the STAR method: Structure your behavioral answers by outlining the Situation, Task, Action , and Result.
• Prepare digital cheat sheets: Keep sticky notes with key keywords, metrics, or your resume bullet points arrayed right around your webcam where you can glance at them quickly.
• Prepare questions: Have 2 or 3 thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about company culture, team dynamics, or current projects.

Would you like to practice with a mock interview question or focus on behavioral vs. technical prep for your specific industry?