Video Interview Tips

Graduate recruitment has shifted. Gone are the days when every first-round interview required a train ticket and a rigid suit. Today, whether it is a live Zoom call or a pre-recorded submission, video interviews are the gatekeepers to your dream career.

While this saves you travel time, it brings a unique set of challenges. How do you build rapport with a laptop lens? How do you ensure your personality comes across without being in the room?

Here is what to get right on video interviews, from the set-up to the sign-off.

1. Understand the format: live vs. pre-recorded

Before you start prepping, you must know exactly what you are walking into. Employers generally use one of two formats, and they require slightly different approaches.

2. Setting the stage: tech and environment

Technological failures or a distracting background can derail an otherwise perfect interview. Treat your environment like a film set. You are the director, and you want the viewer to focus entirely on the star of the show (you).

Lighting is Key

Avoid having a window behind you, as this will turn you into a silhouette. Natural light facing you is best. If your interview is in the evening or a dark room, do not rely on the overhead bulb alone.

You do not need to buy anything. Two free fixes: sit facing a window during the day so natural light hits your face, or angle a desk lamp behind your laptop pointed at the wall in front of you. Test your setup in the camera app first. If the room is dim and no lamp is available, open a blank document on full brightness and sit close to the screen. That is enough light for a laptop webcam.

Audio Quality

Your laptop microphone might pick up echo or background noise. If possible, use headphones with a built-in microphone. It prevents feedback loops and ensures the recruiter hears your answers clearly.

The Background

You do not need a sterile white wall, but you do need tidiness. A bookshelf or a tidy bedroom corner is fine. Ensure there is no laundry visible and that your flatmates know you are strictly not to be disturbed.

3. Body language for the camera

In a face-to-face meeting, you can rely on handshakes and general presence. On video, you are restricted to a small box. This is how to maximise your impact.

• Eye Contact: This is the most common mistake. When you are speaking, look at the camera lens, not the person’s face on the screen. This simulates eye contact for the viewer.
• Posture: Sit up straight. Slouching is exaggerated on camera. leaning slightly forward can indicate interest and engagement.
• Nodding and Smiling: Because you cannot use “Mmhmm” or “I see” as easily without cutting off the audio, use non-verbal cues like nodding to show you are listening.

4. Mastering the “HireVue” (pre-recorded) interview

Many graduates find pre-recorded interviews the most daunting. Talking to yourself feels unnatural. However, many large graduate schemes in the UK use AI-driven platforms like HireVue to sift through thousands of applicants.

Watch the Clock

You usually get a timer on the screen. If you have 2 minutes, aim to finish at the 1:45 mark. Do not get cut off mid-sentence. If you finish too early, do not ramble just to fill the silence; simply hit the “stop recording” button.

The Re-record Button

Some platforms allow one re-record per question. Only use this if you completely froze or made a factual error. If you just stumbled over a word, carry on. It shows resilience.

5. Dress the part

The rule of thumb for British graduate jobs is simple: dress as you would for an in-person interview. Even if the company has a “casual” culture, dressing smartly (shirt, blouse, or suit jacket) shows respect for the opportunity.

And yes, wear the trousers. You never know if you might need to stand up to adjust a blind or get a glass of water.

6. Troubleshooting technical glitches

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the WiFi drops. If this happens:

1. Stay Calm: Panic is worse than the glitch.
2. Have a Backup: Have your phone hotspot ready or the dial-in number for the Zoom call written down.
3. Communicate: If the video freezes, apologize politely and ask them to repeat the question. “I am sorry, the connection dipped for a second, could you repeat that?” is perfectly acceptable.

Useful Resources

For further reading on competency questions you might face, the National Careers Service provides an excellent breakdown of common inquiries.

ensuring your internet speed is sufficient is vital. You can run a quick check at Speedtest.net before your call starts.