Video Interview Tips — How to Perform on Camera

Poor technical setup creates a terrible first impression before you say a word. If your lighting is bad, you look unwell. If your audio is echoing, the interviewer stops listening to content and focuses on the distraction. If your background is cluttered, you look disorganised. Firms use video interviews because they can evaluate you comprehensively — lighting, background, presence, and communication all contribute to their assessment. Invest 2-3 hours in setup; it's the highest-return preparation.

Camera positioning: position your camera at approximately eye level. If the camera is below eye level, you're looking down (poor presence). If it's above, you're looking up (also poor presence). Use a laptop on a stand or a monitor with webcam positioned at eye level. For HireVue, position the camera so your face fills roughly 30-40% of the screen and you have some shoulder visible. You're aiming for professional headshot framing.

Lighting: position yourself so light sources are in front of you or to the side, not behind. Backlighting makes you appear dark and hard to see. A window as your light source is ideal (soft, natural light). If using artificial light, use a desk lamp positioned to the side. The goal is that your face is well-lit and clearly visible with no harsh shadows.

Audio: test your microphone before the interview. Speak aloud and listen back. Does your voice sound clear? Is there background noise (traffic, hum from electronics, other people)? Close all other applications that might produce sound (Slack, email notifications). Use headphones if possible — they reduce background noise and allow you to hear the interviewer better in live interviews. For HireVue, you might not have an interviewer to hear, but clear audio is still critical for evaluation.

Background: position yourself with a plain, professional background. A blank wall is ideal. If you must use a virtual background (for live calls), use a professional setting (not a beach or a cartoon). Avoid clutter. A clean background signals professionalism and organisation.

Network connection: test your internet speed before the interview. For video calls, you'll need stable internet. If you're worried about connection, position yourself closer to your router or use ethernet if possible. Have your phone as a backup — if your computer loses connection, you can call in via phone (though that's obviously less ideal).

HireVue recorded interviews have no live interviewer to read or adjust to. This is simultaneously easier (no pressure of a live conversation) and harder (you must be completely self-directed). You get 30 seconds to read the question, 30 seconds to prepare your answer, and then 2 minutes to record. Once you finish recording, you cannot retake the question (with most HireVue configurations).

Use your 30-second read time to understand exactly what's being asked. If the question is "Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge," identify what specific challenge dimension they care about. Is it personal challenges? Professional challenges? Overcoming obstacles or setbacks? Read carefully.

Use your 30-second prep time wisely. Don't spend it panicking. Instead: (1) identify which of your pre-prepared stories fits best, (2) decide what you'll emphasise, (3) take two deep breaths. Most candidates waste prep time thinking "What should I say?" If you've prepared well, you know what you'll say already.

During recording, speak directly to the camera as if you're having a conversation with someone. Don't look at notes (obvious and penalised). Don't ramble. For a 2-minute recording, your answer should be 1.5-1.45 minutes, not longer. Better to finish clearly than to run out of time mid-sentence.

Near the end of your 2 minutes, start wrapping up. "And that experience taught me [lesson], which is why I'm excited about [firm]." A clear closing beats trailing off. If you make a minor mistake (small stutter, rephrasing), pause briefly and continue. Don't restart. Minor stumbles are expected and acceptable.