The Interview Format That Most Candidates Underestimate
Video interviews have become the dominant format for first and second round interviews in 2026.
Most large companies — and a growing number of smaller ones — conduct their initial screening interviews, first round interviews, and sometimes even final round interviews entirely over video. The efficiency, convenience, and cost savings of video interviewing have made it the default rather than the exception.
Yet despite how common video interviews have become the majority of candidates still prepare for them exactly the same way they prepare for in-person interviews — which means they are ignoring an entirely separate set of variables that significantly affect their performance.
A video interview is not the same as an in-person interview conducted through a screen. It has unique technical requirements, unique visual dynamics, unique communication challenges, and unique opportunities to make a strong impression.
The candidates who understand these differences and prepare specifically for the video format consistently perform better than those who treat it as a slightly less convenient version of a regular interview.
This guide gives you that specific preparation.
Part 1 — Technical Setup
Technical problems during a video interview create a terrible impression — regardless of whose fault they are. The interviewer knows you had the same opportunity to test your setup as any other candidate. A technical failure signals poor preparation.
Eliminate technical problems before they happen.
Camera:
Your laptop’s built-in camera is usually adequate for video interviews but a dedicated USB webcam at 1080p resolution produces noticeably better image quality. If you do a lot of video interviews the investment — typically $50 to $100 — is worthwhile.
Position your camera at eye level — not looking up from below which creates an unflattering angle and projects submissiveness, and not looking down from above. Eye level creates the most natural, confident visual impression.
Microphone:
Audio quality matters more than video quality in a video interview. Poor audio — muffled, echoey, or intermittent — creates fatigue and frustration for the interviewer and makes it harder for them to engage positively with what you are saying.
A USB microphone or a quality headset with a built-in microphone produces significantly better audio than your laptop’s built-in microphone. Alternatively a good pair of earbuds with an in-line microphone — the kind that comes with most smartphones — is a substantial improvement over no external microphone.
Internet connection:
Use a wired ethernet connection if at all possible — it is significantly more reliable than WiFi. If you must use WiFi position yourself as close as possible to your router and close all other applications and browser tabs that use bandwidth.
Test your internet speed before any important video interview at speedtest.net. You need a minimum of 5 Mbps upload speed for reliable video quality — 10 Mbps or more is ideal.
Platform familiarity:
Different companies use different video platforms — Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex. Download and test the required platform at least 24 hours before your interview. Do a test call with a friend to check that your camera, microphone, and screen sharing all work correctly on this specific platform.
Part 2 — Environment Setup
Your physical environment in a video interview communicates professionalism before you say a single word.
Background:
Choose a background that is clean, neutral, and professional. A plain wall, a neat bookshelf, or a tidy home office are all excellent. A messy room, a busy background with people moving through it, or a distracting visual environment all create negative impressions.
If your available space does not provide an appropriate background use a neutral virtual background in your video platform. Keep virtual backgrounds simple and professional — avoid beaches, space scenes, and anything that draws attention away from you.
Lighting:
Lighting is the single biggest factor in video interview appearance quality. Poor lighting — particularly backlighting where a window or bright light source is behind you — makes you appear as a silhouette and significantly reduces how professional you look.
The ideal lighting setup has your primary light source in front of you — facing your face. Natural light from a window in front of you is excellent. A simple ring light or desk lamp positioned in front of you and slightly above eye level produces professional-quality lighting at low cost.
Sound environment:
Choose the quietest room available. Close windows and doors. Turn off fans, air conditioning units, and any other ambient noise sources. Silence your phone and all notification sounds on your computer.
If you live with other people let them know the time of your interview and ask not to be disturbed or make noise during that period.
What you should not have in your environment:
Food or drinks other than water. Pets that might interrupt the call. Other people who might walk into the background. Notifications popping up on a second screen that might distract you.
Part 3 — Your On-Camera Presence
The dynamics of video communication are different from in-person communication in ways that require specific adjustments.
Eye contact — the most important adjustment:
In an in-person interview eye contact means looking at the interviewer’s eyes. In a video interview genuine eye contact means looking at your camera — not at the interviewer’s face on your screen.
This is counterintuitive and takes practice. When you look at the interviewer’s face on your screen your eyes appear to be looking downward to the person on the other end. When you look directly into your camera lens your eyes appear to be looking directly at the interviewer.
Practice looking at your camera when speaking. Glance at the screen to read the interviewer’s reactions when they are speaking — then return your gaze to the camera when you respond.
This single adjustment transforms how engaged and confident you appear on video.
Framing:
Position yourself so that your head and upper chest fill approximately the top two-thirds of the frame. Too far away and you appear distant and small. Too close and it feels uncomfortable and intense. The ideal framing puts your eyes approximately one-third down from the top of the frame.
Background activity:
Be aware of everything visible in your frame — not just your primary background. Books, artwork, objects on shelves, and items on your desk are all visible and all communicate something about you. Make a deliberate choice about what is in frame rather than leaving it to chance.
Body language:
Sit up straight with your back against the chair back. This projects confidence and engagement. Slouching communicates disinterest regardless of how good your answers are.
Use natural hand gestures when speaking — but keep them within the frame of the camera. Gestures that go outside the frame are invisible and distracting as your body moves in and out of view.
Energy calibration:
Video compresses energy slightly — you appear slightly less animated and less engaged on camera than you feel in person. Calibrate your energy accordingly — be slightly more expressive, slightly more enthusiastic, and slightly more animated than you would be in a face-to-face conversation to compensate for what the camera loses.
Part 4 — Asynchronous Video Interviews
An increasing number of companies in 2026 use asynchronous video interview platforms — HireVue, Spark Hire, and similar tools — for initial screening.
In an asynchronous video interview you receive questions on screen and record your video responses independently — without a live interviewer. Your responses are then reviewed by the hiring team at their convenience.
This format has unique challenges that live video interviews do not.
The main challenge:
Without a live human on the other end maintaining natural energy and engagement is significantly harder. Many candidates appear flat, mechanical, or uncomfortable in asynchronous video interviews because they are essentially talking to a camera with no social feedback.
How to perform well in asynchronous video interviews:
Prepare thoroughly
You typically know the questions in advance or can see them before recording. Prepare and practice your answers more thoroughly than you would for a live interview — you do not have the opportunity to recover from a weak answer with a strong follow up.
Practise on camera before recording
Record practice responses on your phone or computer before your actual session. Watch them back critically. Are you maintaining eye contact with the camera? Does your energy level look natural or flat? Are your answers the right length?
Treat the camera as a person
Imagine you are speaking directly to a specific person — a colleague, a friend, or a version of the hiring manager you have researched. This mental framing helps maintain natural energy and genuine expression rather than the mechanical delivery that asynchronous video often produces.
Use the allowed time wisely
Most asynchronous platforms show you the question and give you a specified time to answer — typically 60 to 90 seconds. Structure your answer to fit the time — not too short, not running over. Practice timing your responses.
Do multiple takes if allowed
Some platforms allow you to re-record your response. If so use this option — record your first response, watch it back, and record again if you think you can do significantly better.
Part 5 — Day-of Preparation
The night before:
Test all technology — camera, microphone, internet, platform. Charge all devices. Set up your physical environment — lighting, background, sound. Prepare your outfit and hang it ready.
One hour before:
Log into the video platform and test again. Check your internet connection. Get dressed in your interview outfit. Prepare a glass of water. Close all unnecessary applications and browser tabs. Silence your phone.
Fifteen minutes before:
Be in your interview space and settled. Open the video platform. Do a final camera and microphone check. Take three slow deep breaths. Review your key preparation notes — the three most important things you want to communicate.
During the interview:
If a technical problem occurs stay calm. Acknowledge it briefly and professionally — “I apologise — I seem to be having a brief technical issue. Bear with me one moment.” Resolve it quickly and move on without excessive apology or self-deprecation.
If the connection drops reconnect immediately and send a brief message through the platform or email explaining what happened. Do not assume the interviewer will wait — reconnect as quickly as possible.
Part 6 — After the Video Interview
Follow up exactly as you would after an in-person interview — a personalised thank you email within 24 hours referencing specific things from the conversation.
The video format does not change the importance or the content of your post-interview follow up. Send the thank you email. Follow up after seven to ten days if you have not heard back. Maintain the same professional standards as you would for any other interview format.
Video Interview Preparation Checklist
Technology:
Camera positioned at eye level ✅
Microphone or headset tested ✅
Internet connection tested — wired if possible ✅
Video platform downloaded and tested ✅
All devices fully charged ✅
Environment:
Background clean and professional ✅
Lighting in front of face — not behind ✅
Room as quiet as possible ✅
Notifications silenced ✅
Other people aware of interview time ✅
On-camera presence:
Eye contact with camera lens practiced ✅
Framing — head and upper chest in top two thirds ✅
Energy calibrated slightly higher than in-person ✅
Professional outfit ready ✅
Content preparation:
Company researched ✅
STAR stories prepared ✅
Questions for interviewer prepared ✅
Key messages reviewed ✅
Final Thoughts
A video interview is not a consolation prize for a real interview. In 2026 it is a primary interview format — and in many hiring processes it is the format where the most important early decisions are made.
Treat it with the same seriousness as an in-person interview. Prepare your technology. Set up your environment deliberately. Practice your on-camera presence. And show up as the prepared, confident, genuine candidate that your preparation deserves.
The candidates who do this consistently perform better in video interviews than candidates with stronger backgrounds who show up unprepared. In an interview format where technical problems and poor environments are common thorough preparation is an immediate competitive advantage.
Want more interview preparation tips? Explore our full library at RiseWithAI Hub — from resume writing and LinkedIn optimisation to salary negotiation and AI tools for every stage of your career.
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