A Zoom interview adds a layer of complexity most candidates underestimate. Here's how to control your environment, your tech, and your delivery so none of it gets in the way.
Practise Your Video Interview with AI →Video interviews have become the default first — and sometimes only — round for many UK employers. On the surface they seem easier: you're at home, you have your notes nearby, there's no commute. But Zoom interviews introduce a distinct set of challenges that catch candidates off guard — technical failures, awkward silences, difficulty reading the interviewer, and the unnatural experience of performing to a camera. This guide covers everything from your setup to your delivery, so the format works for you rather than against you.
Use a wired ethernet connection if possible. If relying on Wi-Fi, sit as close to the router as you can and close all other devices and browser tabs consuming bandwidth.
Camera should be at eye level — not angled up from a laptop on a desk. Prop your laptop on books if needed. Eye level creates a natural, confident framing.
Light source should be in front of you, not behind. A window behind you creates a silhouette. A ring light or a lamp facing you makes an immediate difference to how you appear on screen.
A plain, tidy wall is ideal. Remove anything distracting. If using a virtual background, test it with your actual camera — some create artefacts that are more distracting than a real background.
Test your microphone beforehand using Zoom's audio test feature. A headset or earphones dramatically improve audio quality over laptop speakers, which can cause echo and feedback.
Turn off all notifications on your computer and phone before the call — not just silent them. A banner notification appearing on screen mid-interview looks unprofessional and is distracting for both parties.
This is the single most impactful thing you can do on a video call. When you look at the interviewer's face on your screen, your eyes point slightly downward — which on their end looks like you're not making eye contact. Train yourself to look directly at the camera lens when speaking. It feels unnatural at first but reads as confident and engaged on their end.
Join the Zoom link early to confirm your camera, microphone, and internet are working. Check how you appear on screen — framing, lighting, background. If the interviewer is running late, you'll be calm and ready rather than still troubleshooting your audio when they arrive. Never assume tech will work on the day because it worked yesterday.
Yes, including trousers. You may need to stand up unexpectedly — to retrieve something, answer the door, or adjust your setup. Being caught in pyjama bottoms is avoidable and memorable for the wrong reasons. Dressing fully also puts you in the right headspace — how you dress affects how you feel and perform.
One of the genuine advantages of a video interview is that you can have notes nearby. Stick a Post-it with two or three key points next to your camera lens — close enough to glance at without obviously looking away. Don't write out full scripts; if you're reading, it's visible. Use notes for company-specific facts and your prepared questions, not your answers.
Silences feel longer on video than in person because there's no shared physical space to absorb them. When you need a moment to think, say so — "That's a good question, let me think about that for a second." This signals thoughtfulness rather than uncertainty. Rushing an answer to fill silence is one of the most common video interview mistakes.
Audio compression and slight lag on video calls make fast speech harder to follow. Consciously slow your normal speaking pace by about 10–15%. Pause between points. This isn't just a technical fix — it also makes you sound more measured and considered, which is exactly the impression you want to create in a professional setting.
Before the interview, save the interviewer's email address and phone number. If Zoom drops and you can't reconnect, you need to be able to reach them within 30 seconds — not spend five minutes hunting for contact details while they wonder what happened. A brief, calm message ("My connection dropped — rejoining now / happy to switch to a call") shows composure under pressure.
Most people have never watched themselves answer interview questions on video. Record yourself answering two or three common questions and watch it back. You'll notice things immediately — filler words, eye line, whether you look engaged or distracted. Candidates who practise on camera consistently perform better in video interviews than those who only practise in their head.
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Dress as you would for an in-person interview for that company. When in doubt, smart is better than casual — what you wear signals how seriously you're taking the opportunity. Avoid busy patterns or bright colours that can distort on camera; plain, muted tones look cleanest on video.
A plain, uncluttered wall is ideal. If your space is messy, a neutral virtual background is acceptable — but test it beforehand as some create glitchy edges around your hair and shoulders. Avoid novelty or branded virtual backgrounds which look unprofessional.
Look at the camera lens, not at the interviewer's face on screen — this creates the impression of eye contact. Slow your breathing before the call. Practise out loud beforehand so your answers feel natural. Good lighting also helps significantly — a well-lit face reads as calm and confident.
If your connection drops, rejoin immediately and apologise briefly — don't over-explain. Have the interviewer's email address saved beforehand so you can message them instantly if you can't reconnect. Most interviewers are understanding, but recovering quickly and professionally matters.
Not necessarily. Video interviews remove the natural rapport-building of a face-to-face meeting and make it harder to read body language on both sides. Technical issues add pressure. Many candidates find them harder because the feedback you get mid-answer is less visible and silences feel more awkward on screen.
Practise on camera with an AI interviewer that gives you real feedback on how you come across on screen.
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