Remote Interview Tips: Video Call Best Practices & Technical Setup

Remote interviews happen completely over video. That means what interviewers see is all they see.

You can’t rely on in-person handshakes, body language dynamics, or energy in the room.

Here’s how to ace them.

Part 1: Technical Setup (Do This 30 Minutes Before)

1. Test Your Internet

Before the interview:

• [ ] Do a speed test (speedtest.net)
• [ ] You need: 5+ Mbps download, 2+ Mbps upload (anything above that is fine)
• [ ] Close programs using internet (not streaming, downloads, etc.)
• [ ] If on WiFi, move closer to router or use ethernet cable

If your internet is bad:

• [ ] Use your phone as a hotspot (often more stable)
• [ ] Go to a library, coworking space, or friend’s house
• [ ] Tell them early: “I have spotty internet at home, is it okay if I call from [location]?”

2. Test Your Camera + Mic

Camera:

• [ ] Is it clear? (Not blurry, not pixelated)
• [ ] Is the lighting okay? (Can they see your face clearly?)
• [ ] Is the positioning right? (Should be at eye level, not looking down)

Microphone:

• [ ] Is it working? (Open Zoom 10 min early and test)
• [ ] Is it too quiet? (They can’t hear you)
• [ ] Is it picking up background noise? (Fans, AC, traffic)

If your built-in mic is bad:

• [ ] Use earbuds with a microphone
• [ ] Sit closer to your computer (so it’s easier to pick you up)
• [ ] Ask them to speak up if you can’t hear

3. Your Background

Video interviewers see:

• Your face (most important)
• Your shoulders/upper body
• A few feet behind you

Good backgrounds:

• ✅ Blank wall or close bookshelf (professional, neutral)
• ✅ Blurred background (if software blur is available on Zoom)
• ✅ Subtle home office (desk, plant, neat bookshelf)

Bad backgrounds:

• ❌ Unmade bed behind you
• ❌ Pile of laundry/clutter
• ❌ Messy kitchen
• ❌ Your roommate walking behind you
• ❌ People in underwear changing clothes behind you

What to do: Close your bedroom door. Do a quick tidy 15 minutes before. If background is really bad, use Zoom’s blur or virtual background feature (though real backgrounds are better).

4. Lighting

Best setup:

• [ ] Natural light facing you (window light is ideal)
• [ ] If no window, use a desk lamp pointing at your face
• [ ] Avoid backlighting (light behind you makes you look dark)
• [ ] Avoid harsh overhead light (makes you look like a mug shot)

If it’s too dark:

• [ ] Move closer to a window
• [ ] Turn on a desk lamp
• [ ] Ask if you can reschedule to a different time of day (if it’s too dark)

5. Appearance

You’re on video, but you should dress professionally:

• [ ] Button-up shirt or nice top (not a tank top / undershirt)
• [ ] No wrinkles (if possible)
• [ ] Hair combed
• [ ] No messy/casual vibe

Why: It’s on video. You don’t get the benefit of the doubt. Dress professionally so they focus on your words, not your appearance.

Bottom half: People can’t see it, so comfort is key. (Pajama pants are totally fine if you’re not showing them.)

Part 2: Camera & On-Screen Presence

Eye Contact

In video, eye contact is critical because you can’t rely on body language.

How to do it:

• [ ] Look at the camera when talking, not the video window of the interviewer
• [ ] Position their face on your screen close to the camera so you’re naturally looking near the camera
• [ ] Don’t look down at notes (they’ll notice)

Why this matters: If you’re looking down or away from the camera, you seem distracted or disengaged. Eye contact signals attention.

Posture & Energy

Good on-video posture:

• [ ] Sit up straight (not slouching)
• [ ] Lean forward slightly (signals engagement)
• [ ] Frame yourself from shoulders up (not too close, not too far)
• [ ] Be expressive (smile when appropriate, nod when listening)

Why: On video, lack of energy = lack of interest. You need to be more expressive than in-person because the camera flattens energy.

Smile & Warmth

On video, especially at the start:

• [ ] Smile when they open the call
• [ ] Be warm and friendly (not stiff)
• [ ] Light energy in your voice (not monotone)

First 10 seconds on video sets the tone. Warm greeting > cold, professional only.

Pacing & Pauses

On video, there’s a slight lag (usually 100–300ms). This means:

• [ ] Pause slightly longer between exchanges (gives them time to respond)
• [ ] Don’t fill silence with “umms” or “ahhs”
• [ ] Speak clearly, not too fast
• [ ] Let them finish before you jump in (easier to interrupt on video)

Part 3: Common Video Interview Issues (+ How to Handle Them)

Issue 1: Your Video Freezes

What happens: Mid-sentence, you freeze and they’re looking at a still image of your face.

What to do:

• [ ] Wait 5 seconds (sometimes it unfreezes)
• [ ] If it doesn’t, restart your connection
• [ ] Apologize briefly: “Sorry, I had a connection issue. Can you hear me now?”
• [ ] Move on (don’t dwell on it)

Avoid:

• [ ] Don’t say “Sorry! My internet is bad!” repeatedly (once is enough)
• [ ] Don’t get flustered

Issue 2: Audio Cuts Out

What happens: They can’t hear you or you can’t hear them.

What to do:

• [ ] Check your mute button (this is embarrassing when you realize you’re muted)
• [ ] Check their audio (ask “Can you hear me?”)
• [ ] If it’s bad, offer: “Should I call you back? Let me reconnect.”
• [ ] Try restarting the Zoom call

To avoid this entirely:

• [ ] Check that you’re NOT muted before speaking
• [ ] Check audio levels 5 min before the call

Issue 3: Internet Connection Drops Completely

What happens: You get disconnected mid-interview.

What to do:

• [ ] Don’t panic
• [ ] Reconnect to WiFi/internet
• [ ] Click the Zoom link again or call them
• [ ] Apologize once: “Sorry, I had a connection issue. Thanks for waiting.”
• [ ] Get back into the interview

Have a backup plan:

• [ ] Have their phone number in case you need to call them
• [ ] If Zoom fails, you can do a phone call (ask early for their number just in case)

Issue 4: There’s a Weird Echo

What happens: You hear yourself echoing, or they tell you they hear an echo.

What to do:

• [ ] Mute your speakers (click on the speaker icon with an X)
• [ ] Use headphones instead (earbuds work)
• [ ] Ask them: “Is the echo gone now?”

To avoid this:

• [ ] Use headphones from the start (better for audio quality anyway)

Issue 5: They’re Late

What happens: They said 2pm, it’s 2:05pm, they haven’t joined the call.

What to do:

• [ ] Wait 5 minutes
• [ ] Send them a polite message on Slack or email: “Hi! I’m on the Zoom call whenever you’re ready.”
• [ ] Don’t call their phone (unless they said to)
• [ ] Keep waiting (sometimes they’re just running late)
• [ ] After 15 minutes, if they still haven’t joined, email: “I had to step away. Should we reschedule?”

Issue 6: Their Video Doesn’t Work

What happens: You can see them, but they can’t see you (or vice versa).

What to do:

• [ ] Keep going (interviews work fine with 1-way video)
• [ ] If 2 people can’t see anything, suggest a phone call instead

Part 4: During the Interview

Don’t Multitask

❌ Things NOT to do on camera:

• [ ] Checking email / Slack
• [ ] Checking your phone
• [ ] Looking at notes (unless they said you can have notes)
• [ ] Typing furiously

(They can see you. Don’t do this.)

Avoid Fidgeting

On video, fidgeting is magnified:

❌ What not to do:

• [ ] Tapping fingers on desk
• [ ] Bouncing leg (if table shakes, they notice)
• [ ] Spinning in your chair
• [ ] Playing with your hair repeatedly
• [ ] Adjusting your hair/clothes every 3 seconds

✅ What to do instead:

• [ ] Keep hands in your lap (steady)
• [ ] Sit still
• [ ] Only adjust when you need to (not constantly)

Manage Distractions

Mute notifications:

• [ ] Silence your phone
• [ ] Close Slack, email, text notifications
• [ ] Put a “Do not disturb” sign on your door (if possible)

Tell people around you:

• [ ] “I have an interview in 10 minutes. Please don’t interrupt.”
• [ ] Close doors so people don’t walk by

Part 5: Pre-Interview Checklist (15 Minutes Before)

• [ ] Internet connection: Stable? (Test speed)
• [ ] Camera: Clear, well-lit? (Test video)
• [ ] Microphone: Working, no background noise? (Test audio)
• [ ] Background: Presentable? (Quick tidy)
• [ ] Appearance: Professionally dressed? (Check mirror)
• [ ] Notes: In front of you if allowed?
• [ ] Phone: Silenced?
• [ ] Notifications: Silenced?
• [ ] Drinks / bathroom: Handle before call?
• [ ] Have their contact info in case of issue?

Pre-Interview Mental Prep

30 seconds before the call:

• [ ] Take a deep breath
• [ ] Smile (it changes your mental state)
• [ ] Remember: This is a conversation, not an interrogation
• [ ] You’re interviewing them too (you want to see if it’s a good fit)

Post-Interview

Once the call ends:

• [ ] Don’t immediately assume it went bad if it felt awkward
• [ ] Send a thank-you email within 30 min
• [ ] Reference something specific from the call (shows you were listening)

Remote Interview Specific Tips

1. Test Before Showing Up (Literally)

For scheduled calls, join 5 minutes early. Test camera, mic, background. If something is wrong, you have time to fix it.

2. Dress From Head to Toe

Even though they can’t see your bottom half, dressing fully puts you in a professional mindset. You’ll feel more confident.

3. Be Warmer Than In-Person

On video, lack of warmth reads as coldness. Smile more. Be more expressive. Energy matters on video.

4. Have Water Nearby

Not coffee (can stain if spilled). Keep water during the interview so you can take sips and reset if you need to.

Key Takeaways

1. Tech setup is critical (test 30 min early)
2. Lighting matters (they should see your face clearly)
3. Eye contact is king (look at camera)
4. Be more expressive (video flattens energy)
5. Minimize background (neutral is best)
6. Don’t multitask (they can see you)
7. ** Handle issues gracefully** (connection drops happen, just keep going)
8. Dress professionally (even if they can’t see your bottom half)

Remote interviews are all about presence and technical execution. Get the tech right, bring energy, and treat it like any other interview.

Next: Master the full interview cycle with Interview Preparation Complete Guide or focus on specific interview types with role-specific guides.