A large share of first interviews now happen by phone or video. They look easy because you are at home, but they have their own problems: a poor connection, echo, a noisy house, a laptop camera that makes people look at the ceiling. The good news is that nearly all of these are fixed with an hour of preparation. This lesson helps you set up properly and shows how to make a strong impression through a screen or a phone.
Check your technology a day before
- Internet. Test your connection. If it is weak, move closer to the router, ask others at home not to stream or download during your interview, or use mobile data as a backup.
- The software. Many interviews use Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or similar. Install the app, create an account if needed, and open the link in advance. Check that you can join a test meeting.
- Charge your device and plug in the charger. A phone call ends badly when the battery dies.
- Audio. Use earphones with a microphone if you have them. They reduce echo and background noise. Do a quick recording to hear how you sound.
- Camera. Place it at eye level. A laptop on a stack of books works well. Looking slightly down into a camera is unflattering and hard to look at.
- A backup plan. Keep the recruiter's phone number and be ready to switch to a phone call if the video fails.
Prepare your space
- Quiet. Tell people at home the time. Close the doors and windows. Put a note on the door if needed.
- Background. A plain wall or tidy corner is enough. Avoid a messy bed or clutter. Do not use a silly virtual background. A slight blur is fine if the tool offers it.
- Light. Face a window or a lamp so the light falls on your face. Do not sit with a bright window behind you, because you will look like a dark shape.
- Phone settings. Turn off notifications and silent-mode your other devices.
- What you need on the table. A glass of water, a pen, paper, your resume and your prep sheet. Keep notes out of the camera view, or have just a few key words in reach.
Dress properly
Dress as you would for an in-person interview in that workplace, at least from the waist up and preferably fully. Dressing well changes how you feel and sit. Choose plain colours that are not too bright. For a casual workplace, neat and clean is enough.
Phone interviews
In a phone interview the interviewer cannot see you, so your voice carries everything.
- Stand or sit upright. Your voice sounds clearer and more confident.
- Smile when you speak. You can hear a smile in a voice.
- Speak a little slower than normal, and clearly. Mobile networks can distort fast speech.
- Pause instead of saying “um”. A short pause sounds thoughtful.
- Answer in a quiet place with good signal. Use the same place every time and test it.
- Take notes of names and details, and have your resume in front of you.
If the line is bad, say so politely: “I'm sorry, the line is not clear. Could you repeat that?”. Asking is better than guessing.
Video interview behaviour
- Join 5 to 10 minutes early. Be on time, never late.
- Look at the camera when you speak, not at your own face on the screen. It feels odd, but it looks like eye contact to the other person. Look at the screen when you listen.
- Sit up with relaxed shoulders. Keep your hands visible and natural. Move a little as you talk, but not too much.
- Nod and smile to show you are listening. Delays can make people hesitate, so wait a second after the question ends before you answer, to avoid talking over them.
- Do not read from a script. A few key words are fine. Reading sounds flat and interviewers notice eye movements.
- Do not eat or look at other screens.
Recorded video interviews
Some employers ask you to record answers to set questions on a platform, with no live person. You usually have a short time to prepare and one or two attempts per question. Treat it as a real interview. Read the instructions, test the camera, and practise on the platform if it has a practice question. Use the same structure as in person: a clear answer with an example, within the time limit. It is natural to feel awkward talking to a screen. Imagine you are talking to a friendly person on the other side.
If something goes wrong
- Connection drops: Rejoin quickly, or call or message the recruiter. Say sorry briefly and carry on.
- Noise starts: Say “I'm sorry, there's some noise. One moment.” and mute while it passes, if you can.
- You freeze on a question: It is fine to say, “Could I take a moment to think about that?”.
- Your mind goes blank: Take a slow breath, sip water, and ask them to repeat the question.
Interviewers know that technology is not perfect. They notice how calmly you handle a problem.
Close well
At the end, thank the interviewer, say you enjoyed the conversation, and confirm the next steps. Smile and wait for them to end the call. Do not rush to turn off the camera. A short thank-you message the same day is a good habit (lesson 15).
Your task
- Test your internet, camera, microphone and lighting. Record a one-minute answer and watch it back.
- Set up the space: background, light and a place for notes. Take a photo of your setup and fix one thing.
- Do a 10-minute practice interview with a friend on the platform your interview will use.
How to check it worked
- You can hear yourself clearly and your face is lit and at eye level.
- You know where you will look when you speak.
- You have a backup plan if the video fails.