How to Prepare for an Online Interview

Online interviews share most of the same rules as in-person ones, but they also require additional technical and visual preparation. For general interview preparation, see How to Prepare for a Job Interview — this article focuses specifically on what's unique to online interviews.

Technical Preparation

• Test your connection in advance. Check your internet connection, camera, and microphone at least 15-20 minutes before the interview.
• Get familiar with the platform beforehand. If you haven't used the video call app being used (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc.) before, do a quick test run before the interview.
• Have a backup plan. Think in advance about what you'll do if the connection drops (e.g., calling by phone), and share this possibility with the interviewer if you can.
• Turn off notifications. Mute message/email notifications on your computer for the duration of the interview.

Environment and Visuals

• Choose a clean, tidy background. A cluttered background can be distracting; prefer a plain wall or a simple corner if possible.
• Control your lighting. Make sure your light source is in front of you (not behind you) so your face is clearly visible.
• Bring the camera to eye level. The camera angle shouldn't be too low or too high; you can adjust the height with a book or a stand.
• Talk while looking at the camera. Looking at the camera rather than the face on your screen creates a sense of eye contact.

Body Language and Tone

In an online setting, your body language is perceived more narrowly than in person — so your tone of voice and facial expressions should be a bit more pronounced than usual. Sit upright, use your hands and arms naturally, and don't forget to smile.

Things to Watch During the Interview

• Leave a small pause before speaking to avoid interrupting the other person (video calls can have audio lag).
• Keep any notes (if you have them) off-screen but in front of you, in a way that doesn't break eye contact.
• If the connection drops, try to reconnect calmly and use whatever backup channel was agreed on beforehand, if possible.

Conclusion

An online interview requires the same substantive preparation as an in-person one — plus testing the technical and visual details in advance. For preparing for common questions, also see Frequently Asked Interview Questions and How to Answer Them.