Okay, so virtual interviews have basically become the norm. And honestly? They’re a weird mix of cozy and nerve-wracking—you’re comfy in your own space, but also trying not to turn into a jittery pixel on a screen. Let’s hash out the do’s and don’ts, the stuff you gotta nail and the stuff to chill on—all with zero stiff formality, just a real friend chatting with you.
What to Do
1. Do Test Your Tech—Seriously, Don’t Risk It
This one is non-negotiable. And not just 5 minutes before—like, you should do a full dress rehearsal (minus the attire). Webcam, mic, internet, the software (Zoom, Teams, Meet)—test it all. One smart tip says: test at the same time of day you’ll interview, because glare, traffic noise, or your neighbor’s leaf-blower habits can change depending on the hour.
Also, some folks suggest using headphones—to reduce echo and keep you crisp on their end.
Testing your technology and your space matters so much, because nothing kills vibes like “can you hear me now?” fatigue.
2. Do Dress for the Job
Even though you’re at home, please—wear actual pants. Top-to-bottom view matters. Dressing the part not only looks professional, but it also makes you feel like you’re not lounging in your pj’s. One guru suggests jewel tones—they work well on camera and don’t wash you out. And weird patterns? Best to avoid, because they can subtly distract. It’s like giving your outfit a tiny cameo moment, instead of starring in the show.
3. Do Set the Scene (Nice Background & Lighting)
Your environment needs to say “I’m in a meeting”—not “I just rolled out of bed.” Ideally, pick a plain or clean backdrop. If your walls are cluttered or full of personal photos, they’ll pull eyeballs away from you (and you want you in focus, obviously).
Lighting-wise, front-facing natural light is your BFF. Sitting with your back to the window? You’ll look like a silhouette. Sitting in dim light? You’ll look… sleepy. Test it out, adjust shades or lamps—whatever it takes.
4. Do Mind Your Body Language (Even Through Pixels)
Posture matters, even on screen. Sit up straight, shoulders relaxed, camera at eye level—so it’s like you’re talking directly to them, not from below your chin. Make eye contact with the webcam (not your screen). Nod when appropriate, smile, and think of it as showing you’re present, engaged, not just logging in.
Also, feel free to jot short notes—but don’t shuffle around like you’re searching under your desk. That breaks flow.
5. Do Prepare (But Keep a Natural Flow)
You’re still in interview mode—even if it’s virtual. So yes: practice answers to common questions, research the company, mull over how your experience fits their needs. Prepare questions they’d wanna answer, too. Don’t make them ‘yes-or-no’ detours—make ‘em thoughtful, show you’ve been paying attention.
Just don’t learn them as a script. You want the convo to glide, not feel like you’re reading flashcards. A pro tip: post-its on your screen help—it’s natural-looking prompts, not overt cheat-sheet energy.
6. Do Be Mindful of Don’ts (They Sneak Up)
Here’s where virtual setting gifts us unexpected traps:
- Don’t wait till the last minute to test tech. That’s stress you don’t need.
- Don’t wear slippers or pajama bottoms. You might sit up or adjust—you will flash them eventually.
- Don’t pick noisy spaces, like near traffic or in the kitchen where siblings might bang in.
- Don’t show off a messy background. Laundry piles, chaotic rooms—they don’t say “organized and focused.”
- Don’t slouch or look bored. It reads poorly, even if you’re just conserving energy.
- Don’t speak too fast or under your breath. On video things get muffled—slow down, enunciate, breathe.
- Don’t interrupt or fill silence with rambling. If there’s a thoughtful beat, embrace it. It shows you’re reflecting, not panicking.
7. Do Remember the Small but Mighty Things
- Be prompt. Join 5–10 minutes early, so you don’t look frazzled—they can see waiting room status.
- Turn off phone notifications and close browser tabs. You don’t want “Ding!” mid-answer or random cat videos blinking in the background.
- Mute when not speaking, especially if there’s sudden noise (doors, dogs, leaf-blowers)—control what they hear.
- Have water nearby—dry throat mid-sentence? Sip, reset, proceed.
- Smile. It sounds cliché, but that warmth still comes through a screen.
8. Do Follow Up (Not Just Virtually, But for Real)
End the talk with a genuine “Thanks for your time—this was great.” And always send a brief thank-you email within a day (brevity, sincerity, maybe one thought you forgot to share). It’s courtesy but also refreshes their memory. People notice that.
Hear from Real People (Reddit Vibes)
“Prepare your space, ensure good lighting, and test your audio and video beforehand. Have a glass of water nearby and some notes if you need them… Be yourself, speak clearly, and take your time to answer questions.”
“If you get stuck on a question, it’s okay to take a moment… say, ‘That’s a great question, let me think about that for a second.’ Write your notes beside your screen.”
My favorite? “Best interview advice is don’t see it as an interview. Think of it as a great opportunity for both parties to have a chat.” That’s gold because it reminds us job interviews are conversations, not interrogations.
Emotional PSA (Because We’re All Human)
Look, virtual interviews are weird. They blur that line between comfort and pressure. Your cat might photobomb you, Wi-Fi might glitch, you might fumble your words—that’s okay. Most interviewers are human and rooting for you. If anything slips, roll with it. A tiny panic face held for one second feels more relatable than you pretending nothing happened.
The true flex is being prepared, calm-ish, and you—not a perfect avatar. And if you do mess up a bit? Big chance it’s forgivable. Because being human is often better than looking flawless.
Recap the Do’s & Don’ts (Real Talk Version)
Do:
- Test tech early
- Dress like you mean business
- Choose a clean, well-lit space
- Sit upright and watch your body language
- Prepare without scripting
- Join early, mute smartly, keep water handy
- Smile, make eye contact through the camera
- Send a thoughtful follow-up
Don’t:
- Leave testing until last sec
- Wear pajamas (I know, tempting)
- Choose noisy or messy spaces
- Rush answers or fidget excessively
- Interrupt, ramble, or talk over silence
- Skip the thank-you later
Since We’ve Been Here Together
You’ve already got what matters—your skills, your story, your spark. Virtual platforms are just the stage. Show up as your best self, let your vibe be confident and kind, and treat the tech like a quirky sidekick, not the boss.
You’ve got this. Go ace that video chat.
