Virtual interviews are commonplace across nearly every industry now.
Whether you’re applying for an in-office job or seeking an alternative to the 9 to 5, there’s a solid chance your first interview—and maybe your second and third—will happen over a screen.
But presenting yourself well through a screen requires a different skill set than walking into a room and shaking someone’s hand. Video conferencing platforms have multiplied, AI is showing up in the hiring process in ways that would’ve seemed surprising just a few years ago, and the bar for looking professional on camera has gotten higher now that everyone’s had years of practice.
A lot has changed since we first wrote this article, in the early years of the pandemic, when Zoom interviews were a new thing. Now, we’ve given it a fresh update, bringing you our best virtual interview tips for 2026.
Get comfortable with the major platforms
Before your interview, find out which platform the company uses—and don’t assume it’ll be Zoom, even though there’s a good chance it will be.
Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex are all common in professional settings, and different companies have different preferences. A quick email to your recruiter or hiring contact ahead of time (“Could you let me know which platform we’ll be using for the call?”) takes thirty seconds and saves you from scrambling the day of. You might be able to decipher it from the calendar invite they send you as well.
Once you know what you’re working with, take a few minutes to orient yourself. You don’t need to become an expert, but you should know how to join the call, turn your camera and mic on and off, and share your screen if needed. Most platforms have free accounts and tutorial videos that take under ten minutes to get through.
If it’s a platform you’ve never used, do a quick test run with a friend beforehand. Technical hiccups happen, but it’s easy to show up prepared for the basics.
Extra equipment can improve your virtual interview
No one wants to lose out on a job opportunity because their interviewer couldn’t hear them, or their camera looked like it was covered in vaseline. You may find that the built-in camera and microphone on your laptop are just fine, but if not, it may be wise to invest in some extra equipment to kick it up a notch.
Fortunately, you can find small, affordable external cameras or microphones that will make the quality of your Zoom interview much better. Take a look on Amazon or ask around to see if you have any friends or family who might lend you theirs.
If your camera quality is fine, but the lighting you’re using for your interview looks dark or unprofessional, then it may be wise to invest in some set lighting equipment for your virtual interview. A ring light or floor lamp placed close to your computer can help brighten your appearance on camera.
If you’re worried about your internet signal cutting out during your Zoom call, you can also purchase an ethernet cable that will allow you to plug your laptop or computer into your modem directly for the call. If internet problems persist, it may be best to ask a friend or family member with a more secure connection to let you hold the interview at their home. You can also check with your local library or school to see if they have high-speed internet and quiet, private rooms you can rent out for the interview.
Know what to expect from AI interviews
When AI first showed up in the hiring process, it surprised a lot of people—and it was so buggy, it led to some very funny and strange outcomes.
@petobsessed777 Should I email them? I was expecting a real human. They didnt tell me ahead of time theyd use AI. #ai ♬ original sound – Freddie
AI is becoming more and more sophisticated, and no matter how you feel about the technology, you’ll be more likely to land the job if you know what you’re up against.
Some companies use AI tools to screen candidates before a human interviewer ever gets involved. This might look like a recorded video interview where you answer prompts on screen (no live person on the other end) and an AI assesses your responses. Others are experimenting with AI avatars that conduct the interview in real time, asking follow-up questions and responding to what you say.
It can feel strange at first—because let’s face it, it is strange! There’s no human energy to feed off of, no small talk to ease you in. But the fundamentals don’t change: clear answers, good posture, eye contact with the camera, professional background. If anything, being concise matters more, since there’s no human on the other end picking up on your enthusiasm or charm between the lines.
A few things worth knowing going in:
Read the instructions carefully. AI interview platforms usually give you specific guidance on format, time limits, and how many attempts you get. Don’t skip this.
Do a test recording. Most platforms let you do a practice run. Use it to get familiar with how it works before you start answering questions that the AI will assess.
Speak clearly and at a measured pace. AI assessment tools are often analyzing tone, clarity, and keywords—rambling or trailing off doesn’t work in your favor. This is why we recommend practicing common interview questions before your virtual interview. Here are some articles to help with that:
On the flip side, AI can also work for you. Note-taking tools like Otter.ai or those built into various platforms can transcribe your interview in real time, and AI prep tools can help you anticipate questions and sharpen your answers beforehand. Just make sure you confirm with the interviewer before using any tools during the call itself—some companies have policies against it.
Prepare as you would for any interview, with these extra steps
Preparing for a Zoom interview is very similar to how you would prepare for any interview.
Before the call, make sure you have done plenty of research on the company. Review their website and social media accounts, so you can speak confidently about the company on the call. It’s always a good idea to mention this research during the interview. You can say something like, “I read the blog on your website about ______, and I found it really interesting!” or “The company’s mission really spoke to me, because…”
You also want to take time to review the job description of the role you’re applying for. You want to demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand what your responsibilities will be, but also look for areas where you may need some clarification from your interviewer.
When going to an in-person interview, it’s wise to bring a copy of your resume or portfolio with you. For a virtual interview, you need to switch this up. Even if if you’ve already sent your resume and profile to the employer, it’s a good idea to have a copy open on your computer. That way, if your employer wants to review it on the call, you can easily send it to them or share your screen. Having to fish around for it during the call could make you look unprofessional, so be sure you have all of your important documents open prior to the call.
Related: The Ultimate List of Personal Brand Examples to Inspire You
Staging the perfect virtual interview
As the day of your interview arrives, you want to make sure you “stage” the call to look as good as it can.
The first thing to look at is your background. When you turn on your camera, what does it look like behind you? If you’re interviewing from your bedroom, for example, you want to make sure your room is clean and your bed is made.
Remove anything that may be distracting. You don’t need to worry about removing tasteful items in your background—no interviewer is going to fault you for having a nice piece of art or a bookshelf behind you. But keep an eye out for things that move or look messy—a spinning ceiling fan, a TV that’s been left on, or a heap of dirty clothes on your bed could distract your interviewer and work against your effort to secure the job.
If you aren’t happy with the way the room looks behind you, consider using a virtual background for the call. Most of the major platforms offer some free options.
Again, you want to avoid anything distracting—usually, simply blurring your background is fine. Otherwise, a simple colored backdrop or a picture of an office or study behind you will do fine. Just make sure that whatever you’re wearing during the interview doesn’t blend in with the color you choose.
The last thing you need to do to stage your virtual interview is make sure it will be nice and quiet in the room where you’re holding the call. This may mean telling roommates or family members to please respect your privacy during the call. You also want to eliminate any exterior noise—keep pets out of the room, for example, and make sure your doors and windows are closed to keep out sound from outside.
Show your Zoom interviewer that you’re prepared
Just like a traditional job interview, it’s vital that you demonstrate your preparedness on the day of your Zoom interview. Here are a few quick tips for the big day:
Be ready and waiting
Log in to the call a few minutes before it’s slated to begin. You don’t want to get in there too early, as it’s likely your interviewer will get a notification when you do, and you don’t want to disrupt them an hour before you’re scheduled to be there. But you also want to be ready and waiting when they start the call, so signing in five or ten minutes early is a good idea. Use these last few minutes to make sure your camera and microphone are working, your background looks good, and all of your important documents are ready to go.
Ditch the sweatpants
It can be tempting to “dress up from the waist up” when considering what to wear during a virtual interview. There’s no shame in wearing sweatpants or PJ bottoms when working from home, but for an interview, dressing appropriately from top to bottom is best. Even if you don’t expect your interviewer to see anything below your waistline, having a work-appropriate outfit on will help you feel more confident and prepared during the call. If you aren’t sure what to wear to the interview, poke around on the company website or LinkedIn to see what the vibe is like. Feel free to show some of your personality in what you wear, but make sure that your outfit is clean, wrinkle-free, and appropriate for a first meeting.
Prepare a cheat sheet
One of the advantages of a Zoom job interview is that you can prepare notes ahead of time and keep them just off camera to support you during your interview. While you don’t want to be staring down at your notes or shuffling index cards on the call, it’s a good idea to have a single sheet of paper somewhere nearby that has notes to help you remember past experiences you want to share or questions you want to ask. You should also have a notepad and pen nearby for taking notes during the interview—just don’t let your note-taking keep you from making eye contact during the call. Speaking of which…
Maintain eye contact through the camera
Maintaining eye contact is important for any job interview, but it’s a little tricky when you and your interviewer are in different rooms. When your interviewer is speaking, make eye contact as you normally would, and be sure to smile and nod as they’re speaking so they know you’re listening (especially if you’re on mute while they’re talking.) When it’s your turn to talk, look directly into your camera rather than at your interviewer’s eyes.
Focus on good posture
Because you’ll be sitting at your desk, you may be tempted to slouch. This not only can look unprofessional, but could cause you to slip out of frame and make it hard for your interviewer to see you clearly. If you find maintaining good posture to be a challenge, try writing out the words “Sit up straight!” on your notes, so you see it often during the call. Stretching well before the interview may sound silly, but it can help you maintain a straight posture during a long call.
Related: Looking for more Zoom interview tips? Check out our video, How to Ace Your Virtual Interview.
Interview follow-up
Following up is always a good idea after an interview, whether or not it takes place on Zoom. After the call, send your contact a quick email thanking them for their time and providing them with your resume and contact details (if it’s been a while since you sent them over).
It may take some time to hear back, but it’s perfectly acceptable to check in with your interviewer if you don’t hear anything within a week or two. Send them another follow-up email saying something like, “I was wondering if you’d made a decision on the role we discussed. I’m still very interested and would love to work for your company. Let me know if you need any additional information from me.”
A job rejection can feel personal, but when you’re able, it’s a good idea to ask for some feedback. The interviewer may be able to tell you where things didn’t go well, so you can adjust your technique for the next interview.
Related: Rejection is Redirection: How “No” Can Define Your Career
Hopefully, they’ll get back to you and tell you aced your virtual interview, because you took all this time to prepare. If so, then check out these resources to get started on the right foot:
Job hunting and interviewing are stressful enough without having to worry about technology getting in the way. With these tips, you’ll be prepared for your next virtual interview and confident enough to ace it and win the job.
