Video Interview Tips (UK): How to Prepare for Zoom, Teams and HireVue Interviews
Video interviews are now a standard part of recruitment in the UK. Some are live on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Others are recorded, where you answer set questions on camera. The preparation is slightly different for each.
Set up your space
Choose a quiet room with a plain background.
Face a window or lamp so the light is on your face, not behind you.
Place the camera at eye level. Stack books under a laptop if needed.
Close other apps and notifications.
Test the link, microphone and camera 10 to 15 minutes beforehand.
Dress and body language
Dress as you would for an in-person interview, from head to toe. Look at the camera, not at your own face, when you speak. Sit up, smile and nod to show you are listening.
Live video interviews
Join a couple of minutes early. Have your CV, the job advert and a few notes close by, but do not read from a script. Keep a glass of water nearby. If the connection fails, stay calm, rejoin or call the number the recruiter gave you.
Recorded one-way interviews (such as HireVue)
You will usually be given a question on screen, a short time to prepare and 1 to 3 minutes to answer. Practise answering to a timer. Use the STAR method for competency questions. Keep eye contact with the camera and speak a little slower than normal. Read the instructions on whether you can retake an answer.
Common mistakes
Having a messy or distracting background.
Poor lighting or a camera angle that is too low.
Reading answers from a screen.
Forgetting to mute notifications.
Quick answers
Can I use a virtual background? A plain real background is safer. A blur is fine if the room is messy.
Should I use headphones? Yes, they improve sound quality.
Want to practise with questions written for your exact job? Our question bank covers hundreds of UK roles with model answers, and every role has five questions free.
Practise for specific roles
Pick your role: Customer Service Advisor, Administrator.
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