The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your Next Video Interview

The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your Next Video Interview UPDATE: Since the COVID-19 pandemic has closed us all in our homes, video interviewing has become a very popular hiring tool among recruiters. Preparing for a video interview is very similar to preparing for any other interviewthe questions you will be asked and the ways you should conduct yourself will be the same. You will, however, have to take some additional things into consideration when video interviewing, including learning to use some hardware and software, how to look good on camera, and how to maintain proper eye contact. We are updating our articles on video interviewing to help walk you through all of the information you need to crush your next interview. According to Software Advice 60% of hiring managers and recruiters started using video interviews at some stage in their hiring process.At the same time, 57% of candidates said that they prefer live video interviews, while 34% prefer in-person interviews and ONLY 9% prefer one-way pre-record video assessment toolsThe go od news is that most of your competitors are terrible at video interviews (yes, even if they prefer this type of interview, it doesn’t mean they are good at it). Sadly, the bad news is that you are likely in the same boat.But here is the thing you shouldnt be. Even though the ability to shine in a video interview requires some skills and savvy beyond basic job interview best practices it doesn’t mean you cannot master it.In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly prepare for a video interview to give you the best chance possible.SUMMARYWhat is the Big Deal About Video InterviewsUnderstanding the Types of Video InterviewsYour Technical Set-up for the Video InterviewWhat to Wear for a Video InterviewQuestions Asked in a Video Interview How to Prepare for a Video Interview9 Extra Tips to an Amazing Video InterviewBefore we share our tips to ace your next video interview, let’s talk for a moment about basics.Video Interviewing 101What’s the Big Deal About Video Interviews?W e define video interviews as remote hiring interviews performed through video technology. These interviews are usually performed in the early stages of the hiring process or in situations where regular interviews couldn’t be performed.There are several reasons why companies started utilizing video interviews.In one survey, 67% of companies preferred video interviews as a way of reducing travel expenses. At the same time, 47% use video interviews to shorten the time it takes to make a hire while 22% say that they would use video interviewing to help them reach candidates from other geographic regions.And those three preferences are the main benefits of video interviews, but they’re not the only ones. In addition, these types of interviews are popular because they:Reduce the number of candidates who don’t show upEase the scheduling burden,Enable after-hours interviewing,Eliminate stressors associated with in-person interviews, etc.Why are we mentioning this? Because the better y ou understand the reasons behind this type of interview, the better you will understand the company and maybe find a way to use the information to your advantage.Now let’s talk about video interviewing from the candidate’s side.Generally speaking, we could divide people being interviewed into two major groups:Those who feel perfectly comfortable with the idea of interviewing via video (including many of those who grew up with Skype and YouTube) andThose who dread the very idea of being on a video (camera-shy folks, I’m talking to you).If you are reading this article, you are probably in the second group. Or maybe you feel comfortable in front of the camera, but feel like you should sharpen your skills a bit more.After all, a little bit of video technology knowledge and interview practice can go a long way. (Obviously, you’ll still need to be qualified for the job and answer the questions well.)And, that is exactly why we are here today. These video interviewing tips and tric ks will eliminate the possibility of an interviewer unconsciously discounting you based on how you appear on camerabecause after preparing well, you will look (and speak) smoothly, professionally, and confidently.And honestly, don’t worry if you don’t like how you currently look on camera.  (If a little make-up and lighting can make the average politician look human, I’m sure you’ll be fine.)Before You Master The ScienceUnderstanding the Types of Video InterviewsEven though video interviews are generally the same, there are some differences.Typically, video interviews will either be live communication with a recruiter or a set of pre-recorded questions to answer.Live Video InterviewsLive video interviews (often called Skype Interviews or Zoom Interviews, depending on the software used during the interview) are typical interview sessions done between you and a recruiter in real-time, just like a regular interview.What makes these interviews unique is the video technology used in each session. In most cases, we are talking about communication software such as Skype, Google, Hangout, Zoom, Blue Jeans, etc and video hardware, including a camera and microphone.When it comes to the above-mentioned software, things are pretty straightforward since, in most cases, the interviewer will either send you a link or call your user-id / screen name.PRO TIP: Be careful to clean up your Skype account and privacy settings if you’re going to use it with potential employers (your college account with ID stoner-yolo1993 does not inspire confidence).If you have never used any of this software before, the first thing you should do is ask the recruiter which one will be used in order to prepare properly.Once you have that information, visit the official tool website and follow their installation instructions to ensure you have everything ready.One of the most popular video interview software is Skype. You can download it here.Alternatively, the company could use a system th at does live interviews but also acts as an internal candidate tracking/screening tool (something like HireVue, SparkHire, TakeTheInterview, and dozens of other companies).From the candidate’s perspective, a live video experience via one of these platforms is generally not much different from interviewing via Skype or Google Hangout. On the employer’s side, there are bells and whistles that allow them to share, track, rate responses, etc.We will cover cameras and microphones in detail later on.Pre-recorded/Asynchronous Video QuestionsAsynchronous video interviews involve a set of pre-recorded interview questions you’ll be answering through a special link you’ll get from a recruiter.The process is very simple:A recruiter will send you a link where you will find questions you need to answerYou will have a defined time for answering each questionYou will get 1 or 2 tries for each answer before you will have to submit itOnce you are done, all you have to do is simply submit your applicationAsynchronous video questions could be part of the application process or be a screening step after your resume has allowed you to rise above the crowd. In both cases, the process is the same as explained above.When it comes to software used for these asynchronous video questions, you will probably come across AsyncInterview, Wepow, Sonru, and similar platforms.Hardware SoftwareYour Technical Set-up for the Video InterviewThere are two necessary technical components of every video interview you will need to have to make it possible:Hardware (or equipment necessary to ensure video and audio can be recorded/streamed)Software (computer applications that will connect you and your recruiter/recruiting system).We already discussed the software you will need depending on the type of interview you will be having above. Now let’s talk about the technical equipment you should have.#1. Choosing Your WebcamYou should consider two things when choosing the right webcam for your next interview:Camera’s functionalities andYour personal preference (and budget)Even though we have tested many different webcams and we can help you choose the right one, don’t forget that at the end of the day, your personal preference, and maybe even more important, your budget will determine which one you will get.First, you can choose between internal and external webcams. If you are using a desktop, you will probably need an external one, while laptops often come with built-in webcams.In our experience, external webcams are a much better solution â€" whether you have a desktop or laptop, PC, or Mac. Why? Mainly because it gives you more control over image quality and positioning (which we’ll discuss below).MacBook users can probably get away with the built-in webcam. It’s nice enough (though not as sharp/crisp as it should be) and you’ll just need to take steps to properly position your laptop in a slightly precarious position (again, more details on how to position in a minute).There are many webcams brands out there, but the gold standard will be a nice, higher-end Logitech (C900 series will be fine). We love Logitech C920 and C930.Here’s the Logitech C920: And here’s the Logitech C930: Of course, there are other webcams from Microsoft, Creative, and many other brands you can check out. Research your options, read reviews, and consider your personal pros and cons for each one.Can I use my phone or tablet camera for video interviews?Even though phone cameras have improved a lot lately, we don’t think using both phone and tablet cameras is a wise way to go.Tablets (both iPads and Android tablets) have some downsides.First, a lot of video software is known to be more temperamental on a tablet so there’s a big risk of it not working correctly.Second, there’s also a risk of lost connection and/or bandwidth-reliability with wifi (and this doesn’t include lighting, webcam, and mic considerations that we’ll go over a little later).When it c omes to phones they have all the same problems as tablets only with a smaller screen with even less flexibility.If you ask us, landing a video interview is hard on its own. The last thing you need is additional equipment stress. Set yourself up for success and invest in a good webcam.#2. Webcam PlacementOnce you solve the webcam problem and get the one you feel comfortable with, you should think about its placement to ensure your recruiter has the best experience too.The first thing to remember about the placement is that people (even gorgeous models) tend to look horrible when a camera is shooting them from below. For the most flattering angle, you want to position your webcam to be above your eye-line, angled slightly downward.There are a couple of ways to accomplish this:For External Webcams:Place the webcam on a stack of books or a box behind your monitor. You’ll want the webcam to be a bit above your eye-line, almost in-line with the top of your head.For Built-in WebcamsSimi lar to the advice above â€" place your laptop on something so that the webcam is above your eye-line, in-line with the top of your head.#3. Lighting for Your WebcamLighting is incredibly important â€" I can’t stress this enough. It can take you from looking like a troll to looking like a movie star.Why do you think Oprah has such powerful lights on her set? The heat from those things could melt lead. (Not comparing Oprah to a troll, but that lighting was truly magical).The nice folks over at Wistia put together a useful set of tips and a video for webcam lighting, which I recommend watching:The idea is that you don’t need an expensive lighting set-up. You just need two clamp lights, some cheap CFL daylight / full-spectrum bulbs, and a couple of light-stands (or something else to clip your lights to.)Have the lights about 2.5 3.5 feet on either side of you at least the same height as the webcam (or a little higher).PRO TIP:  The CFL full spectrum bulbs mimic sunlight, so they ma ke you look better than regular bulbs.You’re looking to achieve nice even lighting across your face this will minimize shadows, remove wrinkles, and make you look fabulous. (If only it could be sold by the bottle.)So your set-up might look something like this:Courtesy of Wistia(You can find a full shopping-list at the end of our article for easy reference.)If you’re on a very tight budget or very short on time, you can create an almost-as-good effect by positioning two lamps, one on either side of your desk with the light source ideally at the height of the webcam or a little bit higher (be sure to jerry-rig the webcam positioning we discussed above).Again, this won’t give you the same Oprah-like effect as the set-up described above, but you’ll look much better than if you just settle for regular room lighting.#4. Webcam Software OptionsMost external webcams come with some sort of software to adjust exposure, balance, and color. Built-in cameras generally do not.You can als o buy and install software that enables additional camera customization options. I’ve heard good things about iGlasses. (Here’s the Mac version, and the Windows version.Aim for nice, natural-looking color. Don’t over-expose and over-saturate â€" it’s likely to look weird.#5. To Headset or Not to HeadsetEven though we personally prefer a headset during a video interview, you don’t necessarily need one. All webcams have built-in microphones now, but there are a couple of issues with them.First, you can’t control the background and ambient noise that can creep in. Built-in mics (especially on the cheaper webcams) will pick up all the ambient sounds you want to keep out.Second, your voice will sound tinny and not as rich and clear as it should. The tone of your voice is extremely important in persuasion, so it goes without saying that you should take whatever steps you can to sound as good as possible during your job interview.Here are a couple of headsets we like:Logitech C learChat Comfort/USB Headset H390 Sennheiser PC 151 Binaural Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone Volume Control Sennheiser PC 363D High Performance Surround Sound Gaming Headset (this is our favorite. It works amazingly well, but it might be a bit too big for your interview purposes.) #6. Background on CameraWhat will be seen behind you on your video interview matters as well. A neutral background is your best bet.You should avoid anything that could distract your interviewer or even embarrass you (you know, that “Legalize It” poster on the wall behind you isn’t gonna help you during your video interview).It’s also a good idea to avoid having a mirror reflection show up on camera. Murphy’s Law says something embarrassing will always move through the reflection when you least expect it (think cat, half-naked roommate or mom).So what you could use as your background? A plain wall, a screen, a bookshelf (with nothing odd on the shelves) is just fine.If you’re really concerned about background or there are elements you can’t control, a cheap screen like this could work, or you can always hang a solid color curtain and hide everything you don’t want to be seen during your video interview.PRO TIP: Have at least 2 feet of distance from the background behind you to avoid an ugly shadow that can appear if it is too close to you (the more distance, the more flattering).Interview AttireWhat to Wear for a Video InterviewNow that you have your camera ready, it is time to think about your look during your video interview. Whatever you would wear to a regular interview is a good choice for a video interview too.PRO TIP:  Many of us have been guilty of being professional on top but keeping our pajama bottoms on during a video call. You can often get away with this, but it’s best to be fully dressed in a professional manner during your video interview. Imagine if you had to get up and get something your pajamas will definitely show up.There are a few simple guidelines for your overall look during a video interview that you can follow:Do not wear white (shirts, blouses or jackets). Because of how the webcam works and the lighting, white will be way too bright and distracting. A light blue shirt or blouse is a better option.Avoid wearing pure black on camera. Same as above your webcam will adapt to try and show the black and this can cause your face to wash out a bit due to overexposure.Super-bright colors (bright reds, yellows, pinks, etc) can also cause problems and give your skin a slight reddish, unnatural tint on camera.Do not wear pinstripes, houndstooth, herringbone, or anything that has a busy pattern.Many softer, solid colors will work great. A dark, deep blue is one of the best options.As a rule, if there’s a very high contrast between two colors, it won’t do well on camera.Here is what we would choose to wear to a video interview following the guidelines we said above:BONUS: Is your face ready for your video interv iewYour face is the most important part of your interview because it will be the most visible on the video. That is why it is important to ensure you look good, your eyes are visible and that you don’t have anything too distracting on your face.There is a simple rule you should follow when it comes to make-up; less is more. Aim for a natural, daily look and leave any strong make-up for after your interview.To ensure you have the best look on camera, we prepared a few guidelines you can follow:You should wear at least some make-up on the nose and forehead to avoid shininess (a nice advantage of the webcam is that you can see how you look ahead of time and fix any shininess).You might consider (especially for the follicly-disabled), is something like FaceSaver antiperspirant. It works really well on the face and head and doesn’t leave any residue.If you wear glasses, they will ideally be glare-proof so there’s no reflection of the light. You want your interviewer to see your eye s and not a distracting glare. If you have contacts, it might be good idea to use them.Here’s a useful guide for those who may not have experience applying their own make-up:What You Should SayQuestions Asked in a Video InterviewNow you are fully equipped for your video interview you have a proper video and mic, your interview room is set, and you planned your outfit for the day.What is left is possibly the hardest part of your interview getting ready for the interview and the questions you will be asked. No matter how great the equipment you have is, at the end of the day your answers will be what determines if you will get the job or not.There are generally two types of interview questions you can expect:Common interview questions (including Behavioral Questions)Industry-specific questionsCommon interview questions are general questions meant to give your interviewer a chance to get to know you and your work history. For example, you could be asked to tell more about yourself, describe your most recent position, talk about your weaknesses and strengths, etc.Check out our 10 Most Common Interview Questions and Answers here.Browse Behavioral Questions here.Industry-specific questions are questions specifically related to a position you are applying for.For instance, your proficiency in a certain software, a point of sale system, or other tools necessary for doing the job.Check out our base of Industry Specific interview questions hereADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Preparing answers for your job interview is probably the hardest part of your interview preparation, no matter the type of interview (video, in-person, etc). To ensure you have everything you need we prepared a comprehensive Interview Questions Guide to walk you through all you need to know.Only Practice Makes You BetterHow to Prepare for a Video InterviewOnly practice can make you confident and ready for your video interview, and for that you can use the Big Interview Practice Interview Tool. It will hel p you:Get comfortable with video interviewing andPractice as many times as you need to improve your skillsRemember, you want to work all the kinks out during practice, not on the interview day. With the Practice Interview Tool, you can re-record a question as many times as you need to and get valuable feedback from friends and mentors before moving on.To get started, simply login to your Big Interview account and choose Practice Interview from a Practice dropdown menu.From there you can start a new mock interview by choosing the type of interview you want to get ready for.We always recommend starting with a General section to get a better understanding of most common interview questions and answers.From there, you can choose your practice set based on your experience level, industry, or type of interview.When you’re ready to practice, click the screen of the interviewer to hear the question. When you’re ready, hit the record button to record your answer.You can record as many an swers as you like, practicing until you feel confident you have it down.Once you are happy with your video, you can save it and send it off for feedback.The more you practice with video interviewing, the more comfortable you will become until answering questions virtually is just as easy as talking to someone in the same room.Ace Your Next Video InterviewBig Interview’s proven, the step-by-step system combines expert video lessons and our interactive interview preparation system designed to help you land your dream job in no time.Sign Up HereProven Tips From Our Experts9 Extra Tips For an Amazing Video Interview#1. Maintain good eye contactWe all know how important it is to make confident eye contact during a job interview. This is much tougher to do via video. When you’re speaking to someone via video conference, your eyes naturally want to focus on the face of your conversation partner. Depending on where that face is on your monitor and the location of your webcam, this can c ause you to appear on-screen as if you are looking down or away.You can avoid this by resizing and moving the window with the person’s video image. Move it up or as close to your webcam as possible. This will give the closest approximation to real human eye contact.PRO TIP: There’s a fine line between good eye contact and the serial killer stare. Webcam eye contact can feel a bit awkward at first and a lot of people respond by overcompensating. Just try to relax and act as usual (blinking is allowed).A good rule of thumb is that if someone can see the “whites” all-around your pupil then your stare is probably too intense.Michael Ellsberg, author of The Power of Eye Contact has this advice:“The kind of eye contact you want to have when you go into a job interview is neither too aggressive nor too weak. It’s walking this perfect middle line that is called confidence.”There are also some cultural considerations depending on where you are in the world (and where your inte rviewer is), but a good rule is to not sustain eye-contact for longer than 5 seconds at a time.Break eye-contact, look away briefly, breathe, then reconnect.For those of you who find sustained eye contact uncomfortable, it can be useful to focus on one eye at a time, taking a few beats with each.Don’t dart your eyes around like some shifty 1940s cartoon villain. Find a nice, smooth, natural gaze.#2. Make sure to smile (but not too much)Again, too much of a good thing can come across as creepy. Some confident, enthusiastic smiling is good but it can easily cross the line into nervous or too-eager-to-please if overdone.Try not to be too goofy or laugh at every joke. The smile is meant to be a tool to show that you’re a pleasant person to work with, you have reasonably good social awareness, and have a good dose of enthusiasm and confidence.Here’s an example of a confident answer that incorporates a bit of smiling and good eye contact:And here’s another example of a fairly con fident smile â€" but we don’t recommend trying it:#3. Control fidgeting and other nervous energyWe all have some little nervous tics or twitches or distracting habits â€" it’s normal. But in a video interview, we really have to make a concerted effort to be aware of them and avoid them as much as possible.This is why we highly recommend recording yourself multiple times to see what you’re doing and to become aware of anything that need toning down.Some gestures and behaviors that are fine in person can be distracting on video. It could be super-animated hand movements, twirling your hair, touching your face, or tapping your fingers or feet (at least they won’t be able to see your feet on video â€" so channel that energy and tap away).Even more commonly, your nervous tic could be a verbal one â€" like saying “uh-huh” or “like” over and over again.Remember, we’re talking about little habits that you may not even be aware of. As a result, watching yourself on camera c ould be an eye-opener. You can break these nervous habits with a little preparation.Final note: Keep your hand off your chin unless you want to look like a bad yearbook photo and for god’s sake, don’t touch your nose.#4. Calm your nervesAlmost everyone feels some nerves when preparing for a job interview. And the number one reason for nerves is fear of the unknown â€" it’s because you’re not sure what to expect.Your head is spinning with questions like “Am I prepared enough?”, “Am I even qualified?”, “Will they like me?” These questions add up to anxiety because you can’t have any certainty about the answer.It only gets worse when you’ve been on a few interviews that didn’t pan out (especially if you’ve run into an evil interviewer or two). Candidates rarely get any real feedback about why they weren’t chosen and some end up second-guessing every little moment. This anxiety can turn into a vicious spiral and sabotage all of your hard work.A job intervi ew is a very weird animal, unlike any other professional conversation you might have. You can be perfectly well-spoken and confident in a typical business meeting, then feel your anxiety shoot off the charts when it’s time for a job interview.Interviewing is a skill and, as with any other skill, you get better with practice. All the practice and prep you put in goes toward reducing nervousness, because when it really comes down to it â€" there are only so many areas they can ask you about.A typical interview could be 5-10 areas/topics/competencies. An extremely difficult interview could be 12-15.The point is that’s it’s not an infinite number of questions or areas to probe â€" so it’s totally manageable. And once you have a handle on things â€" the stress goes down.#5. Optimize your posture and positioningIt’s important to be aware that there are some differences in ideal posture between an in-person interview and a video interview.On the video, the interviewer will genera lly not be seeing your lower body or legs (if they can, you’re way too far away from the camera). This means you don’t have to worry too much about leg positioning. A nice neutral stance in your chair, with both feet on the ground, should be fine.Crossing legs might be a bit too awkward with a webcam since it can mess with your on-camera framing (which we’ll touch on in more detail below).You’ll clearly want to sit upright and keep your back straight. Make sure you’re facing the camera, and not showing too much of the side angle.Adjust your chair to make sure you’re not too low or high in the frame.Find a nice, comfortable balance between leaning forward and reclining too far back. What’s nice is that you can do a dry run and play with different options and adjust things accordingly.Also, an amazing useful video is a TED Talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy talking about the importance and connection of posture and confidence. Great talk that merits a watch and also i ncludes techniques for reducing your nerves through body language:#6. Check your internet/bandwidthA good connection is paramount. To ensure you have it, avoid using WiFi (unless you’re just a couple of feet away from the router or you are having at least 25Mbps speed). Being connected physically to the router (by a network cable) is the safest way to go.For video-conferencing, you’ll ideally want a connection speed in the 10Mbps range (or better). To test your connection speed, you can use online tests like Ookla Speedtest.PRO TIP:  Do your best to avoid using a shared connection with roommates or family while on the interview. If your brother is streaming a movie or your friend is Skyping, it can absolutely mess with your video conferencing bandwidth.And it should go without saying that you shouldn’t do a video interview from a public place. Beyond the problems with the setting and noise (I would never do a phone interview in public either), your internet will never be relia ble.You’ll either be on your personal mobile hotspot (which can be very iffy even in major cities) or you’ll be on public wifi (have you ever tried to watch a YouTube video at Starbucks?)Do yourself a favor and arrange to conduct your interview on an internet connection you can be 100% confident about. Plan ahead and you won’t need to scramble or cut corners.#7. Do a tech run-throughBecause technology is unpredictable, it’s smart to do a complete run-through of all the tech stuff at least an hour ahead of your video interview.Here’s a quick check-list:Clear your desk/interview-space of extraneous things and simply have your resume in front of you and a notepad for jotting things down.Check your lights, and test if you have any light glares on your webcam.Check your webcam and optimize software settings.Also, check your webcam placement.Check your mic and ensure you can be heard clearly.Check your clothes and face and how they look on camera. Make any necessary adjustments. Closeout of any other programs that might interfere with the webcam. (Some webcams can be temperamental and not work with more than one type of video software at a time.)Check your internet connection and ensure it’s strong.Make sure you’re not inadvertently downloading something in the background (a movie on itunes, or dropbox quietly syncing 200 gigs). That will kill your video quality.Place a short video test-call to someone (if possible).If you tend to have 100 browser tabs open, it’s better to close them out. You don’t want a memory issue rearing up during your interview.Your browser should just have your email, the company website, maybe the LinkedIn profile of the person you’re interviewing with, maybe an interesting and recent piece of news about the company/industry.Have your resume, the job description, and your notes printed out and handy. You can also print anything else necessary for your interview, such as portfolio examples. Of course you can also share your screen to avoid printing things, but ensure you are familiar with screen sharing before you do it.Position a bottle of water nearby.#8. Practice, practice, practice for your video interviewIn the weeks, days, hours leading up to your video interview, we recommend very concentrated practice to get comfortable both with your interview skills and the weirdness of interviewing on camera.Interviewing is a skill (just like tennis, golf, or chess), so the more you practice, the better you’ll get.Practice with a friend, a counselor, a spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a parent. If all else fails, even better, record yourself answering questions.Having the visual feedback of a recording greatly increases your interview skills. You can record your answers on a webcam or phone to monitor how you look and sound on camera and adjust accordingly.#9. Control other distractions you might haveKeep adults, children, and pets away.You don’t want a cat jumping on the back of your chair, your mom hollering at you, or your toddler screaming right when you’re talking about how amazing and professional you are. Yes, we’re all human and we all have lives, but these distractions tend to diminish your credibility a smidge.If there’s a risk of vacuums, leaf-blowers, and jack-hammers â€" try to plan ahead for these contingencies. And of course, if something really is unavoidable, you can:Apologize, address it very briefly, and move on.Mute your mic or blank your webcam for a moment and feign technical difficulties.A combination of 1 and 2.And again, do not do your video interview in any public place (especially not a Starbucks). You’re just setting yourself up for distraction or disaster (or best case, just an unimpressive interview).Final ThoughtsGetting ready for an interview is not an easy job, and if you are not comfortable with cameras, it might be even harder for you to relax and rock your video interview.We tried to cover as much as possible in this guide to ensure yo u get ready the best way you can to really hit off your next job interview.Keep in mind: it’s possible that your live video interview will be recorded for others to review. So multiple people could be influenced by your overall presentation in the interview.Also, it’s illegal (in the U.S.) to discriminate based on certain elements of your appearance â€" and it’s certainly unprofessional and shortsighted to prioritize appearance over the ability to do the job. Unfortunately, we can’t control other people and the often-unconscious judgments they make. These are the same concerns you’d face in person.However, you can control how you present yourself and take steps to put your best foot forward. You would take time to select the perfect suit for an in-person interview, so why not spend a little effort on your video set-up. By mitigating technical, camera, and body-language-related factors, you improve the odds that they will focus on the substance of your answers and what you could do for the company.Good luck on your next video interview.The Shopping ChecklistWebcams:Logitech C920Logitech C930Or something similar.Lighting Set-Up:2 x Clip Lights2 x Full Spectrum CFL Bulbs2 x Lighting / Muslin Clamps1 x Rosco Diffusion Material (to soften the scoop light)2 x Light Stands (these can either stand on their own, or on a desk)1 x Pack of Clothespins (for keeping diffusion paper on scoop lights)HUMOR: Here are Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson conducting a video interview.