Virtual Interview Tips: Set Up, Camera, Coding Rounds and What to Do If Tech Fails

Why online interviews need their own preparation

Many companies run first-round and even final-round interviews on video calls, and some use proctored online tests. The questions are the same, but the setting adds new risks: poor audio, a bad connection, awkward eye contact and a messy background. Small preparation steps remove these distractions so the interviewer focuses on your skills.

Technical setup (do this the day before)

• Internet: use a wired connection or sit near the router; close downloads and streaming
• Backup: keep your phone hotspot ready, with enough data
• Power: plug in your laptop and keep the charger near
• Software: install and test the platform the company uses (Google Meet, Zoom, Teams or a custom tool); update it and sign in early
• Audio: use wired earphones or a headset with a microphone for clear sound
• Camera and mic test: record a short clip and listen to it
• Close everything else: notifications, chat apps and extra browser tabs, so nothing pops up on a shared screen
• Charge your phone and put it on silent

Your space

• Choose a quiet room with a plain, tidy background; tell people at home your interview time
• Face a window or place a lamp in front of you so light falls on your face; avoid sitting with a bright window behind you
• Place the camera at eye level (stack books under the laptop)
• Keep water, a notepad and a pen nearby; a blank page helps you note the question and plan your answer

How you appear

• Dress as you would for an in-person interview, from head to toe in case you need to stand
• Look at the camera when speaking to create eye contact, and glance at the screen to read reactions
• Sit upright, keep your hands visible and natural, and smile at the start
• Speak a little slower than normal and pause after a question, since there can be a delay
• Do not look away repeatedly or read from visible notes; in a proctored setting this can look suspicious

Online coding rounds and screen sharing

Interviews often use a shared editor or ask you to share your screen.

• Explain your approach before typing, and think aloud while coding
• Use the language you know best and write clean variable names
• Test with a small example and edge cases, narrating what you check (how to approach a coding problem)
• If you get stuck, say what you are considering instead of going silent
• Practise on the platform in advance (coding editors, whiteboard tools) so the interface is familiar

For take-home assignments, read the instructions twice, ask about the time expectation and submit with a short README.

Proctored online assessments

Typical rules: webcam on, microphone on, full-screen mode, no switching tabs, no extra people in the room and sometimes an ID check or room scan. Read the instructions beforehand, follow them exactly and do not use unauthorised help. Violations can disqualify you, and cheating can lead to blacklisting by the company.

If something goes wrong

• Internet drops: rejoin immediately; if you cannot, switch to your hotspot and message the recruiter or send an email explaining what happened
• Audio issues: say so politely, try to reconnect, or use the chat to continue
• Interruption at home: briefly apologise and carry on; it happens to everyone
• You blank on an answer: take a breath, ask to repeat the question and think aloud

Interviewers are usually understanding of genuine technical issues when you stay calm and communicate clearly.

Group and panel video interviews

Mute when not speaking, use the raise-hand option, address people by name and give each panel member a little eye contact through the camera (group discussion guide).

Before you start: a checklist

1. Joining link and time confirmed, in the correct time zone
2. Resume, job description and your notes open on a separate device or printed
3. Camera, mic, lighting, background and charger checked
4. A glass of water, a pen and paper ready
5. Phone on silent and notifications off
6. Joined 5 to 10 minutes early

At the end

Thank the interviewer, ask one or two good questions (questions to ask the interviewer) and send a short thank-you email later the same day. For general preparation, see last-week interview checklist.

Latest changes (2025–2026)

Updated 28 October 2026.

• Some employers have added in-person rounds or extra identity checks to counter AI-assisted cheating and fake candidates, so keep a government ID ready and be prepared to travel for a final round.
• Do not use hidden prompts, second devices or interview-assistant tools unless the interviewer says AI is allowed. Interviewers are trained to notice reading and delays, and disqualification is a real risk.
• Practise explaining your solution aloud, on paper or a whiteboard, without autocomplete.

For the wider picture, read how tech hiring has changed in 2025–2026.