How to Prepare for a Video Interview: Camera and Sound

On this page (7 sections)

1. How to prepare for a video interview camera setup
2. How should you light your face for a video interview?
3. Which microphone and headset should you choose?
4. What should the room look and sound like?
5. How do you check your camera and sound before joining?
6. What common video interview setup mistakes should you avoid?
7. How should you prepare for a video interview?

To prepare for a video interview, set your camera near eye level, light your face from the front, and confirm your microphone and speakers work. Choose a quiet room and join early.

This quick setup helps you look attentive and makes your answers easier to hear.

Start with the parts that can derail a conversation: a camera pointed too low, a face lost in backlight, or sound coming from the wrong device. A short check before the meeting gives you time to fix these issues without rushing.

How to prepare for a video interview camera setup

Put the camera at or just above eye level and frame your head and shoulders. Keep the lens close to the screen so you can look toward it while speaking without staring far away from the interviewer’s image.

A built-in laptop camera may be enough if you raise the laptop on a stable stand or stack of books. If you add an external webcam, center it above the display, secure its mount, and check the preview before the call.

Leave a little space above your head and keep your shoulders in frame. Sit far enough back that your face does not fill the screen, but close enough to remain easy to see.

Look toward the lens when answering, especially for a key point. If you use notes, place a few short prompts beside the screen instead of below it.

Long notes can pull your gaze away from the conversation.

If the laptop camera looks soft or sits awkwardly, see our guide to webcams for laptops with a weak camera. A webcam with adjustable viewing angles may help you choose a tighter frame or include more of the room.

How should you light your face for a video interview?

Put the main light in front of you, near the camera. Face a window during the day or place a lamp beside the display so your face is visible without a bright source behind you.

A window behind your chair can leave your face dark. Change seats, close the curtains, or add a light in front of you.

If a lamp feels harsh, move it farther away or aim it toward a pale wall so the reflected light is softer.

The Adjustable Desk Ring Light suits someone whose room stays dim or whose daylight changes during the interview. It has 10 brightness levels, 3 color temperatures, a rotating light head, and a stand that adjusts from 22 to 32.5 inches.

Set it beside or behind your monitor, then angle the light toward your face. It needs a USB power supply, so place it where the cable can reach without crossing your walking space.

Skip a separate light if a window or your existing lamp already gives you an even, clear image.

Which microphone and headset should you choose?

Choose the microphone that gives you clear, steady speech in the room where you’ll take the call. A headset can help when nearby noise or speaker echo is a concern; a webcam microphone can reduce the number of devices on your desk.

The Jabra Evolve2 30 SE suits someone who wants wired, dual-ear audio and a dedicated microphone for meetings. Its cable supports USB-A and USB-C connections, which can fit many desktops and laptops.

Because it is wired, check that the cable reaches your seat and does not tug when you turn.

Connect it before opening the meeting, select it as both microphone and speaker, then say a few sentences at your normal volume.

Skip it if you prefer not to wear an on-ear headset or your computer lacks a compatible USB connection.

The Anker PowerConf C200 suits someone who needs an external camera and wants its built-in dual microphones available for calls. It offers 2K video, three software-selected viewing angles, low-light correction, and a sliding lens cover.

Its 65°, 78°, and 95° choices let you frame yourself more tightly or include more of the room.

Use its software to select the framing that fits your background, then choose the C200 microphone in the meeting app if you want to use it.

Skip it if your built-in camera and microphone already give a clear image and sound, or if you do not want another device to set up. For more choices, compare our guide to headsets for video calls.

What should the room look and sound like?

Choose a quiet space with a simple background that keeps attention on your face. A plain wall or a tidy corner is enough; a staged office is not necessary.

Move distracting objects out of frame and let anyone nearby know when you need quiet. Close the door if possible, silence computer and phone notifications, and keep water within easy reach.

Set it down where you will not bump it while reaching for notes or controls.

A virtual background can work, but check it while moving slightly. If it clips your hair or shoulders, use a real background instead.

If you hear your voice echo, follow our guide to stopping echo on Zoom and Teams calls.

How do you check your camera and sound before joining?

Open the meeting preview and confirm the camera, microphone, and speakers you intend to use. Speak for a few seconds and listen to the playback if available; check that your face is clear and your voice is not muffled or echoing.

The wrong microphone may be selected even when a headset is plugged in. Check the app’s audio menu rather than assuming it chose the newest device.

Keep speaker volume comfortable, and mute yourself when you are not speaking if room noise is hard to control.

Also check the meeting link, display name, internet connection, and laptop power. Close programs that might interrupt the call, and keep a phone or other backup device nearby if you can use the meeting app on it.

Join a few minutes early if the platform allows it. Our webcam check before a call walks through the camera preview, while the meeting app lets you confirm its own microphone and speaker settings.

What common video interview setup mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid making last-minute changes before checking how they look and sound in the meeting preview. A new camera angle, light, or microphone can create a different problem if you do not confirm the result.

• Sitting too low: Raise the camera or laptop until the lens is near eye level, then check the frame.
• Backlighting: Move a bright window out of the background or add front-facing light.
• Relying on the default microphone: Select your intended device in the app and speak a test sentence.
• Using notes that are hard to glance at: Keep brief prompts near the screen, not in your lap.
• Adding equipment you do not need: Start with the devices you already have. Add a webcam, headset, or light only to solve a clear framing, sound, or lighting problem.

During the interview, keep the camera steady and speak at a natural pace. Pause briefly after the interviewer finishes, since a small call delay can make people talk over one another.

How should you prepare for a video interview?

Pick equipment based on the problem you need to solve. Use the Jabra headset for wired audio with a dedicated microphone, choose the Anker webcam if you need an external camera with dual microphones, and add the LitONES light if your face needs more front lighting.

You may not need any of these if your laptop already gives you a clear frame, even light, and clean sound. Set up the chosen devices early, check your framing and audio in the meeting app, and join with enough time to make one calm adjustment before the interview starts.

Frequently asked questions

How should I position my camera for a video interview?

Place the camera close to eye level and frame your head and shoulders with a little space above your head. Keep the lens near the screen so your gaze stays close to the interviewer’s image.

Check the meeting preview, then adjust your chair or camera until your face is centered.

Should I use headphones for a video interview?

Headphones can keep speaker sound from reaching your microphone and causing echo. A wired headset also gives you a dedicated microphone.

Confirm that the meeting app selected the headset, speak at your normal volume, and check that it feels comfortable before the interview.

How do I make my face look better on a video interview?

Face a window or place a soft light near the camera, then check your image in the meeting preview. Avoid a bright window behind you, which can leave your face in shadow.

Adjust the light or your seat until your face is evenly visible without glare.

What should I check before a video interview?

Check the meeting link, camera framing, lighting, selected microphone and speakers, internet connection, and display name. Close apps that may send alerts, silence your phone, and plug in your laptop if needed.

Join a few minutes early so you have time to correct a setting.