How to Prep for a Seamless Virtual Interview

How to Prep for a Seamless
Virtual Interview

Recruiting experts reveal their pro tips on perfecting your video-conferencing skills.

A curly-haired woman laughs while video chatting on her Galaxy laptop. She is wearing a mustard yellow jacket and holding a pen in her right hand. She is sitting in front of a beige cemented wall.

So you’ve just landed an online interview. Congrats! Next hurdle: leaving a lasting impression through video. But how? Turns out the ingredients of a successful virtual interview aren’t so different from the in-person variety. We’ve sat down with a few of our recruiter friends for their top tips on putting your best self out there, even if you’re not meeting IRL. Here’s what the experts have to say.

A young woman wearing a blue collared dress shirt and flannel pajama pants sits in front of her laptop, typing away at her desk. She is facing an open window in her bedroom.

A product shot of a Galaxy S21 phone. A woman on screen poses, smiling confidently at the camera with her arms folded in front of her chest. She is wearing a grey blazer over a white striped shirt.

Put the pro in profile pic

Capture résumé-ready headshots in Selfie Mode with Studio effect on the Galaxy S21.

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Look your best (at least from the shoulders up)

While it may be tempting to rock your cosy-chic look at home, recruiters suggest displaying the same level of polish you would going into an office—think professional business attire, hair combed, teeth brushed, face washed. “Dress business casual even if the company is casual,” says Silvia Chen, senior recruiter of a privately-held company. “The general rule is if you look the part, you feel the part. Interviewers will notice that you are making the effort as well.” Hint: Turn on Studio Mode on your Galaxy Book Pro | Pro 360 to brighten your face and smooth out any imperfections before the call (a lifesaver if you wake up on the morning of the interview to an unsightly blemish).

A woman dressed in light pink sits at her desk with her back facing the camera. She is surrounded by a variety of different plants.

Stage your background

As you would in any on-camera situation, pay attention to the basics like lighting and background. “You should be mindful of the lighting,” says Phu Huynh, a New York–based recruitment manager. “Avoid sitting with an open window directly behind you, as light from outside will be distracting to your interviewer. Your camera should be propped at eye level (a stack of textbooks will do the trick). The space behind you should be clean and clear of clutter.” As Chen puts it, “You want the interviewer to be focused on what you are saying, not the three loads of laundry behind you.” Pro tip: lock the door if possible to prevent any accidental interruptions.

A man sits at a table in his kitchen, using a light grey Galaxy Book Pro laptop. He is also wearing a pair of black Galaxy Buds Pro in his ears.

Do a tech trial run

The last thing you want to do is leave your recruiter hanging mid-conversation because your devices suddenly decide to disconnect. To get the jump on any computer or AV issues, schedule a mock interview with a friend a day or two prior on the same video-conferencing platform, whether that’s Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. “If possible, use a headset,” advises Leo Paduch, a talent acquisition leader based in San Diego. Understated earbuds like the Galaxy Buds Pro offer a clean look while preventing distracting echoes on the other end. Plus, with three built-in microphones and the voice pickup unit, Buds Pro will let recruiters hear every word in crystal-clear sound (which is tough to replicate if you’re using a built-in laptop mic). As part of your mock interview checklist, also double check that your Buds are pairing properly with your laptop to avoid any last-minute Bluetooth snafus.

Above all else, Chen recommends having a plan B for all the common issues: “You should ensure the interviewer has your mobile number in order to quickly continue the interview by phone.”

A curly-haired woman sits at a table in her living room, video chatting on a dark grey Galaxy Book Pro. She is smiling at the screen while using her hands to communicate. She is wearing a navy blazer over a white polka-dotted top.

A product shot of a Galaxy Book Pro with a smiling woman on screen. Next to the laptop is a product shot of a Galaxy Tab S7 with its S Pen pointed at the screen.

Take note

During your interview, use your Tab as a Second screen* to jot down any important details or last-minute questions.

Mind your onscreen body language

Though you may naturally feel inclined to glance at yourself in the smaller screen of your video call, looking directly into the camera can re-create the experience of in-person eye contact, establishing a level of trust and connection with your interviewer. Pro tip: “Try to put the video you are watching right under the camera so you are looking forward,” Paduch says. This allows you to shift your eyes to your interviewer every now and then without looking down. To engage further, “allow yourself to naturally emote with your face and hand motions/gestures and sit with good posture,” Huynh adds.

*WiDi (Wireless Directly)-capable Windows 10 PC models and Windows 10 v.2004 or later are required for this feature.