A virtual interview is a job interview that happens online, usually by video, instead of face to face. The questions are much the same as in person. What changes is the setting: you need working tech, a good space, and the skill of coming across warmly through a camera.
This guide explains the types of virtual interview, how to set up, how to come across well and what to do if something goes wrong. For in-person interviews, see our in-person interview tips.
What is a virtual interview?
A virtual interview is any interview held remotely using video calls, phone or an online interview platform. Employers use them for early screening rounds, for remote roles and, increasingly, for whole interview processes.
What are the types of virtual interview?
There are four common types, and the invitation usually tells you which one you're getting.
| Type | What happens | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Live video interview | A real-time video call with one or more interviewers | Like an in-person interview, plus a tech check |
| One-way (recorded) video interview | You record answers to set questions on a platform, often with limited thinking time and retakes | Practise answering to a camera with a timer |
| AI interview | An AI interviewer asks questions and may follow up | Read the instructions carefully; see our AI interview guide |
| Phone interview | Audio only, often a first screen | See our phone screening interview guide |
Virtual interviews can also be panel interviews, with several people on the call, or include a task or presentation you share on screen.
Go into your video interview with proof you can do the job
Practise on job simulations of the real work in your target role, see where you lost marks, and walk in with examples ready. Free to start, no card.
How do you prepare for a virtual interview?
Prepare your answers the same way you would for any interview, then set up your tech and space. A simple plan:
Two or three days before
- Research the company, the role and, if you know them, the interviewers.
- Prepare five or six stories using the STAR method: a problem you solved, a time you worked in a team, a mistake you fixed, a time you learned something fast, a success you're proud of.
- Prepare two or three questions to ask them.
- Check the invite: platform, link, time zone, who you're meeting and whether you need to share your screen.
The day before
- Install or update the platform app and open the link to test it.
- Test your camera, microphone and speakers. Record yourself for a minute and play it back.
- Charge your laptop and plan a back-up (phone with the app installed, or a hotspot).
- Choose your outfit: dress as you would for the role in person, at least from the waist up.
On the day
- Restart your computer and close other apps, tabs and notifications.
- Join five to ten minutes early.
- Have water, your CV, notes, a pen and the interviewer's phone number within reach.
How should you set up for a video interview?
Aim for a quiet room, light on your face, the camera at eye level and a tidy background.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Camera | At eye level. Raise a laptop on books. Sit so your head and shoulders fill the frame |
| Light | Face a window or lamp. Avoid a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette |
| Sound | Use headphones with a microphone if you can. Close windows and silence your phone |
| Background | Plain and tidy. Use a blur if your platform has one and your room is busy |
| Internet | Sit near the router or use a cable. Ask others at home not to stream during the call |
| Name | Make sure your display name is your real name |
How do you come across well in a virtual interview?
Look at the camera when you speak, keep answers focused and show energy. Video flattens your expression, so a little more warmth than usual helps.
- Eye contact: look at the camera lens while answering, and at the screen while listening. Putting the interviewer's video window near the top of your screen helps.
- Pace: speak a touch slower than normal and pause at the end of answers, as audio delays can make people talk over each other.
- Length: keep most answers to one or two minutes. If they want more, they'll ask.
- Notes: a few keywords are fine. Reading a script is obvious on camera.
- Body language: sit up, nod, smile, and keep your hands still and out of the frame.
Example answer to "Tell me about yourself" (illustrative): "I'm a customer support specialist with four years in software companies. Most recently I handled escalations for a payments product, where I rewrote our help articles and repeat tickets dropped. I'm looking for a role where I can work closer to the product team, which is why this role stood out."
What if something goes wrong in a virtual interview?
Stay calm, fix it quickly and carry on. Interviewers know tech fails.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your video freezes or drops | Rejoin straight away. If you can't, call or email the interviewer and offer to continue by phone |
| You can't hear them | Say so politely: "Sorry, you cut out. Could you repeat the question?" |
| Someone walks in or a dog barks | Mute, apologise briefly and continue |
| You lose your train of thought | "Let me take a second to think about that." Pausing is fine |
| The interviewer doesn't show | Wait 10 minutes, then email the recruiter to check |
How do you prepare for a one-way video interview?
Practise answering to a camera with a timer. One-way interviews feel strange because nobody reacts, so rehearsal matters more.
- Read every instruction: how long you get to think, how long to answer and whether retakes are allowed.
- Use any practice question the platform offers.
- Treat the camera as a person. Smile at the start and finish each answer cleanly.
- Keep notes off screen to a few words.
Our guide to mock interviews shows how to rehearse with a friend or on your own.
What should you do after a virtual interview?
Send a short thank-you email the same day, mentioning something specific from the conversation. Our thank-you email after an interview guide has templates. Then note the questions you were asked, so you're better prepared for the next round.
Many virtual processes also include a task or a work sample. Practising the real work helps here. Cohesyve lets job seekers practise AI job simulations of tasks in their target role and get a scored report showing where they lost marks, so you know what to work on before the next round.
Frequently asked questions
What does virtual interview mean?
It means an interview carried out remotely, usually over video, rather than in the same room. It can be live with a person, recorded, or run by an AI interviewer.
Is a virtual interview the same as a video interview?
Mostly. "Video interview" is the most common type of virtual interview. "Virtual" can also cover phone and online text or AI-led interviews.
What should I wear to a virtual interview?
Dress as you would for an in-person interview for that role. Plain, solid colours usually look better on camera than busy patterns.
Can I use notes in a virtual interview?
A few keywords are fine, especially for figures and questions to ask. Don't read full answers; it shows.
How long does a virtual interview last?
It varies by employer and stage. The invitation usually says. If it doesn't, ask the recruiter so you can plan.
Is a virtual interview less important than an in-person one?
No. Treat it with the same seriousness. In many hiring processes, the virtual round decides who goes through.