How to Conduct a Video Interview: Top Tips for Recruiters and Managers

As AI applications flood hiring inboxes, candidate screening has never been more challenging. But for 82% of companies, video interviews are cutting through the noise.

At Breezy, we've cracked the code: simple tech + smart structure = seamless video interviews.

Here’s how it’s done.

Why use video interviews?

With two-thirds of job seekers using AI in their applications, you need reliable ways to pinpoint real talent.

And with remote jobs expected to grow to over 90 million roles by 2030, video job interviews are a great way to do it.

Faster, smarter hiring

Following the Covid pandemic of the early 2020s, 36% of HR leaders reduced their total number of interviews, and 31% cut their time-to-offer by embracing virtual hiring. The best part? You can re-watch interviews and gather team feedback, so that your hiring decisions are backed by data (not gut feeling).

Lower recruitment costs

With candidates spending an average of $72.29 per in-person interview, video calls aren't just convenient – they're cost-effective. You eliminate travel expenses, solve scheduling issues, and tap into global talent pools all at the same time.

Enhanced employer brand

Stand out from the 72% of companies that don’t have consistent employer branding. Video interviews show that you're respectful of your candidate’s time and committed to delivering a convenient experience for job seekers.

7 video interview tips for recruiters and managers

While the hiring process has changed, the goal remains the same: find better candidates in less time.

Here's how to create a repeatable video interviewing process that works.

1. Choose between live vs. one-way

There are two main types of video interviews:

• Live interviews: Via Zoom, Teams, Meet, or a recruitment platform with native video (like Breezy 😉).
• Pre-recorded video interview: Also known as one-way or asynchronous video interviews, this option is great for high-volume hiring teams.

Not sure which format to use? One-way videos can cut your initial screening time and offer a low-pressure experience for candidates, while live video interviews tend to be best for in-depth conversations and understanding alignment with company culture.

🎬 Pro tip: Why not both? Use pre-recorded video responses to screen and shortlist top candidates, then dive deeper by scheduling live video interviews for top contenders.

2. Don’t cut corners on your tech setup

In a world where 64% of employers are feeling the pressure of employee demand for remote work, your virtual interview environment matters more than ever.

And for digitally native interviewees, there’s no excuse for awkward internet glitches.

Video interviews work best when you:

• Use modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) – no downloads needed
• Test your setup and permissions before going live
• Close extra tabs and programs
• Keep a backup device charged and ready
• Ensure stable internet (1.5+ Mbps) for crystal-clear calls
• Use scheduling links so candidates can pick their own times
• Add buffer time between meetings and set a max number of bookings per day

🎬 Pro tip: Think of this as your video interview launch checklist. With these basics covered, you can stop worrying about tech hiccups and focus on meaningful conversations with candidates.

3. Create a professional environment

Don't let candidates out-prep you. Create a distraction-free zone with natural light and position your webcam at eye level.

These small touches create the professional atmosphere candidates expect:

• Space: Choose a quiet space with a door you can close
• Background: Set up a neutral background (or use a subtle virtual background)
• Positioning: Keep it simple with a wall as your backdrop
• Lighting: One in front and one to the side works wonders
• Appearance: Wear business-appropriate clothing (at least from the waist up!)
• Materials: Keep water and interview materials within reach

🎬 Pro tip: Want more consistent interviews? Create role-specific interview guides your team can use again and again.

4. Prepare your team

In our latest Hiring Challenges Report, more than half of employers said they struggle to find qualified candidates.

A well-prepped interview team is your secret weapon for spotting talent.

Here's how to get your team ready:

• Share candidate materials early: Distribute resumes, portfolios and screening notes at least 24 hours before
• Define clear roles: Assign specific competencies and questions to each interviewer to avoid overlap
• Review guides as a group: Audit your interview guides for consistent evaluation
• Align on scoring: Establish clear rating criteria everyone understands
• Choose your interview lead: Designate a meeting leader to guide the conversation
• Have a Plan B: Make sure there’s a backup interviewer briefed and ready to step in if needed

When everyone knows their role and evaluation criteria, you can make better hiring choices while delivering a smooth experience candidates will appreciate.

🎬 Pro tip: Use interview scorecards to turn gut feelings into data-driven hiring decisions everyone can get behind.

5. Create the right interview flow

Avoid awkward pauses and impromptu transitions. A structured interview flow or “interview run of show” keeps things engaging.

Here's what it looks like in practice:

• Start with a warm-up: Set a time limit of 2-3 minutes for casual conversation while checking audio/video quality
• Make introductions: Give each participant a chance to introduce themselves and their role
• Set clear expectations: Walk through the interview format, timing, and what you'll cover
• Build personal connection: Use the candidate's name naturally throughout the conversation
• Guide the discussion: Signal topic transitions clearly ("Now, let's move on to talking about...")
• Close professionally: Outline specific next steps and timeline expectations for follow-up

Having a set framework helps you stay focused while signaling to candidates that you’re just as engaged as they are.

🎬 Pro tip: Keep improving. Let candidates know they'll receive a brief candidate experience survey to help make your process even better.

6. Perfect your virtual presence

Your on-camera presence can make or break the candidate experience. And make no mistake – body language matters just as much on video as it does in person.

Here's how to project confidence through the screen:

• Eye contact: Look directly into your camera when speaking
• Hand gestures: Use purposeful gestures to emphasize points (just keep them within frame)
• Posture: Stay upright and centered to show the interviewee that you’re engaged
• Active listening: Nod and offer small verbal acknowledgments ("mm-hmm," "yes")
• Speaking pace: Talk slightly slower than usual to account for potential lag
• Turn-taking: Leave longer pauses between exchanges to prevent awkward overlaps

Remember, candidates are evaluating you just as much as you're evaluating them. A polished virtual presence makes a positive first impression, while letting them know that you’re locked in and ready to pay attention.

🎬 Pro tip: Practice these tips in team meetings before using them in candidate interviews. You can even record yourself to pick up on any areas for improvement.

7. Be ready to troubleshoot

Even the best-laid plans can hit a snag. But video interview hiccups don't have to derail your conversation. Here's your quick-fix playbook for common tech issues:

Browser basics:

• Use the latest browser version
• Clear your cache if video isn't loading
• Double-check your internet connection, camera and mic permissions

Backup strategies:

• Keep candidate phone numbers handy for audio backup
• Have a secondary device charged and ready
• Know how to quickly switch to phone or audio-only mode

Quick fixes for common issues:

• Frozen video? Try refreshing your browser
• Echo in the call? Ask participants to use headphones
• Spotty connection? Close other tabs and bandwidth-heavy apps

Don't let technical difficulties shake your confidence. With these troubleshooting tips in your back pocket, you can handle any situation like a pro and keep the focus where it belongs – on great conversations with top candidates.

🎬 Pro tip: Create a "tech check" message template in your applicant tracking system that automatically goes out to candidates 24 hours before their interview. Include browser requirements, how to test their setup, and what to do if they need help.

Video interview questions to find the best talent

Ready to level up your video interviews? Skip the generic questions and get straight to what matters:

Culture and remote work fit

• How do you structure your workday when working remotely?
• Describe a time you had to solve a communication challenge in a remote setting.
• What strategies do you use to maintain work-life boundaries when working from home?

Collaboration and communication

• How do you keep remote team members aligned on challenging or complex projects?
• How do you build relationships with colleagues you've never met in person?
• What's your approach to giving feedback in a virtual environment?

Problem-solving abilities

• Walk me through a challenging remote project. How did you stay on top of communication and deadlines?
• How do you handle competing priorities when working independently?
• What's your process for making decisions independently?

Getting started with Breezy video interviews

Ready to make video interviews a breeze?

1. Select your candidate from your pipeline
2. Click to schedule interview (or let candidates pick their own time with our scheduling links)
3. Add video call to generate your meeting link
4. Share the link with everyone who needs to be there

That's it! No downloads, no technical hurdles – just click and connect.

Want to take your video interviews to the next level? Our full suite of tools has you covered:

• Customize pipeline stages to easily track candidates
• Automate prep instructions with Stage Actions
• Share custom interview guides before the big day
• Rate candidates instantly with scorecards
• Keep everything organized in candidate profiles
• Document decisions and interview feedback all in one place

Now that's what we call smooth hiring! 🎯

Make a better first impression on candidates

Video interviews shouldn’t feel like another boring video conference in a constantly crashing Microsoft Teams.

At Breezy, we've hosted thousands of video interviews and learned that the secret sauce is actually pretty simple: treat online interviews like face-to-face interviews. That means having a structured process, reliable tech, and well-prepared interviewers.

And that's exactly why we built video interviewing that just… works. Start your free trial today to learn more.