“Video Interviews in 2025: How to Prepare and Stand Out” – Tips for Zoom/Teams interviews, UK etiquette.

Introduction

Video interviews have moved from being a convenience to becoming a core component of hiring in 2025. Whether you’re applying to a London-based firm or a UK-wide remote role, mastering Zoom and Microsoft Teams video interviews is no longer optional it’s essential. As recruiters increasingly rely on virtual assessments, candidates who can present with confidence, clarity, and professionalism will gain a real edge. This post delves into how you can prepare effectively, overcome common technical pitfalls, convey strong presence on camera, and conform to modern British professional norms. We’ll also explore evolving trends, share real examples, and provide a step-by-step preparation plan. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to ace your next video interview whether it’s live, pre-recorded, or hybrid.

Why Video Interviews Dominate in 2025 (and Why You Must Adapt)

What Is a Video Interview Live vs. Pre-recorded vs. Hybrid

Video interviews come in a few main formats:

• Live / synchronous interviews you and the interviewer connect in real time (e.g. Zoom/Teams).
• Pre-recorded / one-way interviews the system shows you a prompt and you record your answer within a time window.
• Hybrid / panel video combinations, e.g., some pre-recorded technical tests plus a live follow-up.

Large UK employers, including public sector bodies, increasingly adopt pre-recorded screening rounds for efficiency.

Adoption & Trends: Why Video Is Here to Stay

• In recent studies, over 60% of hiring managers in medium-to-large companies use one-way video interviews.
• 63% of HR leaders say they’ve used video interviews in their hiring process.
• 82% of companies use virtual interviews, and 93% plan to continue.
• The video interviewing software market, valued around USD 0.41 billion in 2024, is projected to double by 2033.
• Organisations report that video interviews help speed up recruiting, reducing scheduling friction and broadening geographical reach. Why this matters to you: hiring decisions are increasingly made (or filtered) at the video stage. If you stumble technically or fail to engage on camera, you may not even reach the in-person rounds.

Pros and Cons of Video Interviews (vs. In-Person)

Pros:

• Saves travel time and costs for both parties
• Allow interviews across regions/timezones
• Recorded responses can be re-evaluated by multiple stakeholders
• Hiring teams can scale interviews more efficiently
• Gives you control over your environment

Cons / Challenges:

• Technical glitches (connectivity, audio, video)
• Harder to build rapport or read nonverbal cues
• Possible bias against candidates weaker in “camera presence”
• Distractions from home environment
• Time constraints in pre-recorded formats

Understanding both sides helps you play to the strengths and mitigate the risks.

How to Prepare for a Video Interview in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a structured blueprint you can follow in the days leading up to the interview.

Deep Dive: Platform Practice & Technical Checks

• Use the actual platform (Zoom, Teams, others) and familiarise yourself with mute/unmute, camera on/off, screen share, chat.
• Conduct a trial video call with a friend; check how you appear, background, lighting, audio.
• Check your video and audio settings (e.g., sample rate, resolution).
• If possible, use a wired Ethernet connection; if not, position close to router.
• Use a good external mic or headset if internal hardware is weak.
• Backup plan: have a smartphone ready (with video conferencing app installed) in case your main system fails.

Environment, Lighting & Background

• Use a quiet room where interruptions are minimal. Your family or housemates should know not to disturb.
• Lighting: ideally face natural window light. Alternatively, use a soft front-facing lamp or ring light. Avoid bright light behind you (which causes silhouette).
• Background: clean, uncluttered, neutral. Don’t use distracting virtual backgrounds they may glitch or create an artificial feel.
• Position your camera at eye-level or slightly above not too low or too high.
• Framing: leave some headroom; show shoulders and upper torso (not just your face).
• Avoid reflective surfaces, posters, moving objects behind you.

Dress, Appearance & On-Camera Presence

• Dress as though you are attending an in-person interview in the UK setting typically smart business or business casual depending on the sector.
• For UK audiences: conservative colours, modest cuts, no loud patterns.
• Avoid colours that “blend in” (e.g. white against white background) choose solid, mid-tone shades.
• Grooming: neat hair, minimal distracting jewellery, subtle makeup (if used).
• Make eye contact by looking at the camera lens, not your screen. This helps simulate direct engagement.
• Sit upright, lean slightly forward when talking, gesture naturally but moderately.
• Smile, nod, and use active listening cues (even virtually).
• Pause briefly before answering to manage lag/delay.

Crafting Your Answers: Content & Delivery

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure competency/behavioural answers.
• Be concise and to the point. Pre-recorded systems often restrict answer length.
• Tailor responses to what the employer values (mission, metrics, role requirements).
• Use concrete examples (outcomes, metrics).
• Incorporate storytelling and variation in tone to sound natural (not robotic).
• Prepare a strong opening (e.g. “Thank you for having me…”) and closing (e.g. “I’m keen to contribute…”) remark.
• Prepare thoughtful, high-impact questions to ask at the end (e.g. “How does this role contribute to your strategic goals?”).
• In pre-recorded: beware of over-preparing speaking too scripted can backfire if your tone becomes flat or stiff.

Practice & Feedback

• Record yourself answering typical questions (e.g. “Tell me about yourself,” “Why this company?”) and critically review.
• Ask friends or mentors to simulate interviewer and give feedback on clarity, pace, posture, idiosyncrasies.
• Time your answers many video systems enforce strict limits.
• Iterate and refine.

Standing Out on Zoom / Teams: Advanced Tips & Differentiators

Use of Two-Screen Setup & Supporting Materials

• If allowed, have a second monitor (or device) to view notes, your CV, or presentation materials while keeping your camera feed on the main screen.
• Prepare visually clean slides or portfolio snapshots to share if the interviewer invites you to discuss work.
• Share work samples via screen share seamlessly (pre-opened, well organised).

Leverage Micro-Moments to Impress

• First 30 seconds count heavily: deliver confident greeting, tone, posture immediately. Many recruiters or AI systems sample early segments first.
• Use pauses effectively allow the interviewer to interject and avoid talking over.
• If interviewers’ video is off, still maintain eye contact and engagement (don’t drift).
• Use the chat or annotation features (if relevant) to prompt or clarify points.

Engage Beyond Words

• Nonverbal cues: lean in, nod, maintain pleasant facial expressiveness.
• Mirror subtle style of the interviewer (formality, tone) where appropriate.
• Use storytelling and energy video can flatten presence; modulate tone.
• Emphasise what’s unique about you (projects, cross-border experience, multilingual skills).
• If relevant, show proactive ideas (“If I were to start, here’s an initiative I’d propose…”)

Handling Disruptions & Slip-Ups Gracefully

• If a technical glitch happens, apologise briefly, reset, and proceed smoothly.
• If someone else interrupts (family, pet), pause, mute, handle quickly, and resume politely.
• Don’t over-explain mistakes; maintain composure.
• Be honest: “It seems I lost video briefly shall I continue from here?”

UK Etiquette & Cultural Nuances for Video Interviews

Professionalism & Politeness

• Use British-style greetings (“Good morning/afternoon,” “Thank you for meeting me”) and maintain polite tone.
• Formality: unless told otherwise, adopt a formal-professional approach (use titles initially, e.g. “Mr. / Ms. …”, or “Dr. …”).
• Avoid slang, colloquialisms, or overly casual language early on.
• In the UK, punctuality is especially valued log in early, show courtesy.
• Use subtle humour cautiously unless you sense rapport.
• Express gratitude (e.g. “Thank you for your time today”) at close.
• If interviewing for public or civil service roles, expect structured competency questions tied to UK frameworks (e.g. Civil Service or NHS). Addressing Gaps, Jargon & UK Context

• Be ready to reference UK-specific examples or adapt your experiences to the British environment (e.g. compliance, regulation, local sector norms).
• If you’re an international candidate, you may be asked to comment on relocation, UK working rights, or adjusting to UK culture have thoughtful answers.
• Use British English spelling and idioms naturally when speaking (e.g. “information” instead of “data,” “holiday” instead of “vacation”) to align with local tone.

Trends, Expert Insights & What’s Next (2025 and Beyond)

• Firms are increasingly overlaying AI-based analysis on video evaluating speech patterns, micro-expressions, tone.
• Automating early screening with pre-recorded video + AI scoring is expected to grow.
• Soft skills (communication, empathy, adaptability) are now being assessed more heavily via video you need to perform on camera, not just answer a test.
• Diversity and bias mitigation tools are pushing firms to anonymise video assessments, or train raters to reduce unconscious bias.
• Greater integration of interactive video assessment where you may respond to video case prompts or scenario simulations in real time.
• Use of video portfolios (short pitch videos, work samples) will become more common as part of initial applications.

Pro tip: Practise not just “answering questions,” but being video-native: movement, presence, pacing, storytelling.

Examples & Case Illustrations

Example 1: Live Zoom Interview Marketing Role

Scenario: You are interviewing for a marketing manager role for a UK-based tech firm.

• 3 minutes in, you are asked: “Tell us about a campaign you led that failed what did you learn?”
  • Use STAR method:
    • Situation: “At my last role, we ran a PPC campaign targeting a niche segment…”
    • Task: “I was responsible for driving 20% lift in leads in 3 months.”
    • Action: “We pivoted creatives, A/B tested, reallocated budgets, ran competitor analysis.”
    • Result: “We ended with 10% uplift; learned importance of audience research, pivot early. For future, I integrated weekly check-ins.”
  • Pause before starting answer so you don’t speak over lag.
  • Use confident tone, moderate gestures, eye contact to camera.
• After your core answers, you present a 2-slide summary (open in secondary screen) when asked “What would you do in your first 90 days?” you share succinct roadmap.
• Final question: “Do you have any questions for us?” you ask about how the marketing team measures success in the UK vs global markets, and how they adapt campaigns locally.

Example 2: Pre-Recorded (One-Way) Interview Graduate Programme

Scenario: You have 60 seconds to answer “Why do you want to join our graduate scheme?”

• Structure succinctly:
  1. Brief context (e.g. your academic focus or internship).
  2. Align with their values / unique scheme attributes (e.g. rotation structure, social impact).
  3. What you bring (skills, energy, adaptability).
  4. Forward-facing line: “I look forward to contributing to UK projects …”
• Because the system enforces time limit, speak clearly, don’t rush, aim around 50–55 seconds to allow slight buffer.
• Because you cannot see an interviewer, ensure your energy and expressiveness come through.
• You might have the chance to re-record, so review and refine if possible.
• Avoid unnatural scripting let it sound conversational.

Internal Linking & Suggested Resources

You might consider linking to your internal pages or related blog posts such as:

• A blog on “How to Ace In-Person Interviews in the UK”
• Your services page offering interview coaching or CV writing (“Get your CV written by experts today”)
• A “UK job market trends 2025” post or “Remote work etiquette UK” article

Such internal links help SEO and guide readers to deeper resources.

Conclusion

Video interviews are no longer an optional stage they’re often the gatekeeper to the next round. In 2025, candidates who treat virtual interviews with seriousness, precision, and strategy will outperform those who wing it. By following this robust preparation process, refining your on-screen presence, accommodating UK professional norms, and adapting to emerging trends like AI-enhanced assessments, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of standing out.

Don’t leave your success to chance. Start practising in your actual environment, record mock sessions, refine your answers, and polish your energy. When the camera is on, this is your moment to shine as confident, articulate, and genuine. Get your CV and interview coaching support today, and let your next video interview land you the role you deserve.

FAQs (Video Interview 2025 / Zoom & Teams / UK Etiquette)

1. How do I prepare for a Zoom video interview UK style?
   Prepare by researching the company and UK market, test your Zoom settings in advance, dress professionally in British business attire, ensure a tidy neutral background, and practice maintaining eye contact by looking into your camera rather than at your screen.
2. What’s the best way to structure answers in pre-recorded video interviews?
   Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) with concise bullet points avoid overly long narratives. Time yourself during mocks, and deliver with natural tone to avoid sounding scripted.
3. How early should I join a Teams interview?
   It’s wise to join 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled start. This gives you time to test audio/video, adjust any settings, and demonstrate punctuality a virtue especially in UK business culture.
4. What lighting setup works best for video interviews?
   Use soft, front-facing lighting (natural window light or a ring light), avoid strong overhead or backlight shadows, and aim for balanced facial illumination. Position your face around one arm’s length from the camera.
5. Should I wear a suit for remote interviews in the UK?
   If the employer is corporate or traditional (finance, law, public sector), yes—wear a suit or smart blazer. In more creative or tech roles, business casual with a crisp shirt is acceptable. Always go a bit smarter if in doubt.
6. How do I deal with tech glitches during a live video interview?
   Calmly apologise, request to repeat if needed, switch to backup (phone/laptop) if necessary, and continue professionally. Avoid blaming others or over-explaining.
7. Can I use notes during a video interview?
   Yes discreet bullet-point notes are acceptable, especially for pre-recorded formats. Just don’t read verbatim. In live interviews, keep your eyes connected to the camera when possible to maintain engagement.
8. How do UK interviewers view accents or international candidates?
   Many UK employers value diversity. Speak clearly and confidently. If your accent is strong, slow your pace slightly and enunciate. Demonstrating awareness of UK context (terminology, regulations) can help strengthen your candidacy.
9. Will AI tools analyze my video interview in 2025?
   Yes many firms now use AI to evaluate speech cadence, sentiment, facial micro-expressions, and keyword alignment. Your job is to deliver clearly, naturally, and expressive responses to pass both human and AI filtering.
10. What common mistakes cause candidates to fail video interviews?
    • Poor technical preparation (bad audio/video, connectivity)
    • Sloppy or distracting background
    • Reading overly scripted responses
    • Lack of eye contact (looking at your screen instead of camera)
    • Monotone delivery or low energy
    • Arriving late or not logging in early
    • Not tailoring responses to the role or UK context