How to make the right impression on screen
Not so long ago, an interview almost always meant travelling to an office, sitting across from someone in a meeting room, a handshake and face-to-face interview. These days, things look quite different.
For many roles, the first stage now takes place online.
This shift has its advantages: it’s more efficient, it cuts out travel and it gives employers the chance to meet more candidates quickly. But while the setting has changed, the stakes remain just as high. Employers still want to see that you’re prepared, professional and personable. In fact, how you come across online often determines whether you progress to the later stages, very often including a face-to-face meeting.
That’s where etiquette comes in. Online interviews are as much about answering questions well as they’re about how you present yourself on screen, manage small details and handle the unexpected. Done right, etiquette helps employers focus on what really matters: your skills and potential. Done poorly, it risks distracting them.
Here are the key dos and don’ts to get it right
Do: Treat it like a real interview
An online setting can feel more relaxed, but the mindset you bring is crucial. Dress as you would for an in-person meeting (at least from the waist up). Sit at a desk or table rather than slumping on the sofa. Keep notes to hand if useful, but don’t bury yourself in them. When you show that you’re taking the interview seriously, the interviewer will too. Employers notice professionalism in small details and those small details build trust.
Don’t: Leave technology to chance
Logging on a minute before start time is risky. Maybe your laptop wants to run an update. Maybe the link doesn’t work. Maybe your microphone decides today’s the day it stops cooperating. Test your setup in advance. Log in early. Have a backup plan, such as a phone number or hotspot, in case your Wi-Fi wobbles. No one expects you to control the internet, but they do notice whether you’ve prepared for problems.
Do: Think carefully about your environment
Your background doesn’t need to look like a showroom, but it should support rather than distract. A neutral wall, tidy corner, or blurred background works fine. Avoid sitting in shadow if you can, natural light facing you is best. And yes, etiquette includes managing interruptions. Housemates wandering through, children bursting in, or someone clattering in the kitchen doesn’t exactly scream “attention to detail.” A quick word with the people you live with before the call makes a world of difference.
Don’t: Dash off mid-interview (we are being serious)
Picture this: you’re halfway through explaining your biggest achievement and the doorbell rings. You leap up to grab the delivery. The interviewer is left staring at your empty chair while you sign for a parcel.
It’s memorable, but not in the way you want. Plan: reschedule deliveries, put a polite note on the door and give the interview your full attention. Employers want to know this conversation is your priority, not competing with the courier.
Do: Engage with the interviewer
Rapport is trickier online, but possible. Looking into the camera when speaking feels like eye contact to the person on the other end. Nodding, smiling and listening actively all show you’re engaged. One pro tip: allow a short pause before answering. With online lag, it prevents you from accidentally talking over the interviewer. It’s a subtle habit that makes the exchange feel smoother and more respectful.
Don’t: Multitask
It’s obvious if you’re glancing at emails, scrolling your phone, or half-watching something else on screen. In person, you wouldn’t lean back and start typing mid-answer, online is no different. Shut down apps, silence notifications and give the interviewer your full attention.
Do: Prepare your answers (and your questions)
Etiquette is about showing respect for the process. Employers want to see you’ve thought about the role and their organisation. Prepare answers to common questions. Think about examples that showcase your skills, and always have a couple of questions ready to ask at the end, it signals curiosity and enthusiasm, qualities every employer values.
Don’t: Overreact to glitches
Even with the best preparation, technology sometimes misbehaves. Sound cuts out. Screens freeze. The dreaded “you’re on mute” happens. The key is not to panic. Simply ask the question again, or calmly repeat yourself. Employers aren’t judging the glitch, they’re noticing how you handle it. Staying calm under pressure shows resilience, which is often just as important as the content of your answers.
Why etiquette matters beyond the call
It’s easy to think etiquette is about surface-level impressions. But online, those impressions carry more weight than you realise. Employers know modern roles often involve virtual meetings, remote collaboration, and digital presentations. The way you handle an online interview gives them a glimpse of how you’ll operate in those situations. Can you communicate clearly? Stay focused? Handle hiccups with grace? Good etiquette tells them: yes.
The bigger picture
Very often, an online interview is the gateway to further stages, sometimes including that face-to-face meeting where you can expand on your answers and showcase even more of your personality. But you won’t get there if the first impression is undermined by small distractions.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about creating a professional, focused environment that lets your skills shine through. When the interview ends, you want the employer remembering your ideas and enthusiasm, not the sound of the doorbell halfway through your answer.
Online interviews are here to stay. They’re efficient, practical and increasingly the first step in recruitment. Mastering etiquette shows employers you’re adaptable, prepared and someone they can trust to represent themselves well in any situation. So set the scene, prepare thoughtfully and show up as the best version of yourself, because while technology may have changed the format, one thing remains the same: employers want to see the person behind the CV.
