Lights, Camera, Action: How Gaze Can Make or Break Your Online Job Interview

On the face of it, eye contact during a virtual video interview doesn’t seem that important. In a recent study by Shinya, M., Yamane, N., Mori, Y. et al, eye contact was found to be a key decision in the hiring process.

How to present yourself effectively on camera has never been more important. In particular, the power of eye contact – something we often take for granted in face-to-face interviews – can heavily influence how an interviewee is perceived by the interviewer panel during a video interview. 

In the recent study, ‘off-camera gaze decreases evaluation scores in a simulated online job interview’, researchers found that candidates who looked directly into the camera were rated more favorably compared to those who looked at the screen, which often led to ‘skewed gaze’ and the impression of disengagement.

The following article will dive into why eye contact matters in virtual interviews, how gaze can impact evaluations, and share actionable tips to help a career professional make a strong impression during an online job interview.

Why Eye Contact Matters in Virtual Job Interviews

The power of eye contact is well-documented in psychology. Eye contact builds trust, shows confidence, and demonstrates attentiveness.

In face-to-face interviews, mutual gaze – when two people make direct eye contact – fosters feelings of connection, rapport, and understanding. However, in a virtual job interview, this dynamic is disrupted by the technology the applicant uses. The typical setup of an online video interview positions the camera slightly above the screen (and on laptops and phones the camera is fixed), so even if a candidate is looking at the interviewer’s face on the screen (the natural default), the job hunters gaze can appear averted to the interview panel, creating the perception that the interviewee is not fully engaged.

The study involving Japanese university students acting as interviewees in simulated job interviews revealed that candidates who looked directly at the camera (creating the perception of eye contact) were rated higher on all evaluation criteria than those who looked at the interviewer’s face on the screen.

In other words, aligning your gaze with the camera makes you come across as more confident, engaged, and trustworthy, which can play a big role in how a career professional is perceived as a potential hire. Impression management (your interview identity) is key to helping a job seeker increase job offers during the recruitment process. 

Understanding “Skewed Visuality” in Online Interviews

In face-to-face interactions, maintaining eye contact happens naturally (unless the job applicant is nervous or lacks in self-esteem which both increase a ‘downward’ gaze).

When you’re talking to a screen, it’s easy to fall into what researchers call “skewed visuality” – the disconnect caused by looking at the screen instead of the camera. Humans naturally look at the screen, the interviewers face, to subconsciously read facial ques.

From your interviewer’s perspective, skewed visuality, creates the impression that the candidate’s eyes are downcast or even distracted. This discrepancy, although unintended, can make an interviewee seem disengaged or less personable, creating a ‘bored’ or ‘indifferent’ interview identity.

The impact of skewed visuality is particularly pronounced for candidates and interviewers who place high value on social cues like eye contact. The study found that women interviewers and interviewees, in particular, rated on-camera eye contact more favorably than their male counterparts, emphasizing that subtle differences in gaze behavior may affect perceptions differently across genders.

Improve how you ‘look’ in a job interview

These practical will help you ace your job interview by improving your ‘gaze’ during an online job interview

1. Set Up Your Screen and Camera for Success

  • Elevate Your Camera to Eye Level: A webcam positioned at eye level creates the most natural look. Many people make the mistake of looking down at their laptop camera, which can create the perception of being distant or disengaged.
  • Minimize the Interview Window: Shrink the video call window and move it as close to the camera as possible. This makes it more natural for the job applicant to look at both the camera and the interviewer’s face simultaneously, which can help maintain focus without losing that all-important direct “eye contact.”
  • Center Yourself in the Frame: Sitting far enough from the camera so that an applicant’s head and shoulders are in the shot is the best frame, and avoid positioning yourself too close to the camera, which can make an interviewee appear overly intense.

2. Practice Looking Directly at the Camera

Looking directly at the camera will at first feel strange and unnatural. However, you can use visual cues to train yourself:

  • Use Sticky Notes as Reminders: Place a small sticky note next to your camera to remind yourself where to look, particularly during key moments of the interview.
  • Practice with Video Recordings: Record yourself answering interview questions while looking at the camera. Notice how your gaze affects your appearance and adjust accordingly until you feel comfortable.

3. Engage with Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal cues, like nodding and smiling, can help convey warmth and interest even when your gaze is fixed on the camera.

  • Nod Slightly While Listening: Nodding conveys attentiveness and engagement. This subtle movement can help bridge the gap between face-to-face and virtual interaction, making you appear more approachable.
  • Smile at Appropriate Times: A genuine smile can enhance your facial expressions, making you seem more personable and enthusiastic. Smiling while looking at the camera is especially effective in creating a warm first impression.

4. Be Mindful of Cultural Nuances and Gaze Expectations

While gaze direction is essential, cultural factors can influence how your gaze is perceived. In some cultures, direct eye contact might be interpreted differently, especially in professional settings. Although Western contexts typically favor direct eye contact as a sign of confidence, East Asian contexts may not emphasize eye contact to the same extent. However, regardless of cultural norms, intentional eye contact in an interview setting often signals professionalism and attentiveness.

  • Research Cultural Norms: If you’re interviewing with an international company, it may be helpful to research cultural expectations around eye contact.
  • Ask for Feedback: If you’re unsure, consider asking a friend from a similar background to your interviewer to watch a practice interview and provide feedback on your gaze behavior.

5. Test Your Setup Before the Interview

Technical glitches or awkward camera angles can distract from your focus, so give yourself time to set up and practice before the actual interview. Here are some quick checks:

  • Check Your Internet Connection: A stable connection reduces the chances of delays, which can throw off the timing of your eye contact.
  • Run a Mock Interview: Have a friend or career coach conduct a mock interview on the same platform. Test your gaze technique to ensure you appear as natural as possible.
  • Adjust Your Lighting: Good lighting from the front (preferably natural light) can help highlight your face, making your expressions and gaze clearer. Avoid backlighting, which can create shadows and make it harder for the interviewer to read your expressions.
Evolve the mind book on Amazon

Overcoming the Challenge of “Skewed Visuality” with Confidence

While the difference between looking at the screen and looking at the camera may seem small, it has significant implications for online interactions, particularly in formal settings like job interviews. Candidates who appear as though they’re making direct eye contact tend to be perceived as more engaged and personable. By mastering these gaze techniques, you can stand out as a confident communicator.

Final Thoughts: Virtual Interviews and Future Trends in Communication Technology

As technology advances, the gap between virtual and face-to-face communication may narrow. In the meantime, understanding and leveraging the power of intentional gaze can give a savvy job hunter an edge in virtual interviews. Looking at the camera, practicing subtle non-verbal cues, and being mindful of cultural nuances will help candidates establish the presence of someone who’s genuinely invested in the conversation, even through a screen.

In a competitive job market, small adjustments during an interview performance can make a big difference in how potential employers perceive the career professional. By adopting these techniques, an interviewee can easily navigate the unique challenges of virtual interviewing, creating a lasting, positive impression that could be the deciding factor in landing a lucrative job offer.

Source:

Shinya, M., Yamane, N., Mori, Y. et al. Off-camera gaze decreases evaluation scores in a simulated online job interview. Sci Rep 14, 12056 (2024).

Delaney, C. (2021). What Is Your Interview Identity. MX Publishing.

Tips for Online Interviews

With an increase in organisations opting to deliver job interviews online, applicants don’t only need to learn how to create job-winning answers, they now learn to become experts in video calls.

Video calls sound easy. You turn on your computer or phone, speak to the camera and that’s it – or is it?

The virtual setup is key to winning job interviews.

Most job seekers understand the importance of their wardrobe choice on the interview day. What you wear creates the first impression; the snap judgment made at the initial introduction before the start of the job interview itself.

The virtual setup is the same. A mumbling applicant asking ‘can you hear me’ or a poor internet signal distorting how the employer views the applicant both result in a negative impression.

Covid has increased the number of online interviews and employers, releasing the cost-saving benefits of recruiting virtually, are likely to continue with this trend. The Covid interview is here to stay.

The question that all interviewees are asking is how they can pass the online job interview? Because we live in a virtual world, where social influencers speak daily online, we can learn the techniques they use when presenting via online video.

This article will cover:

  1. How to create the perfect professional video frame
  2. How to reduce technical problems when interviewing virtually
  3. How to increase likeability even though you are being interviewed online

Virtual Job Interview Tips

After speaking to actors, directors, professional public speakers, online trainers I have compiled a list of tips to help any career professional, no matter which industry they are in, to pass a virtual job interview.

Create a professional frame

Framing refers to the image seen on the video call.

This little adjustment, in how an applicant sets their camera, makes a big difference in the none-communication of the applicant.

For job interveiws the 3 most common frames are:

  1. Full shot (FS) – FS shows the whole body from the head to the toe.
A female interviewee - full body shot, head to toe

The advantages of a full shot is that the employer can see, and the therefore gain additional non-verbal communication, the applicants body-language.

If using a full shot it is necessary, wear a lapel microphone connected wirelessly to the computer or the employer will struggle to hear the interview answers.

The full shot is best used for delivering an interview presentation, especially if using props. But even in this scenario the full shot still has several disadvantages.

The negatives include:

  • It is hard to see the interviewee’s facial expressions which express emotion – a powerful rapport-building tool.
  • The full shot will include the environment – if the applicant is using a bedroom camera, this can look inappropriate.
  • Without professional lighting, the room can look too dark which is far from ideal for an interview of any type.

Employment King recommends staying away from a full-body shot frame.

2. Medium Close Up (MCU) – MCU shows from the chest to the top of the head.

Medium head shot of a young interviewee, chest to head.

The medium close up is the best of all frames. The chest-to-head shot is far enough away to allow employers to view gestures while observing facial -expressions.

A lapel microphone is always an advantage but not required for a medium close-up. Another advantage is that the candidate can see the employer’s faces, enabling them to ‘read’ how the interview is going, or if an interview answer hits the mark.

Two-way communication is perfect with the MCU. Another plus for the medium close-up frame is that it encourages the employer’s attention and is more intimate.

The key, though, is the close-up allows employers to view gestures. Gestures, as most know, are a non-verbal communication tool. But, more importantly, research shows how using gestures improves communication because the person (the interviewee in this instance) using hand movements will improve their language organisation skills. Gestures help organise the formation of sentences, of the interview answer.

Employment King recommends using the medium close-up for 99% of job interviews, but even with this recommendation there are a few weaknesses with this frame:

  • Removes 50% of body-language
  • Often space is created on the left/right-hand side of the interviewee

3. Close Up (CU) or Extreme close up – Interviewees face fills the screen.

Close up headshot, older white male

By far the most common frame used in job interviews is the extreme close up. It maybe the most common but it isn’t the ideal frame for a virtual job interview.

The close-up does have one major advantage – the employer can easily see facial expressions. Micro facial expressions have a powerful, subconscious, effect on the job interviewer.

Being able to observe a close-up of an applicant’s face, allows an employer to see if they are excited or bored, their interview identity. But, unknowing to the interviewer, the applicants micro facial expression also influences the interview.

If an applicant shows contempt, disgust or joy, as an example, the interviewers mirror neurons, pick up the micro-expressions, and feel the same emotion. So an applicant feeling ‘joy’ influences the interviewer to feel ‘joy’ which can create an association between ‘applicant’ and ‘feeling good’.

The extreme close-up is, well, a bit weird and should be avoided. No one once to view an extreme close-up; warts and all!

Other negatives include:

  • No room for gestures
  • The face looks too big and can be off-putting
  • Employers can see clearly stubble, make-up errors, hair in places it shouldn’t be!

Camera Angles Change the Psychology of the Interview.

The angle of the camera changes the overall impression from, both, the employers and applicants’ perspectives, as the angle of the camera affects the psychology of the interview.

In a job interview, there are 3 commonly used camera angles:

Low Camera Angle.

When shooting from below the person above can seem larger than life – they look big, imposing in the frame.

In the idea of an online interview, the employer will feel at ease, relaxed when talking to the applicant. If the camera angle creates intimidation the employer will want the interview to end quickly.

On the opposite side of this effect is the ‘nostril’ problem. Rather than a low-framed camera angle creating intimidation, shooting from below with a close-up frame can result in 50% of the screen being covered by the applicant’s nostrils – not a good look for anyone, especially in a job interview.

Often interviewees using a laptop or phone, due to the appliance design, will default to this angle without a second thought.

From Above Camera Angle.

The opposite camera angle will then have the opposite effect.

The interviewee, who has chosen this angle (naturally used by interviewees on a traditional computer as the camera is often attached to the top of the screen) can, themselves, feel vulnerable as they constantly feel as they are looking up at the employer who hovers above them.

The ‘bald head’ approach, named as the camera points down on an applicant’s head, which with a poor lighting set can create a shine effect, also results in a lack of face visuals, again affecting the number of emotions an employer can read on the applicant’s face.

This shot distorts the applicant’s features, with interviewees looking smaller, but with large eyes and forehead, creating an overall ‘weak’ impression.

Straight On Camera Angle.

The ideal camera angle is straight-on.

Being straight-on creates a more realistic job interview scenario, with the applicant and employer having a face-to-face type impression. This eye-contact creates the feeling of honesty which if highly required in a job interview.

Creating Eye Contact Online.

One of the most crucial skills in a job interview is the ability to hold eye-contact.

Eye contact is important as it is associated to confidence as we form low opinions of applicants who avoid direct eye contact. Emotions, are also enhance when an applicant has good gazing skills.

The barrier, here, is the screen. In the main, applicants will use a PC or laptop for their job interview. When listening and speaking, it is natural to look at the person during the communication. But this creates a problem when being interviewed remotely.

When an applicant is watching the interviewer on the screen the applicant’s eye contact is looking down, not in the eyes of the interviewer. This is because the camera, in most cases, sits above the screen.

When looking directly at the camera lens, not the screen, the employer will feel they are receiving direct eye contact. This small change in where to look increase an applicant’s perceived confidence level.

Tip – During the opening of the interview answer, look at the screen. When making a key point, giving specific facts, or any other important information, look directly into the camera lens for a few seconds.

Improve Online Rapport.

Rapport is significantly harder to build online, compared with face-to-face meetings.

The computer is the barrier that needs overcoming. Face-to-face, applicants (who are enthusiastic) come across more enthusiastic when in person than virtually, even if the enthusiasm is at the same level.

This is because it’s harder for an interviewer to read non-verbal communication online.

Overcoming this hurdle is easy. Enthusiastic applicants need to bring more enthusiasm. If, in real life, you are 50% enthusiastic, online to gain the same effect you need to be 70-80% enthusiastic.

Rapport is gained through communication:

  • Increase volume
  • Improve diction
  • Enunciate when speaking
  • Slow down and create a good speaking pace
  • Add emotions to your spoken words

Using the communication tips, and the non-verbal communication suggestions above will, when combined, have a massive impact on the rapport between an employer and the interviewee.

Technical Problems.

Anyone giving a general job interview advice will suggest setting off early to ensure you are not late for the job interview, often suggesting to ‘set off early encase of traffic’.

The underlying advice here is to be prepared – anything can go wrong.

Online is the same, applicants need to be prepared for anything that can go wrong. In the virtual world, the problem won’t be lateness, rather it will be more technical.

Technical Tips.

  1. Plug your computer directly into the router as this produces the best connection – stay away from wifi if you can.
  2. If in the interview there is an echo, turn your microphone on mute when the employer is talking.
  3. Close down any other apps to reduce sound interference. An example of this is the ‘ping’ noise you hear when receiving a new email.
  4. Lighting – remove any lights from behind you as this creates a dark image, and be aware of a string frontal light and this produces glare. Natural light is best, but if lighting of needed set it up so the light is in front of you but off to the side.
  5. Have a backup device. Depending on the interview platform; zoom, teams, or google meets, depends on how the computer responds. A chromebook or tablet, as an example, may not work for certain platforms – always check in advance.
  6. Have any presentation slides on a pen drive as a backup.
  7. Use a lapel mic for better audio quality.
  8. Check your internet upload speed – this changes the quality of the video stream.

Job Interview Advice

How To Ace A Video Interview

Ace the Video Interview, Tips for Job Hunters

Online job interviews are more coming ever so popular with more large employers and recruitment agencies using a video platform as a time-saving device in their recruitment process.

However, video job interviews is a difficult task for any fresh recruit. There are several tips that you can implement to increase your chances of a job interview.

Be warn the interview questions may be the same but how you communicate online differs from a face to face job interview. 

career

The Basics

We need to cover the basics.

Ok, check you have a good internet connection (you need both good upload and download speed)

Prepare your interview answers as you do with all job interviews. Not sure how to do this? Simply use the search engine of this site to find commonly asked interview questions (you can check this by sector)

You still need to dress appropriately and think about your USP your Unique Selling Point

Control the Environment 

The environment for the video job interview is key. It is easy for the interviewer to become distracted by your background, interruptions and poor internet quality   

You need to create a blank background. You can do this by panning the camera in on a wall you sit in front or by using a sheet to create a blank canvas

Ensure to tell your house mates not to enter the room (this seems obvious but is a common mistake) and turn of your phone

This is simple advice but this is key. A distracted interviewer doesn’t listen to your interview answer, which means you don’t get the job offer

Avoid Using Online Platforms on your Mobile Phone

Using iPad or camera phone can be a major mistake for a video interview. The small screen size of an iPad is considered too small to engage a candidate. Instead, you should use a LED monitor which is big enough to clearly show the foreground and background of the space of the candidate.

A good-sized screen will allow also you to thoroughly scrutinize the body language of the candidate which is important to analyze his behavior during the interview.

Pace Your Communication

When you practice this, and you do need to practice this technique. You need to talk twice as slow as you do in normal life and leave longer gaps between sentences.

A lot of communication is lost on a video interview. Even though the interviewer can see on the screen a large percentage of body language, gestures and facial expression (all key non-verbal communication)  is lost or missed 

Due to this, you need to increase your verbal communication. Watch your pace, speed, volume and increase your chance of tonality, gaps in sentences and delete any “filler” words.

How To Conduct A Video Interview Like An Expert?

Conduct A Video Interview Like A Pro

The trend of conducting a video interview has become common in the corporate sector nowadays.

Conducting a video interview, however, is a difficult task for any fresh HR professional.

Nonetheless, it can be as manageable as a one-on-one interview with the right approach. Being a fresh HR professional, conducting a video interview in a professional way is one of your biggest challenges.

This write-up seeks to help the HR professionals who have a video interview lined up in the schedule and don’t know the ways to go about it. In this article, they’ll find some effective tips and techniques for conducting a video interview successfully.

Without further ado, let’s drill down some of the ways HR professionals can conduct a video interview like an expert:

career

Set Your Goals

No task is fruitful unless you set the goals for it and the same goes for conducting a video interview. Therefore, you first need to set the goals of your interview according to the hiring policy of your organization.

Once you do it successfully, you will be able to identify the right person who fits the job position and align with the policy of your organization.

Research About the Candidate

Before you conduct a video interview with a candidate, you should first find some information about the person. This will help you prepare your question list based on the personality, academic background and professional experience of the candidate.

Since the job history of the majority of the professionals is available on LinkedIn, you can easily jot down the most critical details about the career profile of a candidate and use them as cues while you engage in the Q & A session.

Ensure That You Have A Seamless Internet Connection

The internet connection is one of the many things that you must consider prior to conducting a video interview.

You need to make sure that your internet connection is stable and uninterrupted.

In this way, you’ll be able to converse with the candidate without irritating yourself due to internet downtime or interrupted network coverage.

Dress Up Like a True Professional

Having a video chat does not imply that you overlook your attire.

In fact, it makes it even more important to dress properly during a video interview and show your true professionalism.

Therefore, it is advisable to comply with the dress code of the company and convey the same instructions to the prospective candidate. 

Keep The Distractions At Bay

Distractions are the biggest turn off when you are engaged in a video interview.

It not only diverts your attention but also puts your focus away from important parts of the interview.

Therefore, it is important to get rid of things that might interrupt your interaction with the candidate, such as cell phones, squeaky sounds, or any flashy images in the vicinity of the interview room.

Avoid Using An iPad

Using iPad can be a major mistake for a video interview.

The small screen size of an iPad is considered too small to engage a candidate. Instead, you should use a LED monitor that is big enough to clearly show the foreground and background of the space of the candidate.

A good-sized screen will allow also you to thoroughly scrutinize the body language of the candidate which is important to analyze his behavior during the interview.

The aforementioned are some of the expert tips on conducting a video interview as an HR professional. Hope they serve you as guiding principles for your next hiring appointment and help you find the best candidate for a job.

Author Bio

Scarlett Erin is Head of human resource management at Assignment Star. She is also a pro academic writer and provides assignment help UK services to students all over the world. In addition, she is an active blogger and seeks it as a way to share insightful tips and advice on the matters of human resource management.