How to Prepare Your Laptop for a Video Interview

A video interview should not begin with ten minutes of troubleshooting. Test the important pieces beforehand, then leave yourself a simple backup plan in case something changes.

The day before: run the full check

Start with the Laptop Check while you still have time to fix something. Confirm internet readiness, camera and microphone access, and the browser you plan to use.

If the interviewer sent a specific meeting link, open the platform’s own test or settings page too. Browser tools can confirm the hardware path, while the meeting app confirms its own device selection.

Put the camera at a useful height

Use the Webcam Test to check framing. Place the camera near eye level, keep your face well lit from the front and remove distracting bright windows behind you. A simple stable setup is better than an elaborate one that needs last-minute adjustment.

Check the microphone at normal speaking volume

Use the Microphone Test and speak at the same volume you expect to use in the interview. If you use a headset, make sure the meeting app selects that microphone rather than the laptop’s built-in one.

Test the internet from the interview location

Run the Internet Speed Test from the actual desk or room. If Wi‑Fi is weak there, move closer to the router or use Ethernet. Pause cloud backups and large downloads before the call.

Remove avoidable failure points

• Plug the laptop into power or start with a well-charged battery.
• Close games, large downloads and unnecessary apps.
• Disable notifications that could reveal private messages on screen.
• Have the meeting link, interviewer name and a phone backup ready.

Join early, but not excessively early

Open the meeting software several minutes before the scheduled time so you can approve permissions and confirm the selected devices. You do not need to enter the interview room far in advance; the goal is simply to remove technical surprises.

Have one backup route

Keep the interviewer’s contact details and a phone nearby. If the laptop fails completely, being able to explain the issue quickly and continue by phone is much better than disappearing from the call.

Related guides

Useful MyLaptopTools checks

Use these free browser tools to check the parts of your setup discussed in this guide: