You’ve applied for the role, and instead of a recruiter call, you’re invited to complete an AI video interview. This type of job interview looks different than in person interviews or phone interviews, but the goal is the same: help teams evaluate your skills.
For many candidates, this format can feel unfamiliar—but it isn’t a trick. AI video interviews offer structure, consistency, and flexibility, giving you space to demonstrate how you think and communicate. With the right preparation, you can confidently show the same strengths you would bring to an in person interview.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect and how to perform your best in an AI video interview, so you’re ready for every step of the modern hiring process. And if you’re part of a hiring team, you can use this guide to help walk candidates through artificial intelligence in the hiring process.
What you’ll learn
- AI video interviews offer flexibility through asynchronous and live formats, but they require a different preparation approach than traditional interviews.
- Strong preparation includes researching the company, structuring answers with the STAR method, and ensuring technical readiness for a seamless experience.
- Thoughtful follow-up and reflection reinforce professionalism and help you continuously improve interview performance.
How AI evaluates candidates and interview skills
In the interview process, AI systems can assess a range of factors. Through video interview questions, the system can scan for things like:
- Speech, clarity, and pacing
- Tone and verbal confidence
- Non-verbal communication (like facial expressions and or good posture)
- Relevance and structure of answers
- Thin responses, which can be based on set keywords or criteria
In AI interviews, AI works behind the scenes to actively analyze responses from job applicants, evaluating performance based on measurable and job-specific criteria.
Rather than relying on intuition alone, these tools help recruiters focus on measurable signals—leading to a more equitable hiring process.
For teams: Plus, when companies use an AI interviewer like CodeSignal, teams benefit from better candidate engagement and more positive long-term outcomes.
The candidate perspective: Preparing for an AI video interview
Preparation is where strong candidates stand out. Creating the right environment sets the stage for interview success.
That means good lighting, a clean background, and minimal distractions help you present yourself professionally from the start.
Job seekers should also practice their responses so they feel natural, confident, and focused. Even though the format may feel different, the fundamentals don’t change: understand the role, communicate clearly, and show the impact you’ve made.
With thoughtful preparation, you position yourself for success in any interview format. As a candidate, here’s how to make a good impression using a few practical steps.
Research the company and role
Review the company’s mission, values, and product positioning so your answers reflect genuine alignment. Pay close attention to the job description, and note how your skills and experiences map directly to the responsibilities and outcomes expected for the role.
Practice common or expected questions
Practicing with “STAR answers” can help you effectively answer both technical and behavioral questions. You should also practice responding to follow up questions that may arise after your initial answer.
This process helps ensure your answers feel polished but still authentic.
Use the STAR method
The STAR method provides a structured way to deliver clear and impactful answers:
- Situation: Describe the context
- Task: Explain the challenge or responsibility
- Action: Outline the steps you took
- Result: Share the measurable outcome
This approach keeps your responses focused, evidence-based, and easy to evaluate. Remember—practicing on camera builds familiarity and reduces performance anxiety. Rehearse typical behavioral and role-specific questions, record those answers, and review them for how they come across.
How can candidates make a strong first impression?
A good first impression in a video interview starts with preparation and presence. Begin by dressing professionally, just as you would for an in-person job interview. This helps you look polished on camera and puts you in the right mindset as a job candidate.
Next, set up your environment. Choose a clean, well-lit background so your facial expressions are easy to see. Good lighting and a simple setup help keep the focus on you.
When answering questions, maintain eye contact by looking at the camera lens, not your reflection on the computer screen. This small shift creates a more natural sense of connection. Sit with good posture, speak clearly, and pause briefly before responding so your responses feel thoughtful rather than rushed.
By dressing professionally, preparing your space, and engaging intentionally on camera, you’ll make a strong and confident first impression in any video interview.
Technical preparation for one way video interviews
A seamless technical setup allows your performance (rather than glitches) to take center stage. For any online interview or video calls, it’s crucial to create the right environment by ensuring proper lighting and a clean background. This helps you appear professional and minimizes distractions.
- Check your equipment: Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection ahead of time. Ensure your audio is clear and your video is stable so there are no distractions during the interview itself.
- Optimize the environment: Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background. Position your camera at eye level, and minimize visual clutter or background movement to maintain a professional presence.
- Perform a full tech check: Run through a trial recording to verify sound quality, lighting, and framing. This final check helps prevent avoidable disruptions and builds confidence before you begin.
Keep in mind: Even when you’re completing an interview with CodeSignal’s AI Interviewer, your setup still matters. AI focuses on the substance of your responses, but a clear, confident presentation helps ensure your skills are accurately reflected. It also sets the tone for the human reviewers (from human resources or a specific hiring team) who decide the next step in the process.
Presentation tips for AI video interviews
How you present yourself on camera influences how your responses are perceived, so make sure to present yourself as the person you want the interviewer to see.
Aim to come across as a real person. This means avoiding rehearsed answers that sound robotic, and treating the video interview as you would an in-person interview. Whether you’re in charge of hiring or advising top candidates, these time-tested tips never go out of style:
- Dress professionally: Select simple, professional attire that translates well on video. Neutral colors and minimal accessories keep the focus on you and your message.
- Maintain good posture and eye contact: Sit upright and look directly at the camera to simulate natural eye contact. This signals engagement, confidence, and attentiveness.
- Speak clearly and purposefully: Aim for steady pacing and intentional phrasing. Clear articulation reduces the likelihood of filler words and ensures your responses are easy to follow.
Common video interview mistakes to avoid
Even strong candidates can get tripped up in a video interview—and most slip-ups come from things you can prevent with a little preparation. Here are the big ones to watch for:
Letting technical issues steal the spotlight
A shaky internet connection, lagging audio, or frozen video can throw off your rhythm. Test things early, and if you can, plug in with a wired connection. A quick tech check now is much easier than troubleshooting during the actual interview.
Not practicing on the platform
Whether your interview is on Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or another tool, get comfortable ahead of time. Do a quick practice session so you’re confident with basics like camera controls, mute, and screen sharing. When you know the tool, you can focus fully on answering questions.
Background distractions you didn’t notice
Notifications from your mobile phone, a loud HVAC unit, or someone walking behind you in a public space can break your concentration. Set up in a quiet spot, silence your devices, and choose a background that keeps attention on you.
Not listening carefully enough
It’s easy to jump into a response too quickly, especially when nerves kick in or you’re participating in an AI video format for the first time. Slow down, listen carefully to each question, and take a beat before answering. A thoughtful pause always lands better than a rushed response.
By avoiding these simple mistakes, you’ll create a smoother interview experience. Stay calm, and you’ll give the hiring team a clear view of your skills, mindset, and potential.
How to use AI Tools for interview preparation
AI tools give job seekers a low-pressure way to build confidence, whether you’re preparing for a video interview or any other interviews in the hiring process. You’ll get to practice in realistic scenarios, get comfortable speaking at a natural pace, and fine-tune your responses before it really counts.
👉 For companies and recruiters: These same tools offer a consistent, scalable way to evaluate skills and help candidates show their best work. It’s a practical win for both sides and a smarter path to sustainable interview success.
AI mock interviews
AI mock interviews simulate the experience of an AI interview, allowing job applicants to prepare by practicing in realistic, on-demand environments. These tools simulate interview conditions, provide actionable feedback, and help you refine both content and delivery.
AI Role-Play with CodeSignal
AI Role-Play from CodeSignal takes preparation a step further by letting you practice real workplace scenarios, not just questions. You can role-play conversations with an AI teammate, customer, or manager and receive targeted guidance on communication, clarity, and problem-solving.
The perks: It’s a powerful way to strengthen the skills hiring teams look for and build confidence before stepping into any interview format.
Final preparation and review
Right before a video interview, it helps to slow down and make sure you’re truly ready—whether you’re the one interviewing or the one running the interview.
- Start by revisiting the job description. For candidates, this is your checklist: what skills does the role actually require, and where can you show clear examples? For companies, it’s a reminder to stay aligned with the competencies you’re evaluating so the interview feels fair and focused.
- Next, build in time to practice. A quick mock interview with a friend, colleague, or even a personal coach can go a long way. It helps candidates refine responses and get comfortable on camera, and it helps companies preview how well their questions surface the skills they’re trying to measure.
- Before the interview starts, run through tech for a few seconds. Test your camera, microphone, and connection to avoid unexpected technical issues. Candidates should check their lighting and framing; interviewers should confirm their setup is just as polished.
- One last tip: during the conversation, remember eye contact for a lasting impression. Candidates can look at the camera to build connections. Interviewers can model the same so the experience feels more human on both sides.
A few minutes of intentional prep (on both ends) sets the stage for a smoother conversation and a more accurate read of each candidate’s strengths.
Setting candidates and companies up for interview success
Preparing for an AI video interview is about combining strategic preparation with authentic communication. By understanding how AI evaluates responses, practicing structured answers, and optimizing your technical setup, you’ll position yourself for success in a skills-based hiring environment.
Approach each regular interview as an opportunity to demonstrate not just what you know, but how you think, communicate, and solve problems. When preparation meets clarity, confidence follows.
Ready to go AI-native? Meet the CodeSignal platform today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is an AI video interview?
An AI video interview, also known as an ai interview or ai interviews, is a structured digital interview format used to evaluate job applicants. It can take the form of a pre recorded video interview or pre recorded video interviews, where candidates record their responses to set questions, or as an online interview or online interviews, which may be live or asynchronous.
What are the main types of AI video interviews?
The two main types of AI interviews are pre-recorded video interviews (a type of online interview), where candidates record their responses to set questions on their own time, and live virtual interviews, which are conducted in real time via an online interview platform. Both online interviews require candidates to prepare for technical setup and present themselves professionally to succeed.
How does AI evaluate candidates?
In AI interviews, AI programs are used to analyze the responses of job applicants. These programs evaluate factors such as speech clarity, tone, body language, and relevance of responses to predetermined criteria to support objective assessment.
What technical preparation is helpful for an AI video interview?
Reliable internet, functional audio and video equipment, an optimized environment, and a thorough tech check are crucial. Each one plays a role in creating a smooth experience in online interviews, virtual interviews, and pre recorded video interviews.