How to ace virtual and video interviews in South Africa

Virtual interviews have become a permanent fixture in the South African hiring landscape. Whether you are interviewing with a Johannesburg-based company, a Cape Town startup, or an international employer, knowing how to present yourself effectively on video is an essential skill. Here is a complete guide to acing your next virtual interview.

Prepare your technology in advance

Nothing derails a virtual interview faster than technical difficulties. Well before the interview, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Make sure your video conferencing software — whether Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or another platform — is installed and working. Check your internet speed; for a stable video call, you need at least 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.

South Africa's load-shedding schedule adds an extra layer of complexity. If you know load-shedding is scheduled during your interview time, have a backup plan ready — a fully charged laptop with mobile data tethering, or identify a quiet co-working space or library with backup power.

Set up your environment

• Choose a quiet space — Inform household members about your interview time and ask for uninterrupted time
• Check your background — A plain wall, bookshelf, or tidy room works well. Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds
• Lighting matters — Position yourself facing a window or place a light in front of you. Avoid having a bright window behind you as it will leave your face in shadow
• Frame yourself correctly — Your camera should be at eye level, with your head and shoulders visible. Not too close, not too far
• Minimise distractions — Turn off notifications on your computer and phone. Close unnecessary browser tabs

Dress for success on camera

Dress exactly as you would for an in-person interview, from head to waist. Solid colours work best on camera — avoid busy patterns, stripes, or very bright colours that can be distracting. Even though you are at home, dressing professionally helps you get into the right mindset and signals to the interviewer that you are taking the opportunity seriously.

Master virtual interview etiquette

• Log in five minutes early to test your setup
• Look at the camera, not the screen, when speaking — this simulates eye contact
• Speak clearly and slightly slower than you would in person
• Pause after speaking to allow for slight audio delays
• Use hand gestures naturally — they can be seen on camera and add energy to your delivery
• Mute yourself when you are not speaking to avoid background noise
• Have a glass of water and your notes nearby but out of camera shot

Handle the unique challenges of virtual interviews

Virtual interviews can feel less personal, making it harder to build rapport. Compensate by being more intentional with your energy and enthusiasm. Smile, nod to show you are listening, and use the interviewer's name during the conversation. If there is an awkward silence or technical glitch, handle it gracefully — a simple "apologies, the connection dropped for a moment, could you please repeat that?" shows composure.

Have a backup plan for load-shedding

Load-shedding remains a reality in South Africa and employers understand this. However, you should still have a plan. If you know load-shedding is scheduled, communicate with the interviewer in advance to confirm the interview time or suggest an alternative. Have your phone charged and be ready to switch to a voice call or mobile data if needed. Being proactive about this shows professionalism and resourcefulness.

Follow up after the interview

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, just as you would after an in-person interview. Reference something specific from the conversation to show you were engaged. Keep it brief and professional. Virtual interviews can sometimes feel less memorable than in-person meetings, so a thoughtful follow-up helps reinforce your candidacy.