Don’t Let A Ghost Derail Your Interview

mastering the virtual interview

FreeBird,

I want to tell you about an amazing candidate I placed this year. I interviewed him over Zoom and immediately knew he was right for the job. He spoke with calm authority, explained projects with just the right level of detail. The problem: his virtual interview setup was tragic.

He sat in shadow at a basement desk, lit only by a standing lamp in the corner. Behind him, a partially open door led to a dark hallway. As we spoke, the door opened and closed on its own. Was it a ghost? No—a small child, just off-screen, was playing a game.

Before I could introduce him to my client, we had to drastically improve his virtual presence. Luckily, he was coachable.

No matter how qualified you are, your ability to convey authority and presence on video is critical. The good news? It’s not that hard to learn. Here’s your three-step playbook:

1. Stage Yourself Like a Pro—Even from a Basement

Your setup doesn’t have to rival a podcast studio, but it should say: “I came to play.” Remember—your background is telling a story about you before you ever speak.

Visual checklist:

• Clean, uncluttered background with a splash of color (a plant, a painting, a bookshelf)
  

• Lighting that makes you look alert and present (avoid cave vibes)
  

• Simple, solid shirt with contrast to your skin tone (ditch the dizzying prints)
  

• A little polish (concealer, powder, moisturizer—whatever makes you look alive)
  

Pro tip: Turn off self-view. Watching your own face while trying to speak passionately about your career goals is charisma poison.

2. Show, Don’t Just Tell—Use the Virtual Advantage

The best part of virtual interviews? You’ve got your digital arsenal at your fingertips.

Build your “Digital Interview Folder”:

• Tailored resume
  

• 2–3 slides showing key wins or case studies
  

• Direct links to your portfolio/LinkedIn/website
  

• Bullet list matching your experience to their priorities
  

Master the strategic screen share: Try: “Would it help if I shared a quick visual to illustrate that point?” Then share your slide like a boss. Just make sure your desktop isn’t a war zone.

Keep a cheat sheet off-camera:

• Sticky notes with prompts and metrics
  

• A minimized doc with bullets for common questions
  (Just don’t read them. Glance only.)
  

3. Tell Stories That Stick

Prep 3–5 punchy stories that align with the job. Scan the listing for phrases like “cross-functional collaboration” or “data-driven decision making,” and map your examples accordingly.

Use the Situation → Action → Result structure to stay grounded when nerves hit.

Close strong: Ask a question that shows you’re already thinking like an insider.
“I noticed your company recently launched X. At my last role, we dealt with similar challenges around Y. How’s your team navigating that?”

The Takeaway

A video interview isn’t just a conversation—it’s your first presentation. And in today’s workplace, the ability to show up strong on screen is table stakes.

Today’s action: Do a test run. Set up your space, dress the part, and record yourself answering: “Tell me about a time you overcame a major challenge.”

Watch it back. Be honest—would YOU hire that person? If not, tweak and repeat until you would.

Until tomorrow,
E.S.

P.S. “It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” — Mark Twain