Online job interviews: Light and laptop angles matter

All the advice in my other blogs about interviews apply to online interviews. However, there are some things that are unique to online interviews. Here's one thing to consider: position yourself and the camera (of your laptop, phone, or whichever device you use for your online interview) carefully. This is something you can try out well in advance of your interview. 

Choose a location where the lighting is bright enough that you look well on screen. You don't want to be in the shadows or have part of your face in the shadows, you want the interviewers to see you at your best.  Facing a window rather than having your back to a window can make a huge difference. If the natural light isn't good at the time of your interview, have a lighting alternative ready. This is true for me as an interviewer and for other interviewers as well.

But if, like me, you wear glasses (even with anti-reflective coating) then facing directly into the light source can leave a glare or reflection on your glasses, especially when moving your head as you talk. I find that sitting facing the window, and then moving myself and my device so I am facing a little away from the window (not completely turning my side to the windows, but just having the window at a diagonal) seems to work best for me (and my glasses!). The picture accompanying this blog shows how I appeared on my phone's camera when following all of this advice.  This video on my Facebook page shows you what I mean.