By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
“If a man is called a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets just as Michelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music, and Shakespeare wrote poems. He should sweep the streets so well that everything in heaven and earth will stop and say, Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” —Dr. martin luther king
Yesterday was my birthday. I spent part of the morning showing a group in New Jersey how to clean up their video interviews, part talking to friends and family, and part finishing my next book. My wife is going to help lead the retreat; we will be celebrating together next week.
I love this quote from Dr. King. It relates to two things I coach, which can be summed up as “doing world-class things, not half-assed things”. Another is the way I end all my classes – “Be awesome.” I say that because my experience is that many of us are used to settling for it and being average. That’s not for me. I hope it doesn’t work for you either.
10 Camera Mistakes That Ruin Your Video Interviews
Job interviews have transformed, with virtual platforms becoming the new normal. While this provides convenience, it also creates a whole new set of challenges when it comes to making a lasting impression. It’s no longer just about What You say, but how You appear and reveal yourself through the camera lens. Many qualified people unknowingly sabotage their chances by making easily corrected visual errors. Don’t let your camera be the reason you miss out on your dream job. Here are 10 common mistakes people make during on-camera interviews: focusing on appearance, body language, and delivery style rather than the content.
1. “Looking up to the nose” angle
Ideally, your camera should be at eye level. Placing your laptop on a low table forces the camera to look up at you, creating an unflattering angle and potentially highlighting your ceiling instead of your face.
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repair: Stack books, use a laptop stand, or adjust the height of your chair until your camera lens is directly at eye level. This creates a more professional and engaging perspective.
2. “Dark Cave” Lighting
Bad lighting can make you look dark, tired, or even sinister. Turning your back to a window or relying on dim indoor lights overhead can cast harsh shadows and blur your features.
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repair: If possible, position yourself toward a natural light source, such as a window. If not, use a ring light, desk lamp, or even a few lamps placed behind your monitor to point exist Your face, not your back. Strive for soft, even lighting and eliminate shadows.
3. Distraction from “busy background”
A messy bedroom, messy bed, or collage of family photos may divert the interviewer’s attention from you and your answers. Your background speaks volumes about your professionalism.
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repair: Choose a simple, neutral background. Blank walls, uncluttered bookshelves (with the right items), or a clean home office setup work best. If you use a virtual background, make sure it’s professional, static, and glitch-free.
4. “Floating head” or “too far away” framing
Being too close to the camera can be intimidating, while being too far away can make it difficult for the interviewer to read your expressions and body language.
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repair: Take a shot that includes your head and shoulders and leaves a little space above your head. This “half-length shot” allows for good eye contact and captures some of your natural gestures without being distracting.
5. “No eye contact” gaze
It’s natural to look at the interviewer’s face on the screen, but to them it looks like you’re looking at down or leave. Sustained direct eye contact conveys confidence and engagement.
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repair: Train yourself to look directly into the webcam lens as much as possible, especially when speaking. If you need to skim your notes, keep them short. You can also drag the interviewer’s video feed as close to the camera lens as possible.
6. The “languid silhouette” pose
Even if you dress professionally, poor posture can convey a feeling of disinterest, lethargy, or lack of confidence. Being listless makes you appear less energetic and less engaged.
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repair: Sit up straight, shoulders back and chest open. Imagine a rope gently pulling your head toward the ceiling. Maintaining good posture not only looks better, it can also make you feel more confident.
7. “Irritability” Syndrome
Shaking your legs, tapping your fingers, playing with your hair, or rocking in your chair can significantly distract the interviewer, even if you don’t realize you’re doing it.
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repair: Watch your movements. Before the interview, take some time to settle in. Place your hands gently on your lap or table. Channel nervous energy into subtle, purposeful gestures as you speak rather than fidgeting aimlessly.
8. The trap of “dressing modestly from the waist down”
Although only the upper body is visible, the illusion of being fully prepared affects your mindset. Plus, unexpected circumstances (such as needing to stand up) may reveal your secret.
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repair: Dress professionally from head to toe. It’s not just about appearance; it puts you in the right headspace and ensures you’re prepared for any unexpected moves during the interview.
9. “Ghostly glare” or “shining forehead”
Harsh overhead lights or a lack of proper face powder can put an unwelcome glare on your forehead, nose, or cheekbones, making you look sweaty or unprepared.
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repair: Adjust the lighting to be more diffuse and even. For those of you who are prone to shine, a quick application of translucent powder (even for men) can make a huge difference in how you look in front of the camera.
10. The balance between “static statue” and “excessive animation”
Some candidates remained motionless, looking unnervingly stiff and unnatural. Others gesture wildly, making them look scattered or unorganized. Both extremes are unhelpful.
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repair: Strive for natural, expressive communication. Use subtle gestures to emphasize points, smile sincerely, and nod to show engagement. Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to find a balanced, confident, and authentic presentation style.
A successful virtual interview requires more than well-rehearsed answers; visual cues play a vital role in this performance. By addressing these 10 easy-to-correct mistakes, you can ensure that your on-camera performance is as flawless and professional as your qualifications, significantly improving your chances of landing a coveted job offer.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2025
Last week I posted a lot of new advice on the blog, including:
Popular skills
LinkedIn’s #opentowork post
Don’t choose! Get an interview for both positions
Are you a leader or a follower?
The easiest time of year to network and connect
Give me a good reason why I should increase my offer?
Never follow someone else’s path
A critical blind spot in the executive job search
if i were stuck in the desert
When can I quit without notice?
Why do companies want to conduct phone interviews or Zoom interviews?
What to do if you encounter a “long pause” during the interview
Employer branding: why is it important?
No BS Career Advice: November 30, 2025
Tough interview question: What makes you different from other candidates?
Smart ways to apply for jobs
How to crush your phone interview (and actually get a call back)?
managers
Executive Network: Attracting Opportunities
No one is waiting for you to contact them
Phone Interview: Be Prepared to Stand Out!
To you, what is the difference between a manager and a leader?
Tough interview question: How do you use LinkedIn?
keep pace with inflation
New reality: Cooperate or lag behind
References: What They Really Want to Find Out
Phone interview etiquette: Answer the call and move on
Why “inexperienced” digital nomads are an oxymoron
Tough interview question: How do you use LinkedIn?
Why recruiters keep looking at your profile
Your digital first impression may get you rejected
Living alone? 10 things you can do to stay connected while job hunting
Give me a good reason why I should increase my offer?
The disturbing truth about finding a digital nomad job
Tough interview question: How do you use LinkedIn?
I recently released a few Kindle books that I’ve been working on for a while. They will be there soon job search community as part of any membership. I will also make them available as PDFs via Gumroad
Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for C-suite Finalists
Pass the ATS: How to Bypass the Applicant Tracking System and Get an Interview
Leaders’ Job Search Secrets: The Executive Advantage
This week I’m releasing another book on salary negotiation. Please pay attention to the announcement
Schedule a free discovery call with me: www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule Discuss my guidance for you during your job search and beyond. I tend to work with more senior talent rather than individual contributors.
Subscribe to the BS-free job search advice broadcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen or watch podcasts. I’ll be posting new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
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#BeGreat
Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC Author
People hire me worldwide to provide no-nonsense job search guidance and career advice because I make your job search and success in your new job easier | 5x LinkedIn Top Voices | Career Coach | Former Recruiter | job search community
