Pre-Interview Tech Setup: the Complete Pre-Record Checklist (2026)
Tech failures during an AI video interview are almost entirely preventable with a 30-minute setup window. Here is the complete protocol.
The 30-Minute Pre-Record Checklist
Wired ethernet (preferred) or tested wifiessential
Minimum 10 Mbps upload. Test at speedtest.net. Wired is more reliable. If wifi only, be within 3 metres of the router.
Camera at exact eye levelessential
A laptop on a desk points the lens at your chin. Stack books, a box, or use an external webcam on a mini tripod. Eye level means the lens and your eyes are at the same height.
Soft front lighting at 45 degreesessential
A window beside and in front of you during daylight is ideal. A ring light (any 10-inch model) is the reliable indoor solution. Avoid windows directly behind you (silhouette) and overhead-only lighting (unflattering shadows).
External microphone or wired earbudsessential
Samson Q2U (~$70), Audio-Technica ATR2100x (~$99), or wired phone earbuds are all fine. Built-in laptop mic is acceptable but will sound noticeably worse. Bluetooth headphones are acceptable; AirPods pick up fan noise.
Chrome or Edge browser (for HireVue)essential
HireVue documents Chrome or Edge as the required browsers. Check your specific platform's invite email for browser requirements. Test your browser and camera permissions 30 minutes before the session, not 30 seconds before.
All other apps and tabs closed
Close Slack, email, browser tabs. Disable OS-level notifications (Settings > Notifications). A Slack ping mid-answer is a distraction you cannot predict.
Phone face-down, silenced
Do not rely on silent mode - vibration is audible on video. Face-down prevents notification screens lighting up distractingly.
Neutral, tidy background
A blank wall is fine. A bookshelf is fine if not overwhelming. Avoid busy backgrounds, piles of laundry, or anything moving. Virtual backgrounds are acceptable but can glitch with hair movement - test yours.
Water within reach
Not mid-answer, but between questions. A glass not a crinkly bottle.
Printed role description and STAR story bank
A printed reference you can glance at quickly is less detectable than looking at a second screen. Put key points in large text if you need to reference them.
Timer you can glance at
Know how much time remains. A kitchen timer, your phone face-up out of frame, or the platform's own countdown are all fine.
Full 60-second test recording before the real sessionessential
Do this 30 minutes before the real session. Record yourself answering a question. Watch it back. Check: camera angle (eye level, not chin up), audio clarity, lighting, background. Fix anything before the session starts.
Camera: the Eye-Level Problem
The single most common video interview mistake: laptop on a desk, lens below eye level, camera looking up at your chin. This reads as unprofessional and unflattering on video, regardless of how the AI scores you.
Fix with what you have
- Stack books, a box, or a ream of paper under your laptop until the lens is at eye level
- Use a chair height and desk combination that achieves the same
- Test by recording and watching: your face should be centred, not angled upward
Simple hardware upgrades
- Logitech C920 (~$70) - wired USB webcam, reliable image quality
- Anker PowerConf C200 (~$60) - compact USB webcam with decent low-light
- A $10 mini desk tripod with phone mount works for phone cameras if your phone quality exceeds your laptop webcam
Frame yourself from mid-chest to top of head. Not a full-body shot (looks distant) and not an extreme close-up (reads as uncomfortable). The interviewer should be able to see your face and a hint of your torso.
Lighting: Front and Soft
The goal is soft, diffused light from in front of you, ideally at 45 degrees to one side. This eliminates harsh shadows and gives the most flattering, clear result.
| Setup | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Window at 45 degrees, daylight | Excellent | Soft, diffused natural light. Best available. Avoid direct sunlight (too harsh). |
| Ring light in front, 45cm away | Excellent | The reliable indoor solution. Any 10-inch ring light. Keep at face level. |
| Desk lamp facing you from beside monitor | Good | Softer than overhead. Make sure it is not pointing directly at the lens. |
| Overhead ceiling light only | Acceptable | Produces shadows under eyes and chin. Not ideal but usable. |
| Window behind you | Poor | Silhouettes your face. Move your desk or close the blind. |
| No dedicated lighting | Poor | Relies on ambient room light. Often inconsistent and unflattering. |
Audio: External Beats Built-In Every Time
Laptop microphones pick up fan noise, keyboard clicks, and room echo. An external microphone, even a basic one, sounds noticeably cleaner. The AI that scores your speech structure and delivery is listening to what you say, but the human reviewer who watches the video afterwards notices audio quality.
Wired phone earbuds with mic
Free (you have them)
Good
The mic is close to your mouth, which is an advantage. Works well.
Samson Q2U USB microphone
~$70
Excellent
USB or XLR dual-mode. Plug-and-play. Best budget-to-quality ratio.
Audio-Technica ATR2100x
~$99
Excellent
Same dual-mode as Samson. Slightly better build. Industry standard for home recording.
AirPods (Bluetooth)
You have them
Acceptable
Bluetooth latency occasionally causes sync issues. Pick up environmental fan noise on some models.
Wired USB headset
$20-40
Good
Clear mic, no wireless dependency. The safe, functional choice.
Laptop built-in mic
Free
Acceptable
Last resort. Acceptable if no other option. Move the laptop closer to you to improve pickup.
Browser and Bandwidth Requirements
HireVue
Chrome or Edge (documented requirement, April 2026). Firefox generally works. Safari: check your specific invite. iPad and mobile work but are harder to stabilise at eye level.
Other platforms
Most platforms (Willo, myInterview, Spark Hire, VidCruiter) work in Firefox and Chrome. Sapia text chat works in all modern browsers. Check your specific invite email for requirements.
Bandwidth
Minimum 10 Mbps upload for reliable video. 25+ Mbps recommended. Test at speedtest.net before the session. Wired ethernet prevents the bandwidth variability of shared wifi.
Browser permissions
Grant camera and microphone permissions to the interview platform before your session. Do this during your 30-minute setup window, not during the real session. A permissions popup mid-interview is avoidable.
What Goes Wrong (and How to Recover)
Wifi drops mid-session
Reconnect and reload the platform. Most platforms allow you to resume from where you left off. Contact the platform’s candidate support immediately if you lose a session - most can reset a session for legitimate technical failures.
Camera permissions reset or denied
Check your browser site permissions (click the padlock icon next to the URL). Grant camera access. Reload. This is why the 30-minute test window matters - you find permission issues then, not mid-session.
Browser plugin blocks the interview
Disable all browser extensions for the interview session. Ad blockers and privacy plugins occasionally block interview platform scripts.
Second monitor causes display issues
Turn off or disconnect your second monitor if you are having issues. Some platforms have difficulty with multi-monitor setups.
Time runs out mid-answer
Most platforms stop recording at the time limit and save what you have. Do not try to rush more in. Move to the next question.