Virtual interviews have become a norm, but with the convenience and relaxed surroundings of interviewing from home comes the potential for some often cringe-worthy mishaps. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time virtual interviewee, there are a few things you definitely want to avoid. Here’s a list of what NOT to do during a virtual interview, with the cringe-worthy examples to keep you laughing (and hopefully learning along the way). 

Forget to Check Your Background 

• What Not to Do: Be caught off guard with a messy room or, worse yet, an embarrassing backdrop. 

• Cringe: “So, tell us a little about yourself…” (The camera zooms out to reveal a mountain of laundry, a pile of takeout boxes, and an unmade bed). 

• Pro Tip: Make sure your background is neat and professional. If your space isn’t the most photogenic, consider using a virtual background (just make sure it’s not too distracting!). 

Let Your Pets Steal the Show 

• What Not to Do: Let your dog, cat, or parrot become the star of the interview by interrupting or making noise. 

• Cringe: “Tell us why you’re a good fit for this position.” (Cue the sound of a barking dog, followed by you scrambling to mute the mic and yell, “Mum! Please let the dog outside!”). 

• Pro Tip: If you have pets, keep them in another room during the interview, or at least out of frame. If that’s impossible, make sure you have a plan for how to manage interruptions. 

Forget to Mute Yourself When You’re Not Talking 

• What Not to Do: Leave your mic unmuted while you chat with someone off-screen, munch on snacks, or, worse, argue with a family member. 

• Cringe: “I think I would be a great asset to your company, especially with my experience…” (Unmuted mic catches you in a heated exchange with your sibling about who’s using the TV remote). 

• Pro Tip: Always mute your microphone when you’re not speaking. This ensures background noise doesn’t distract and gives you a chance to collect your thoughts. 

Fail to Test Your Tech Ahead of Time 

• What Not to Do: Hop on the interview with zero prep, only to realize your camera isn’t working or the software won’t load. 

• Cringe: “I’m ready for this!” (You enthusiastically join the call, but your screen remains black because your camera’s not set up correctly. You spend the next few minutes frantically troubleshooting, making you look unprepared). 

• Pro Tip: Test your tech in advance. Check your camera, microphone, and internet connection at least 30 minutes before the interview. This helps avoid unnecessary stress and technical glitches during the interview. 

Wear Pyjamas/Dress from the waist up 

• What Not to Do: Be caught in a half-dressed state because you thought it was just a casual chat. 

• Cringe: “So, can you tell us why you want to work with us?” (You stand up to grab a notebook, only to reveal a full pyjama set or, even worse, just your underwear). 

• Pro Tip: Dress professionally from head to toe. Even if the interview is virtual, treating it like a traditional in-person interview shows you’re serious and prepared. 

Overuse the “Freeze Frame” Excuse 

• What Not to Do: Claim your internet connection is causing issues every time the interviewer asks a difficult question. 

• Cringe: “So, how do you deal with stressful situations?” (You freeze with a blank stare, and when you unfreeze, you say, “Sorry, can you repeat that? My connection cut out.” Again. And again). 

• Pro Tip: If your connection is weak, address it upfront and try to find a solution (e.g., moving closer to your Wi-Fi router). Don’t use connectivity issues as a constant excuse to avoid answering tough questions. 

Get Distracted by Your Phone 

• What Not to Do: Let your phone’s notifications steal your focus and make it look like you’re not paying attention. 

• Cringe: Mid-answer, your phone buzzes with an incoming text. You look down at it, check your notifications, then awkwardly mumble, “Oh sorry, what was the question again?” while trying to salvage the situation. 

• Pro Tip: Silence your phone or leave it in another room during the interview. You need to be fully present and engaged, and a buzzing phone will only distract both you and the interviewer. 

Use Inappropriate Filters (On Purpose or Accidentally) 

• What Not to Do: Use silly filters, face distortions, or special effects that make you look like a cartoon character, even if it’s an accident. 

• Cringe: “I believe my experience with digital marketing would make me a great fit…” (You’re halfway through explaining your qualifications, and suddenly, you’re wearing bunny ears or have a dog’s nose). 

• Pro Tip: Double-check your video settings to ensure there’s no filter active. You want to look polished and professional, not like you’re in a Snapchat filter commercial. 

Get Too Comfortable with “Off-Screen” Behavior 

• What Not to Do: Forget you’re still on camera and engage in casual, non-professional behavior. 

• Cringe: “I’m really passionate about project management…” (You scratch your head and casually pick at your nails, not realizing the camera’s angle is showing more than you intended). 

• Pro Tip: Always maintain professionalism, even when you think the camera isn’t on you. Sit up straight, focus on your answers, and avoid fidgeting with anything unnecessary. 

Go Off on Tangents (Especially About Personal Stuff) 

• What Not to Do: Launch into an unrelated personal story or talk about your hobbies in excessive detail. 

• Cringe: “Tell us about a time you solved a problem at work.” (You respond with a long story about how you once figured out how to assemble a complicated piece of IKEA furniture, but lose track of time, and forget to tie it back to the job). 

• Pro Tip: Stay concise and keep your answers relevant to the job at hand. It’s tempting to ramble but always tie your experiences back to the skills that make you a great candidate for the position. 

Final Thoughts 

Virtual interviews are a great way to showcase your skills without leaving the comfort of your own home. However, as with any type of interview, preparation is key. Test your tech, dress appropriately, and be mindful of your surroundings and behaviour. By avoiding these bloopers, you’ll leave a much better impression on your potential employer—without the need for a blooper reel!