In today’s hiring world, more interviews take place on camera than across a desk, and how you move, look, and listen on screen can quietly decide whether you get the job. The way you frame yourself on screen, maintain eye contact, and control your body language can strongly influence how professional and trustworthy you appear.

Mark Travers, an American psychologist and writer based in Colorado, has studied this shift closely. Specialising in behavioural science and workplace performance, Travers holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of Colorado and writes regularly on professional communication. He says that mastering virtual body language is now an essential career skill. “Your tone, posture, and gaze speak louder than your words,” he explains, adding that a polished online presence tells employers you can communicate confidently in any setting.

Travers offers clear, practical advice for candidates preparing for remote or hybrid interviews. First, treat your setup as part of your first impression. Lighting should come from in front of you, preferably natural daylight or a lamp angled towards your face, to avoid harsh shadows. The camera should sit at eye level, with your upper body visible from mid-torso up. A clean, uncluttered background keeps attention on you rather than your surroundings.

Second, hold the frame with good posture. Sit tall, keep your shoulders relaxed, and plant your feet firmly on the floor. Before the call starts, take one steady breath, lift your chin slightly, and smile. Eye contact should be with the lens, not your reflection. Looking at the screen can make you seem distracted, while looking into the lens gives the impression of direct engagement.

Third, use gestures with purpose. Keep your hands visible in the frame and move them slowly to emphasise key points. Open palms show honesty and interest, while constant fidgeting or fast movements suggest nervousness.

Fourth, manage your voice and expression. Because cameras tend to flatten emotion, use a slightly warmer tone and a bit more variation in pace and pitch than you would in person. Speak clearly, pause between ideas, and use small nods or brief smiles to show that you are listening when the interviewer talks.

Finally, handle technical issues calmly. Internet delays and sound problems happen. Staying composed and repeating your last point when the connection stabilises shows professionalism and control.

Travers’s main point is straightforward. In a video interview, he says, body language is easier to read and harder to hide. Small details such as posture, facial expression, and eye contact are noticed immediately. He advises candidates to treat the camera as their interviewer, maintain steady eye contact, sit upright, and use clear gestures. In a job market where virtual interviews are now routine, showing composure and confidence on screen has become a basic professional skill.