Camera, audio, and connectivity checklist for Microsoft Teams interviews
Remote Interview Guidelines for Candidates
A few simple checks beforehand will keep the focus on the conversation, not on technical issues.
Joining The Teams call
- How to join: Use the link in your interview invite (email or calendar event) and click “Join now.” You don’t need a Microsoft account to join as a guest.
- App vs Browser: If prompted, choose “Join on the web instead” or download the Teams app beforehand — the desktop app is generally more stable than the browser.
- Lobby: Joining as a guest puts you in a virtual lobby until the interviewer admits you. This is normal — please don’t leave and rejoin repeatedly.
- Device check screen: Before clicking “Join now”, Teams shows a device check screen with camera and mic toggles and a preview. Use this to confirm both are on and working before you enter the call.
Camera
- Position: Use a laptop or external webcam at eye level, roughly arm's length away.
- Lighting: Sit facing a window or lamp, not with a bright light or window behind you — backlighting makes you appear as a silhouette.
- Background: A plain wall or tidy room works best. If your background is cluttered, use Teams' built-in "Blur" background effect (available on the device check screen or in-call under More > Background effects) rather than a busy virtual scene.
- Test first: On the device check screen, your live camera preview is shown on the right — confirm you're well-lit and centered before joining.
- No webcam: If your device has no built-in camera, a basic USB webcam is sufficient — resolution doesn't need to be high.
Headphones / Audio
- Use a headset: A wired headset with a built-in microphone is strongly preferred over laptop speakers/mic, which pick up echo and room noise.
- Avoid Bluetooth if possible: Bluetooth headphones can introduce lag or audio dropouts; only use them if fully charged and as a backup option.
- Check mic levels: On the device check screen, click "Audio settings" (or the gear icon) and check microphone and speaker levels — Teams shows a live volume bar as you speak.
- Noise suppression: In Teams audio settings, set Noise suppression to "High" if your environment isn't fully quiet — this filters out keyboard clicks, fans, and background chatter.
- Reduce background noise: Pick a quiet room. Close windows, mute notifications on your phone and computer, and let others in the house know you'll be on a call.
Connectivity & Environment
- Internet: A wired (Ethernet) connection is ideal; if using Wi-Fi, sit close to the router and ask others to avoid heavy streaming/downloads during your slot.
- Free up resources: Close unused browser tabs and applications, especially video or large file transfers, to free up bandwidth and processing power.
- Browser: If joining via browser, use Chrome or Edge (latest version) — Teams web does not fully support Safari or Firefox. The desktop app avoids this limitation entirely.
- Permissions: When prompted, choose "Allow" for camera and microphone access. If you accidentally blocked it earlier, click the camera/lock icon in the address bar (browser) or check Windows/Mac privacy settings (desktop app) to re-enable.
- Backup contact: Keep the recruiter's email or phone number handy as a backup, and have the Teams meeting link open in case you need to rejoin after a drop.
During the Interview
A: Refresh the page once, then check that no other app (Zoom, Teams, another browser tab) is already using the camera. Only one application can access it at a time. If it still fails, try a different browser
A: No — for live interviews, your camera should stay on for the full session unless the interviewer says otherwise. If you must step away briefly, let them know in chat or verbally.
A: Turn off your camera for 10–15 seconds and turn it back on, or ask to switch to audio-only briefly while you reconnect. Pausing any background downloads usually resolves it.
A: Reconnect and rejoin using the same link as soon as possible. If you have the recruiter’s phone number or email, send a quick message so they know you’re reconnecting, not absent.
A: A light blur is generally fine if your camera supports it, but a real, tidy, well-lit background is preferable since heavy virtual backgrounds can glitch around movement.
A: Only as a last resort. Prop the phone steady at eye level (not handheld) and make sure it’s plugged in, since video calls drain battery quickly.
Code of honour
- I understand that dishonesty during the assessment, including cheating, plagiarism, and using false information (e.g. identity) or unauthorized aid, is a violation of the hiring organization’s values and the fairness of the hiring process.
- I affirm that my solutions or answers on the assessment reflect my own work, and I will follow the hiring organization’s policies regarding external tools or resources.
- I understand that the assessment provider and hiring organization reserve the right to detect and deter cheating on the assessment and that engaging in misconduct may disqualify my candidacy for the applied position.
- I understand that posting assessment content on websites is considered an unauthorized distribution and a violation of copyright protection and intellectual property
Quick Pre-Call Checklist
- Camera tested, positioned at eye level, good lighting on your face
- Headset connected and mic levels checked
- Quiet, tidy space with notifications silenced
- Stable internet (wired preferred); unnecessary apps and tabs closed
- Camera/mic permissions allowed in the browser
- Backup contact number/email for the recruiter saved and handy
- Joined the call 5–10 minutes early