Unprepared Remote Interview?

MoodyMand45

I have a remote NHS Interview using a link to teams!
This will be the first remote Interview i have had, what equipment do i need?
I have been told an email with further instructions will come the day before the interview (today).
I'm concerned because i don't know if this will be on my phone or pc, my pc is very old and i'm not sure the microphone works.

Robin9

Have you a friend who uses Teams or Zoom and could invite you to a private meeting so you can try out your PC

Both are very straightforward once you get used to them

I find PC better than a phone.  

One hint look at what will be on the wall behind you  -   is it tidy, nothing embarrassing ?

elsien

Internet, something with a camera, something with a microphone.
You’ll get an email with a link to teams/zoom/whatever platform they are using. Check that out today to check teams is  all set up - can be via app or website.  Generally speaking there’s a link in the email which takes you straight to the meeting. 

Does your desktop have a functioning camera as well as microphone - if not then it’ll have to be the phone but that won’t look quite as professional. If you need to use your phone, at least work out  where to put it so it’s not waving around and they’re not distracted by whatever is behind you. 

Marcon

MoodyMand45 said:

I have a remote NHS Interview using a link to teams!
This will be the first remote Interview i have had, what equipment do i need?
I have been told an email with further instructions will come the day before the interview (today).
I'm concerned because i don't know if this will be on my phone or pc, my pc is very old and i'm not sure the microphone works.

You can find out by downloading Zoom and it will give you an opportunity to test the microphone.

If your PC is very old, there's a chance it won't have an operating system which can handle Teams, so worth trying to set up a call with a friend who knows how to use Teams to make certain it can. Otherwise your smartphone is what you'll need to use - again, test before the interview so you aren't fretting about the technology.

Good luck!

Sandtree

MoodyMand45 said:

I have a remote NHS Interview using a link to teams!

Marcon said:
You can find out by downloading Zoom and it will give you an opportunity to test the microphone.

Teams will also show if a mic is working or not and given the interview is by Teams seems sensible to stick with the solution being used.

In all by the most recent years Mobiles typically came with headphones with a mic built in and so one option is to use them if there is an issue with the existing mic. 

Marcon

Sandtree said:

MoodyMand45 said:

I have a remote NHS Interview using a link to teams!

Marcon said:
You can find out by downloading Zoom and it will give you an opportunity to test the microphone.

Teams will also show if a mic is working or not and given the interview is by Teams seems sensible to stick with the solution being used.

Agree - but downloading Teams on an old PC can be problematic (simply following a Teams meeting link less so), whereas Zoom is much more tolerant of elderly computers.

TBagpuss

I agree with others -test teams today - if you've never used it, ask a fried to send you a teams invitation and see whether it wotks. IF not, downlod the app to your phone and try it out.

Whichever you use, try out the camera so that you look OK - e.g.
- not with your back to a wndow, (will be too bright)
- make sure that whateer you have behind you is fiarly neutral - your sofa and a plain wall is fine, but check that the there isn't anything too untidy (you can blur the background in teams if need be) and that you haven't inadvertently shown parts of your house you wouldn't want to share
- make sure (especailly if using your phone) that you caan set it somewhere that means you can be seen - I've done teams meetings where people are too close, and all you can see is their chin or forehead, for instance. Again, ideally try it out with a friend or family member (have themgo into a different room if you are in the same house or you may get interference) 
- check that you have a working camera and microhone and when you log in, that these are working 

On the day, log in about 5 minutes before the time th interview is due to start. You will be 'waiting in the lobby' forthe interviewer to let you in, and hopefullythey will do so on time. 

Make sure that you won't be interupted - if you are using your PC, put your phone on silent, if you are using your phone check if you can put it on silent without turning iff the mic for the meeting (I think you can, but ccheck your phone!) and if you are in a shred house or office make sure your family knows to stay quiet and not interrupt you, or that your coworkersknow you are in a meeting. 

Then do as you would for any other intenrview - review your CV  / application to remind yourslefof what you said, have bullet points to remid you of any questions you want to ask 

Slinky

If you can do a pre-interview call with a friend, work out where you need to be looking in order that you appear to be looking your interviewers in the eye. We stuck a small post-it note on the screen to help my OH.

sammyjammy

Or borrow a newer laptop!

Greymug

For zoom you don't even need to download and install the app, you can just join the meeting via browser

Wyndham

How did it go?