Using teams on mobile for job interview?

Pauliedragon · 19-10-2021 8:54am #1

As per title I've a job interview this week via teams but my laptop is out of action. My brother used his phone recently with no issues but I read a comment here recently saying whatever you do don't use the phone. I've never used teams. Is it something that would be a major problem?

seamus · 19-10-2021 9:07am

I guess don't use the phone in terms of holding it in your hand and looking down at it, while you walk around the kitchen.

If you can prop the phone up in an appropriate place at head height so that it doesn't look like you're talking on a phone, and use a pair of headphones so that you can hear the interviewer clearly, then I don't see the issue.

VanHalen · 19-10-2021 5:31pm

As above. I interviewed 2 people by Teams last week and both tried to hold the phone in their hand which means they were looking down at the screen - very disconcerting. At one stage one of the candidates gave me a closeup of their nostrils and I had to ask them to stop, find a book and put the phone on a table.

You also need to be aware of the background you are portraying behind you - I know one person who left a clothes horse in view with the washing drying on it.

Finally, even though you are at home, dress appropriately. One guy wore a hoodie (with the hood on his head) and when asked he said the house was cold.

Not good.

antimatterx · 19-10-2021 5:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043536#Comment_118043536

Nonsense. I wore a black tshirt for my job I just took, and I interviewed over zoom.

GreeBo · 19-10-2021 5:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043536#Comment_118043536

Of course, everyone knows the direct correlation between laundry and job performance!

The background laundry portrays is "during this global pandemic, I'm working from home, like everyone else is, I also dont have a home office, so you can look at my laundry or you can look at me"

VG31 · 19-10-2021 5:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043573#Comment_118043573

To be fair interviewing with your hood up is taking the piss. Casual is fine but there are limits.

dotsman · 19-10-2021 5:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043573#Comment_118043573

Does it not depend on the type of job/employer you are interviewing for? I recently joined a company where suits are the office attire. Obviously, as I was at home, it would seem a little silly wearing a suit in my own home, but I did make sure I was in an office shirt (didn't bother with tie) for the interviews over zoom. As the interviewers were also working from home, that was also the clothing they were wearing, so all was good. But definitely would have felt underdressed if I was in a hoodie/t-shirt. Working there now, I wear a suit the days I'm in the office and hoodie/t-shirt etc is fine for days you are working from home, but making some effort for the interview was appropriate.

19-10-2021 5:50pm

I used the phone for teams for a few interviews last year, and had a couple job offers so it did absolutely no harm. But like others have said don't hold it in your hand, I fixed it up against some books at a level that you could see my head and shoulders straight and had it as if it were my laptop and then just used some bluetooth earphones to speak then.

You can only do what you can in these situations so if your phone is all you have, I'd advise if you can having a steady stand for the phone set up at a good angle (straight facing, not pointing upward as if you're a villain!) - best of luck in the interview!

Pauliedragon · 19-10-2021 6:47pm

Cheers guys. I was never going to have it in my hand anyway and have it set up well before the start and as for attire the plan is to wear what I would if it was in the guys office.

seamus · 20-10-2021 1:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043573#Comment_118043573

Sure.

General rule though is that you can't really overdress for an interview, but you can underdress.

If you turn up in a suit and tie and the interviewer is in jeans and shorts, you can make a joke out of it and say the recruiter told you to put on a suit.

But if you're in a hoodie and ripped jeans and the interviewer is expecting smart/casual wear, there's not really any way for you to claw that back.

All that said, I'm usually pretty upfront and I'll ask the HR person whether the interviewer is expecting smart attire. You usually know by the company, but sometimes you get an old-fashioned interviewer.

Ash.J.Williams · 20-10-2021 1:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058213764/using-teams-on-mobile-for-job-interview

get another laptop

Pauliedragon · 20-10-2021 8:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118047702#Comment_118047702

Fork out for a laptop just for an interview? No thanks. His office is right across the road from my current job I could meet him there.

Degag · 20-10-2021 10:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043598#Comment_118043598

It's just a bit of common sense. I think most potential employers will recognise the challenges of working from home and therefore you will get away without wearing a shirt & tie etc, having some background noise etc.

But you are doing yourself no harm in throwing on a shirt, going away to a quite part of the house with a neutral background and so on.

You are selling yourself and it's the small things that can matter.

listermint · 20-10-2021 10:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050135#Comment_118050135

No I'd say get a new laptop just to have one. Can't be without a PC on the house tbh.

Pauliedragon · 20-10-2021 11:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050864#Comment_118050864

Sorry. I see what u mean. My laptop is out of action but being fixed just not in time.

Using teams on mobile for job interview?

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