Getting set up for a Microsoft Teams interview

Microsoft Teams is the video interview platform of choice for most large UK corporations, government departments, and professional services firms. If you are interviewing with an organisation that uses Microsoft 365, there is a strong chance your video interview will be on Teams rather than Zoom. The setup principles are the same as for any video interview (camera at eye level, front lighting, clean background, good audio) but there are Teams-specific steps worth knowing.

Joining without a Microsoft account: If the interviewer sends a Teams meeting link, you can usually join as a guest in a browser without having a Microsoft account. Test this before the interview day by opening the link in your browser. Chrome and Edge both work well for Teams in the browser. Firefox has historically had more issues with Teams audio; use Chrome or Edge if possible.

Download the app in advance if using desktop: The Teams desktop app generally provides better performance and more features than the browser version. If you have time before the interview, download it and sign in or join the test meeting as a guest to confirm your audio and video settings are configured correctly in the app.

Teams features that come up in interviews

Screen sharing: Some interviews involve presenting a document, showing a portfolio, or walking through a case study output. Practice sharing a specific window (not your whole screen) in Teams before the interview day: share only the document you need, not your entire desktop. Background blur or custom backgrounds: Teams has built-in background blur and custom virtual backgrounds, accessible through the camera settings before joining a meeting. Background blur is the most reliable option if your environment is not ideal. Noise suppression: Teams includes noise suppression that reduces background noise from fans, keyboards, and street noise. Enable it if your environment is noisy. Check audio device settings (select the correct microphone if you are using an external headset) before the meeting starts.

If something goes wrong: Have the interviewer's email and phone number before the interview starts. If Teams drops or your connection fails, email or call immediately with an explanation and a suggestion for reconnecting. Do not wait for them to contact you. A brief, calm "I apologise for the interruption, Teams dropped — can I rejoin or would you prefer to switch to a phone call?" handles the situation professionally.

Get real-time help in your next interview
Live Interview Help listens to your interview and surfaces personalised answers in real time. Free 20-minute trial on Google Meet, Teams, and Zoom.
Install Free on Chrome

Frequently asked questions

Can I join a Teams interview on my phone?
Yes. The Teams mobile app (iOS and Android) works for video interviews. The limitations are: smaller screen makes it harder to read documents or notes, camera stability is worse unless the phone is propped securely, and audio quality from phone speakers and microphone is generally below a headset setup. If you have the choice, use a laptop or desktop for a Teams interview. Use your phone as a backup if your computer has an issue, or if the interview is at short notice and you are away from your desk.
What should I do if my internet is poor for a Teams call?
Turn off your video to save bandwidth. Audio-only calls on Teams are much more stable on a poor connection, and the interviewer generally understands. Warn them in advance if you know your connection is unreliable: "My internet connection at home can be variable, I wanted to flag that in case my video drops during our call." This is better than the connection failing unexpectedly during the interview. A mobile data connection (tethering from your phone) is often more reliable than a struggling home broadband connection.