A remote interview technology check you can do before the call

Test the platform you will actually use for the interview. A successful call in another app does not prove that the invitation link, browser permissions, or screen-sharing controls will work the same way.

Use the equipment you have before deciding you need anything new. A clear, stable setup matters more than an expensive camera.

Open the invitation in advance

Check the meeting date and time zone, then open any setup instructions. Find out whether the platform works in your browser or requires an application.

Use the official service or employer-provided instructions. Be cautious about unexpected downloads, requests for payment, or instructions unrelated to attending the interview. Confirm suspicious changes through the recruiter's established contact route.

Keep the meeting link somewhere you can find it without searching your inbox at the last moment.

Check sound before appearance

Record a short sample or use the platform's test function. Listen for distortion, echo, and background noise. If you have headphones available, test whether they improve the sound rather than assuming they will.

Check which microphone and speaker the platform selected. A laptop may use a different device after you connect a headset.

Position the camera so your face is visible and the light does not leave you in silhouette. Keep the background practical and free of information you do not intend to share.

Prepare the screen-sharing route

If the interview may involve a portfolio or exercise, open the intended material and test how you will share it. Close private messages and unrelated tabs. Turn off notifications where possible.

Check that the material is readable at the size the interviewer will see. Keep a permitted alternative, such as an accessible link, if the call's sharing function fails.

Never include real customer data, passwords, or confidential work in a demonstration.

Keep a fallback within reach

Charge the device and keep the power cable nearby. Save the recruiter's contact and any dial-in details provided. If you have a practical backup connection, check how to use it before the appointment.

During an interruption, explain what happened through chat or the agreed contact route. Ask whether to reconnect or continue another way. If the setup remains unusable, discuss rescheduling rather than pretending you can hear a question you missed.

Once the checks pass, return to preparing your examples. Technology should support the conversation, not consume all the time you set aside for it.

Further reading

• Preparing for your next interview - MIT CAPD
• Phone interview tips | Get careers information and advice

Related guides

• Prepare for the interview itself
• Prepare a work sample for screen sharing