After almost a year without getting any interviews, finally got one and the hiring manager scheduled a teams video meeting and to my surprise he did not turn his camera on once.

23 Comments

1. Tina MorenoApril 14,2025 at 1:05PM UTC

   You're definitely not alone in feeling that way. While norms can vary by company or industry, most candidates expect a video interview to involve, well… video. Especially for a first impression, a hiring manager not turning on their camera can feel impersonal, disengaged, and yes—unprofessional.

   That said, it’s not always clear what to expect in the moment, and I know how hard it is to ask questions when you're focused on making a strong impression. Here are a couple of ways you can prepare for or gently clarify expectations in future interviews:

   - Before the interview:
   When confirming the time, consider adding:
   “Just to confirm—will this be a video call or audio only?”
   This helps set expectations for both sides and gives you a chance to prepare accordingly.

   - During the interview (if appropriate):
   If the interviewer comments on camera issues or doesn’t address it at all, you can say something like:
   “I’ve found it really helpful to connect face-to-face on video during interviews—if it’s possible for you to turn your camera on, I’d love to be able to meet you that way.”
   This is polite, confident, and gives them a chance to adjust without pressure.

   - When they ask, “Do you have any questions?”
   That’s a great time to learn more about culture and communication style:
   “How do teams typically communicate here—video, in person, async? Is that reflective of how leadership interacts as well?”

   At the end of the day, you deserve to feel respected and engaged in an interview process. If something feels off early on, it’s worth paying attention to that. The hiring process is a reflection of the company just as much as it is of you. You’re evaluating them, too.

2. Emily GoldenApril 14,2025 at 6:05PM UTC

   Yes, I agree with Tina. Don't assume it means anything and ask ahead of time. Being on camera/video isn't as important as it used to be. Just roll with it.

3. AnonymousApril 14,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

   Absolutely, but it is a reality check. Employers have the upper hand and this was a subtle but very clear signal that they could care less about what you think.

4. AnonymousApril 14,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

   Does it matter if you find it to be unprofessional? If this is the only bite you getting right now on a job, I'd move past it really quick.

5. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:51PM UTC

   Seriously thinking about it. If this is how they conduct business, definitely do not want to work with someone like this.

6. AnonymousApril 17,2025 at 12:41AM UTC

   If the response was positive to the inquiry as to why he didn’t get on camera, AND all the other circumstances of the position were favorable, then MAYBE I would consider an offer if it came to that. Still I would mention it to the HR/talent acquisition person who set it up.

7. AnonymousApril 14,2025 at 7:42PM UTC

   Definitely weird!! I actually had that happen to me just last week! The Sr VP did not get on camera. I even asked, "Is your camera not working, or do you prefer not to be on camera?"

   She ignored my question!
   I didn't want the job anyhow, which pays much lower than I'm worth, but on unemployment, so have to justify that I searched for work and didn't turn down any work. She tried to justify their very low payscale saying they never had layoffs in her 25 yrs being there. Hmmm.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 15,2025 at 12:14AM UTC

   So personally, I hate being on camera so I do calls without video and do not expect anyone else to be on camera.

   In your scenario above, I would have just turned my camera off as soon as I realized that they were not going to be on camera.

   If you join with camera on, I will tell you that you can turn it off. Sometimes I put "no video" in the subject line of my invite.

   I feel it puts candidates more at ease. Interviewing can be stressful for some jobseekers - why make it more stressful.

   I love that my company doesn't force us to be on camera all the time so this would be a big gigantic green flag for me, not a red flag. Other people in the interview process do do calls with cameras on.

9. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 12:33PM UTC

   Agree, and struggle with professional recruiters to TA Speciialists that feel there's no value in that connection. Concerned about that. The professional connections in interviews have changed, however, it would have been nice to be informed of not being on camera. Why ask a candidate to possibly set up the app or program that they may not have prior for a 'video' call on a personal device when they aren't on camera, that's off putting at minimum. IMO it shows a lot about the recruiter. Candidate first mindset? Does the recruiter really want to try to connect or list off a bunch of questions. This can 10000% be done on the phone. There's so much to learn from a video call. Does the candidate prep for the call as if they're presenting themself for the role, in person. Not happy you had this experience to be honest. Even with the new techy ways of applying and interviewing, the least a recruiter could do when setting up a call is to be on camera. BUT, don't worry, when candidates have this experience it gets shared with the next recruiter who interviews you and if they have a big network it's shared and then 'we' end up apologizing for that experience.

10. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:49PM UTC

    I will definitely be sharing this with the HR Manager who initially contacted me to set up the interview. Telling her that if this is how a hiring manager is conducting interviews in their company, then they should reconsider having them at all. Maybe do just a phone call interview or in person instead.

11. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 12:45PM UTC

    Is it possible he was having technical difficulties? It's not an excuse but lately it seems like no matter how well you prepare for calls the tech may just decide it isn't going to work. I have had it happen and it's embarrassing to say something like that because it makes it seem like I'm not prepared. Never mind I did a test call 15 minutes before my scheduled call and everything worked just fine.

    Teams and Webex in particular can be notoriously glitchy when it comes to external webcams working exactly when you need them. I also know the new upgrade to Win 11 is messing with a lot of external webcams so that might be a factor as well (work in IT)

    Not making excuses here, I think it was unprofessional of him to not be on camera. At minimum, he should have said something if he was having issues.

12. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:01PM UTC

    Yes, it is unprofessional and more so he didn't tell you why his camera was off. It's like walking into a meeting, but no one is there and all you can hear is their voice. Pretty creepy, right? It's more engaging to have f2f virtual meetings with cameras on. Could be they don't know their camera is off. What I do is say, oh I can't see you, are you able to see me?

13. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:47PM UTC

    I asked about the camera and he totally ignored me. So unprofessional. I think that if you expect me to be visible to you, you should also be visible to me.

14. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:46PM UTC

    He did not address the camera being off at all. And the audio part of the call was absolutely fine. I have had many Team calls in the past and never had anyone be so unprofessional.

15. Kate RogersApril 15,2025 at 2:35PM UTC

    One thing to keep in mind, in some organizations keeping the camera off is one way to help control bias in the interview process. I have worked places where we (recruiters) were instructed to have cameras off. Did you ask about it? I will say we always let people know why we were doing it up front.

16. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

    I asked and he totally ignored me. Again, to me this totally disrespectful and unprofessional in my opinion.

17. AnonymousApril 15,2025 at 9:40PM UTC

    Do you end the call?

18. dotsydoApril 16,2025 at 12:30PM UTC

    It is unprofessional. You clearly thought you had to have your camera on, which is why he should. Tells you something about the place.

19. Salena C.April 16,2025 at 12:40PM UTC

    I think the interview might be a scam. This happened to a friend of mine too. The interviewer also used a personal Gmail address instead of a corporate email address. They also emailed her a digital check and asked her to deposit check, so she could buy a laptop that would be delivered to her home for remote work.

20. Santina Burakiewicz CarlsonApril 16,2025 at 12:43PM UTC

    ?? Yes!! Have the courage to end that call. if their first interaction with you is a demonstration that there are clearly two sets of rules, they are telling *everything* you need to know about their company culture, values, and leadership philosophy.

    And…..

    if you don’t want to burn the bridge for the entire company, proceed with curiosity and empathy to get more information or see if they have a change of heart. Something like, “I’d be happy to reschedule the interview to a time that suits your full availability.” Then decide from there how to proceed.

21. AnonymousApril 16,2025 at 1:03PM UTC

    Myself personally, I wouldn't care.

22. AnonymousApril 17,2025 at 12:38AM UTC

    Well I'm not judging her generation, as I'm over 65 yo myself. But I do not look it. Though she also let me know that she's "good friends" with one of my prior CEOs who is a real witch with a 'b'. So I wouldn't want it even if the pay were competitive.

23. AnonymousApril 17,2025 at 2:10PM UTC

    I want to put in a word about those of us who, being disabled, also prefer not to be on camera. Because I'm always in pain, I'm always squirming to get more comfortable. And I know that's a distraction, which isn't what I want. Don't jump to conclusions about lack of professionalism, you don't always know the whole story.