Seeking advice regarding Teams' meetings; the platform is not working for me during interviews.

Anonymous

March 20,2023 at 5:40PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Seeking advice regarding Teams' meetings; the platform is not working for me during interviews. I check the server before starting the meeting, the connection is right next to the router with a full access signal and then soon as I sign on for the meeting it fails.

I tried using the software and instead of the online application but the provided link takes me to their linked version instead of my desktop program. We spent 15 minutes trying to connect and since there wasn't a phone number included, I jumped back on without the camera and we limped through the interview accordingly. I'm more stressed about the connection than conversation. I'd appreciate your help. This always happens when it's more than 2 people on a call and in from different regions.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

14 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

14 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 6:38PM UTC
I have the same problem with Teams, and I'm unsure why. I have a high-speed internet connection and get good reception through ZOOM and others.
AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 7:15PM UTC
Thank you and I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. If I move forward to the third round, it will be another Teams' interview and I'm not sure how to handle the situation. It's an academic institution so it sounds like that could be the reason. Elizabeth, what do you do when meeting with external teams. I appreciate your advice!
Liz MilneMarch 22,2023 at 4:40PM UTC
Sounds like your internet isn't strong enough?
AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 6:22PM UTC
Is there anything I can do to make it stronger? I'm staying at someone's house while job searching. I'm sitting directly next to the router so I'm not sure what else to try. I'm not in an area that has a lot of places to have a quiet meeting. Most of the interviews are arranged so quickly that it's not giving me time to explore other options.
AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 8:39PM UTC
Try connecting directly to the router with a LAN/Ethernet cable "hardwire in" for the meeting. Do it at least 5-10 minutes before so that your computer switches from using wifi to using the LAN/ethernet connection. This will give you the fastest internet at your friend's. If your friend also works from home, give them a heads up that you are doing this because it can make the wifi slower for them (doesn't always, but it can).
In regards to not being able to use the teams app. Try deleting all your internet cache/data for teams. If their provided link isn't taking you to a page that gives the option to use your teams app, then there is a chance you set a default setting on accident that doesn't allow you to use your teams app. Deleting the cache/data on your browser should fix this. Also would be worth checking the task manager on your computer to see what sort of things are running on your computer that are hogging resources. Teams uses a lot of resources, so if it's competing with another application it won't work as well.
Hope some of this helps! You could also try downloading teams onto your phone and using your cellphone for the interview instead. Good luck! :)
AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 7:38PM UTC
TBH, Teams is the worst.
It really only works well when everyone is in the Microsoft environment and ideally within the same org. If you have a Mac, it’s super buggy. Zoom works for everyone everywhere, regardless of operating system or type of device.
I have no solution, just commiseration. Some of these bugs are kind of intentional as the big tech companies compete with one another.
GirlBossanova934974March 23,2023 at 12:10PM UTC
TEAMS is the worst of all meeting software packages. Why? It is largest of any meeting software, size-wise. It is what we used to call BLOATWARE. I would set up a meeting in Google Meeting. It is not the best but it is the quickest and easiest to use.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 12:39PM UTC
I also had this issue and found on a Mac you need to clear the cache for the app (you can search online for exact steps). I do that now before each important meeting and have not had a problem since.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 2:57PM UTC
I had a similar issue on Windows that was also solved by clearing the cache. I would start there.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 2:26PM UTC
Have you tried downloading the app on your phone? I have had the best experience putting my phone in a holder (like a Ring) and connecting directly through the app. I can use earphones and the camera perfectly. I agree how stressful the connection aspect can be; you can have the best prep and conversation but start off feeling a fool when technology fails. I truly believe most interviewers are understanding and patient just knowing how buggy tech can be with external meeting attendees.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 3:30PM UTC
Thank you all! I've been more stressed about the connection that the conversation. As soon as they state Teams, I know that I'm in for a stressful situation. I'll try clearing the cache and I have two interviews next week and I've asked a relative if I can have them at his house. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone as I feel so foolish when it's not working and even prepped ahead of time.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 5:37PM UTC
Sounds like a software or browser bug. Have you checked their forums? Have you done a clean reinstall of their app? If you are on a mac often what happens is when the newest OS gets released there might be integration issues with the version controls. Same for windows but perhaps less so since they are more aligned being supported by MS. Try those things and clear cookies, trackers and cache for best experience. Also check your browser settings and be sure those browsers are latest versions too.
Kari HadleyMarch 23,2023 at 7:18PM UTC
I had a problem with Teams in an interview. The interviewer said I looked "fuzzy". I've never had this problem using Zoom, and actually never had it with Teams before. When I checked online, I read numerous accounts of how wonky Teams can be.
Cynthia Armistead NewmanMarch 24,2023 at 8:47PM UTC
I agree that Teams is the wonkiest of the various remote meeting programs, but it will work. Did you download AND install the most recent version of Teams? If you did so, opening a meeting link will open the application on your computer.
You might need to make sure that EVERYTHING else is closed when you launch Teams, particularly if your computer is underpowered in any way (too little memory or hard drive space available, weak/slow/outdated processor). Connecting to the router using an Ethernet cable is a good idea if your computer has an Ethernet port.
My employer uses Google Meet for internal meetings, but some of our clients prefer Teams. I use a Mac and I do not find Teams buggy, though it is bloated.