Teams interview for local on-site contract

[Contreras]

Client has my CV and wants a meet.

As yet I know nothing about the project other than it is a defined project, and the required tech/skills - Linux kernel dev.

It's a decently large and established company with modern offices on a business park.

They are literally < 10 minutes from my door.

Contract will be 6-months fully on-site.

Contract was billed by the agent as "30 minutes Teams call, then starting shortly after".

I hate video calls, also currently lack a working Windows machine.

I told the agent I think an on-site meet would be best and they concurred.

Nonetheless they have come back with a suggested time for a Teams call.

I have mixed feelings about this. I'm going to push back for an on-site meet.

Any thoughts, please?

[sadkingbilly]

teams works on any web browser. you don't need windoze.

[willendure]

I have mixed feelings about this. I'm going to push back for an on-site meet.

Contract will be 6-months fully on-site.

I am the same, an in person meeting is so much better. Before all these f'ing Teams calls, it was a rare thing indeed that I would get an interview and not get offered the job - due to my stunning personality obviously. Somehow video calls just get in the way of providing an opportunity to make a real connection with people.

Thing is, they might be 10 minutes from your door, but you will probably be interviewed by 2 people who are WFH and can't be arsed to come in to the office to meet you. But they should already be fully on-site too, so whats the problem ?

[WTFH]

There are many advantages of teams interviews, not just that it allows for remote calls. You might be local, all the others might not be, so let's make it simple and do all interviews the same.
Then they can also record the interview if any of the relevant people can't attend.

The bigger issue is that if you can't cope with a teams interview, how are you going to cope with teams meetings?
It's 2026, not 2006.

[ladymuck]

It does feel a bit like you're making a fuss about nothing. The people interviewing you might not be the ones you will be working with.

As SKB said, you don't have to have a windoze PC, nor even the teams app installed to participate in a teams meeting. That just feels like you're hunting for an excuse.

[Contreras]

All good points well made.

Feedback is that they "prefer" to do it via Teams, with no further explanation. That makes me think it's just HR being HR.

Yes I've done plenty of Teams/Zoom calls, usually on client supplied IT kit. I still hate it.

Would be uncomfortable committing to a 6-month on-site contract on the back of a 30-minute video call.


ps. On having an 'interview' recorded and reviewed (which they haven't said), is that really a thing now?

pps. "The people interviewing you might not be the ones you will be working with." - oh, that's so much better

[northernladuk]

Not had a face to face since lockdown. I'd prefer a face to face personally but it's the new world so happy with a teams. I can see why the client doesn't want face to face as it takes time, getting rooms etc. Teams is much easier.

Pushing back at interview? I wouldn't. You are in a queue of people and have to be the one that shines to the client over the others. Not having access to teams and pushing back for a face to face certainly does not do that for you. Unless your CV stood out head and shoulders over the rest I'd be cancelling your interview and get someone else in your slot.

If you are head and shoulders above the rest, absolutely perfect for the gig and will nail the interview then I guess you've got some wiggle room to push back.

[WTFH]

ps. On having an 'interview' recorded and reviewed (which they haven't said), is that really a thing now?

Recording Teams calls very much is a thing. Doesn't matter who the call is with, many will record that call - normally they will ask if everyone is OK for the call to be recorded. This makes life a lot easier for others who can't join the call, to confirm what was said, or in the case of interviews, to reduce the number of call backs to be interviewed by someone else.

As for how interviews take place, before people regularly used Zoom or Teams, I had many interviews by phone - have you never had one of those?
I'm trying to think back to the last time I had a face to face interview - as the first interview. I'm going to say it's probably 20+ years. Since then it's all been by phone or video call.

I know some people like to have face to face because they like to shake the hand of the person interviewing them, and if that person recognises the handshake, maybe it will help.

[hungry_hog]

Teams calls are normal. I prefer F2F but they are rare these days, my last one was 2019. (interviewed at around 6/7 different firms since).
My only pet hate is when they insist on the interviewer being on video but they don't bother.

You can use your phone for Teams, don't even need a computer.

I would not push back in this market. You don't need to give them an excuse to ding you. There are hordes of people competing for most roles. In the delay whilst they arranged an F2F (assuming they do), they could have several Teams calls and find someone they deem a good fit.

[SussexSeagull]

They probably want to be consistent with any other candidates who might live further away.