Online interviews

Congratulations on your invitation to interview

We want to ensure you have everything you require to be able to successfully complete your online interview which will take place on Microsoft Teams.

This page contains some important information which will help ensure you are set up and ready for your online interview. 

Using Microsoft Teams

Teams is a free piece of software used to communicate online. In the app, you can voice and video call as well as chat.

Downloading Teams

If you are using a computer or laptop, to download Teams, go to the download page on the Microsoft website and select ‘Download for desktop’.

On mobile, you can download Microsoft Teams in the App Store on Apple devices or Google Play Store on Android devices. Alternatively, you can simply search for 'Microsoft Teams' on your relevant App store.

Setting up Teams

It is possible to use Teams on your smartphone, laptop or PC. You will need to have adequate camera/microphone capabilities which is why we advise you to use a laptop or computer if possible. Once Teams is downloaded, open it up and log in to your Microsoft account (you may have to set one up if you don’t already have one).

Please note: It is important to use the same email address to log in as the one you used for your application. This is the email that will be used to invite you to the meeting.

One the day of your interview, you’ll need to join the Teams meeting. To do so, open Teams and go to Calendar on the left-hand side of the screen. Locate the meeting and click on it. Then select ‘Join' or ‘Join online’. This will take you to a screen where you’ll have the opportunity to check your camera and microphone settings before entering the meeting.

 

Please note, depending on the email platform you use, the Microsoft Teams invite may not automatically appear in your Teams app (as described below). In this case, you simply need to click the link provided in the original invitation email to join the meeting. 

A visual of the location of the Calendar in Teams

Once you are in the meeting, you have a number of options to control. Along the top/bottom (depending on your version) of the screen, you have three options that you need to be aware of. Note: you may need to hover your mouse over the Teams window for these options to be visible. 

  • Camera
    Camera on icon
    This option needs to be displayed as it is in the above image. If it has a strike through it, this means the camera function is turned off and the interviewer won’t be able to see you

 

  • Microphone
    Microphone on icon

    This option needs to be displayed as it is in the above image. If it has a strike through it, this means the microphone function is turned off and the interviewer won’t be able to hear you

 

  • Leave meeting/end call
    End call icon
    This button is only used when you wish to exit the interview. At the end of the interview, select this button to end the call. If the interviewer ends the call before you select this, you may not need to as the call will automatically end

 

We recommend that you join the meeting on a laptop/desktop with sufficient audio and video capabilities. However, we understand this is not always possible. 

 

If you want to join the meeting from a mobile device, the process will be largely the same. However, depending on the email platform that you are using, the Microsoft Teams invite may not appear in the Teams app. In this case, you will simply need to click the link in the invite that was emailed to you, to join the meeting

If for any reason you have to use Skype instead of Microsoft Teams, the process will be largely the same as using Microsoft Teams. However, some of the controls may be in a different place or named slightly differently. 

You will still need to accept the meeting invite, join the meeting at your designated time and make sure that your camera and microphone are enabled.

Acepting the meeting

This can be done in Outlook, when the e-mail comes through from your interviewer. Simple select 'Accept' at the top of the e-mail, then select 'Send the response now'.

Accepting a Skype meeting for a virtual interview

 

Joining the meeting

To join the meeting at your designated time, open the Skype app/application and select the calendar icon. Once there, you should see your invite under 'Today'. Simply click 'Join' when you are ready. 

How to Join a virtual meeting via Skype

Key controls

The same controls apply in Skype as they do in Teams. So, once you're in the meeting you'll need to make sure the camera and microphone are enabled. To do this, just make sure that both the camera and microphone icons don't have a strike through them, if they do, simple click the icon to enable that element. You will also have a red 'End Call' button which is used when you have finished your interview and wish to leave the meeting. 

What to have with you on the day

Remember you are attending an interview for a place on a professional programme and should dress in a manner that is appropriate to the course which you are applying for.

Please ensure you are in a place where you have an adequate internet connection and are unlikely to be disturbed. Please check your camera is working prior to the interview.

What happens if I am unable to attend my interview?

We know that delays are sometimes unavoidable. So, if you are running late on the day, please contact us as soon as you are able to and let us know when you will be available. If necessary, we can tell you any alternate arrangements for your interview. In some instances, if you expect to be significantly late, we may suggest you book for a different date. We will endeavour to accommodate the rescheduling of an interview where this is possible. Rescheduling depends on where in the admissions cycle a student is, and only if appropriate to do so.

Any special requirements?

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments, particularly if you have any disability or special needs, to help us to assist you in the interview process, eg any access or communication issues.

And finally...

Should you have any questions, or if you require any reasonable adjustments to attend the interview, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone: +44 (0)1332 591167 or email: myinterview@derby.ac.uk.

How to prepare for a virtual interview

Karen Newberry, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, talks you through how to effectively prepare should you be invited to an interview, including tips on how to nail an online interview.

Karen Newberry, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, talks you through how to effectively prepare should you be invited to an interview, including tips on how to nail an online interview.

View How to prepare for a virtual interview video transcript