In the final week before the holidays, one of our candidates was scheduled for a video interview with a foreign client via Teams. Teams is an easy-to-use video conferencing tool compatible with both Microsoft and Android devices, though iOS users may need to update to a certain version.

Unfortunately, the candidate’s laptop camera malfunctioned, and their phone didn’t successfully install the app until just hours before the interview. When the interview began, the candidate couldn’t hear the audio on their phone, and the interview had to be cut short.

Afterward, when we reached out to the company to request a reschedule, they felt that the candidate wasn’t fully prepared and didn’t show enough interest in the position. As a result, the candidate was rejected.

This case serves as an important reminder for both employers and candidates: while technical issues like phone malfunctions may seem trivial, they can lead to the same outcome as a “no-show” and derail an opportunity.

We strongly advise all candidates to test their equipment and connections before a video interview. If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue and time permits, it’s best to reschedule the interview with properly functioning equipment.