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Pre-Interview Tech Check: What to Test Before a Job Interview

Meeting PrepBy Simone Park2026-03-16

A failed microphone or webcam during a job interview makes a terrible first impression. Run this tech check 10-15 minutes before your interview: Test your microphone and verify your voice is clear without static or echo. Test your webcam and check that your face is well-lit, centered, and the background looks professional. Test your speakers or headphones to make sure you'll hear the interviewer clearly. Run a network test — if latency is high or your connection is unstable, switch to Ethernet or move closer to your router. Close all unnecessary apps and browser tabs to free up system resources. Disable desktop notifications so nothing embarrassing pops up during screen sharing. Have a backup plan: download the meeting app (Zoom/Teams/Meet) in advance rather than relying on the browser version, and have the interviewer's phone number in case of technical failure.

Test it nowMic testWebcam testNetwork test
From our testing: We've coached people through pre-interview tech checks and the #1 mistake is testing only 2 minutes before. That's not enough time to fix a permission issue or switch USB ports. We recommend 10-15 minutes minimum. One person discovered their laptop webcam had a broken driver 3 minutes before an interview — they switched to their phone and it worked, but only because they had the meeting link on their phone ready as a backup.

15 Minutes Before the Interview

Give yourself enough time to find and fix issues. Two minutes is not enough — 10-15 minutes gives you a buffer for unexpected problems.

  • Run a full device check: mic, webcam, speakers, network.
  • Test mic clarity by recording a short clip and playing it back.
  • Verify webcam framing and lighting — your face should be centered and well-lit.
  • Run a network speed test to confirm stable connectivity.
  • Close all unnecessary apps and browser tabs to free up system resources.

5 Minutes Before

With your devices confirmed working, focus on your environment and backup plans.

  • Join the meeting link early if the platform allows it.
  • Disable desktop notifications so nothing pops up during the interview.
  • Set your phone to silent mode.
  • Have the interviewer's phone number or email ready as a backup communication channel.

If Something Goes Wrong During the Interview

Technical issues during an interview are stressful but not uncommon. How you handle them matters more than the issue itself.

  • Stay calm — interviewers understand that technology fails sometimes.
  • Say 'I'm having a technical issue, give me one moment' to set expectations.
  • Switch to your phone as a backup if your computer fails.
  • Suggest rescheduling only as a last resort after other options are exhausted.

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Related questions

How to Test All Your Devices Before a Zoom MeetingHow to Test Your Microphone Before a Job Interview

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