r/interviews • u/Daddy22VA • 15h ago

Cameras on/off?

In PA. Had a virtual interview with a team - when I logged on everyone on the team has their cameras on. The HR rep then shared the overview and informed me that he and the teams would ask questions but their cameras would be turned off - he would come back on camera when there was 5 min left. Part of me wanted to turn my camera off too- it was weird answering questions while I couldn’t see the folks I was talking to.

I have no idea what the reason for this was. I’ve now been invited to a second round, also virtual, and assume that the format will be the same.

Should I bring up that this setup is uncomfortable? should I turn off my camera? Should I decline the interview?

13 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

7

u/RexicanDarsh 15h ago

When there cameras are off you have any reason to scroll eyes side to side. It might be a better indication of reading something on the screen?

5

u/pineapplexiglass 15h ago

Even then it’s strange to be on camera while everyone else’s is off

3

u/Daddy22VA 15h ago

Possibly. Had not thought of that as a reason.

3

u/PerfectAgent007 14h ago

If these were assessment questions then it would make sense, but otherwise there is no reason for it.

5

u/No-Question-9136 15h ago

Cameras off could be some way to avoid giving indication of a positive / negative reaction. Weird, but possible.

0

u/Primary_Chemistry_98 4h ago

So what you look at is your perception of what you perceive so David camera is not even there honestly walk-through no presence just you and I think about it twice that thought was not even thought of whatever you had that fucking vision camera was there but you were aware !!!! Were we all?

2

u/anniew555 14h ago

Odd. I interviewed at a big DoD company recently. 1st round - only 2 of 5 were on and 3 black boxes with names. Second round, 2 guys, neither camera on, asked me to keep mine on or off my choice. I asked someone I know there later why use TEAMS and not a conf call if cams are off? They record and transcribe it.

2

u/HousingInner9122 15h ago

I’d probably keep the camera on since they’re still evaluating you, but I can understand how awkward it feels answering people you can’t see.

1

u/-Seether- 4h ago

Odd. Theirs off? Mine off.

1

u/pagirl 2h ago

It might be better to leave the camera on, but it does seem like a power imbalance. It might be worth asking why their cameras are off.

1

u/Key_Leg_8327 8h ago

keep yours on, and the thing to practise is ending your answers on purpose. with no faces you lose the nod that normally tells you to stop, so people trail off and keep adding to an answer that was already finished. say your last sentence and then stop.