Can an interviewer see my screen on Teams?

Imagine you're at a classroom where the teacher can't see what you're writing on your desk unless you raise your hand and show it. Similarly, in a Microsoft Teams interview, the interviewer can't see your screen unless you decide to share it. Let's break down how screen sharing works and what you need to know to maintain your privacy and professionalism during the interview.

Understanding Screen Sharing in Teams

When Is Screen Sharing Used?

During a Microsoft Teams interview, screen sharing might be requested in specific situations, such as:

• Coding Exercises: To write and demonstrate code in real-time.
• Presenting Projects: To showcase your portfolio or specific projects you've worked on.
• System Design Discussions: To draw diagrams or explain complex systems visually.

How Screen Sharing Works

Permission is Required

By default, the interviewer cannot see your screen. Screen sharing is a deliberate action that you initiate. If the interviewer requests to see your screen, you will have to grant permission by clicking the "Share" button and selecting the specific window or application you want to share.

Control Over What You Share

You have full control over what you share:

• Entire Screen: Shares everything on your screen, including notifications and background applications.
• Specific Window: Shares only the selected application or window, keeping the rest of your screen private.
• Browser Tab: Shares just a specific tab in your web browser, ideal for presenting web-based projects.

Maintaining Privacy and Professionalism

Prepare Your Environment

Before the interview:

• Close Unnecessary Applications: To prevent accidental sharing of sensitive information.
• Disable Notifications: Turn on "Do Not Disturb" mode to avoid pop-ups during the interview.
• Organize Your Desktop: Keep your workspace tidy to present a professional image if you need to share your screen.

Use Virtual Backgrounds

If you prefer not to share your entire screen, use Microsoft Teams' background blur or custom backgrounds to keep the focus on you without revealing your surroundings.

Tips for Effective Screen Sharing

Practice Sharing

Familiarize yourself with the screen sharing feature in Microsoft Teams before the interview. Practice sharing different windows or applications to ensure you're comfortable with the process.

Highlight Key Information

When sharing your screen, use tools like highlighters or annotations to emphasize important points. This makes your presentation clearer and more engaging.

Leveraging Resources

Enhance Your Presentation Skills

To make the most of screen sharing during your interview, consider taking courses like Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions to improve your coding and presentation skills.

Utilize Mock Interviews

Participate in mock interviews that include screen sharing to build confidence and receive feedback. The System Design Mock Interview offered by DesignGurus.io can help you practice sharing your screen effectively.

Conclusion

In a Microsoft Teams interview, the interviewer cannot see your screen unless you choose to share it. Understanding how screen sharing works and preparing your environment ensures you maintain your privacy while presenting yourself professionally. By practicing screen sharing and leveraging resources like DesignGurus.io courses and mock interviews, you can confidently navigate this aspect of the interview process.