Candidate Guide: Using the Interview Platform

This guide covers the candidate interface for technical interviews, including lobby setup, code editor usage, diagram tools, screen sharing, and troubleshooting.

Lobby

Before the interview starts, candidates wait in a lobby where they can test audio and video equipment.

Candidate lobby with device setup

Initial setup

1. Open the interview link sent by the recruiter / on the calendar invite

2. Browser prompts for camera and microphone permissions

3. Grant permissions to proceed

4. Lobby screen displays with device controls

Device controls

Three control buttons appear in the preview area:

• Camera toggle: Enable or disable video feed

• Microphone toggle: Mute or unmute audio

• Speaker toggle: Control audio output

Device selection

Dropdown menus at the bottom allow device selection:

• Camera: Choose which camera to use (e.g., FaceTime HD, external webcam)

• Microphone: Select audio input device (e.g., AirPods, built-in mic)

• Speakers: Select audio output device

Testing equipment

• Audio test: Click Test button to hear a sample sound

• Video preview: Check camera feed in preview window

• Settings: Click gear icon for advanced options

Joining the interview

"Ask to join" gets enabled once interviewer joins the interview room

Ask to join enabled once interviewer joins the interview room

Waiting for interviewer approval

Candidate and interviewer video feeds upon joining the interview room

1. Click "Ask to Join" button when ready

2. Status changes to "Waiting for Approval"

3. Interviewer receives notification and admits candidate

4. Interview room opens automatically when approved

Code Editor

Code editor is available within the interview room. You don't need to switch to a different IDE for the interview. It will open up as soon as interviewer starts a coding problem

Code editor with problem and test cases

Interface layout

• Left sidebar: Problem description and test cases. This is view only for candidates

• Center panel: Code editor with syntax highlighting. Candidates can edit / write code jere

• Bottom panel: Input/Output tabs for testing

• Top bar: File name, language selector, settings

Running code

Input panel for test execution

1. Click INPUT tab in bottom panel

2. Enter test input (each variable on new line as instructed)

3. Click green "Run" button in top right

4. Results appear in OUTPUT tab

Test cases

Run test cases

Pre-defined test cases (if available) appear in left sidebar with input values for each test case and expected output. Running them will show success/failure against each case

Diagram Editor

The diagram editor is used for system design questions, architecture discussions, and visual problem-solving.

Diagram editor with drawing tools

Screen Share

Screen sharing allows candidates to show their local development environment, browser, or other applications to the interviewer.

Starting screen share

Screenshare icon

1. Click screen share icon in bottom control bar (monitor icon)

2. Browser dialog appears showing available screens/windows

3. Choose what to share: Entire Screen, Application Window, or Browser Tab

4. Click Share button to begin broadcasting

What to share

Screenshare options

• Entire Screen: Shows everything on your display

• Application Window: Shares specific app (e.g., VS Code, Terminal)

• Browser Tab: Shares single browser tab content

During screen share

• Screen share indicator appears (red icon or notification)

• Interviewer sees your shared content in their interface

• You can still see and use your screen normally

Stopping screen share

• Click screen share icon again (now highlighted)

• Or click Stop Sharing in browser notification bar

• Screen share ends and icon returns to normal state

Troubleshooting

The platform includes diagnostic tools to help resolve audio, video, and connection issues during interviews.

Accessing troubleshooting

Clicking on settings icon

1. Click settings icon (gear) in lobby or during interview

2. Select Troubleshooting from menu

Diagnostic tabs

Troubleshooting panel with network diagnostics

Two tabs provide different diagnostic information:

• Media: Audio and video device status

• Network: Connection quality and bandwidth metrics

A complete demo of the candidate experience is available here