What's your hardware setup for “coding interview” phone calls?

#1

Post by afar858 » Wed, May 23, 2018, 11:26 PM UTC

People don't usually have landline/desk phones at home, and you can't really hold your phone next to your shoulder for an hour, so what's the best way to talk on the phone while you type?

Headset? Speakerphone mode? Wear headphones, but put your phone down on the desk?

Re: What's your hardware setup for “coding interview” phone calls?

#2

Post by amorphid » Wed, May 23, 2018, 11:43 PM UTC

I'll usually have my bluetooth headset connected to my mobile phone, assuming the phone's reception is strong enough. That makes it easier to do a phone interview on an OK-not-great connection. When screen sharing over a connection w/ a modest upload speed, it's can be OK if the interviewer doesn't get super fast updates on the video. But if you're chatting over the web & the audio quality gets impacted by a slow upload speed, the interview grinds to a halt super fast.

Re: What's your hardware setup for “coding interview” phone calls?

#3

Post by rajacombinator » Thu, May 24, 2018, 2:33 AM UTC

My setup is “no thanks.” Coding while on the phone is absurd.

Re: What's your hardware setup for “coding interview” phone calls?

#4

Post by Arcten » Thu, May 24, 2018, 7:00 PM UTC

I've done quite a few phone screens with coding over the past few years, and the best solution I've found is a headset.

Speakerphone means that the interviewer hears every key-stroke and likely can't hear you. A decent set of earbuds with a microphone can be had very cheaply, and to me are an absolute necessity for a phone interview.

I now use them even when not coding, so my hands are free to take notes on the call.