What do I need for the Selection Day?
・A laptop/desktop with a web cam
To take part in the Selection Day process you will need a laptop/desktop with a web cam and microphone.
・A stable internet connection
You will need to have a home/office WiFi connection with an acceptable upload and download speed; this should be above 8mb/s. Please test your broadband speed in advance. If your speed is below 8mb/s, try relocating closer to the WiFi router if you can. You should also test your speed on the Selection Day itself and inform the JAC Coordinator if the speed is below 8mb/s.
Test your download speed: Broadband speed test
・Microsoft Teams desktop app on your laptop/desktop
The JAC will use Microsoft Teams to conduct your remote Selection Day interview. You can download MS Teams from the Microsoft website. If something goes wrong, we reserve the right to use an alternative video conferencing provider, such as, but not limited to – Google Meet or Zoom. No download required; we’d just send an alternative link.
・A quiet environment
Make sure you will not be disturbed by other people in your office or home. Make sure your background is appropriate, i.e. tidy and free of anything distracting. If you are concerned about your background, you can add a background filter in the Microsoft Teams app.
Learn how to change your background for a Teams meeting
When will I receive the Microsoft Teams meeting invite?
The selection exercise team will send you details of any specific requirements relating to the competition you have applied for in advance of your Selection Day. You will also receive an email with the Microsoft Teams meeting link that will enable you to join the meeting at the agreed time of your Selection Day. This will be emailed to you either by the exercise team a week in advance or by the coordinator 15-30 minutes before the time of your Selection Day depending on the exercise. This will be made clear in your invitation to Selection Day email.
What will happen on the Selection Day?
The Microsoft Teams meeting link emailed to you in advance will be used to cover the following:
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The JAC Coordinator will admit you to the meeting and use the registration time to check your ID, run through the timings of the day, email any documentation i.e. candidate brief and preparation material (if applicable) and assist if you are experiencing any technical issues. The coordinator will also be on hand throughout your Selection Day to assist and support you should any technical issues arise. Please note you will be provided with a second Microsoft Teams meeting link by the coordinator for the interview part of the process. The coordinator will guide you through your Selection Day timetable with clear instructions on when it is time to join the interview room. DO NOT attempt to connect to the interview link until prompted by your coordinator.
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This is the time allocated for preparation before your interview. The coordinator will confirm the amount of time that you have for your preparation and ensure that you are able to access the emailed documentation before you begin your preparation time. Please ensure you know where the junk folder is on your email system, in case the candidate brief/preparation material email diverts to that folder. If you intend to join the Selection Day from your work office, please check with your IT department in advance that emails from ‘@judicialappointments.gov.uk’ are not filtered/blocked.
You will be asked by the coordinator to have your web cam and microphone on for the duration of your preparation time. The coordinator will also remain in the Teams meeting with their microphone muted and camera off. They will be timing the preparation and will inform you when the preparation time has finished. During the preparation time, you can print off the candidate brief/preparation material if you would like to do so.
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The time of this short break will vary for each exercise and the coordinator will inform you how long you have and confirm the time at which you are due to join the next meeting.
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You will be provided with a second MS Teams meeting link by the coordinator for the interview part of the process. The transition from the First Meeting to the Second Meeting will be discussed with the JAC Coordinator during the Registration phase. The coordinator will guide you through your Selection Day timetable with clear instructions on when it is time to leave the registration/preparation link and join the second link for the interview part of the process.
A step-by-step guide on how you access the Microsoft Teams meeting
Microsoft Teams can be downloaded from the Play Store on Android devices and the App Store on Apple devices. Once downloaded you will be able to see the app on your Start Menu, and this can be pinned onto your taskbar by right clicking on the app on the Start Menu and selecting ‘pin to taskbar’.
We highly recommend downloading the app but, if you would prefer not to do so, you can still be interviewed. The meeting invite will include an option to ‘Join on the web’. Select that link and Microsoft Teams will open in your web browser. You will be prompted to enter the meeting ID and passcode, both of which are also included in the invite. However, please note that the web version of Teams may not provide you with the same functionality as downloading the Microsoft Teams app to your device. In particular, it is important that you have ‘gallery view’ which will allow you to see multiple people on the screen. We strongly recommend you download the desktop version of Microsoft Teams as past experience has shown this works better.
Step 1: After receiving the Microsoft Teams meeting invite
Select ‘Accept’ (or ‘Yes’, as may be the case depending on your email provider) to add the meeting invite to your calendar and to send confirmation of attendance to the selection exercise team. Please note the ‘Click here to join the meeting’ link at the bottom of the email. This link is used to join the meeting/interview. Please do not click on the link to join the meeting before your allotted Selection Day date and time.
Step 2: On the Selection Day
On the Selection Day itself please click on the ‘Click here to join the meeting’ link, provided in the meeting invite. The Microsoft Teams app should open. Make sure you have your camera and microphone turned on and then click ‘Join now’.
If you have not downloaded Microsoft Teams
If you have not downloaded Microsoft Teams, you will be placed into a ‘lobby’. Your JAC Coordinator will admit you to the meeting.
We strongly recommend you use the desktop version of Microsoft Teams as past experience has shown this works better.
You are ready!
Make sure that you have a laptop/desktop with a web cam, microphone and stable internet connection in a quiet environment. You are now ready for your Selection Day.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, to take part in the Selection Day process you will need a laptop/desktop with a web cam, and a stable internet connection.
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Mobile phones, iPads or tablets are not recommended for conducting the Selection Day video call but can be used for viewing documents and making notes if required.
It is also important that the JAC coordinator is able to contact you on your mobile phone in case any assistance is required during the Selection Day process. -
You will need to have a home/office WiFi connection with an acceptable upload and download speed. This should be above 8mb/s.
Please test your broadband speed in advance and on the Selection Day itself. If your speed is below 8mb/s, please inform the JAC Coordinator when you join the MS Teams link for your registration.
Test your download speed.
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The JAC will use Microsoft Teams to conduct your remote Selection Day interview. You can download MS Teams from the Microsoft website. If something goes wrong, we reserve the right to use an alternative video conferencing provider, such as, but not limited to – Google Meet or Zoom. No download required; we’d just send an alternative link.
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This help is available to candidates who are unable to access Microsoft Teams despite following the instructions above or who feel they need additional technical help. If you need to arrange a tech call, please use the booking form below.
Still not clear? Don’t worry!
You can access online video tutorials to learn more about MS Teams. If you are having difficulties downloading or accessing MS Teams, are concerned about your internet speed or think you need additional technical help, book a tech call.
Let’s book a tech call to get you ready
If you would like to book a tech call, please email to enquiries@judicialappointments.gov.uk.
We hope this guidance is useful, you can download it as PDF if needed.
Book a tech call
