I really need a laptop for a job interview, can't afford it and nobody can lend me one

[Terribleluck]

Would it be terrible of me to buy one to then return it,?

PS
Where are you? I'd lend you mine if you're close enough

Use both OP. Use your laptop AND your ipad. Log in twice to the interview on Zoom. Use one device for the camera and sound and the other to screenshare your ppt presentation.

I don’t think I’d want to tell a prospective employer I don’t own a laptop. They wouldn’t be able to resist making all sorts of assumptions about one’s familiarity with technology, and thus about suitability for the job.

I'll check, maybe they want to send me the presentation beforehand anyways. For yeh type of role and level it does seem bizarre that I don't have a working laptop. But the truth is that work has always provided one! It's been this way for the past 7 years or so... The one I have is something that I had to buy three years ago when o was made redundant.

Library? Also there are internet shops indeed.

I don't think I'd be able to do it in a library, after all they're also assessing my working environment (I would assume?) I think the answer is in testing my iPad, hoping for the best, that and see if the work coach does anything, but I know it's nothing to be ashamed of, bit if felt like I left some of my dignity when asking the work coach.

if you have a iPhone or iPad use that instead

When I bought a new macbook from the apple store recently I was told I could return it within I think it was fourteen days if I changed my mind or didn't like it after using it.

You'll have to ask a friend to help you, you must know someone with desktop or laptop you could use

Your work coach is working for YOU. They want you to succeed.

Is there somewhere you can rent an office for an hour? Sometimes libraries or unis have private offices you can book out for x amount of time

Our internet connection struggles when I’m on teams with video and the internet. What I do is prepare my presentations and documents and upload to teams before. I’ve done this using my iPad too. Can you upload your ppt in advance?

If this role is at all senior or technical do not approach the company - they will make all sorts of assumptions based on your not having one. Also if that's the case don't try any of the work rounds suggested above (eg logging in on two devices) - it will just look bizzare.

You need to find one to borrow for the day - friends, family, school, kids friends, job coach, your old employer, ex work mates, any charity supporting women back into work. Most people would support with this knowing it was for an interview I think - I certainly would!

Doing a presentation on zoom or teams doesn't need the most modern laptop so the other thing you could consider is restoring factory settings on your old laptop and seeing if that improves its functionality. Then log into teams and try sharing your screen and see if it can cope.

Good luck!

@Terribleluck

As I mention it's the actual PPT plus the zoom video call. My current laptop can't multitask (and I'm not sure my iPad can either). They're both fairly old on tech terms.

You can do it on a phone. We were on Zoom /Meet for 18 mths at school (not UK) and hardly any if the kids had actual computers. They all just used their phones. Lots of presenting done.

I’d look at renting in the short term OP - Hughes offer this service, I’m sure there are others that do as well. At least that way you’ll know it’s the latest software and decent memory.
Longer term I’d look into secondhand refurbed laptops so that you can get something good quality.

Go to your local library and ask the librarian for help. I know they would help you where I am.

@Terribleluck

I need to present on zoom / teams. And do the presentation on PPT. I have an old iPad that might be able to handle it, but not sure... My laptop definitely would be able to at all. Because it's for a job interview obviously I can't do it at a public library.

Go to a friends house and do it there

Buy a secondhand one from somewhere reputable like CEX. You should then be able to sell it again on Facebook marketplace for a similar price. If you buy it online you'll have 14 days approval to return it.

uk.support.webuy.com/support/solutions/articles/17000042835-returning-an-unwanted-online-order

Good luck!

We had someone recently have this issue (they contacted us the day before saying laptop broke)
They forwarded us the slide pack which we then displayed for them and joined the call on their phone. It worked fine!

Work coach should help you, but if all else fails I'd go into a traditional it repairs / second hand computer shop and ask if you can buy a second hand laptop and sell it back a few days later. Basically renting but without the risk for the shop.

I’ve got a fairly old iPad and use Teams and PowerPoint successfully on it.

Also OP - if you bought your laptop 3 years ago how is it unable to handle it? unless it was old at the time of buying

Also I have dialled in while getting someone else to share slides.
And then switched back to using the computer for the video interview part

No, I don't know anyone! Everybody that has a laptop uses it for work, not personal use. I agree with someone about telling the employer directly that I don't have a working laptop don't think it would look good (albeit that's why I don't want to buy one, there nos.much use for it outside of work, and work whenever I get back to it,.will supply one).

Any employer should be providing a laptop to their employees- you don't supply your own.

I don’t know a single person who works in IT who doesn’t have their own laptop or PC as well as an employer provided one.

My husband is an IT manager and I think he’d be wary of someone who works in tech not having their own laptop or PC