We’d be lying to ourselves if we said interviews are easy—they’re not, for either party involved. While the interviewer tries to gather all the necessary information and stay cohesive, the interviewee is doing their best to impress while staying composed. Neither is likely to consider the environment very much. However, a good setup for the interview matters: it can help occupants feel more at ease, be efficient, and enjoy a more relaxed conversation. So, next time you prepare an interview room, keep in mind the following tips.
Preparing in-person interviews
- Good lighting makes perfect
Photographers know it best: lighting can make or break a shot, and our eyes work in much the same way as camera lenses. When you pick the job interview room, make sure it’s well-lit. While natural light is ideal, artificial lights work, too, provided that they’re not operation-table bright and that they feel comfortable to the eye. If you can, choose warm tones over cool tones—they help create a more welcoming and approachable atmosphere.
- The right seating arrangement
Seating arranging is an art, especially when it comes to formal contexts like a job interview. If you’re discussing with multiple people at once, a big table is a must. But for one-on-one interviews, consider using a smaller setup to avoid creating too much distance between participants. If it’s a table you’re going with, a round shape would make the hierarchy between the participants less jarring. If not, a simple desk with two opposing chairs should do the trick.
- Privacy is key
Make sure the room where you’re conducting the interview is quiet and feels private. You cannot change the windows, should they be floor-to-ceiling, but you may be able to pick a less crowded part of the office, draw some of the blinds, and speak at a volume that would ensure people outside the room won’t hear. Keep that in mind, too, if you have to listen to a presentation or play any other similar media.
- Check the temperature
When you spend all day in the office, it’s easy to forget how it feels to walk in for the first time. Temperature is one of the first things you feel upon entering a space, and being comfortable in it is of utmost importance. An interview is stressful as it is—imagine the room being too hot or too cold. Check the temperature ahead of time, or ask the person if they’re comfortable once they sit down.
- The power of décor
Traditional offices aren’t exactly known for their impressive interior designs—at least not those outside WeWork’s inventory. Jokes aside, a nicely decorated interview set can go a long way to make someone feel welcome and at ease. If the room is plain, consider a few ways to make it feel a tad more comfortable, such as bringing in a small plant for the table or a bigger one in the corner, if the space allows it. While not exactly décor pieces, coffee mugs or teacups could make the desk or table seem more lived in and welcoming and may even serve as a casual icebreaker. Importantly, make sure there is space for the person you’re interviewing to hang or leave their coat.
- Everything you need within arm’s reach
Pens, paper, a laptop, even a bottle of water—the small things you might be needing during the interview should be within reach, so you don’t have to just get up and leave the room. Preparing yourself with all these tiny items will make a good impression on your conversation partner, too—you look reliable and make them feel more at ease.
Preparing for a video interview
Let’s be honest—today, video interviews are often the way to go, and they might seem easier, too. You have the comfort of your own space from the get-go, and things like temperature, décor, and seating arrangements do not impact the other person. However, there are still details to worry about, such as…
- The interview room background
While you can always blur your background or choose a filter of some kind, it’s best practice to avoid that when taking interviews. The medium is already impersonal enough—you don’t want to make it even more distant, let alone unprofessional. The clean, simple background of your office space (or living room) should do the trick. The less cluttered the space, the less distracting it will be.
- Video and sound quality
Choosing a reliable platform for the video interview is paramount. Most companies will mandate the platform choice, such as Teams, Skype, or Zoom. However, if you’re the one making the decision, start with some research, test the platform, and ask the person you are interviewing whether they have access to it. Needless to say, seamless internet connection is a must.
- Lighting and angles
Everything looks different on camera, for better or worse. Make sure your space is well lit. Ideally, you would sit in front of a window that can light up your face properly—and if not, choose a conference or meeting room in your office that ensures good lighting. When you sit in front of the camera, check for it to frame your face centrally. If possible, let the other person see your arms and hands, so communication through body language can also be part of the conversation.
If you don’t want to go the video interview route but don’t have an office, either, consider renting a WeWork meeting or conference room. That way you can bypass all worries, as these spaces are already set up with everything that you need for a successful interview. Check out your options here!
