Getting Your Job Interview Setting Right

17 Jul 2023

Whatever job you are interviewing for, it’s crucial for success that the environment you are using for the interviews is the right one for the task in hand. When you think that the aim of a job interview is generally to allow you to get the best from your candidates, then you need to ensure that it’s a comfortable and appropriate setting for both interviewee and interviewer.

Some general principles to follow for your interview setting are:

It’s a private room, where passers-by can’t peer in as they walk past to see what’s going on, and who’s being grilled. This is just common sense and puts everyone more at ease without being observed by the general public who may be milling past.

It’s nowhere near a noisy environment – neither you nor your candidates want to have to shout over background machinery noise. This is another basic, but a goldie and an oldie. Being near noisy equipment will make the encounter a much more stressful one, with both sides struggling to make themselves heard above the din.

It’s at a cool enough temperature so that nervous sweats aren’t made more obvious by heat-induced perspiration. Keeping the interview space at a comfortable temperature for all concerned.

Likewise, you need to make sure it’s just warm enough so as to avoid shivering, which again may make your candidates appear even more nervous than they are with excessive, or even uncontrollable shaking. Also, wearing coats in an interview isn’t’ really ideal and does nothing to put any of the parties at ease. Make it so that no coats are necessary and ensure that it is warm enough for everyone in the interview room.

There’s a clear sign on the door prohibiting entry by others – interruptions to an interview can break the flow and kill the whole thing and this is a very easy solution to that potential problem.

Finally, make sure the seating arrangements are appropriate. We find the most productive arrangements are based on informality, e.g. an informal circle of comfy chairs with no barriers in between participants. Others prefer a very formal style with what can appear to be ‘opposing sides’ across a large table and name-plates in front of the interviewers.

Each scenario can bring benefits, depending on the job, the company culture and the type of interview, so remember there is no right or wrong. We do suggest though that you give the set-up some thought instead of plumping for what ‘you’ve always done’. The more formal version can make the applicants try harder to impress the panel in terms of their clothes, vocabulary and mannerisms.

The informal circle of chairs has its benefits as well, allowing for people to feel more at ease than they would feel in the more formal, almost adversarial setting. It can help to allay some of the concerns of the participants and allow them the chance to shine in a less formal environment. This can be a good solution, especially for some of the younger applicants.