Interview at library or cafe?

[Libraryorcafe]

How would you feel if you had to attend a job interview at the library or Costa?

I need to interview someone for my cleaning business, and I don't want to do it at my house.

Costa would be a lot more relaxing, so maybe there, to put them at ease?

If I was a cleaner I think I would want to see the house I was potentially cleaning though....

My boss interviews people at costa or similar rather than at our place of work as its not practical during working hours or have the space to do it comfortably anyway.

I think it would really depend on the position I was applying for and the business. I think I'd be a little concerned if it was an office based role, that you don't even have a small suitable area to conduct an interview. For a field role, I wouldn't be too bothered. For somewhere like a restaurant, or even Costa, I wouldn't mind being interviewed on the shop floor.
I've done graduate assessment days which are rented conference centres etc. which is understandable.
It'd be a little concerning I wasn't being interviewed at where I was actually going to work.
Is the costa/library local, so you'd be able to take them in to see the office etc.
Also if if it's Costa are you buying them a drink? I'd be nervous already without worrying about if I should pick up a drink before I meet you, find you first then get one or wait for you to offer. Are you meeting outside and going in?

You could hire a room at Regus / Citibase or a similar office space? Then you get the use of the receptionists and a proper waiting area as well as a more professional atmosphere.
We do this if interviewing for roles that are home-based and not near our head office.

I've had an interview in both these places it was fine

Why not just get on a bus. That would be interesting. Top deck after the little ones have gone to school. Ask interviewee to pick a spot to jump off the bus for a coffee and croissant.
You would learn a lot that way wouldn't you?
What's the job?

It depends if you're going to be collecting sensitive information or if you can do that before/after. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable having a formal interview in public, but at the same time I'd be totally happy meeting a potential employer for a coffee and a casual chat.

There are generally loads of places though that you can hire private space pretty cheap or free, maybe shout out in a local FB group for any recommendations.

Costs.

library would be too quiet to relax properly

Costa would be best, you could get a quiet corner.
I think the library might too quiet and you'd be too aware of your voice.

I'd find it odd personally. I've been in Starbucks when the people on the next table were interviewing, I felt a bit sorry for the person being interviewed as we could hear everything he was saying, we got to hear his career to date! Oh and then got to hear the discussions after he left!!

Ive had interviews in Starbucks and it’s been fine.
A library sounds wrong really.

I don't think interviews should be done in public.

I was sat next to somebody in a coffee shop doing a phone interview. After he hung up his colleague came along and they then discussed the phone conversation and started making decisions about who to hire.

A cleaner would probably very much want to see the house first, as it's completely relevant

However, if it's about your own privacy, can't you bring them into the lounge, but have all other doors shut ?

Think about their privacy and respect; please don't interview in a public place where others can hear

I wouldn't be comfortable being interviewed in a public place.

The Costas close to me are always heaving.

Friend had an interview at costa. No issues, but they also had a baby rhyme time at the same time. It was a bloody disaster.

Try and pick one that's fairly quiet. But I think it sounds perfectly normal for an interview to be held at a coffee shop.

I'd be annoyed if I was at the library and someone was using it for job interviews!

But the OP’s home is only relevant if it’s the OPs Home that is getting cleaned.
It’s a cleaning business, so presumably offers a cleaning service to clients either professional or domestic.

I would try to hire an office space. But that’s only handy if you are maybe near a city.

A cleaner would probably very much want to see the house first, as it's completely relevant

OP said 'my cleaning business' so I assume it's not her own house she wants cleaned, and she can't show interviewee the houses of current and potential clients.

People saying libraries are too quiet - have you been in many libraries recently?

Once I was asked to show up for a job interview at a hurling match. I wouldn't think twice about having one in a café.

If you’re hiring her to clean your house she needs to see the house. If you’re running a cleaning agency then I think I’d find it rather unprofessional (personally). I don’t think it’s fair on the interviewee to have a dozen randoms eavesdropping.

I had one at an asda cafe once and it felt very unprofessional, it was loud and not very confidential.

Lots of libraries have meeting/conference rooms that could be rented out for an interview.

I think this is terribly unprofessional when I've overhead it - noisy, no privacy, and generally poor - if you don't have space for it, rent it or arrange a library private room - act like a professional business.

Can you book a study carrel or room in the library?