What Works (and Doesn’t Work) for You?

What Works (and Doesn’t Work) for You?

By: Lyndsey Walthall

Back in 2016, I was hogging a corner table at Panera Bread to get some work done on my book, and this man came in and set up shop a few tables ahead of me. It was obvious from his suit and tie he was a businessperson, and I assumed he was on lunch or meeting a client for coffee or something. Fast forward about 20 minutes, and the first of similarly dressed people comes in, shakes his hand and has a seat. Businessperson wasn’t meeting someone for coffee—he was conducting interviews. Which he did for about the next hour.

Does this sound like a viable option to you? I remember thinking at the time it was kind of an odd thing to happen outside of an office, but nowadays, nope. In fact, when my boss at a previous job sold his business, my new boss took me for a “business lunch” at this fancy salad place across the street. It worked well—not being confined to four white walls, desks and chairs really lightened the mood. I was still nervous, of course, but sitting at a table in the sunshine away from my office really helped keep it at bay.

On the other hand, I’ve talked to people who absolutely hate meeting anywhere but their office. Either because the atmosphere is too busy and distracting or they’re going for a certain feel, the whole meet at Panera/fancy salad place option doesn’t vibe with them. And here’s the kicker—that’s okay. It’s extremely unfair to try to fit the whole of the business world into one specific shape when, let’s face it, it’s just not realistic. What works for me wouldn’t necessarily work for you and vice versa.

So what sounds better to you? Interviewing in a public place like Panera Bread, or grabbing an office? As long as you’re happy and comfortable (and your interviewee is, too!) there’s no definitive answer. Be you!