A personal office space is fine - and makes the prospective student more comfortable. However, while it is personal office space, I think a good mix of motivational items and graduate success items should be in the mix as well.
I agree with Alicia. It really shouldn't matter where you interview someone, as long as you build rapport and make the student feel comfortable. I think that interviewing in my office is better because I do have pictures of my family and fun things hanging around. I think that sometimes these things help an awkward interview by having something to have small talk about. It shows the student that I have a family and I have a sense of humor and I'm not going to hurt them while they're here.
I have only conducted interviews in a cubicle or office setting. I have not experienced any difficulties or distractions.
I to agree, we do conduct interviews face to face and are done in a comfortable, quiet location.
I to agree, we do conduct interviews face to face and are done in a comfortable, quiet location.
I handle multiple calls every day from potenetial consumer asking what they need to do to come to our facility to get services.
I would agree, conducting them in a more comfortable, quiet location would be best. Our school does not do them face-to-face. I don't think they would want me scaring the students. :)
My thoughts would be that conducting an interview in a designated meeting room is best. There are too many "personal" things that could distract a candidate, when done in my own office (including phones ringing etc). I think it is nice to have a neutral place where the person can receive my complete attention.
Interviewing in your personal office or an interview room shouldn't matter. If a prospective student is comfortable with you, the rep, that is the biggest concern. Building rapport and making sure that a student is comfortable speaking with you is the biggest concern. If your prospective student trusts you, it won't matter what environment you're in.
