Hello - I am looking for suggestions of indoor space to take interview calls in midtown. Office conference rooms are not available. I am afraid to bump into colleagues if I use lobbies close by. Streets are noisy and cold.
Any suggestions? Highly appreciate it.
i would use break out rooms or smaller meeting rooms on different floors so your colleagues don't recognize you. otherwise, handicap washrooms are fine too.
Thank you. Our meeting rooms are not sound-proof. (I know it sucks) There is no handicap washrooms around me either :/
If you don't mind spending money, you can rent office spaces by the hour on apps such as Breather. Or find a library, some have conference rooms?
EZ: https://goo.gl/images/KESC7x
Seriously, though, why not just go to a restaurant or store nearby that isn’t full of people? Sounds like you’re in NYC or something, so I’m guessing hopping in your car to take a call is a non-existent option.
This is actually a good one. Around lunch when dine in restaurants open up there’s hardly anyone in those places. They’re quiet, you can order a drink or lunch, take a booth and people around you will not care. Even if your boss walks in you can make it look like you’re talking to a doctor or duck or something. I’d check the day before to confirm what time things are nice and still.
yep in NYC, otherwise it is great idea to use a car. As for stores/ restaurants, I am worried that I maybe overheard by colleagues etc without realizing it...
Stairwell
Hotel lobbies are a gift. Find one that's spacious and has enough nooks where you'll have some semblance of privacy (or at least be able to look in the direction people would be walking up to you), then schedule your interview calls at a time of day where you've confirmed that the hotel isn't packed. The best used to be the Waldorf (all those benches scattered everywhere on the Park side). The good ones now would be the Four Seasons (avoid the proper bar area, stand at the area slightly lower than it but still above the main atrium) and the Palace (it has four 'working stations' that are each walled off and semi-private on the upper level of the main lobby next to the men's room).
I second the recommendation for Breather. e.g. If this interview is serious (an off-cycle process for an immediate start for your dream type of role), or if you simply have no objection to spending money, you can pay anywhere from $30-50 per hour for a 2-4 person meeting space. You'll get dedicated wifi and in some cases even a desk line, both of which boost your interview performance (you can have a laptop open in front of you to find anything you're blanking on online and also guarantee no cell service issues).
"No man is a failure who has friends." Unless you're a complete social outcast, you probably have classmates, kids you interned with, etc. who all work in offices near yours. They all know the exact situation you're facing. Ask them if they can block a meeting with you for an hour in a room on their floor. If they are somehow spineless and ask how they'll get away with it, tell them to tell their secretary or admin that you two are discussing a project that he may be able to share with his MD and wanted to do it together instead of over the phone.
Good luck.
Thank you APAE. I will check out those recommendations!!!
Do you just walk into hotel lobbies? Do the "doormen" question you if you live there? Wanted to try this out...
Assuming you'll be in work clothes during the day, they won't even bat an eye.
Not at all. They have no idea whether you're a guest of the hotel, someone visiting a guest, or just a non-resident customer who's going to come in and be a revenue source by spending money in the cafe, bar, or shopping available inside the hotel. So yes, you simply walk in and act like a normal adult, no one is going to pay any attention to you.
How do you think guys cheat on their wives with Russian whores if the doormen stop and question everyone coming into the hotel?
Lots of hotels even have secluded areas with tables and chairs for small meetings. Never had anyone hassle me if I act though I’m a guest. Just be properly dressed. Act like you own the place.
You've got a lot of good suggestions below; but if you have no other options, maybe call an uber black to drive you around lmfao
I actually was thinking about this...30 minutes of Uber is expensive in NYC though. Trying to figure out free options... but thanks buddy.
Hotel floors. Some hotels don’t require a card to get up to other floors. Just find a random floor, and find an empty corner (maybe end of the hall) to take the call.
Thank you! Do you happen to have specific hotels in midtown NYC in mind that don't require card access to floors?
The Grand Hyatt at GCT has a couple of floors they typically use for conferences. Since there's so many rooms, even if there's a conference going on it's incredibly quiet and there are a lot of rooms. Don't need a key to get up to those floors just take the escalator.
I do not think you exactly need to find a spot that is extremely quiet. Some mild background noise is ok in my eyes. I just make sure to mention where I am at and apologize ahead of time for any extremely loud noises (i.e. sirens) at the beginning of the call. Coffee shop during off-hours or nearby park is ok under this situation.
You can also ask friends in nearby buildings or same building if you can use one of their small conference rooms. Just come in as a guest. I currently do this now but with a friend that works at a very small company.
What about maternity rooms ? They usually have locks..
Heard a story about an intern taking a nap in one of these, but he (yes, he) woke up with somebody knocking on the door. Needless to say it was bit awkward when he had to get out and a pregnant woman was standing there...
I heard of this story because an associate walked by the room when he got out. Can't imagine it will be better if you use the space for an interview.
Yeah - he was "napping".
what if you are a female napping in a maternity and you are not pregnant ?
Hotel lobby
I would say I have a doctor's appointment or that I have to meet the plumber, and take it from home
Take it at your desk while using your deskphone. If you're good, you might get a raise to stay. If you're bad, you can take all future calls from home.
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