After years of Zoom calls, AI-polished answers, and remote-only screenings dominating the fabric of the interview model -it looks like there has been a shift in the pendulum. And this shift is putting the candidates back in a chair across the interview room. In-person interviews have jumped from 5% to nearly 30% of hiring rounds in just the past year, and this shift is reshaping how job seekers and staffing pros need to prepare.

Google, Cisco, McKinsey, and other industry leaders are leading the charge — and the message is clear: if you want the job, you need to show up in person, ready to make an impression that tech can’t fake.

WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS SHIFT & WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR JOB SEEKERS & STAFFING PROS?

> AUTHENTICITY CHECKS — In-person formats make it harder to rely on AI prompts or behind-the-scenes shortcuts.

• Job Seekers: Be ready to think on your feet — no hidden notes or browser tabs to lean on.
• Staffing Pros: Drill candidates on real-time problem-solving and storytelling that feels natural and unscripted.

> SOFT SKILL SCOUTING — Confidence, connection, and presence are easier to judge when you’re in the room.

• Job Seekers: Practice active listening, steady eye contact, and positive body language.
• Staffing Pros: Run mock interviews that focus on nonverbal cues as much as the answers themselves.

> FRAUD PREVENTION — On-site meetings cut down on “Zoom imposters” who interview in place of the actual candidate.

• Job Seekers: Bring valid ID and be ready for potential security check-ins.
• Staffing Pros: Confirm candidate identity, readiness, and paperwork well before interview day.

> RELATIONSHIP BUILDING — Human connection leaves a stronger imprint than a video call ever could.

• Job Seekers: Treat the interview as both a pitch and a networking moment — connect authentically with every person you meet.
• Staffing Pros: Encourage candidates to follow up with personalized thank-yous that stand out.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN 2025?

• For Job Seekers: This is your wake-up call to rebuild live-interview confidence. Rehearse out loud, dress to impress from head to toe & highlight showing the skillset that no AI can replicate.

• For Staffing Professionals: This is your chance to shine by delivering candidates who are interview-ready in ways competitors aren’t. The agencies who prepare for this shift will own the placements that matter most.