You’ve put in your application, sent your CV, and the hiring manager has contacted you. Now they want to meet you, and you are probably wondering when is the best time to schedule a job interview?
To help you land your dream job, I’ll go through a few tips to help you decide when is the optimal time for you to make your best first impression.
There are a few things to keep in mind while deciding the best time for your interview. During the recruitment process, there are only so many things you can control to your advantage. How you choose to write and present your CV, what method you use, and how well you prepare for your interview are totally up to you.
And if you are lucky, you may get a choice of when to schedule your actual interview time. Does when you schedule the interview matter?
Are there benefits to scheduling one time versus another?
You bet.
Let’s look at an example.
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Time For An Interview!
Imagine. In the excitement of receiving your invitation to interview, it may be tempting to schedule the interview as early as possible. Or, if you’re feeling panicky or hesitant, you may jump the gun and schedule as late as possible to give yourself time.
However, it is important to know that research shows that when the company meets with you can impact your chances of getting hired. As well, depending on the circumstances, the time of day you meet with them, and even the day of the week, can play to your advantage.
Of course, you can’t always control what time a manager sets up the meeting, but in a case where they give you an option, and you can negotiate the interview time slot, it’s good to be well-informed about strategies for choosing the best time.
Why Are They Hiring?
There are many reasons a company may hire, ranging from a sudden employee vacancy needing to be immediately filled to forward-looking, long-term corporate expansion. This can tell you whether they need to hire right away or if they are taking their time. While some tact needs to be used, it’s absolutely fine to ask questions. It is your future, after all!
If they are looking for someone to start right away, it’s worth getting in there for an interview at the first available option. If they decide to hire you, you will have the chance to make the decision to work for them or not and negotiate any details. Inquiring about when the job starts can give you some valuable insight into choosing the right interview slot.
However, if they are taking their time to find the right person to fill the position, consider our the following recommendations…
Interview Process: The Beginning, Or The End?
Here’s a typical example:
A recruiter or hiring manager contacts you and says, “Hi, we’re interviewing for the next couple of weeks for this position. We thought your CV was great and think you might be a good fit for the job. We’ve got these interview days and times available. What time works for you?”
The first question you may have is should you schedule your interview at the beginning of their interviewing process or at the end? Let’s consider the timing from the interviewer’s point of view.
Applicants that come to interview and make a good impression early in the process are more likely to have another interview scheduled right away. Compare this to someone who chooses a later slot, who may find themselves at a bit of a disadvantage.
Where Is The Advantage?
That person who set their first interview early on could be already in the first or second follow-up interview, moving quickly towards being hired, while the second person is just coming in for the first time. If the hiring manager and the company are hoping to fill the position quickly and move on, the second person may not even get a chance for follow-up.
It is highly recommended that given a choice, it is better if you schedule a first interview sooner than later. You will already have your foot in the door, have your name at the top of the interview list where the manager can see it each time they look and have a much better chance of getting the job.
The Best Day Of The Week?
Let’s assume that the company isn’t desperate to hire someone immediately and that they call the previous week to schedule interviews. In situations such as this, you need to consider the person who is in charge of the interviews, rather than it being about you.
Again, studies suggest that the best days for an interview are mid-week, from Tuesday to Thursday. On Mondays, employees and management are gearing up and planning the rest of the week’s tasks, looking at the big picture, and setting out a path. Fridays, folks are winding down, looking forward to completing a busy week, planning for the following week, and mentally getting ready for the weekend.
Tuesdays are said to be the most productive day of the week, as things are in motion at the office and attention is being paid to the details of each specific task. Wednesdays and Thursdays are much the same, but remember what I said about scheduling your first interview early in the process?
Therefore, if you are given the choice, the best option to schedule your interview is on a Tuesday. The interviewer is more likely than any other day to be focused and receptive to you giving your best first impression.
What’s The Best Time For You?
As I mentioned, there are a few important points during the recruitment and hiring process where you have the possibility of turning things to your advantage. Of course, you want to give yourself the best shot at landing the job!
The time of day you schedule your interview for is key to taking advantage of your situation.
You want to schedule your first meeting with the recruiter or manager for when you’re fresh and yet relaxed. You want to be prepared and ready to talk easily with the interviewer. Getting to the interview earlier in the day, but not too early, and not having to fight your way through the morning rush hour on the way!
Research shows that, typically, a mid-morning time slot allows you that opportunity to be prepared to give your best first interview. Somewhere between 9:00 and 11:00 in the morning is when you are most likely to be at your highest mental capacity and be able to effectively deliver the message to the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the job. Some studies have been even more specific and say that 10:30 am is the best possible time for attending an interview.
What Works For Them?
Of course, it’s also very important to understand that the hiring manager is also at their best during that morning time slot as well. It’s very important to get them there at that time, too. You’ll have a better chance at effective communication and show that you want to build positive relationships right off the bat.
They will have had time to arrive at the office, get their work in order, and be ready to go. They want to be at their peak, too, able to listen closely and be ready to recognize the right candidate when they walk in the door.
Immediately before noon, your interviewer may be hungry and unable to concentrate; right after lunch is not a great time for focusing on the task at hand either. By afternoon, they may be tired after a long string of interviews and be more focused on compiling notes and finishing up by the end of the day to remember your amazing interview.
That mid-morning time slot is the optimal moment for you to give it your best shot.
Are You Looking for more high-quality Interview Advice?
Still Not Feeling Confident Quite Yet?
Well, check out our insightful interview guides such as Answering Tell Me About Yourself In Interview, Why We Should Hire You, Strengths And Weaknesses For Job Interviews, or What Are Your Career Goals, as well as how to Answer Why Are You The Best Candidate For The Position, What Makes You Unique, What Are You Most Proud Of, and finally, the Best Questions To Ask In An Interview.
It’s also worth taking a look at How to Answer Interview Questions: 101 Tough Interview Questions, Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, Amazing Interview Answers: 44 Tough Job Interview Questions with 88 Winning Answers, or the excellent, Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Interview Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent, all available online in 2023.
It’s also important to continually improve yourself, and there’s no better way than with Unstoppable Self Confidence, The Self Confidence Workbook, The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance, The Confidence Gap: A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt, and the highly recommended, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.
Putting It All Together
Choosing the best time for your job interview will depend on the company’s situation and needs. Do they need someone right away, or are they going to take their time in hiring?
But, in the end, it’s about how you decide to play it, and how well you make the best decision with the information you have. Any time you have the option to turn something to your advantage, do it.
If the hiring manager indicates they may be in a rush to find a candidate, certainly take the first possible interview time, and show the interviewer you are the right candidate. However, when they give you options, choose the slot which maximizes your influence in getting a second interview as quickly as possible, and helps you to connect with them when you are both at the top of your game.
I wish you the best interview ever, and hope you land that job you’ve been dreaming of!
