Scheduling an interview for the best possible time can be important for a variety of reasons. For YOU, scheduling your interview at a time when you are most alert, feel on top of your game to answer questions can provide you with the extra confidence you may need to ace the interview. On the other hand, it is hard to determine the best time for the recruiter and interviewing team.
Suggestions to help you schedule times with your recruiter.
Ask what days or times work best for your appointment or offer them three potential interview slots. Doing so can show that you are considerate of others and their time and help them coordinate among their different schedules.
Scheduling an interview at an optimal time can be an important influence on avoiding fatigue. For instance, setting your meeting for mid-morning can ensure the interviewer is at their most alert and engaged.
Similarly, after lunch is often a good option because people are usually in a good mood after they eat. Aim to avoid scheduling the meeting before lunch because the recruiter may be hungry and distracted.
Choosing a mid-week time slot may also help you avoid scheduling conflicts. For example, some employees like to leave early on Friday afternoon or companies close entirely for Fridays. Ask your recruiter about their work schedule for office closures.
Avoid scheduling an interview early in the morning.
Another factor to consider when scheduling your interview is the time of day you choose. It can be a good idea to schedule your interview for a time when the company you’re applying to has the chance to get started for the day.
Avoiding times that are too early, when the hiring manager first arrives at work, can ensure your interviewer can arrive at work and complete any morning routines before settling into the interview process. Some optimal times to consider can include a late morning interview or up to an hour before lunch, such as 10am or 11am.
Schedule the interview in the middle of the week.
Another way to approach scheduling your interview for the best time is to aim for a day during the middle of the workweek. This can mean arranging your meeting either on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Scheduling your interview for these days can increase the likelihood that your interviewer has progressed enough into the workweek that their stamina and productivity are at an optimum level.
Waiting until after the start of the workweek can also help avoid the slow productivity levels that sometimes accompany returning to work on Mondays. In addition, Monday mornings are usually a time for hands on meetings.
Try to schedule interviews away from lunchtime.
If you are employed this can be hard if your current employer does not know that you are looking for a job.
Typically, most individuals take their lunch breaks sometime around noon or 1:00 and avoid setting an interview too close to this time can actually help influence how your interviewer conducts the conversation. For instance, scheduling an interview right before lunch can risk the recruiter being less engaged during your conversation because their focus may be on their lunch plans.
Avoid scheduling interviews just before and after the holidays and weekends.
Scheduling your interview right before or after a holiday or a long weekend may also be something to avoid. This can be because many individuals find it hard to return to peak productivity and performance after spending time away from work.
Similarly, scheduling an interview right before a long break can distract the interviewer’s engagement and cognitive focus from your interview to their weekend plans.
Ready to schedule your next interview? Schedule a time with me and we will strategize when your best interviewing time will be…Schedule a 30 Minute Appointment – Cindy Fassler Career Coaching