Best time to interview?
I was just wondering if there was an advantageous time to interview. For example, if there are 2 dates (Monday/Tuesday), one early and one later, should you pick the early one and think that its a rolling basis and therefore will be easier to fill in spots early? Or perhaps you should pick the later date due to the fact that you will be more "fresh" on their mind?
What is the board's opinion on this?
Also I'm thinking afternoon is not a good time to interview, so either early morning or late afternoon?
In terms of days, it doesn't really matter much - maybe person to person, but not in general. In terms of time of day, early morning is often rough as the interviewer is still shaking the cob webs and may have not even had his/her coffee yet. The very late morning/early afternoon interview is bad as well assuming it is a pre-lunch interview because the interviewer could be hungry, and if anything like me, a bit cranky just before feeding time. In general, try to stick to mid morning and after lunch through mid afternoon interviews (this of course refers to one interview and not a superday, as a superday is the same schedule for everyone and covers the day) - once you get into late afternoon/evening you run into the interviewer who is burnt out on interviewing the whole day and is either 1) ready to go home or 2) eager to get out of there and get back to real work so that he/she could possibly see his/her home sometime that night.
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Worst interview times: -First thing in the morning -Right before lunch -Late afternoon / end of the day
Anything else should be fine (middle morning, afternoon).
Don't forget right after lunch. I had an interviewer tell me directly that the after-lunch period is the worst because all she wants to do is go to sleep. I say get them early while they're fresh.
I think the after lunch time slot is a bit of a wild card. I've had and know of interviewers that were happy and full of energy - recharged - after lunch, which seemed to make for a smoother and more relaxed interview. I have also heard of some interviewers being grumpy and craving the food coma - needing the interview after lunch to get their bearings back, and therefore not really giving a crap about the immediately after lunch interviewee. So don't completely eliminate this time slot, but there are typically some better ones out there.
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When is the best time to sign up for an interview? (Originally Posted: 01/08/2008)
I know that most people would say the time slot doesn't really matter. But still, would you rather be #1, middle, or last?
I think I would rather be in the middle. If you're at the end - they may have already made up their mind about who they like, plus the interviewers are probably tired of hearing kids convince them of how good they are.
If you're at the beginning, it's easy to get forgotten I think.
i agree with captk, but i think id prefer to be the last few when it comes to interviews. this is ur chance to make them remember you, no matter how much they liked another person, if u make a strong case then they will always remember you. i mean at the end of the day, they can only remember so much.
ive judged debate/speech rounds before, and i tend to give higher scores to the last few people unless they really just sucked a lot of balls.
I would think the last interviewed are the ones most likely to get the job. How many times have you heard your buddies tell you that everything has gone great for them, but somehow they didn't get the job because some other kid apparently impressed the jury afterwards? At the end its your time to shine, they are bored to tears make them laugh! If you are able to keep their interests they will love you for it.
Another way to think about it is this way: Think of all your exs, the one that sticks in your mind is the last one. It's the last one you always somewhat regret, sure you miss the old ones as well, but not as much as you miss the last one.
Now my reasoning has absolutely no scientific basis, and you might get killed because you are taking the last spots as opposed to the first ones. So beware.
Remember, you will always be a salesman, no matter how fancy your title is. - My ex girlfriend
It really shouldnt matter when you interview because many firms have set criteria that they judge you on. They rate you in each area immediately after you leave the interview (before they interview the next candidate), so that way they are giving equal opportunity to each interviewee and have a standardized way to compare you to the rest.
I think this has been covered a bunch of times before, but basically it is irrelevant. I write down impressions of everyone after I interview them and then when everyone gathers to decide who advances, I refer to my notes... I honestly don't think order matters at all.
Pick the time you're most comfortable with/are least rushed by.
Agree with Dosk,
Interview the time you will be the most alert. I am not a morning person, and therefore perform much better in afternoon/evening interviews. Any slight advantage or disadvantage by being beginning, middle, end is out weighed obviously by your performance. But I agree interviewing last probably does help you stick in their mind a little bit more; however, at the same time you have to be that much better since they have a lot of people to compare you to.
I usually go with a time like 10am. Earlier than that, interviewers are still chugging the sbux and later than that, they're thinking more about lunch than what you're saying. On the other hand, as said in some of the other replies, if you're confident in your answers and skills, time isn't a big deal.
last summer I had the last interview with a VP. It was really awesome. I wasn't actually looking for an internship, but I wanted to find out more about the industry and get some interviewing experience. He was very laid back, and he even showed me a paper with the questions he was supposed to cover - he just threw that sheet away saying he was tired of asking those questions. Instead we started chatting about random things. At the end of the interview he gave me his card, and within the next few days I was offered a position in his division (via email). Later he called me personally to encourage me to accept the offer!!
While my experience interviewing last was awesome, I've heard horror stories as well. However I personally think if you are one of those guys who doesn't BS, then going in towards the end is a good option, coz by then all the interviewers are sick of all the BS candidates.
I had a psychology professor tell me once that it is always best to interview either first or last - the interviewer will almost certainly remember you this way. (This is assuming that your performance will be the same regardless of the time)
Accepted interview - when is the best time? (Originally Posted: 10/16/2012)
I just have been notified for an in campus interview this Friday. I have the choice to choose a time on that day and was wondering what you guys thought of the best time to sign up for. Meaning, would it be advantageous if I chose the earlier time and interviewed first, or take the later time and interview after a few candidates have already gone? Would there be a difference in impression? I feel if I took the later time, the interviewers could be grumpy or tired, thus having an effect on the interview.
What do you think?
I've heard that being the first or last one is best. I'd take the last slot if possible.
I tried editing my post but it wouldn't let me. This is what I was going to say:
"Probably not a huge difference. I've been told that being the first or last one is best. I'd take the last slot if possible. I know of one person that was the last interviewee of the day at a final round for a summer internship with a BB and that person ended up getting it. Ultimately, order probably isn't going to matter though. Either you could be fresh in their mind at the end or they could be tired and pissed and end up being less forgiving."
If there are 10 spots in total, I would pick the 8th one. 1st one would work fine too.
Definitely agree, having been through a few interviews myself towards the end seems better. I have noticed the interviewer seems more relaxed. Also, was the last interview of the day once and the interviewer and I went over time, which is highly unusual, because typically they have to cut you off for the next interview. I ended up eating at the campus food court with him and oddly enough will be traveling for a final, super day, round at the end of the month.
I wouldn't do anything right before mealtime.
I'd schedule it around your bowel movements for sure...
From my experience, DO NOT choose the first interview. Its early and interviewers are grumpy, checking their blackberries, and possibly even late to the interview.
What is the best time to setup an informational interview with a Trader? (Originally Posted: 05/31/2013)
I am going to meet with a trader for an informational interview. He didnt specify what time we should meet. Any tips on what time to ask for? I want to be able to get him during a slow period in the day, so he wont mind sitting down and talking to me. what time do you guys suggest, i would be open from anytime before the open, till after the close.
11ish
either 11ish like yeahright said, or after the markets close would be best, i'm guessing.
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