What Interview Time Slot Is The Best? Consider These 10 Factors

What interview time slot is the best? Well, that all depends on your schedule and the interviewer’s schedule.

If you’re flexible, try to schedule your interview in the morning.

What Interview Time Slot Is The Best?

The time of day you schedule your interview can impact the interviewer’s impression of you.

There are no hard and fast rules. But there are a few factors to consider when choosing the best time slot for your interview.

1. Your Schedule:

The first thing to consider is your schedule. For example, booking an early morning interview is not the best idea if you have a busy morning schedule.

Your schedule should be the priority when choosing an interview time.

Although it is not that you shouldn’t prioritize your interview. Always remember that the interviewer is trying to get to know you.

And one of the best ways to do that is by meeting you in person. And when you’re meeting someone for the first time, it’s always best to be punctual.

So to be punctual, you need to find a time when you have a free slot in your schedule. This way, you can go to the interview without being rushed.

2. The Interviewer’s Schedule:

The second thing to consider is the interviewer’s schedule. Just like you, the interviewer has a busy schedule.

And just like you, they might have other interviews lined up. So it’s always best to pick a time slot when the interviewer is free.

This way, they can give you their undivided attention. And with their undivided attention, you can make a great impression.

The rush in and out of the interview might not give you the best chance to do that.

3. The Company’s Hours Of Operation:

Not all companies are open at the same time. Some companies close earlier than others.

And some companies are only open during certain days of the week.

When you’re scheduling your interview, make sure to take the company’s hours of operation into account.

You want to avoid attending your interview only to find that the company is closed.

However, this might be a small deal if you’re flexible with your schedule.

4. The Location Of The Interview:

The location of the interview can also affect what time slot is best. You’ll have to adjust your schedule if the company is in a different time zone.

You’ll also want to factor in travel time to and from the interview when deciding a time slot.

You don’t want to schedule your interview for 10:00 am only to find out that it takes an hour to get there.

Or you’re trying to leave at 4:00 pm. Traffic is bad, and you get to your interview at 5:00 pm.

5. The Type Of Position You’re Interviewing For:

The type of position you’re interviewing for can also affect what time slot is best.

For instance, you are interviewing for a position that requires early morning starts. Therefore, an interview slot must be on time in the day.

Or you’re interviewing for a position that has more flexible hours. Then an interview early or late in the day might work better for you.

Some companies have different start and end times for different departments.

So, even if the company has flexible hours, the department you’re interviewing for might not.

Do your research to know the hours for the department you’re interviewing.

6. Be One Of The First People To Arrive:

The interviewees in the early show get excited about the opportunity and keen to get started.

This first impression can be make-or-break, so arrive on time! There may be other factors working against you if you’re one of the first people to arrive, such as:

6.1 You May Feel Out Of Place:

You may feel out of place if you’re the first person to arrive. After all, you don’t know anyone yet, and everyone else seems to know each other.

Don’t worry; this is perfectly normal. The trick is to act confident. Make the most of the situation by introducing yourself to everyone you meet.

7. Don’t Choose A Time Slot Very Late:

It may send the wrong message if you choose a time slot very late in the day. It could seem as you needing to be more interested in the position.

Because such a late time slot is often only available sometimes. It may also make you seem like you could be more flexible.

And some interviewers may be in a rush or tired by the end of the day. It could impact your performance.

Instead, pick a time slot earlier in the day, such as the morning or early afternoon.

8. Do Consider The Day Of The Week:

While the time of day is important, you should also consider the day of the week.

For instance, there may be better times than Monday mornings for an interview.

People are often rushed and busy on Mondays. This is because they are trying to get back into the swing of things after the weekend.

Instead, try to schedule your interview for a Tuesday or Wednesday.

9. Don’t Overbook Yourself:

If you have multiple interviews, you mustn’t overbook yourself.

You don’t want to be rushed or flustered. Schedule your interviews so that you have plenty of time in between them.

With that said, you also want to spend less time between interviews. If you have several hours to kill, you may get nervous.

10. Consider The Length Of The Interview:

The length of the interview is also something to consider. For example, it’s a 30-minute interview. There may be better ideas than scheduling it first thing in the morning.

You want to be well-rested and have plenty of time to prepare. With a shorter interview, you can schedule it for later in the day.

On the other hand, a longer interview should get scheduled earlier in the day, so you don’t get too tired.

And when it comes to phone interviews, it’s best to schedule them for later in the day.

You want to be alert and have enough time to focus on the conversation.

7 Interview Tips To Ace It

Let’s say you’ve landed an interview for your dream job.

Now it’s time to prepare so you can make a great impression and ace the interview. Here are some tips:

1. Do Your Research:

Before the interview, take some time to research the company and the role.

This will help you ask thoughtful questions. It will show that you’re interested in the position.

You can search for the company on Google and read news articles. Also, check out their social media channels. Their website is also a great resource.

2. Dress for Success:

First impressions matter, so dress to make a good one. Choose professional clothing that is appropriate for the company culture.

If you need help deciding what to wear, it’s better to avoid being too formal rather than too casual.

With that said, avoid wearing anything that would make you uncomfortable. Or don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to be seen in by your future boss.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice:

Once you know more about the company and the role, it’s time to start practicing for the interview.

You can do this by rehearsing answers to common interview questions. Then, research the company in depth and prepare for behavioral interview questions.

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel going into the interview. And the more confident you are, the better your chances of getting the job.

4. Arrive Early:

Arriving early to an interview shows that you’re excited about the opportunity. And you are willing to put in the extra effort.

It also lets you calm your nerves and collect your thoughts before the interview begins.

If you’re running late, call the interviewer and let them know. They’ll appreciate your honesty and won’t reflect negatively on you.

5. Turn Off Your Phone:

This should be a no-brainer, but you’d get surprised how many people need to remember to do this.

When your phone is off, you can focus all your attention on the interviewer and the conversation.

And if you’re worried about missing an important call, just set it to vibrate.

Some recruiters recommend keeping your phone in purse or pocket during the interview. This way you’re not tempted to check it.

6. Ask The Right Questions:

You’ll usually have to ask questions toward the end of the interview.

This is your chance to learn more about the company and see if it’s a good fit for you.

When there is an opportunity to ask questions, take it!

This is one of the best ways to show interest in the job. However, don’t ask about salary, vacation days, or other benefits.

Wait until you have an offer on the table before discussing these topics.

7. Follow-Up:

After the interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Again, this is another opportunity to sell yourself and show interest in the job.

A thank-you note is a good way to build relationships with your potential future employer.

With these tips, you can make the best use of your interview time slot. Good luck!

Final Word:

The best time slot for an interview is usually the first one of the day. This is because you will be fresh and alert.

And the interviewer will be able to get a sense of your true personality. However, feel free to ask for a different time slot if it suits your schedule.

Last Updated on 12 months by Shahzaib Arshad