Q&A: Best Times for an Interview Slot

When applying for jobs and agreeing on interview times, it's important that you understand strategic methods that can enhance your chances of getting a second interview or job offer. There are a few weekdays and times where candidates are more likely to have a positive and influential interview experience with an employer. By researching more about these preferable interview times, you can select the best times for an interview slot. In this article, we define what we mean by interview slots and review several questions related to interview times, scheduling practices and additional factors that contribute to a positive interviewing experience. Related: How To Prepare for an Interview

What are interview slots?

Interview slots are time frames usually 30 minutes to an hour in length. Employers create interview slots for specific days during the workweek and typically provide candidates with digital access to sign up for a slot that fits their schedules. Employers also use interview slots when they have several candidates they want to interview for a position, and a short time frame to do so.

Is there really a bad time to schedule interviews?

Technically, there isn't a bad time to schedule an interview. Regardless of the date, time or place of an interview, if you connect well with an employer and they see your potential, those factors don't matter. However, candidates usually experience the best interviews when they schedule them in the midmorning or early afternoon during a weekday. Related: How To Schedule the Best Time To Interview

What is the best time for an interview slot?

Time of day can be an important factor in the job interview process. Typically, the specific times for the best interview slots include any interviews times between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. This is because it gives employers enough time in the early morning to get energized for the workday and review your application details. This time frame also works well for interviews, as it's right before lunch. Because of the timing, interviewers may be more willing to go over your interview time and possibly continue the conversation over lunch. If you don't have time available in the morning, another good time to schedule an interview includes any time between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is a good afternoon timeframe because it isn't too close to lunch, meaning employers have enough time to come back from lunch and get into a work mindset again. Related: The Typical Interview Timeline and What You Can Expect

What days are the best to schedule job interviews?

There are a few days during the week that usually enhance your chances of a good interview experience. These include days in the middle of the workweek, like Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This is because on Mondays, employers have just returned from a two-day rest period and like all other professionals, they need time to get back into a work mindset. This can affect your interview experience and their engagement levels understandably. Similarly, it's also best if you don't sign up for an interview slot on a Friday because employers have reached the end of their workweek and may have more of their focus on the weekend ahead. If you do decide to schedule an interview for a Friday, try to select a morning time slot to ensure maximum engagement from an employer.

What factors should you consider when picking an interview slot?

When deciding which interview slot to choose for a job interview, there are several factors you need to consider relating to your personal schedule and interview scheduling practices:

How do these interview slots affect my personal commitments?

When considering which interview slot to choose, you need to think about how different interview times interfere with your normal routine and commitments. For example, if you typically have important work meetings in the afternoon, you may determine that a morning interview works best so you can maintain your current work commitments. In contrast, if you have a lot to do after work on a particular day, you may decide to select an interview slot earlier in the week so you can maintain your energy levels.

Do I thrive better in the morning or the afternoon?

This is an important question to ask yourself because just as you need an employer to have the energy and enthusiasm to conduct your interview, you also need to portray your personality and professionalism in an accurate way. This means considering whether you'd prefer a morning interview or an afternoon interview. You should also consider whether you enjoy being productive in the morning or the afternoon. Thinking about the times of day that work best for you can help you decide on an interview slot time.

How far is the interview location from my residence?

Another factor to consider when selecting an interview time slot includes the distance from your home to the interview site or current workplace. If it requires a long commute, you might decide to schedule it for the early afternoon so you can avoid morning traffic and ensure you have enough time to get to the interview. In contrast, if the interview location is closer to your home than your current workplace, you might decide to schedule a morning interview so you can minimize your commute time to work afterward.

Which day and time would give me the most time to prepare for the interview?

If you like to give yourself a week or a few days before an interview to prepare for possible questions, you might determine that the best day and time is Thursday at 11:00 a.m. rather than Tuesday. This is because it gives you three extra days during the week to prepare.

Does order matter?

Technically, the order does matter when selecting an interviewing slot where multiple candidates receive interviews within a specific day. If you want to ensure you standout to employers and they remember you, try to schedule your interview In either the first few slots or the last few slots for an interview day. Doing this is important because employers may be more likely to remember the first candidates they interviewed and the last candidates they interviewed, rather than the candidates in between. Related: How To Master an Interview

How long should an interview be when there are other candidates waiting?

In other interview situations, a good interview typically lasts an hour or more if you really connect with an employer. However, when an employer has set interview slots throughout the day, the timing of your interview doesn't necessarily reflect the quality and instead reflects the employer's need to stick to their schedule. To gauge whether your interview lasted long enough, review the start time and end time for your interview slot. If the time you spent in your interview reflects or exceeds that time frame, then you most likely kept the employer engaged. Typically interview slots go for thirty minutes to an hour depending on the type of position and the way an interviewer scheduled candidate meeting times. Related: Q&A: How Long Do Interviews Last?

What happens if you can't get an interview slot on a certain date or at a certain time?

If you can't get an interview slot on a certain date or at a certain time within the desirable interview time frame, there are still methods you can use to ensure you meet with an interviewer when they have the time and energy to complete an interview. Here are some tips:

Ask if you can reschedule. You may be able to reschedule your interview time for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday the following week during a preferable time of day. To communicate this to an employer or hiring manager, send them an email and cite the reason for needing to reschedule as a personal commitment or appointment. Then ask if they have availability for the following week while remaining open to interview times for the current week.
Try to select an interview slot for midmorning or early afternoon. If you can't reschedule for the following week, consider signing up for an available interview slot for the midmorning or early afternoon on a Monday or Friday. This ensures you can still engage in good conversation with an employer, even though it isn't on desirable interview days.
Prepare to engage the interviewer. You may not need to engage the interviewer and direct the conversation, but by being prepared to ask questions about the work environment and job topics, you can ensure you make the most of your interview slot, even if the interview takes place at an undesirable day or time.
Research more about them to learn about their interests. Personal interests and professional accomplishments are great conversation topics for job interviews. If you know the name of the person you plan to interview with, look for information about them on the company website. This can help you generate questions about their time at the company, the college they graduated from, their employment history or interests outside of work.