Timing is everything. It’s true in life and even more so when you’re interviewing for a new role. The prospect of a new job is exciting, and landing an interview gets you one step closer to a new career and a new beginning. Often a job interview is the first time you meet the hiring manager or a member of the team, so it’s essential that you make a great first impression.
And as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. While it’s good to be prepared, you’ll want to make sure that your first impression doesn’t happen too soon. Arriving too early for a job interview can derail schedules, make you look desperate, increase nervousness, and make the situation awkward for everyone involved.
That’s why I’m sharing tips on the best time to arrive at an interview so that you can make a memorable first impression in the best way possible. It’s the night before your interview. You’ve handled your job search gracefully, navigated the hiring process so far with ease, and googled what to wear for a job interview,
Now all that’s left to think about is the day of the interview and determining how early is too early to show up for an interview. A good rule of thumb to follow for in-person interviews is to arrive 15 minutes early. This will ensure you arrive early while allowing extra time to account for any potential delays, like traffic, parking situations, and finding the lobby.
Showing up early also gives job seekers the opportunity to gather themselves prior to the interview and do any last-minute interview preparation.
Contents
- 0.1 Should I be 10 or 15 minutes early to interview?
- 0.2 Is it good to be 15 minutes early to an interview?
- 1 Is a 20 minute interview bad?
- 2 Why are the first 30 seconds of an interview so important?
- 3 What should you not wear to a job interview?
- 4 Can you bomb an interview and still get the job?
- 5 Do employers interview best candidate first?
- 6 What if I am 2 minutes late for an interview?
- 7 Is it good to be 10 minutes early?
- 8 Is it bad to be 5 minutes late for an interview?
Is 10 minutes too early for an interview?
How Early Should You Arrive For An Interview – Experts recommend that you should go in to your interview 10-15 minutes before it begins. Try to arrive at the location of the interview anywhere from 30-15 minutes before your interview is scheduled and then enter the building from 10-15 minutes before the interview begins.
Could Rush Your Interviewer – If you arrive too early, your interviewer could feel like they don’t have time to prepare or work on other tasks they need to do. That’s not a great first impression to make. Makes You Look Desperate – Showing up too early could be a sign that you are desperate for the job. While this could be true, you shouldn’t let employers know that. Could Increase Your Nerves – Interviews are stressful. Sitting around waiting for an interview without anything to distract yourself could end up making you feel more stressed Wastes Your Time – Aside from everything else, sitting around waiting for an interview for 30 minutes is a complete waste of time.
Shows Lack of Attention to Detail and Preparation – Employers need people who prepare and are attentive to the small details and showing up late to an interview does the complete opposite of that. Could Risk Being Late – If you don’t give yourself enough time to get to the location of your interview, you will cut short your time to compose yourself before going into your interview. Worse yet, you could end up being late to your interview. That is one of the biggest red flags for employers. Gives You Time To Organize Yourself – Getting to an interview 15 minutes before it begins gives you the perfect amount of time to get your notes organized, review your resume, catch your breath, and get mentally prepared for your interview.
Should I be 10 or 15 minutes early to interview?
How Early Should You be for an Interview? – Though there are several factors to consider, the general consensus tends to be that you should show up about ten to 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled interview time,
More than 15 minutes tends to be a bit awkward, and less than ten minutes could put you in a stressful time crunch. Showing up ten to 15 minutes early to your in-office interview shows that you are eager about this opportunity and that you are well-prepared. There are also several practical reasons to give yourself this modest time gap. Showing up about ten minutes early gives you time to check in with the receptionist at the front desk, fill out any last-minute forms, get yourself comfortable with the office environment, and use the restroom if you find yourself needing that. It can also be a good idea to simply use this time to practice anxiety-reduction techniques like deep breathing. Arriving early should, hopefully, alleviate some of these fears by allowing you a chance to feel settled in. If you find yourself needing to stop for gas, if you get lost along the way, or if there’s traffic, having a time buffer ensures that you don’t show up late to the interview. Showing up after the scheduled interview time is a surefire way to give yourself an uphill battle. However, the ten to 15-minute rule does not take into account any special instructions your potential employer may have given you. For instance, if you were told to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork, try to arrive about 25 minutes early. In general, whatever time they are expecting you, be there slightly before.
How early is too early for an interview?
While it’s important to arrive 15 minutes early for your interview time to showcase your punctuality and commitment to the role, it can be detrimental to show up too early. Arriving 30 to 40 minutes ahead of your interview time might confuse the hiring manager and make them feel rushed to start your interview.
Is it good to be 15 minutes early to an interview?
Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer The impression you make on the interviewer often can outweigh your actual credentials. Your poise, attitude, basic social skills, and ability to communicate are evaluated along with your experience and education. You and the interviewer must engage in a conversation – a mutual exchange of information and ideas.
- Only through such a dialogue can you both determine if you, the organization, and the job are well matched.
- Preparation is the key.
- Be on time.
- This often means 10-15 minutes early.
- Interviewers often are ready before the appointment.
- Now the interviewer’s name, its spelling, and pronunciation.
- Use it during the interview.
If you don’t know the name, call beforehand and ask the secretary. Also, note the secretary’s name in case you have to call back. Secretaries can influence the hiring decision! Have some questions of your own prepared in advance. There is nothing wrong with having a short list of questions and thoughts- it shows you have done your research and want to know more about the organization and the position.
Bring several copies of your resume. Also, bring a copy of your transcript. Carry your papers in an organized manner. Have a reliable pen and a small note pad with you. But do not take notes during the interview. However, immediately afterward, write down as much as you can remember, including your impression of how well you did.
Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile. Remember to maintain eye contact (which does not mean a stare down). Expect to spend some time developing rapport. Don’t jump right in and get down to business. Follow the interviewer’s lead. Don’t be embarrassed if you are nervous.
- As you gain experience you’ll become more at ease with the interviewing process. Focus.
- On your attributes, your transferable skills, and your willingness to learn; don’t apologize for a lack of experience; describe your strengths in terms of what you can do for the organization.
- Tell the truth.
- Lies and exaggeration will come back to haunt you.
Listen carefully to the interviewer. Be sure you understand the question; if not, ask for clarification, or restate it in your own words. Answer completely and concisely. Stick to the subject at hand. Never slight a teacher, friend, employer, or your university.
- Loyalty ranks high on the employer’s list.
- Watch your grammar.
- Employers are interested in candidates who can express themselves properly.
- Even if you have to go slowly and correct yourself, accuracy is preferred over ungrammatical fluency.
- Be prepared for personal questions.
- Some interviewers may not know what they can and cannot ask legally.
Anticipate how you will handle such questions without losing your composure. Wait for the interviewer to mention salary and benefits. To research pay scales, refer to salary surveys and information on the Career Services website on in the career library.
Don’t expect a job offer at the first interview. Often you will be invited to a second or even third interview before an offer is made several weeks later. Close on a positive, enthusiastic note. Ask what the next step will be. Thank the interviewer for his/her time and express your interest in the job.
Leave quickly and courteously with a handshake and a smile. No interview is complete until you follow up with a thank-you note. Express your appreciation for the interview and, if true, reaffirm your interest. This last step can make a difference. Don’t forget it.
Is a 20 minute interview bad?
What Does a 20 Minute Interview Mean? – Whether a 20 minute interview is good for you or not depends on the level of interview and company size. If the screening interview lasts 20 minutes, consider it a positive sign, as 15-20 minutes is enough time for recruiters to gauge a candidate’s ability for further interview rounds.
- If the interview taken by someone from a higher management level went on for 20 minutes, nothing could be determined from it.
- Sometimes it might happen that the person interviewing you did not have much time and had to cut short the interview.
- However rare that is, it still happens.
- In another case, within 20 minutes the interviewer could have decided what feedback they have to offer you.
No matter the case, you can get an idea by observing the body language, gestures, and eye contact. If they ask you about your availability for the next round of interviews, it might be a hint that they were impressed by your performance in the interview.
Is it rude to be early to a job interview?
Arriving early is one way you can show a hiring manager that you’re professional and you may be a good fit for the position. Understanding what time to arrive can help you plan effectively, which may enhance your confidence during your interview.
Why are the first 30 seconds of an interview so important?
Be on time – There is nothing worse than turning up to an interview late and without reasonable explanation. Being late shows the employer your lack of organisation and respect for others. This can be a reflection on your approach to the new opportunity in hand and can effectively jeopardise your chances of being invited back or even being interviewed at all.
Is a 13 minute interview good?
2. In-person job interviews last between 45 and 90 minutes on average. – (Indeed) If an interview lasts 15 minutes or less, it’s probably not a good one. If it’s 30 minutes long, it’s just not long enough. That said, 45 to 90 minutes is the golden number – and that’s not just one of the random interview facts.
Is it good to be 10 minutes early?
Today’s Work It Daily Challenge is to arrive 10 minutes early to destinations, meetings, or other events. Being punctual is a sought after trait – not only by employers, but also by family, friends, and colleagues. Being on time, or early, for things assures others that you respect people’s time.
It also benefits you. When you arrive 10 minutes early to something, you grant yourself a few minutes of wiggle room. You have time to breathe or do any last minute preparation. This will help you go into job interviews more confidently, meetings more prepared, and outings with friends more relaxed. Rushing around and being late can be stressful.
After awhile, it can take a toll on your health and well-being. So, today, challenge yourself to arrive 10 minutes early to anything you have planned. Better yet, force yourself to do this for the next seven days. After a while, it will become a habit. If you struggle with time management, take an honest look at why you’re always running late.
- Is it because you hit snooze one too many times this morning? Is it because you got stuck in traffic? Is it because that client call went a little longer than expected? When you identify your time sucks, it will be easier to see what’s holding you back from being on time.
- And, you can take steps to prevent those things from happening in the future.
If you sleep in each morning, force yourself to wake up 15 minutes earlier. If you get stuck in traffic, take a different route. If your client calls always seem to run over, set aside more time for them. What are your secrets to being on time? Tell us!
Is it OK to bring notes to a job interview?
It’s acceptable to bring notes with you to an interview if the notes contain the questions you plan to ask your interviewer. You might also include questions about the company that you were unable to answer through your research.
Is it bad to be nervous during an interview?
Create your resume now It is normal to feel a certain degree of job interview nerves before and during a job interview. You may really want the job and know you have to perform under pressure, or you may be naturally shy. You all know that the interviewer will be in control of the conversation and you do not know what questions will be asked.
This can lead to anxiety and make you feel nervous in a job interview, Don’t worry. There are a number of tips for staying calm during a job interview which can help to reduce and manage your anxiety. Try and keep positive and not put too much pressure on yourself. You’ve probably read guides on how to write a resume and spent time applying for jobs,
You’ve made it through to the interview stage which is fantastic. At the same time, there are other jobs out there so it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get the job. Preparation is the key to overcoming job interview nerves, There are a number of steps you can take during the days leading up to the big day, and other job interview tips to help you calm on the day of the interview.
How long should an interview last?
How long do job interviews last? – There are six main job interview styles, and they can all vary in time taken to conduct. Each style has its own benefits and drawbacks, while the type of interview you choose should be relative to the position. The types of interviews are: One-to-one interviews The most common form of interview, the one-to-one allows for easy conversation.
- This style of interview is best for helping the candidate relax and is easier to plan and organise.
- However, it can be better to have more than one interviewer present to provide another perspective.
- In-person interviews typically last between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the interviewer and if the applicant needs to perform tasks or give a presentation.
In some cases, you may ask interviewees to undertake tasks to prove their ability and capability for the role. Video interviews Video interviews are a great option when face-to-face interviews are not possible and when you’re recruiting for positions that can be done remotely.
- There has been a 57% increase in the use of video interviews from 2019 – 2022, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- However, technology can fail or operate poorly, which will not be a good interviewing experience for both parties.
- You can expect a video interview to last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the seniority of the role and stage of the recruitment process.
Competency-based interviews Competency-based interviews are also known as structured, behavioural, or situational interviews. This is where you ask situational-style questions to gauge how the candidate uses their skills to solve problems. You can see how the candidate would deal with real-life work scenarios, removing some of the guesswork of whether they are the right person for the role.
However, candidates often prepare extensively for these types of interviews so you may not get as much insight into their strategic thinking – and be left with pre-prepared, sometimes generic, answers. These interviews tend to last between 45 and 90 minutes. Group interviews Group interviews are often a good exercise if you are hiring for multiple roles – or if teamwork is an essential and important part of the job.
You can quickly see how candidates work with others, but you must ensure that everyone in the group has an opportunity to be heard. With this in mind, how long do group interviews last? These interviews usually last around an hour, but this all depends on the size of the group taking part in the interview.
- Telephone interviews Telephone interviews are often the first stage of the interview process and a good way to filter applicants into a shortlist.
- They require little organisation and can be done quickly and efficiently.
- However, you should not use these in place of a face-to-face interview as they often don’t provide a complete snapshot of the candidate.
Typically, a recruiter calls to confirm the details on the jobseeker’s application, including available start dates for an in-person interview, and, in some cases, about salary requirements. These interviews can expect to last around 15 minutes, but can go up to 45 minutes if additional questions are asked about work styles, and specifics on a CV.
Is 15 minutes too early for a zoom interview?
Show up on time – This is one of the easiest ways to start things off on the right foot: show up on time! While you don’t need to log on 15-minutes early like you would when arriving for an in-office interview, definitely enter the video chat promptly at the set start time.
What should you not wear to a job interview?
When it comes to selecting appropriate attire for a job interview, it’s important to choose conservative, professional clothing. Overall, the goal is to make a good first impression and show that you’re serious about the job. By dressing in a professional and appropriate manner, you can help set the tone for a successful interview.
When going to a job interview, it’s important to make a good impression. Your outfit should be professional and appropriate for the job you are applying for. Here are some things you should avoid wearing: To sum it up, it is highly recommended to stick to classic styles and neutral colors. Remember, your appearance can make a lasting impression, so it’s important to dress appropriately for your interview.
When it comes to accessories for a job interview, it’s best to keep it simple and understated. Here are some items you should consider avoiding: Overall, the key is to present yourself in a professional and polished manner. By keeping your accessories simple and understated, you can ensure that your qualifications and experience take center stage during the interview.
Is 20 minutes too early for an interview?
So, how early should you be for an interview? – I recommend showing up about 15 minutes early before your interview. That way, you have a few minutes to check in with the receptionist, use the restroom to freshen up, and get your bearings before you head into the interview.
Can you bomb an interview and still get the job?
If you’re lucky, they may just look past whatever snafu happened during the interview—big or small—and give you the job anyway. Of course, this is mainly likely to happen despite a less-than-ideal interview, you have relevant experience and the desired qualifications for the job.
Which interview slot is best?
Get your timing right. – Experts believe that there are two optimum time spans for scheduling an interview from the candidate’s viewpoint, based on a typical 9 to 5 working day. Firstly, avoid “early morning” appointments. Aim for between 10am and 11am.
Do employers interview best candidate first?
The Case for Interviewing First – Some hiring managers may choose to interview the strongest candidates first. This can be advantageous for a number of reasons. By interviewing the top candidate early, employers can gauge other candidates’ performances against the benchmark set by the best candidate.
How do you end an interview early?
How to end an interview early – If you have decided that you need to end an interview early, there are certain ways to go about doing this It is important to be respectful and avoid any type of confrontation. After all, the candidate has likely spent a lot of time preparing for the interview and they might be offended if you tell them that you are cutting it short.
Once you realise you’d like to end the interview, thank the candidate for their time. Reassure them that you appreciate them coming in and say that you have enjoyed meeting them. Ask if they have, While you might have decided they aren’t the right fit for the job, you should still give them a chance to participate. Offer feedback where appropriate. If you feel like it would be helpful, you could offer the candidate some feedback on their performance. For example, you might say that they have impressed you with their knowledge of the company Let the candidate know that you will be in touch. Thank them again for their time and let them know that you will contact them about the next steps.
You can then follow up in the normal time frame to let them know that they have been unsuccessful in their application. This method will protect your company’s reputation, and avoid offending the candidate. It will also ensure that you still maintain a good relationship with them, as they might be a great fit for another role in the future.
What if I am 2 minutes late for an interview?
Call in Advance The more notice you can give, the better. Calling when you’re already several minutes late is less likely to assuage their irritation than calling beforehand. However, if you’re more than 10 minutes late, be prepared for them to cancel or reschedule the interview.
What to say when a interviewer asks Tell me about yourself?
Components of your answer – Your answer to the “tell me about yourself” question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you’re a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Current situation Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.
- Avoid speaking negatively about your current job.
- Also: How to get LinkedIn Premium for free The interviewer wants to hear how your current role is similar to the position you’re applying for.
- If you’re currently a student, use this time to talk about relevant school experiences like classes you’ve taken, projects you liked, or internships.
Past job experience The interviewer likely has your resume in front of them, so don’t just tell them what they already know. Use this question to touch on your past work history and highlight areas that are applicable to the position you have now. Describe your past job experience in chronological or reverse-chronological order.
- If you switched industries, explain why with a quick personal anecdote that demonstrates your passions or interests.
- Your “why” Why did you choose this job to apply to? Why are you the best candidate for the role? Use this time to sell yourself to the interviewer and give them your “why.” If you’ve tailored the other parts of your answer to the job you’re interviewing for, this part will be easy.
Explain how this role aligns with your personal career goals to show you’ll put in the effort to be successful. Aligning and connecting your goals, passions, and strengths with the company/role Research company culture. If you and the company both value working in teams or doing things individually, talk about that here.
Be sure to mention If you have other interests or skills you’ve been working on that make you a better asset to the company. Also: OpenAI’s ChatGPT is scary good at my job, but it can’t replace me (yet) Knowing the overall mission of the company to help you tailor your “why.” If you’re interviewing for an outdoor apparel company that values a good work-life balance, don’t talk about how you love working nights and weekends to complete projects.
Remember that interviewers want to learn more about your work experience and your personality. Answering this question in a couple of sentences might seem less-than-thorough and talking for ten minutes is a red flag that you might do the same in meetings.
Is it good to be 10 minutes early?
Today’s Work It Daily Challenge is to arrive 10 minutes early to destinations, meetings, or other events. Being punctual is a sought after trait – not only by employers, but also by family, friends, and colleagues. Being on time, or early, for things assures others that you respect people’s time.
It also benefits you. When you arrive 10 minutes early to something, you grant yourself a few minutes of wiggle room. You have time to breathe or do any last minute preparation. This will help you go into job interviews more confidently, meetings more prepared, and outings with friends more relaxed. Rushing around and being late can be stressful.
After awhile, it can take a toll on your health and well-being. So, today, challenge yourself to arrive 10 minutes early to anything you have planned. Better yet, force yourself to do this for the next seven days. After a while, it will become a habit. If you struggle with time management, take an honest look at why you’re always running late.
Is it because you hit snooze one too many times this morning? Is it because you got stuck in traffic? Is it because that client call went a little longer than expected? When you identify your time sucks, it will be easier to see what’s holding you back from being on time. And, you can take steps to prevent those things from happening in the future.
If you sleep in each morning, force yourself to wake up 15 minutes earlier. If you get stuck in traffic, take a different route. If your client calls always seem to run over, set aside more time for them. What are your secrets to being on time? Tell us!
What should I say in a 10 minute interview?
The Phone Screening Interview Itself – At this stage, you should have roughly 25 phone screens (depending on how many applications you received) on the calendar ideally over the course of a few days. Get ready to knock them out! We rely on Recruitee, which allows us to record our notes on each candidate.
If you type fast enough to catch the interviewee’s answers in their own words, great. If not, you can take some cliffnotes. I begin every call the same to set the stage and assess their buy-in. Me: Hi, this is Maddy Roche with XY Planning Network. Is this X? Them: Yes it is! Hello! Me: Great, thanks for scheduling this call.
Is now still a good time to talk about the X position?Them: Yes, yes it is. I’ve looked forward to chatting. Me: Awesome. I don’t think we’ll talk longer than 10 or so minutes. I have just a few questions for you, and I’d love to give you an opportunity to ask me a few.
- How does that sound? Them: That sounds great! Me: Great. So.
- Then I dive into three questions: 1.
- How did you first hear about this position? We ask this question to make the candidate comfortable.
- It gives them an easy win and provides us some much needed context around how they found us.
- They may have been reading an article and we were mentioned, they may have been on our prospect list or job posting list, they may have been referred, they may have found us on Indeed or they may know someone on our team (extra plus!).
All of these are awesome responses, especially if they’ve been patiently waiting for the ideal XYPN job to arise. We’re not looking to judge this question too harshly, but it does give an opportunity to spot some red flags, like the following cringeworthy responses (and yes, these are real examples of responses we’ve heard over the years):
My mom is making me apply to jobs I want a new job because X, Y, Z (which doesn’t answer the question) I found you on Indeed because I hate my boss and I want a new job I’m not totally sure, I’ve been applying to a million jobs
2. Tell me about what intrigues you most about this particular position? This question is substantive, and we’re looking for a specific answer about what attracted the candidate to the position (this is also another opportunity to identify additional red flags).
Ideal answers discuss the specific duties and responsibilities of the role, the department, the purpose of the role, and why a job like this fits their skill set. You’ll know when you hear a good answer. They candidate will mention specific tasks they want to handle, and how they think the position fits within the company.
Answers that show a candidate’s passion is aligned with the role—for example a response that screams “I love customer service” for a customer-facing job—are obviously the strongest. You’d be amazed with how few people understand that. Weak answers include responses like “I’m looking for a cool new company to join”, “I like your culture handbook”, or “I have great project management skills that will lend themselves well to this position” (without ever telling us how).
- Those responses answer the question “Why do you want to work here?” not “What do you find most intriguing about this position?” Red flag answers are things like, “I honestly don’t recall the position” or explanations about why they’re unhappy at their current job.3.
- Tell me, in your own words and through your research, what does XYPN do? This is a big question and sometimes can feel like a trick question, especially if the candidate’s answers to the first two questions were shaky.
The point of this question is to tell if the candidate did any research before the 10 minute phone interview (and hopefully before they even applied). This question trips folks up the most, and that’s okay because XYPN’s platform is unique. The candidates who slam dunk this question understand we’re a membership community, that we help advisors work with young people, and we help connect consumers to advisors.
- Conversely, candiates who don’t understand our company will say things like “You deal with investments”, “You work with Gen X and Y”, “XYPN helps people have money so they aren’t grumpy” (real answer), or other times, people pause for a second and then begin reading off our website.
- Although some of these answers are immediate disqualifiers, this question provides an opportunity for us to clearly explain what XYPN does and gives the candidate more context if they proceed to the interview stages.
We always either confirm that their intuition is correct, or clarify that we’re a membership organization supporting financial advisors across the country. We do not get into the fee-only and/or fiduciary conversation at this point. Most people applying for an entry-level job will need to do their research between now and their next interview to demonstrate that understanding.
You should define what a good answer looks like for your individual firm. Sometimes candidates blow through these questions and give only cursory responses, which may not be enough to judge them on (but is a red flag in and of itself). If someone answers those three questions in less than three minutes or so, I ask a final question: Tell me about your current role and what you’re responsible for? This question again gives the candidate an easy win.
If they weren’t passionate during the first three questions, they may begin to shine when talking about something familiar: their work. This is not the time for people to bad mouth their position or try to explain why your available position is better.
This is a time to concisely answer what the scope of their current job is. If they sound passionate, interested, and genuine in their response, you’ve given them another opportunity to be advanced to the next stage of the hiring process. After this final question, you’ll open the floor to any questions the candidate has.
It’s this stage that I find most eye-opening during an interview, especially if it was rocky from the get-go. XYPN shares our culture handbook online, and most candidates (if they’re smart!) will read it ahead of time to decide if XYPN is a company they want to work for.
- However, candidates who lead with “Is the compensation negotiable?” or “Is it really true that you can take as many days off as you want?” are automatically disqualified.
- Questions about whether what we include in our culture handbook is really legit (it is!) should be asked further into the hiring process, not now.
And questions that suggest the candidate is more interested in the benefits we offer than the position itself are huge red flags. Candidates who use their time to ask questions like “Is this position a replacement or a new addition to the team?”, “What does the typical day look like?”, or “What do you think are the most important characteristics for success in this position?” show they are genuinely interested in the position and are trying to get more context to ensure the position is what they thought.
It shows they value your time and opinion. These are the candidates you want to keep around. Once you’ve asked your questions and they’ve asked theirs, explain the next steps in the hiring process. For example: “This was really helpful. Thank you again for your time. For context, we’re phone screening all applicants this week and hope to have offers to interview out within the next two weeks.
You’ll hear from me one way or the other within this time frame. However, if something comes up, you get a new job offer, or you’re no longer interested in the position, please let me know. If you are invited to our next interview phase, it will be virtual call with the department director.
From there, we’ll narrow the pool down and request work samples. From there, we’ll have our top 3-4 candidates in for in-person interviews.” For people who very clearly aren’t qualified, but sound like promising candidates, I go a step further: “We’ve had a number of applications for this position. If for some reason, you don’t proceed to the final interviewing stage, I encourage you to re-apply for other positions at XYPN.” Throughout the interview, you’re looking for things like “I’ve read your blog”, “I saw on your website”, or “I read X, Y, Z.” These kinds of statements show the candidate is genuinely interested and did their research.
If you were to advance only the candidates who made reference to having done their research, you’d have a great candidate pool. However, if they haven’t yet done their research, taking a chance and pushing them to the next round isn’t the end of the world.
- You’ll be able to tell during the next stage whether or not they’re a viable candidate.
- We tend to err on the side of interviewing, but I love that this process does a lot of the heavy lifting for us.
- Other key qualities you’re looking for are confidence, articulation, energy, enthusiasm, candidness, and aggressiveness.
If someone is demeaning on the phone, talks as if she/he already has the position, or isn’t excited about being on the phone with you, then they will likely be a time suck in the future. Trust your gut and cut them. Candidates who say “I love what XYPN is doing”, “I’d be honored to work at a growing company like XYPN”, or “Financial planning and supporting access to it is my passion” get a few extra points in my book.
How long is too short for an interview?
2. The interview was cut short. Unless an emergency came up and the interviewer explained the situation, it’s usually a bad sign if an interview is cut short and doesn’t go for the allotted time. Sometimes, initial phone interviews or video interviews are brief, but at minimum, I’d expect them to last for 25-30 minutes
Is it bad to be 5 minutes late for an interview?
I was late for my job interview — is that such a big deal? I was five minutes late for an interview. The receptionist made a point of saying, “You’re here for your 11 a.m. interview?” I didn’t want to call attention to being a few minutes behind, figuring that five minutes isn’t really late.
- Should I have said something? Five minutes “isn’t really late” if you are meeting a friend for coffee or attending a basketball game (in which case you usually just need to show up for the last five minutes, anyway).
- Five minutes late “is really late” if you are trying to catch a train, a curtain on Broadway — or get to a JOB INTERVIEW,
Trust me, they notice, so not speaking up actually causes more negative attention. You should have walked in calmly and immediately acknowledged that you were tardy with a simple “unanticipated delay” and a sincere apology. And if you are going to be more than five minutes late, you should call ahead and explain.
And if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late — well, unless you got caught in some transportation delay that is going to make the local news, focus on your next job interview instead. I went on a job interview and they told me that they really like me and want me to come back for a final round.
How Early Should I Arrive For An Interview? AND How to Handle Being LATE
That was four weeks ago. They keep saying they are interested and to be patient, but I have other opportunities to consider. This is my first choice, but I don’t know how to evaluate when it’s taking so long. Any advice? Do I have advice? Do the Yankees need a front line starting pitcher for the playoffs? Are the Mets back in this thing? Often, the timing needs of the job seeker differs from that of the hiring company, and usually not in the candidates’ favor.
- And four weeks is not unusual.
- You never know what could be going on — budget reviews, vacations, or maybe they are stringing you along — you won’t know unless and until you are able to force the issue or they declare themselves.
- So you have nothing to lose by staying close while you continue to pursue other opportunities.
Make sure they realize you are doing just that, and if you get a job offer elsewhere, let them know. You’ll have your answer then. Gregory Giangrande is a chief human resources and communications officer in the media industry. Email your career questions to [email protected].