Interview Timings

mountainofdebt

I've got an interview coming up (wish me luck eh ) and its in the early afternoon.

It got me wondering do interviewers order the candidates in any particular way and - like some talent shows - is there a time which is more preferable?

heretolearn_2

Interviews are just random times, there's no deliberation to it, and they are often dictated by the people being interviewed. We know what day it is and ring people to make the appointments; one person can only come in the afternoon, another can only come before 11am, it's quite rare for anyone to say 'any time!'. And what order do we ring people in? By this stage it's just a random stack of CVs of the people, so whoever is on top gets called first.

I suppose other firms might order people alphabetically or something. I've never heard of anywhere ordering the interviews by 'best first' or something, if that's what you think.

I think you've got a great slot. Those seen first can tend to slip your mind a little (although we take extensive notes so not to a damaging extent) and towards the end of the day I am always totally sick of interviewing, asking the same questions, I'm tired, probably hungry 'cos no matter how you try to time things somehow we always end up missing lunch, and just fed up. I've lost my enthusiasm. I try to make sure this doesn't effect the candidates, but I would still want to be seen earlier in the day myself.

kingfisherblue

We interview those who live closest first, just to give people further away a chance to get there.

terra_ferma

kingfisherblue wrote: »

We interview those who live closest first, just to give people further away a chance to get there.

Good thinking!

terra_ferma

I think people are normally seen randomly. The only criteria I can think of is application number (given as the applications come in), but it will depend on candidates availability.

Agree with heretolearn.
I don't like first, easily forgotten (particularly if the interviews are over more than one day). Or last, the panel are tired.

Savvy_Sue

We ask on the form "Are you able to attend on the interview date?" which gives people a chance to ask for morning or afternoon if they have a preference / other commitments. We also look at where people live. After that it's random, if I ring you first you'll get a choice of times, if I ring you last, you won't!

stephonice

I don't have an order - I go through the CV's, pick out the ones I want to interview and then pass back to the HR department - the HR department make the appointments but they have no idea who I think is good or bad.

Good Luck with the Interview

mountainofdebt

Thanks guys.

I guess you're right with regards the timing being random......you start to read too much into things after a while.

I'm happy with my slot - I guess being first must be hard (having to contend with morning rush hour traffic) and being before lunch is hard as well .....have had that slot and saw the interviewer looking at his watch obviously needing his lunch! I was just concerned it was after lunch and being the grave yard slot and all that!

terra_ferma

I forgot...
being first and doing an excellent interview, given top marks and the interviewer giving very good signs that you are going to get the job.... only for someone else later to do just that little bit better.......
It happened to me and I was gutted!