Always try to stand out above other candidates when applying for a job but what else can be done to help secure you that dream job? Well, while chasing the perfect interview/opportunity for your chosen job/career path, you should always be trying to gain that competitive edge. However, there is such thing as a ‘right time to schedule an interview’ – you can schedule your interview for the optimum time (given the chance, of course).

Undoubtedly you may not always be able to decide which time and day your interview is set for but it’s not a rarity for employers to offer candidates the freedom of choice for a variety of time slots. Should an employer offer you some time slots then it’s important that you have an idea of the consequences of arranging an interview for different times of the day and even different days of the week can have an effect. So, what should you take into consideration?

So, what should you take into consideration?

The day of the week

According to Hays, it is very wise to not schedule an interview for Monday or Friday. It seems like the best thing to do on an employee’s behalf as the whole weekend has passed and there has been a lot of time to reflect and get prepared for the interview. However, from the perspective of the employer, it is likely that they haven’t prepared for the interview over the weekend. The interviewer probably hasn’t been spending their time thinking about the interview like you might have been, for example, which means that they are less inclined to have studied your profile and get fuelled for the interview.

As well as that, Monday is a day that most businesses spend tying up unfinished work on Friday as well as replying to emails and getting prepared for the week ahead. It is a wise decision to give the interviewer some time and space to get through the week ahead, warm into it at least, and that way it could really work in your favour. You want to minimise all risk of the interview being distracted on other matters, which is why scheduling an interview for Friday is also strongly advised.

A good day to schedule an interview is on a Wednesday. They are advised because the interviewer is likely to have completed a ‘to-do-list’ for the start of the week and so Wednesday’s are a good day for calmness, it’s a period of limbo for most where they can focus on the task at hand. It also means that you are likely to know the outcome of the interview before the weekend hits, which is a big bonus, of course.

The time of the day

The morning is the best time of the day to have an interview. It is a great opportunity for you to impress the interviewer before anyone else has the chance to. The afternoon is when most people feel sleepy and they may have seen a lot of other candidates by this stage, so another interview will likely to feel tedious for them and, quite often, not as engaging. This means that your chances of securing that job are minimal, not impossible, just less likely. By being one of the first people to be interviewed, this gives you the chance to set the standards high.

Another advantage of being seen first is that you’re likely to be more alert. It has been found that humans are more aware and productive in the first few hours after waking up, so all the more reason to get that interview out of the way and polished to the best of your ability. We’re also much more likely to make better decisions earlier on in the morning. The later the day goes it can often happen where we find ourselves tired from the morning, making us less competent and efficient. The best time to arrange your interview is to have it between 10 and 12 am – that way you’ve allowed the interviewer to wake up and get to work, and after two hours they should be alert and energised ready to interview you.

Top tip: schedule an interview for mid-week (preferably on a Wednesday) between 10-12am!

Written by Gemma Smith