Timing Is Everything: When To Arrive For A Job Interview
Job applicants often wonder how soon to arrive for an interview for a new position. Is 30 minutes too early? How about right on the dot when your appointment is scheduled?
Most hiring experts can agree that 10 minutes early is the safe amount of time to arrive for an interview. Any earlier and you risk putting pressure on a hiring agent who was not prepared for your sudden arrival. Applicants who follow the 10-minute rule demonstrate respect for a potential employer’s busy schedule.
On the flip side, arriving late for a job interview also puts that critical first impression in jeopardy. Everyone can agree arriving late for a job interview is not the best way to start off on the right foot with a potential employer.
To cut down on the possibility of a late arrival, what are some ways to ensure an early arrival to a job interview?
- Listen up. The person who schedules a job interview may offer details about where to park and how to find a sometimes tricky entrance to the building. Even in the excitement of scoring a big interview, take the time to write down this important information so you are not wandering outside the building on the big day.
- Finish home work. If a potential employer sends you paperwork to complete before the interview, be sure to finish the forms in advance. This will not only save you time the day of your interview, but it will also show a hiring agent you know how to follow instructions.
- Map it out. Plug in the address on your phone or computer in advance and study the route carefully before heading out to a job interview. Even if you plan on using a GPS to guide you to a building, it is a good idea to look at the route ahead of time.
- Act like a scout. A successful job applicant, like the scout motto says, is prepared for anything. Construction, traffic jams or detours can pop up without notice, so study additional routes to your interview just in case.
- Early bird. Always leave earlier than necessary to avoid feeling rushed on on the way to the office. Arriving early gives you time to relax before heading into the interview.
- Wait for it. If you do arrive at a job interview earlier than the 10-minute rule, find a quiet place to wait whether it is your car, a bench or a nearby coffee shop. Remember, if you arrive too early the interviewer might feel rushed to fit you into the schedule before planned.
A job interview is stressful on its own, so following a few basic guidelines to ensure an early arrival will help alleviate some of the pressure. With these measures you should arrive at the next job interview with one less thing to be nervous about.
Do you need help looking for a new job in Madison, Wisconsin? Contact a recruiter from Drake & Company Staffing Solutions for assistance in your next job search at (608) 257-2411.
Stephanie Beirne Leuer is the Marketing Coordinator at Drake & Company Staffing Solutions, a staffing firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Drake & Company specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire administrative, clerical and legal placements. Since 1978, Drake has reached beyond skills and qualifications to match candidate personalities with a company’s culture. You can connect with Stephanie by , and you can find Drake & Company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.