Dear Ms X,
I am thrilled to inform you that you have been chosen for an interview. We have two days available for interviewing the candidates, and as I am calling you first, you may decide which day and time would work best for you.
Once you receive this phone call, it is essential not to panic and give an impulsive response. Instead, take a moment to think and refer to your diary to select a time that would allow you to make the most significant impact during the interview.
People often assume that going last is the best option, but experience proves quite the opposite. According to an expert who has worked for a City merchant bank and participated in graduate recruitment, it depends on the candidate and the interview stage. If you are one among the twenty candidates that the interviewer will meet, it is advisable to avoid the first 9 am slot of the day as it is likely that the interviewer might be running late and distracted. Therefore, the second or third slot works well as the interviewer will still be fresh and focused on the interviewee.
Furthermore, she advises that you should choose a time based on your body clock as if you are a morning person, it is preferable to select a morning slot. After the initial interview, you may have to undergo some testing, and she suggests that you should try to complete this procedure in the morning as most people are alert during that time.
For the actual interview, it is better to be seen at the start of the interview process as you are likely to make the best impression, and your answers will sound fresh. As interviewers usually hear the same answers from subsequent candidates, it’s essential to maintain their attention and interest. The interviewers may use checklists to avoid getting tired, but still, blood sugar levels or a heavy lunch break can unsettle them. They feel more relaxed during the last interview of the day, knowing that the interview process is ending.
Once you reach the final stage of interviewing with five or fewer candidates, the time becomes less relevant, and the priority shifts to finding a suitable time for the candidate. You must arrive at the interview location feeling relaxed and unstressed after an easy and comfortable journey, where you can focus on your performance.
I look forward to seeing you at the interview.
Sincerely,
[Name]
