In interview schedule arrangements, as recruiters, you must be thorough with every action you take. Specifically, it would help to consider meeting time among the most critical matters in this step. Scheduling at the best time can significantly affect the outcomes of your interviews.

In this blog, Rakuna will share with you the best and the worst time to schedule your interview so that you can gain the best outcomes and enhance the candidate experience.

Why Timing Is Crucial in Interview Schedule Arrangement

Ever wondered why timing is crucial in interview schedule arrangements? It’s all about making the most of every interaction and fostering positive connections with candidates.

Let’s break it down. First, picking the right time can help dodge that dreaded mental fatigue. Aim for mid-morning meetings when you and the candidate will likely be firing on all cylinders. Listen to your body clock and aim for when you feel sharp and energized.

Plus, timing plays a significant role in promoting effective communication. Interviews during peak energy times, like mid-morning or mid-week, spark more personal and engaging conversations. This deeper connection can set the stage for a positive relationship with the candidate and increase your chances of finding the perfect fit.

Last but not least, stopping unconscious bias in its track. Interviewers can unintentionally show bias, especially when fatigue kicks in towards the end of the week. By scheduling interviews earlier in the day or week, you’re leveling the playing field and giving every candidate a fair shot.

So, while it might seem like just a scheduling detail, picking the right interview time can make all the difference in finding your next superstar employee.

When Should Professional Recruiters Schedule Interviews?

Go for the Middle

• Mid-morning Advantage:

Ever pondered the best time to conduct interviews? Well, research from Robert Half suggests that between 9 and 11 am is prime interview time. Why? Because it allows you to prepare for the day ahead and approach the meeting with fresh energy. Plus, you’ll be at your sharpest, enabling you to assess candidates’ performances accurately.

• Mid-week Advantage:

Another practical approach is scheduling interviews mid-week. Over 300 Canadian HR managers surveyed found that Tuesday and Wednesday are top contenders. Why mid-week? By this point, you and your team have settled into the week, with stamina and productivity levels peaking.

Finding the Right Timing:

When it comes to scheduling interviews, timing is everything. According to experts, there are two optimal time frames from the candidate’s perspective, based on a typical 9 to 5 workday.

Firstly, steer clear of “early morning” appointments. Instead, aim for a sweet spot between 10 am and 11 am. This lets both parties start the day right without feeling rushed or groggy.

Alternatively, afternoon interviews between 2 pm and 4 pm are also recommended. By this time, everyone has settled into their day, making it easier to focus on the meeting. Plus, it avoids potential distractions or fatigue associated with pre- or post-lunch slots.

Finding Common Ground:

Sometimes, finding the perfect interview time can be a challenge. If you cannot lock in the ideal slot, it’s time to consider compromise. Instead of sticking to your preferred time, why not work together to find a mutually convenient option?

Start by asking the candidate for their availability and sharing your own. You demonstrate your flexibility and consideration for their schedule by offering a few potential interview slots. This collaborative approach shows respect for their time and streamlines the scheduling process for everyone involved.

Additionally, consider leveraging interview schedule software, such as Rakuna Interview Scheduling, which offers innovative features like candidate self-scheduling. With this tool, candidates can select from available time slots that work best for them, eliminating the back-and-forth of traditional scheduling methods.

When is the Worst Time to Schedule an Interview?

Early in the Morning:

At the beginning of the day, you would want to avoid being pressed for time and rush to the interview. Give yourself and your candidates time to arrive at work and take care of personal stuff before starting.

After 5 pm:

At 5 pm, most of us are close to ending our workday. Interview schedule around that time means the hiring team and candidates must stay late for work, which never sounds appealing. We often get tired after an entire workday as well.

Before and After Weekends and Holidays:

Weekends and holidays are when we spend a long time away from work. Then, we typically spend the following days, especially on Monday mornings, reviewing what was left incomplete the previous week and planning work for the week ahead. 

Like Monday morning, you will feel less engaged in your conversation with the candidates as you are preoccupied with preparing for your weekend plans or finalizing whatever you can for the week instead. Such a state will disrupt the progress and interfere with your recollection of your interview.

Pre or Post-lunch Periods:

The thought of meals constantly on your mind around such times will likely be a distraction. Candidates will not appreciate it when you fail to give them your undivided attention when all you can think about is your stomach being empty or full.

Steer Clear of Monday and Friday Rush:

When scheduling interviews, it’s wise to avoid the hustle and bustle of Monday mornings and the winding down of Friday afternoons. Here’s why:

Mondays are typically a flurry of activity for any employee as they gear up for the week ahead and catch up on pending tasks from the weekend. With everyone in full-on planning mode, squeezing in an interview can be a challenge, and the last thing you want is to add to the Monday morning rush.

Similarly, Friday afternoons can be a productivity slump for many. As they wrap up the week’s work and shift their focus towards the weekend, interview schedule during this time may yield less attentive and engaged audiences.

If a Friday interview is unavoidable, opt for earlier, such as in the morning or early afternoon. This way, you’re more likely to catch your interviewers at their freshest and most receptive, ensuring a deeper conversation and a more engaged audience.

But Remember…Don’t Overthink Your Interview Scheduling Timeframe

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While it’s helpful to consider optimal interview times, it’s essential not to get too hung up on finding the “perfect” slot. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and accepting interview schedule arrangements outside of the typical timeframes won’t necessarily hinder your chances of finding the right candidate.

So, if a candidate suggests an interview time that falls outside the usual parameters, embrace it! Don’t let rigid scheduling practices stand in the way of connecting with top talent. After all; the goal is to make the process as smooth and convenient as possible for the candidate.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to prioritize getting talented individuals into the interview room and identifying the best fit for your position. So, keep an open mind, be flexible, and focus on finding the right person for the job—regardless of the interview time.

About Rakuna Interview Scheduling Software

Scheduling interviews can be a tricky task for any recruiters with back-and-forth communications. Therefore, adopting automated interview scheduling software is a great way to streamline this process. That’s when Rakuna’s Interview Scheduling Software comes in: 

The All-In-One Interview Scheduling Solution

Designed for every interview format, Rakuna’s Interview Scheduling Software transforms the scheduling process into a seamless experience. Rakuna is optimized to help you schedule and keep track of all interviews on one platform, no matter the interview type.

Provide The Best Experience For Everyone

One central hub for recruiters to streamline and automate the entire scheduling process for all parties involved:

• Recruiting Coordinators: Have full control in managing interviews in one streamlined platform
• Candidates: Schedule and reschedule interviews at the click of a few buttons
• Interviewers: Easily confirm interviews/ request reschedule, share your calendar availability, and show up to the right place at the right time
• Talent Acquisition Leaders & Hiring Managers: Quickly make decisions based on comprehensive and real-time data

Simple to Use, Easy to Integrate

As a standalone product, our Interview Scheduling Software can solve the scheduling challenges well. But we can always go further. Expand your recruiting suite by integrating Interview Scheduling Software with your chosen solutions or other Rakuna recruiting products.

Ready to see Rakuna’s Interview Scheduling Software in action? Book a FREE Demo today!