Timeliness and your Interview

Timeliness and your interview. You may not think punctuality is important but it says a lot about you. It characterizes you in so many ways and leaves a lasting impression. Today we will discuss the importance of timeliness and your next interview.

Being on time for your interview is as important as answering the interview questions correctly. It can truly make or break your interview. Your first impression starts with when you show up for your interview. There are positive and negative qualities are associated with punctuality.  

When you arrive to your interview 15 minutes early you are showing eagerness, ambition, and genuine interest in the opportunity. You show them that you are ready to work! When you come in on time the same characteristics apply. When you come in early or on time you also are showing respect for the interviewers time. However, you do not want to be too early either. Being 45 minutes or an hour early airs on the side of desperation. You never want to come in so early that your interviewer has to wonder why you’re so early. Park at a near by parking lot and wait our your time before being too early.

Being late shows a complete lack of respect for your interviewers time. Everyone has an excuse for being late “there was traffic, there was an accident, I got lost”. All of these excuses will not excuse you from your lateness. Lateness shows unpreparedness, a lack of interest and a lack of respect for anyone’s time. If you expect you are going to be late then call the interviewer to inform them. Even though coming in late is as bad as it is, the least you can do is give them a heads up.

As soon as you know you have an interview coming up map out how far the commute will be. Estimate the amount of time needed based on the map indicators. Add an extra 30-45 minutes to give you a buffer for any issues that could happen. Hit the ground running at your interview by being early or on time, giving yourself the advantage of a positive first impression.