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When would you interview?

  • FIRST day of interviews (I'm an early bird)

  • Smack-dab in the MIDDLE of the interview week (striving for that balance)

  • LAST day of interviews (more time to prep, but risk of committee favoring those already interviewed)


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mariposas905

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I doubt it matters much either way. Just go for the 24th.
 
As someone who has given several interviews (in industry), what the person brings to the table is by far more important than whenever I've interviewed them. The impression you leave on someone will not be primarily dictated by the time you recently spent with them. If that's the case, your interviewer isn't doing his/her job correctly. That being said, if it's a prestigious fellowship, you shouldn't worry about your impact being diluted by a longer period of time as interviewers will surely be professional.

Go whenever you feel ready.



As a side note, if you really want to look into a crystal ball, most people are in a good mood on Fridays. Good day and good luck!
 
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I see, thanks for the input! Do you think it matters what time on Friday? Interviews start at 10am and the last interview is 2:30pm. Am I at a disadvantage taking the last interview of the day? Also, the interviews are 30min and back to back (1:30-2, 2-3:30 etc)...how is this possible? What happens if an interview runs longer than 30min? This is one of the reasons I was thinking to take the last 2:30 timing, because if my interview ran longer, that wouldn't creep into someone's else's time.
Oh man, you are really overthinking it. You'll do great at your interview, no matter when you go
 
The later in the cycle, the more picky we get.


I got invited for a phone interview for a competitive (1% acceptance rate :lame:) fellowship and I want to do my very best on it! They gave me a list of days and times to choose from. However, I am confused on how the recruiting process works.

Is there a certain time when it is better to interview? Should I be first, middle or last? The interviews run from March 21st - March 28th. I initially was going for the last date March 28th thinking that the last interview would leave a stronger impression (recency bias).

However, I've heard that the last interview might not be the best choice, as interviewers will have already selected who they want in their mind. In addition, I heard they might be harsher with their questions since they have experience from interviewing everyone else. Is this true and will I be set to a higher standard on the last day?

My other option is interviewing in the middle, 24th, but would they remember me amidst the many applicants ? Which one would you choose?

@gyngyn @Goro @LizzyM @Catalystik @Ismet @WedgeDawg Since you all interview applicants, I'd love your input! Do interview timings affect your recruiting or thought process through the app cycle?

Sorry for overthinking this! I really like this job, so I want to make sure my interview goes as amazing as it can 🙂
 
Haha I don't think it matters what day, let alone what time you interview. The side note was more a comment to humor you. Given that the interview cycle is only a week I don't think it'll matter which day you interview but with limited knowledge, you'd be the best judge of it. Wanderingorion is right though, don't overthink it.

The best advice I can give you is to interview when you think you are ready. Since it's pretty soon, buckle down and prepare! To address your timing question -- a previous interviewer might run overtime-- it happens but it doesn't bode as a good or bad sign. It simply is what it is.


Spend your time and effort on preparing for your interview. I mean this in the nicest way possible -- what day and time you interview are all minute details and "dilemmas" with low yield/no solutions. Once again, good luck!
 
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