When to reply to an interview offer ?

[MACROSOMIC]

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I got an interview request one day after applying and havent had time to figure out my schedule to interview. Thus, I do not know what date to pick from those offered.

How many days or weeks is ok to reply for an interview offer?

Thanks guys

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

depends on what field. Often in more competitive fields you should jump on the offer within minutes. There are times when more interviews are offered than slots and so it's a first come first served basis. Just pick a date, pencil it in and go with it. Programs will often interview on similiar dates so the times around it will fill in.

 

[Winged Scapula]

As above, if there is even a remote chance you are interested, just pick a date so that you are on the schedule. It is much easier to change dates (albeit not easy) than to get an interview if you wait and all the spots are taken (and you have to wait for someone to drop out).

There are plenty of anecdotes here of people waiting to arrange travel, etc. or see if another program was going to invite them, only to find out that there were no more positions for interview open when they finally called.

I would call/email the SAME day I got the invite and to be honest, in a very competitive field, I would be checking my email constantly, so that I was not more than a few hours out from an invite.