Interview Tips for Job Seekers #1: Don't Show Up Late

February 23, 2022 2:10 PM

Interview Tips for Job Seekers #1: Don't Show Up Late

Interview Tips for Job Seekers: Don't Show Up Late

When it comes to nailing your job interview, the first and most essential tip is simple: show up on time. That might seem like the easiest thing in the world–just set an alarm and make sure your transportation is lined up, right? But the truth is that punctuality is far more complicated (and important) than it’s cracked up to be. The start of a good interview begins the night before, and the time you show up for your interview can make the difference in landing your dream job or missing your shot. 

Punctuality Shows Good Time-Management

The thing about showing up late to a job interview is that it’s not just about your timing. Being punctual shows that you can manage your time wisely, a skill that many interviewers value highly in a potential employee. It makes an excellent first impression, and in a job interview that can mean a lot. While some delays are genuinely outside of our control, there are many steps you can take to ensure you make it to your interview on time. 

Start Preparing the Night Before. 

Rather than cramming for your interview in the hour before it starts, you should plan on doing most of your preparations the previous day. This will help cement your notes and talking points while you sleep and help you wake up feeling more prepared. The night before is also a great time to lay out your interview outfit and prepare any meals you’ll need before your interview. But be sure you still go to bed early to get a solid night’s sleep! 

Set an Alarm. 

Most people remember to set an alarm for a morning interview, but we recommend using a notification no matter the time of day. Set it for the time you need to start getting ready to ensure you can leave with time to spare. 

Make Sure You Know How You’re Getting There. 

Are you driving to your interview? Make sure your car has gas in the tank. Riding your bike? Inflate your tires the night before. Taking the bus? Arrive at your stop early to be sure you don’t miss it. While issues with your transportation might garner sympathy from your interviewer, it’s better to avoid them entirely by taking suitable precautions. 

Save Your Interviewer’s Contact Information Before You Leave. 

You never want to be running late with no ability to call your interviewer and let them know. Ensure you have all the information you need to contact them when you leave the house to avoid your interviewer labeling you as a “no call, no show,” as this will seriously limit your chances of getting a new interview. 

Punctuality in an Online Interview

In a video interview, there aren’t many good reasons you can offer to excuse your tardiness. As a result, many interviewers may judge you more harshly if you fail to show up on time. Interviewers generally won’t wait longer than ten minutes before leaving an online meeting if the candidate doesn’t show up. Be extra diligent about giving your interviewer warning if something has come up before your digital interview, or risk losing your shot at the position.

Does It Really Matter If You’re Late? 

Now we’ve covered the critical aspects of showing up to your interview prepared and on time. But is it really that big of a deal to be a little late to an interview? The truth is, while some more laid-back employers might not mind if you’re running a bit late for a valid reason, being on time boils down to a matter of respect. By arriving at an interview at the time you scheduled, you show that you value your interviewer’s time and effort and will not squander it by making them wait for you. 

Whether or not you’re on time is all part of that crucially-important first impression: by proving that you can be punctual, you ensure that you’ll be starting the interview off on the right foot. Just like you might be annoyed if you showed up on time to your interview only to kick your heels for half an hour, your interviewer probably won’t be thrilled if they have to wait on you. If you don’t call to let your interview know you’re late or unable to make it, it might hurt your chances of being able to reschedule. 

What To Do If You’re Running Late

Even though it’s important to be on time for your job interview, there’s always going to be those mornings when you spill coffee on your interview shirt, traffic is terrible, or you get a flat tire five minutes out the door. Tardiness can happen to the best of us. However, rather than being an interview-killing death blow, you can turn a late start to your advantage by using it to show your interviewer how you handle adversity or setbacks. 

The second you realize you’re not going to make it to your job interview on time, give your interviewer a call to let them know. This is common courtesy, and demonstrates that you’re aware of the strain this may present on your interviewer’s busy schedule. You should offer a realistic estimate of when you’re likely to make it in, rather than giving an optimistically short timeframe that you’ll end up overshooting anyway. Rather than reacting with panic, it’s wise to remain calm and quietly apologetic. This shows your interviewer that you can be considerate and level-headed during times of stress, which is perhaps equally appealing in a job candidate as punctuality. 

Start Your Interviews on the Best Foot

Regardless of the curveballs life may throw at you, you always have the power to make sure your interview gets off to a good start. Whether it’s laying the path to success by preparing in advance or handling an unexpected delay with poise and maturity, your timeliness will show the interviewer a vital side of who you are as a candidate. For more tips on how to ace your interview once you’ve made it through the door, be sure to check out MyTeam’s Interview Tips for job seekers series!


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