Applying for a new job can be nerve-wracking, and landing an interview can feel like a significant win. After all, it is likely only a small percentage of applicants made it to the interview stage. 

Scheduling an interview is a logistical requirement for the hiring company. However, scheduling the interview can be a strategic decision if offered multiple options.

Hiring managers often extend several time slots when setting up interviews with job candidates. This scenario raises the question of whether there is an advantage in being the first or last interviewed for the position. 

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There are different philosophies regarding scheduling interviews and whether you should be the first or last interview. Some individuals will say that the first interviewee ‘sets the standard’ against which all other candidates will be judged. 

Alternatively, others believe that those interviewed last remain in the interviewers’ minds longer, providing an advantage. 

The Case for Interviewing First

Job candidates who interview early in the process can benefit from primary bias, especially the first individual. Primary bias means that the first candidate sets the bar for those who will have subsequent interviews. 

Hiring managers and interviewers will hold those that come after them to the same standard as the first interviewee. It can work to your advantage to set the bar high and create a very favorable impression. 

Candidates in the first interviewee position may also benefit from following up after the interview. You can introduce questions that you didn’t get a chance to during the formal interview. 

This strategy will help secure your place at the front of the pack by keeping yourself in the mind of the interviewers. It also demonstrates engagement throughout the entire interview process, which is a highly desirable trait. 

The Case for Interviewing Last

Similar to the position as first interviewed, being the last one interviewed is another highly coveted spot. At the very least, it keeps you from having your interview in the middle of the bunch, which are often the least-memorable interviews.

Interviewing last provides the unique benefit of potentially knowing more about the competition. You can ask questions about how your skills compare to others in the hiring pool. 

Even without prompting, interviewers may ask probing questions that allow you to elaborate in ways that some other candidates did. And in some instances, the initial interviewees may not have had this opportunity. 

There is also a case for the immediacy effect when you are the last one interviewed. This idea is based on the premise that the interviewers will remember those that they interacted with most recently better. 

Interviewing last can help keep your name at the top of their mind when the interviewers consider who is the best fit for the position. 

Interviewing last can also provide a unique advantage if the hiring process lasts longer than usual. If the timeframe spans over weeks or months, interviewers may begin to forget some of the initial candidates they interviewed. 

It becomes much harder to recall all of the positive skills and traits that some first interviewees expressed. In this case, being a recent interviewee is an advantage. 

Other Factors

Being either the first or last interview can provide a bit of a benefit during the interview process. However, the reality is that if you are a stand-out candidate, it won’t matter where your interview lies; you will remain memorable. 

For this reason, the best thing you can do is prepare for the interview and spend time thoughtfully crafting responses about why you are a great option. 

Other factors may also impact the interviewing process, and you should consider these before scheduling the first or last slot for your interview. These include: 

• Quality of the other candidates: Remember that your job during the interview is to set yourself apart from the pack. Your appeal as a candidate may depend upon the qualifications of others who interview the same day or the same week. 

While you may not have a lot of details about the other interviewees, it’s important to remember that you will be measured against the competition.

• Size of the interview pool: Another major factor in how well you will perform during an interview is the size of the candidate pool. The larger the pool, the easier it becomes for interviewers to forget about individual candidates. 

They will likely only remember the most desirable candidates, although there may be some small benefit to being the last interviewed in this setting. 

As an interviewee, you may not have any other information about the alternative candidates or how many competitors there are. This fact reinforces the idea that the best strategy to nail an interview is to prepare well for it. Some key steps in preparing for an interview include:

• Do your homework: One of the most impressive things a job candidate can do before an interview is to research the company and the position. By spending just a bit of time researching, you can craft more details and insightful questions and responses. 

Researching demonstrates to the interviewers that you are taking the process seriously and genuinely interested in the position. 

• Be punctual and prepared: An interview is a significant milestone for any career or job. It is your chance to make a great first impression. One thing that can kill that chance immediately is being late for your interview. 

It is also a good idea to bring extra resumes and information if the interviewers do not have copies. This demonstrates your foresight and thoughtfulness in preparing for the interview. 

• Follow up: One critical step many interviewees forget is after-interview follow-up. And if you miss this step, your competition can step in and show greater initiative than you during the critical post-interview but pre-hire time.

If you have secured an interview for a position you want, congratulations! It may be the first step in a new career path. While there are marginal benefits to being the first or last interview, the reality is that the best way to land the job is to prepare for the interview!