Job candidates interviewed in the morning are likely to receive more favourable evaluations than those interviewed later in the day, according to new research.
A study by Shiran Danoch, organisational psychologist and CEO of hiring platform Informed Decisions looked at how interview timing influences outcomes. The results suggest that morning interviews lead to higher scores and more positive assessments compared to afternoon sessions.
Danoch’s research found a noticeable disparity in recruiter assessments based on the time of day. She discovered that “specific interviewers have a consistent tendency to be harsher or more lenient in their scores depending on the time of day.” This suggests that when an interview is scheduled could play a significant role in shaping a candidate’s evaluation.
The study highlights how the timing of interviews affects the way interviewers perceive candidates.
Natual Energy Flow
One reason for this timing bias could be related to the natural ebb and flow of a person’s mental energy throughout the day. Danoch’s findings suggest that interviewers may be more focused, alert and attentive during morning interviews, which leads to more thorough and positive assessments.
But as the day progresses and interviewers grow fatigued, their ability to evaluate candidates objectively may decline, resulting in harsher or less accurate assessments in the afternoon.
Guy Thornton, founder of aptitude platform Practice Aptitude Tests, said the study’s results showed that candidates needed to bear in mind when their interviews were scheduled for and the timing implications.
“This research highlights how subtle factors like timing can influence a recruiter’s perception of candidates,” Thornton explains. “Interviewers may be more alert or attentive in the morning, which could lead to more consistent or favourable evaluations. Later in the day, as fatigue sets in, assessments might become harder or less accurate.”
The insights have vital implications for candidates preparing for interviews. While most candidates don’t have much control over the time of day their interview is scheduled, understanding that interviews conducted earlier in the day might be more favourable can be important to know.
Being Aware of Timing
Candidates who are aware of the potential impact of timing can focus on preparing thoroughly, regardless of when their interview takes place, while recruiters can consider how timing might be influencing their evaluations.
Thornton said that “[u]nderstanding these dynamics is key to tailoring your approach and maximising your chances of success, regardless of the time of day your interview is scheduled.”
While interview timing may not be the only factor that determines success, it’s a subtle yet important consideration in the hiring process.
Being mindful of the timing bias and ensuring interviews are scheduled in a way that allows both candidates and interviewers to perform at their best can improve the chances of a fair and thorough evaluation.
For candidates, preparing for a morning interview may be an advantage, but the key takeaway from Danoch’s study is that both interviewers and candidates should strive for a balance of focus and energy, regardless of the interview time.