Interview Tip: Interviewing?... Never be later than 10 minutes early!

Congratulations! You landed an interview. You’re excited and can’t wait to nail it. But are you prepared? I don’t mean are you prepared to answer those tough interview questions. I mean, do you know where you’re going? Do you have directions? If you’re not familiar with the area, have you done a test drive? Don’t mess things up with poor planning. The last thing you want to do is to be late for the interview and set a bad tone. Sure, things happen; car accidents, flat tires, unforeseen weather changes, but you must be prepared for anything. You should plan on arriving at least 10 minutes early. Here’s why:

1. Time is valuable: First and foremost, don’t waste anyone’s time. You don’t want to waste your time and you certainly don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time. It’s just a matter of respect.
2. Adds a buffer: What happens if there's traffic? You get lost? Go to the wrong floor of the building? Account for any possibility when figuring out how long it could take you to get to your location.
3. Provides time to get settled physically: When you arrive at the interview; will you find parking, need to go through building security, need a washroom to check your appearance, or simply need to catch your breath? Arriving 10 minutes early helps remove unnecessary anxiety and gives you time to relax before the interview.
4. Provides time to get settled mentally: Interviewing can be nerve-wracking. By arriving 10 minutes early, you can sit down, review your notes, and prepare yourself mentally.
5. Demonstrates your interest and time management: Being on time and never late tells the interviewer that you are interested in the position and know how to manage your time accordingly.

The first impression you make at an interview starts before you actually meet your interviewers. Schedule your arrival time at least 10 minutes early not just to avoid complications, but to make the right impression.