Interview line up
Discussion
Last is best, if you have the opportunity to speak to someone who has been in previously (or your agent can) might give you some insight.
if the interviews are back to back - ie the interviewer is seeing five on the day back to back - then last in can be a more relaxed honest interview.
First up is usually the most formal.
anonymous said:
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We usually interview people in order of how far they have to travel, so someone coming from 50 miles away would be interviewed later than someone living round the corner. Obviously, we do this to allow people time to get there.All other things being equal, it goes on alphabetical surname order.
From the perspective of someone who's been on a good number of interview panels, I think being last is a very mixed blessing. On the one hand, if you're a strong, memorable and charismatic candidate you have the chance to leave the panel with a strong impression before they deliberate.
On the other hand, by the stage of the last candidate many panels are becoming bored with the questions and answers: yours need to be especially strong and original if they're going to impress. Also, panels begin to make decisions in their own minds long before the final candidate is interviewed. Some panel members will have already established a 'favourite' candidate, and you'll have to work to dislodge them.
Given the choice, I'd rather go first or second. But don't be discouraged: in my experience strong candidates always shine through, and the panel chair is there to make sure discussion stays open and balanced. Look at the person and job spec and make sure that you can tick all the boxes. If you can show that you are the strongest candidate against the criteria, and your personality / dress / references etc aren't too outlandish then you'll get the job.
Good luck.
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