The Four Most Important Components of Scheduling an Interview

The four most important components of scheduling an interview at C2G is critical to me because I manage the process of scheduling interviews for our candidates with clients.  When we have candidates go for interviews, the last thing I need is for them to have a logistical faux pas. That is a careless reason a candidate did not get the job – especially if they are perfect otherwise! My job is to ensure candidates get from Point A to Point B without mishap, aggravation…and not just on time but early. Here are common things to look for when scheduling your interview.

  1. Time. Make sure you know the actual time of your interview! This may seem like common sense yet we see candidates arrive late. Show up on time. You will need to plan ahead, keeping in mind transportation schedules. When scheduling your interview, give yourself at least an hour’s leeway.  It is best to be early rather than late.

If you are the candidate, get the physical address, figure out how long it takes you to get from Point A to Point B and then find out the next most important component.  When you get there early, review your notes, look up the company’s website on your phone, and get something quick to eat so you’re not starving during your interview.

  1. Place/Location. Candidates rely heavily on Google Maps, particularly millennials. What happens when you can’t pick up a signal? Or your phone dies because you forgot your charger?
    1. Ask for an actual address when scheduling your interview; get floor information as well. Do not assume maps have the answer of your interview’s location.
    2. If you are interviewing with a large company and you search the company’s name to find an address, many branches will show. Ensure you have the correct location of the interview. Sometimes a company has a headquarters in one location, but that is not really where your interview will take place.
    3. Companies also fly in candidates for interviews. This is a good reason to know the location in case you have to book a flight.
  2. Security Contact. When you arrive at the correct location, do you know the name of your contact at the security desk? Typically, Security will ask for a name and phone number for your contact. If the interviewer is unavailable, security can call their mobile. If you are being escorted to your interview room, for a seamless introduction, ensure that you have a contact once you are onsite – it is not the person with whom you will be interviewing.
  3. Anything In Between. Understand where you will park, get train schedules and elevators. If you are interviewing with two people, and your second interview is not in the same room or same floor, or there is a gap between interviews, know what you will do during the ‘in-between’ or transition period. If the company has a cafeteria, it’s a good place to wait. If not, Starbucks or a local café are quick locales.

The process of interviewing should be cut and dry, so do not let the silly, most easily executable, components prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. Take a few minutes to think through some questions to get the information you need and actually worry about the important stuff like interview prep.


Patrick Coughlin is a Marketing Analyst with C2G.