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Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists
Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists

Scottish Sun

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • Scottish Sun

Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCIENTISTS have revealed the exact time your should schedule a job interview to secure the job of your dreams. After studying over 100,000 oral exams at Italian universities, researchers identified a specific two-hour window when success rates were highest. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The reasons behind this midday advantage are thought to involve biological rhythms Credit: Getty Midday, between 11am and 1pm, appears to be the ideal time for interviews, while early morning and late afternoon sessions tend to be less promising. Professor Carmelo Vicario, director of the Cognitive Neuroscience lab at the University of Messina in Sicily, said: "Students were more likely to pass in late morning compared to early morning or late afternoon. "We believe this pattern could extend to job interviews or any evaluative process scheduled throughout the day." Professor Alessio Avenanti of the University of Bologna, a co-author of the study, said: "These findings have wide-ranging implications." The reasons behind this midday advantage are thought to involve biological rhythms. Candidates may perform better during this time, while assessors - whether examiners or interviewers - could feel sharper and even more generous after meal breaks or earlier sessions. Previous studies have highlighted similar patterns, including research showing judges are more likely to deliver lenient decisions after meal breaks than later in the day. The UK job market is highly competitive, with an average of 48.7 people applying for each job, according to recruitment software firm Tribepad. Despite this, employers typically only interview around six candidates per vacancy. This makes it essential to prepare thoroughly and stand out to secure your spot and succeed in the interview. Living wage working family react to the Spring Statement How else can I boost my chances? To improve your chances of success in a UK job interview, there are several strategies to consider beyond simply timing your interview well. Fortunately, the recruitment site has shared its top tips to help you prepare. Follow along so you can smash that next interview. Do your homework First, thoroughly research the company to avoid appearing unprepared, as nearly half of hiring managers are put off by candidates who lack knowledge about the organisation. Study the company's website, recent news, mission, and values. Plus, ensure you fully understand the role by reviewing the job description and preparing to align your skills and experience with the job requirements, as failing to do so is a common reason for interview failure. Prepare and practice Preparation and practice are key to building confidence. Anticipate common questions such as "Why do you want this job?" and "Why are you leaving your current role?" Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers to competency-based questions clearly and effectively. Practising your responses will help you deliver them with clarity and confidence during the interview. Master your communication Communication plays a crucial role in making a strong impression. Your body language should convey confidence, with good posture and consistent eye contact. Actively listen to the interviewer to ensure your answers are relevant and show genuine engagement. Speak clearly and remain calm, taking a moment to think before responding if needed. Engage in two-way conversation Engaging in a two-way conversation is another way to leave a positive impression. Prepare questions about the role, team dynamics, and company culture to demonstrate your interest. Avoid asking about salary or benefits during the initial interview. Using the interviewer's name during the conversation can help build rapport and create a more personal connection. Keep it professional Professionalism is essential throughout the process. Dress appropriately in smart business attire if you are unsure of the dress code. Arriving 10-15 minutes early shows punctuality, as being late is often seen as a red flag. And be polite to everyone you encounter, from the receptionist to the interviewer, as your conduct with others can influence the overall assessment. Consider following up Finally, consider following up after the interview with a thank-you note. While this is not a guaranteed way to secure the job, a personalised thank-you email or note can tip the scales in your favour if the decision is between two strong candidates. It demonstrates professionalism and reiterates your interest in the role.

Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists
Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists

The Sun

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

Exact time you should schedule interview to get the job of your dreams revealed by scientists

SCIENTISTS have revealed the exact time your should schedule a job interview to secure the job of your dreams. After studying over 100,000 oral exams at Italian universities, researchers identified a specific two-hour window when success rates were highest. Midday, between 11am and 1pm, appears to be the ideal time for interviews, while early morning and late afternoon sessions tend to be less promising. Professor Carmelo Vicario, director of the Cognitive Neuroscience lab at the University of Messina in Sicily, said: "Students were more likely to pass in late morning compared to early morning or late afternoon. "We believe this pattern could extend to job interviews or any evaluative process scheduled throughout the day." Professor Alessio Avenanti of the University of Bologna, a co-author of the study, said: "These findings have wide-ranging implications." The reasons behind this midday advantage are thought to involve biological rhythms. Candidates may perform better during this time, while assessors - whether examiners or interviewers - could feel sharper and even more generous after meal breaks or earlier sessions. Previous studies have highlighted similar patterns, including research showing judges are more likely to deliver lenient decisions after meal breaks than later in the day. The UK job market is highly competitive, with an average of 48.7 people applying for each job, according to recruitment software firm Tribepad. Despite this, employers typically only interview around six candidates per vacancy. This makes it essential to prepare thoroughly and stand out to secure your spot and succeed in the interview. Living wage working family react to the Spring Statement How else can I boost my chances? To improve your chances of success in a UK job interview, there are several strategies to consider beyond simply timing your interview well. Fortunately, the recruitment site has shared its top tips to help you prepare. Follow along so you can smash that next interview. Do your homework First, thoroughly research the company to avoid appearing unprepared, as nearly half of hiring managers are put off by candidates who lack knowledge about the organisation. Study the company's website, recent news, mission, and values. Plus, ensure you fully understand the role by reviewing the job description and preparing to align your skills and experience with the job requirements, as failing to do so is a common reason for interview failure. Prepare and practice Preparation and practice are key to building confidence. Anticipate common questions such as "Why do you want this job?" and "Why are you leaving your current role?" Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers to competency-based questions clearly and effectively. Practising your responses will help you deliver them with clarity and confidence during the interview. Master your communication Communication plays a crucial role in making a strong impression. Your body language should convey confidence, with good posture and consistent eye contact. Actively listen to the interviewer to ensure your answers are relevant and show genuine engagement. Speak clearly and remain calm, taking a moment to think before responding if needed. Engage in two-way conversation Engaging in a two-way conversation is another way to leave a positive impression. Prepare questions about the role, team dynamics, and company culture to demonstrate your interest. Avoid asking about salary or benefits during the initial interview. Using the interviewer's name during the conversation can help build rapport and create a more personal connection. Keep it professional Professionalism is essential throughout the process. Dress appropriately in smart business attire if you are unsure of the dress code. Arriving 10-15 minutes early shows punctuality, as being late is often seen as a red flag. And be polite to everyone you encounter, from the receptionist to the interviewer, as your conduct with others can influence the overall assessment. Consider following up Finally, consider following up after the interview with a thank-you note. While this is not a guaranteed way to secure the job, a personalised thank-you email or note can tip the scales in your favour if the decision is between two strong candidates. It demonstrates professionalism and reiterates your interest in the role. Tools to help you write your CV STRUGGLING to get your CV just right? Here are a few tools that can lend a hand: Resume Builder App: If formatting is a headache, this app offers 50+ templates to choose from. It's free to download and use, with optional premium features if you need them. Grammarly: Spotting every typo can be tricky, so run your CV through Grammarly to catch any spelling and grammar gremlins. Free to download for your desktop. Canva: Looking for eye-catching design? Canva provides a variety of customisable CV templates to help your application stand out. VisualCV: More than just a pretty face, VisualCV ensures your CV is both visually appealing and readable by the electronic systems used by some recruiters. Free to sign up.

Best Time of Day To Schedule a Job Interview Revealed
Best Time of Day To Schedule a Job Interview Revealed

Newsweek

time5 days ago

  • Science
  • Newsweek

Best Time of Day To Schedule a Job Interview Revealed

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. If you're looking to boost your chances of success in a job interview, the time of day that it is scheduled for might matter more than you think. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology suggests that people perform better in evaluative situations—like oral exams or job interviews—around midday. Researchers at the University of Messina, Italy, analyzed more than 100,000 oral exam results and found that students were significantly more likely to pass when assessed around lunchtime—and least likely to succeed early in the morning or later in the afternoon. "We show that academic assessment outcomes vary systematically across the day, with a clear peak in passing rates around midday," said paper author and neuroscientist professor Carmelo Mario Vicario. "Students were more likely to pass in late morning compared to early morning or late afternoon." He added: "We believe this pattern could extend to job interviews or any evaluative process scheduled throughout the day." "We would be very interested in investigating whether hiring decisions, too, fluctuate in fairness or outcome depending on time of day." A stock image of a woman doing a job interview. A stock image of a woman doing a job interview. djiledesign/iStock / Getty Images Plus What the Research Found To investigate how time of day impacts performance, the team accessed data from 104,552 oral exams conducted between October 2018 and February 2020 across 1,243 courses. In Italian universities, oral exams are a crucial part of academic evaluation. These high-pressure assessments typically last 10 to 30 minutes, are scheduled throughout the day, and involve spontaneous questions from professors. By factoring in the difficulty of exams—measured by the number of credits awarded—the researchers were able to isolate timing as a key variable. Their analysis showed that: The average pass rate was 57%. Students were most likely to pass exams scheduled at 11:00 or 13:00. Exams taken at 08:00, 09:00, 15:00, or 16:00 saw significantly lower success rates. The pattern followed a bell curve, peaking at noon. "These findings have wide-ranging implications," said Prof Alessio Avenanti of the University of Bologna, a co-author. "They highlight how biological rhythms—often overlooked in decision-making contexts—can subtly but significantly shape the outcome of high-stakes evaluations." Why Time Matters Although the study didn't pinpoint the exact reason for this pattern, the midday peak aligns with existing evidence that cognitive performance tends to rise throughout the morning and dip after lunch. Several factors could be at play: Students may experience decreased focus as energy levels drop later in the day. Professors, who are often older and more likely to be "morning people," might experience decision fatigue or mismatched energy levels with their students. Younger adults, including most students, are typically night owls, making early mornings a cognitive low point. "To counteract time-of-day effects, students might benefit from strategies like ensuring quality sleep, avoiding scheduling important exams during personal 'low' periods, and taking mental breaks before performance tasks," suggested Vicario. "For institutions, delaying morning sessions or clustering key assessments in the late morning may improve outcomes." What This Means for Job Seekers Though the research focused on students, the implications could apply to job interviews as well. Just like exams, interviews involve stress, judgment and subjective evaluation. If our mental sharpness and emotional resilience are affected by time of day, it might be wise to schedule interviews between 11:00 and 13:00 when both candidates and interviewers are likely to be at their cognitive best. Still, the authors caution that more research is needed. "While we controlled for exam difficulty, we can't entirely exclude other unmeasured factors," said Prof Massimo Mucciardi, senior author. "We couldn't access detailed student- or examiner-level data such as sleep habits, stress, or chronotype. This is why we encourage follow-up studies using physiological or behavioral measures to uncover the underlying mechanisms." Do you have a science story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about biological rhythms? Let us know via science@ Vicario, C. M., Nitsche, M. A., Lucifora, C., Perconti, P., Salehinejad, M. A., Tomaiuolo, F., Massimino, S., Avenanti, A., & Mucciardi, M. (2025). Timing matters! Academic assessment changes throughout the day. Frontiers in Psychology, 16.

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