Ask the Expert: Does Interviewing First or Last Matter?

In this Ask the Expert episode, Chris Lee responds to a listener's question about options for the timing of an interview.

The listener asks, "When you are offered a variety of days and times by a search committee for an interview, which should I pick -- the earliest day and time that works for me? Or should I try to aim for the last available time they offer? In other words, does the timing of my interview have an effect on me being top of mind in the mix of candidates?"

Lee says his response is based on anecdotal evidence, research and tracking interviews in previous higher ed roles. He said job seekers should keep in mind how they perform in interviews and the competition they're facing for the position.

Lee is a managing director with Storbeck Search, which specializes in education-related executive search. He spent nearly 30 years serving as a chief human resources officer at five different public and private institutions, including William & Mary, Bates College, and the Virginia Community College System.

If you'd like to read more on this topic, see Justin Zackal's "Is it Better to Interview First or Last?" on HigherEdJobs from May 2015. 

Have a job search question that you would like to submit to Ask the Expert? Send your question to us, and you might hear it discussed on the HigherEdJobs podcast.