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Original poster

To think 5 - 5.30pm is late for a job interview?

27 replies

SharpPlumUser · 16/09/2026 19:33

It’s a first-stage interview via Microsoft Teams. I’m slightly concerned that, by then, the interviewers will be mentally finished for the day!

How do I make sure I still stand out when they’re likely tired and ready to log off?

OP posts:
SoSoLong · 16/09/2026 19:39

It's within working hours, so not late as such. I'm personally much more stressed when I'm interviewing in the middle of the day and I know I've got a string of meetings still coming up afterwards, and my email and Teams are pinging with requests I've not got the time to reply to.

MagneticSquirrel · 16/09/2026 19:45

That’s well within working hours - we used to do face to face interviews at 6-7pm or 6:30-7:30 after a full day of client work.

ColdAsAWitches · 16/09/2026 19:55

It's much better to be last than somewhere in the middle. You will be more memorable.

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 19:56

Totally normal and reasonable

Do you get “mentally tired ” by late afternoon?

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 19:58

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 19:56

Totally normal and reasonable

Do you get “mentally tired ” by late afternoon?

I get mentally tired after a string of interviews, I really wouldn't want to be doing my last one at 5pm, it will take at least an hour and then I will want to chat about the candidate with the rest of the panel and write my notes up, especially if we are interviewing lots of people.

Minniliscious · 16/09/2026 19:59

Oh god this would be my worst nightmare! I totally stop functioning by around 4.30 everyday. I much prefer morning meetings to late afternoon.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 20:00

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 19:56

Totally normal and reasonable

Do you get “mentally tired ” by late afternoon?

I can't speak for OP but yes, I do. By late afternoon my brain has zoned out and I would hate to be doing anything important.

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:00

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 19:58

I get mentally tired after a string of interviews, I really wouldn't want to be doing my last one at 5pm, it will take at least an hour and then I will want to chat about the candidate with the rest of the panel and write my notes up, especially if we are interviewing lots of people.

Edited
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we don’t know it’s not just at a time that suits them? They have finished up the day job and now on to interview

they may be slotting in interviews when they can rather than a day of it

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:00

Minniliscious · 16/09/2026 19:59

Oh god this would be my worst nightmare! I totally stop functioning by around 4.30 everyday. I much prefer morning meetings to late afternoon.

What hours do you work?

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 20:03

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:00

we don’t know it’s not just at a time that suits them? They have finished up the day job and now on to interview

they may be slotting in interviews when they can rather than a day of it

Show quote history

That's just as bad! A whole day's work and then an interview, my brain would be fried. (Sorry OP, you are just going to have to be a pleasure to interview!)

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:07

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 20:03

That's just as bad! A whole day's work and then an interview, my brain would be fried. (Sorry OP, you are just going to have to be a pleasure to interview!)

Show quote history

🤷‍♀️ I do it all the time.

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:08

I focus better actually as the offices have cleared and the telephones go quiet

SnapAndTap · 16/09/2026 20:28

As an interviewer, ive had people reject "working hour" teams invites, and request out of hours. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you dont.

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:40

SnapAndTap · 16/09/2026 20:28

As an interviewer, ive had people reject "working hour" teams invites, and request out of hours. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you dont.

Exactly

many people will be working and job hunting so this time would be perfect.

Minniliscious · 16/09/2026 21:26

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:00

What hours do you work?

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8am to 4pm thank god!

Xmasbaby11 · 16/09/2026 21:33

Meetings are only scheduled 9-5 where I work so it does feel late to me. It may reflect on the working culture ie what hours people are working.

Anyway, I'm reading too much into it! I don't think you need to do anything special, just make sure you are as well prepared and responsive as for any other time of day. Hope it goes well.

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 21:33

SnapAndTap · 16/09/2026 20:28

As an interviewer, ive had people reject "working hour" teams invites, and request out of hours. Dammed if you do, and dammed if you dont.

Our recruitment software lets people select a slot from the time windows we set, so could have the best of both worlds 😊

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 21:35

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 20:07

🤷‍♀️ I do it all the time.

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Glad it works for you, but not everyone is the same, that doesn't make those of us who wouldn't want to interview or be interviewed in the early evening unusual or wrong.

Sartre · 16/09/2026 21:35

Not an ideal time, no. If they’re planning on spending the day interviewing you’ve got the final slot for starters so they might already mentally have the right candidate in mind from earlier. They’ll also be knackered and desperate to get it over with so they can go home. You drew the short straw.

mynameiscalypso · 16/09/2026 21:37

Most people should still be able to function past 5pm I hope!

It used to be a very popular time for candidates to request because they could do the interview after their own working hours. Less of a thing with hybrid working/remote interviewing but still not that unusual, especially if they have a full on role.

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 21:45

TheSmallAssassin · 16/09/2026 21:35

Glad it works for you, but not everyone is the same, that doesn't make those of us who wouldn't want to interview or be interviewed in the early evening unusual or wrong.

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For many it would be ideal time because they are already employed

ImmortalNowBabyDoll · 16/09/2026 21:51

I used to be responsible for scheduling interviews and finding a half hour gap in a director's calendar within the next 2 weeks is like finding the end of a rainbow.

Busymorn · 17/09/2026 14:40

Presumably you’re not currently in employment @SharpPlumUser or at least in a 9-5pm job.

If you were, this would be an ideal time

GoodGirlFaith · 17/09/2026 14:42

Have a big smile and look enthusiastic and energetic. I don't mean doing aerobics during the interview but you know what I mean. Listen carefully and answer honestly.

Do not say 'are you all tired after a long day of interviewing?'

Good luck!

Blueshape · 17/09/2026 14:47

Proteinlentil · 16/09/2026 19:56

Totally normal and reasonable

Do you get “mentally tired ” by late afternoon?

Interviewing all day is exhausting, after a long day of it I really have to work at reminding myself to listen. It depends a bit on the role but most candidates essentially give the same answer to all the questions, with vary degrees of quality/polish.