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Original poster

I need your opinion! Does this look unprofessional?

65 replies

CallingFromLondon · 31/01/2019 12:59

A job I'm absolutely desperate for and really really want have invited me to interview through NHS jobs.

I get to pick the time slot. The times are between 11am and 4.30pm (interview would them apparently finish at 5.30pm).

There are lots of different slots. My best guess is a lunch time slot is definitely not advisable since someone might be hungry and not really listening to me at interview Grin

DH would need to take a half day to have DS but insists he doesn't want to go in late, and prefers to go in and leave early (so he's thinking an afternoon slot).

However, is it not best to be the first in and set the goal post? DH disagrees and says if you take the latest slot, you'll be the freshest in their minds.

What do you think?

Does it matter?

OP posts:
Original poster
CallingFromLondon · 31/01/2019 13:26

I have chosen 4.45 to 5.30 Blush

I hope it's okay. I know I'm agonising over this a ridiculous amount. I just really want the job. It's something I'm really passionate about, and something I'm very supportive of.

I hope the interviewer doesn't want to go home! A 5.30 finish is late for an interview. Then again, she may not finish work until gone 6ish. I'm not sure what time the clinic is open until.

OP posts:
Loughers · 31/01/2019 13:27

The TV producers always put their favourded act last on X Factor - must be a reason :)

morningconstitutional2017 · 31/01/2019 13:27

If they like you, they like you and that should be that BUT they may well remember you better if you take the last slot - swings and roundabouts. If they see someone they really like earlier and it's getting late they may be feeling jaded so it could go either way. Good luck.

caughtinanet · 31/01/2019 13:38

Only one person can have the first slot, that doesn't make the others unprofessional

Trinpy · 31/01/2019 13:41

I really don't think it matters that much what time of day your interview is - if you have the skills they're looking for and you're passionate about the job, you'll stand out.

I also second pp's suggestion of calling the manager or the department you'll be working in before the interview to ask questions and get some more information about the job. I've worked in the NHS for several years and every department I've worked in or interviewed for has loved it when potential employees call them for an informal chat before the interview. It shows you're really interested in the role and it makes you more memorable.

Good luck.

CoughLaughFart · 31/01/2019 13:42

Just spoken to my Mum and she says last in seems best because when she watches performances and the later ones are better, she completely forgets about the first lot

It’s not the bloody Eurovision Hmm

Seriously, pick a slot that suits your childcare. If you’re the best candidate, going first means everyone else has to live up to you. Going last means they’ already had time to decide what they think of the other candidates. Either way, it’s being good that counts. No one ever hired someone because they wanted to get home in time for Neighbours.

Shallishanti123 · 31/01/2019 13:43

Right, Calling, it’s booked now, so stop focusing on whether their hunger or wish to go home will impact on the interview. It’s done and booked. Smile you can do this - focus on the interview itself. The little details like this don’t matter.

Original poster
CallingFromLondon · 31/01/2019 13:44

Thanks all Thanks feeling happy with my time choice!

Now I must ask, should I really call for an informal chat?

Is that not seen as trying to get a leg up from everyone else and a bit overbearing?

What sort of questions would I ask...

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 31/01/2019 13:46

Pick the slot where YOU will perform best. 3pm is when I really slump. I'm at my best earlier or later.

If you've been offered the chance to call for an informal chat then take it.

Original poster
CallingFromLondon · 31/01/2019 13:48

If you've been offered the chance to call for an informal chat then take it.

I haven't been offered it, but two posters on the thread are suggesting to

OP posts:
SherlockSays · 31/01/2019 13:49

I think you are wayyyyy overthinking this.
I work for the NHS, never in any interview have I considered the time slot. The last one for my promotion was at 4.30 and I got the job.

bigandbumpy · 31/01/2019 13:49

Tell your OH not to be a selfish prick and let you pick the time that you're most comfortable with. I'd prefer a morning slot to get it out the way.

Why would you call them for an informal chat? Have they asked you to?

Butterfly84 · 31/01/2019 13:51

There's no way you could look uprofessional for just picking a slot that they're offering.

I would personally always go for a morning slot, as early as possible (allowing you time to get there and maybe read over your notes beforehand). Because then every thing's fresh in your mind and you can get it over and done with...and go and treat yourself afterwards.

If you want a morning slot, your DH should accommodate this. It's about you doing well in this interview, not when he would prefer to go into work. He should want you to do well and go at whatever time you feel most comfortable. He's being selfish and putting unnecessary stress on you.

Darkstar4855 · 31/01/2019 13:55

The NHS usually interview using a scoring system so it shouldn’t make any difference what time you go in. I would suggest turning up a little bit early (say 15-20 mins or so) if you are in the last slot - that way if they have had a no-show earlier on and are running ahead of time they can start yours a bit earlier and therefore finish early which might put them in a better mood!

Enidblyton1 · 31/01/2019 14:09

I wouldn’t personally ring up for an informal chat unless you really have some decent questions. I’ve interviewed lots of people over the years and not once have I spoken to any of them in advance. Actually, it would have irritated me if someone had rung up without good reason - and they would have probably spoken with my PA rather than me anyway because I wouldn’t have time for pre- interview informal chats.

There may be some statistical advantage to interviewing at certain times of day, but I can honestly say it hasn’t been a factor in my interviewing. I always make notes/scores which I refer to afterwards. However, based on CVs, covering letters etc, I’ve often chosen the candidate before meeting them anyway.

Manycatsandallthegin · 31/01/2019 14:14

Re calling: i would email the interviewer and ask if you could have 5 mins. And consider the questions you want to know about the role, ask what are they looking for in a person, what challenges are the team facing etc.

Dont call with nothing to ask or to say!

Seniorcitizen1 · 31/01/2019 14:27

First or last is best option. If you go furst then others likely to be judged again you so you are always in interviewers mind. If you go last you will be abke to leave a last impression before the decision making process begins.

FridgeFullOfChocolate · 31/01/2019 14:39

NHS jobs are scored on points like most jobs these days, it really doesn’t matter what time of day you go unless you personally perform better at a certain time of day.

I’ve just accepted a job interview and picked the latest afternoon slot, more logistics of getting there than anything else though.

AdaColeman · 31/01/2019 14:41

I'd say 3:15 would be the best slot, any later and they will all be focusing on going to the pub.
How is your DH going to cope if you get the job? Let's hope he will show a bit more consideration, flexibility and compromise!

caughtinanet · 31/01/2019 14:56

I'd say 3:15 would be the best slot, any later and they will all be focusing on going to the pub

Is that an NHS thing, I don't do interviewing in my current role but have done in the past in the private sector and going to the pub was never a feature, a lot of times we stayed late to disucss the candidates when they were fresh in the mind and often interviews were after hours to avoid candidates having to worry about how to take time off their current job

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 31/01/2019 14:59

Early slot - I get bored interviewing by late in the day

Mmmhmmm · 31/01/2019 15:02

I'd take the last slot too.

Purplecatshopaholic · 31/01/2019 15:31

Good luck! Hope you get the role x

needsahouseboy · 31/01/2019 15:33

I work in the NHS and I interviewed yesterday for people, the time slot doesn't matter and its based on a points system anyway.

Get there early as a surprising number of people just don't bother turning up and you could be interviewed earlier. I interviewed 2 people yesterday well before their interview slots and this meant the interview was more relaxed as no time pressures on me to get through the questions.

Wear a suit or at least something smart. Recent interview was for a nurse that looked she had just thrown something off the floor on, kept her coat on and a beanie, it gave a really bad impression.

What job is it? Have you worked in the NHS before? Most NHS jobs ask similar types of questions so happy give some info/tips.

Ellie56 · 31/01/2019 15:34

DS2 applied to the NHS for an apprenticeship post. He was the last but one candidate of the day.

After the interview he had to do some tests, so was still on the premises when the interview panel made their decision.

The final candidate didn't bother to turn up and so DS2 was actually the final candidate. They offered him the post there and then.

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