From the Resume Guide learning library
How early to arrive for a job interview
Walk in about ten minutes early, but plan to be nearby long before that. This guide covers in person, video and phone interviews, what to do with spare minutes, and what to say if something goes wrong, with a checklist at the end.
The short answer
Check in with the front desk or the person you are meeting about 10 minutes before the start time.
Ten minutes gives you time to sign in, find the right floor, use the restroom and settle your breathing, without making anyone rearrange their day for you. Between 5 and 15 minutes is a comfortable window. Less than 5 feels rushed, and more than 15 usually means someone has to stop what they are doing to look after you.
The key idea is that there are two different times to plan for: the time you arrive in the area, and the time you walk through the door. You want the first one to be early and the second one to be on target.
A simple rule of thumb
- Be in the area 30 minutes before the start time.
- Walk into the building 10 to 15 minutes before.
- Tell the front desk you have arrived about 10 minutes before.
Why can arriving too early hurt?
Arriving very early does not show extra keenness; it often creates a small problem for the person who invited you.
The interviewer is probably busy right up to your slot.
Many interviewers fit candidates between meetings or schedule several in a row. If you announce yourself 40 minutes early, the receptionist has to tell them, and they either drop their work to greet you or feel guilty leaving you in the lobby. Neither is the first impression you want.
If you get there very early, wait nearby, in your car, a cafe or a quiet bench, and walk in at the 10 to 15 minute mark.
"The earlier you show up, the more serious you look."
Not quite. Being reliably on time shows you respect their schedule. Being far too early can suggest you misjudged the plan or expect them to adjust to you.
Plan the trip backwards from the start time
Work out your leaving time by starting with the interview time and subtracting every step of the journey.
Most late arrivals come from small surprises: a full parking lot, a long security line, a building with two entrances, or a train that runs late. Planning backwards puts those surprises inside your buffer instead of eating into your start time.
- Start time. Write down the exact time and the name of the person you are meeting.
- Check in. Subtract 10 minutes for the front desk.
- Inside the building. Subtract another 5 to 10 minutes for parking, security, lifts and finding the right office. Large office towers, hospitals and campuses can need more.
- Travel. Subtract the travel time you would expect at that hour on a weekday, not on a quiet weekend.
- Buffer. Subtract 15 to 20 more minutes for traffic or delays. That buffer is what turns into your waiting time nearby.
If you can, do a practice trip a day or two earlier at the same time of day. If that is not possible, look at the building and entrance on a map so you know what you are looking for when you arrive.
How early should you join a video or phone interview?
Remote interviews have no commute, but they still need a buffer, just a different kind.
Video: test early, join a few minutes early.
About 15 minutes before, open the link, check that the app is updated, and test your camera, microphone and internet. Then join 3 to 5 minutes before the start time. Joining much earlier can leave you sitting in a waiting room, or worse, landing in the tail end of the interviewer's previous call.
Have a phone number or email for the interviewer handy in case the link fails, so you can tell them straight away.
Phone: be ready, not early.
For a phone interview the employer usually calls you, so arriving early means being in a quiet room with your phone charged, your notes open and your volume up about 10 minutes before. If they have asked you to call them, dial at the exact time, not before.
Use the spare minutes well
The time you spend waiting nearby is the best few minutes of preparation you will get.
- Reread the job ad. Pick out the two or three things the role cares about most, and match each one to a story you can tell.
- Read your own resume. The interviewer will have it in front of them, so know every date, title and number on it.
- Look over your questions. Choose two you want to ask at the end. Our guide on questions to ask at the end of an interview has ideas.
- Slow your answers down. People often rush when they are nervous. A short pause before you answer is normal and helps you give a clearer reply.
- Silence your phone before you walk in, not after you sit down.
Get your resume ready before the day
Run your resume through the free resume checker a few days ahead, and paste in the job ad to see which of its skills your resume does not mention yet. If you are bringing a printed copy and want a cleaner layout, browse the resume templates.
To rehearse, the Mock Interview Coach writes interview questions for one specific resume and job description, then scores each answer you type with feedback on strengths, gaps and what a stronger answer would cover. You will find it on the result screen after you run Optimize for a Job.
What should you do if you are running late?
Tell them before the start time, keep it short, and give a realistic arrival time.
Delays happen to everyone. What matters is how you handle it. Call or email the person who arranged the interview as soon as you know you will be late, not when you arrive.
Weak: Turning up 15 minutes late and explaining at length about the traffic.
Strong: "Hi, this is Sam Lee, I have a 10:00 interview with Maria. My train is delayed and I expect to arrive at 10:12. I am sorry for the change. Would you like me to come in then, or would another time suit Maria better?"
Offering to reschedule gives them an easy option if their day is packed. When you do arrive, apologize once, briefly, and then move on to the interview. Dwelling on it only uses up your time.
Questions people ask
Short answers to the ones that come up most.
- Is 30 minutes early too early for an interview? It is a good time to be in the area, but too early to walk in. Wait nearby and check in about 10 minutes before.
- Is 5 minutes early OK? It is acceptable, but it leaves no room for a slow lift or a sign in process. Aim for 10.
- How early should I join a Zoom or Teams interview? Test your setup about 15 minutes before, then join 3 to 5 minutes before the start time.
- What if the interviewer is running late? Wait calmly and use the time to review your notes. If it reaches about 15 minutes with no word, it is fine to ask the front desk or send a short, polite message to check.
- Should I bring a printed resume? Bringing one or two clean copies is a good habit for in person interviews, even if they already have it, in case someone else joins.
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