This is the perfect time to show up for an interview.

After getting the call or email requesting you appear for a job interview, you'll inevitably wonder, “How early is too early to show up?” Believe it or not, there is a standard for what's considered a perfect time to arrive. Knowing that acceptable timeframe can help you plan better so that when the big day comes, you're ready to go without having to worry about committing any timing faux pas. 

How early should you be for an interview?

There is such a thing as showing up too early for an interview. While this is not the worst interview mistake you can make, showing up very early for an interview is a common misstep you can easily avoid. 

It's easy to let the stress of the job interview process get the better of you. The last thing you want to do is under budget for the time it will take you to commute to the office and end up arriving late. However, arriving extremely early for a job interview won't earn a candidate any brownie points with the employer, either.

What's the big deal with being too early?

  1. It's looked at as a sign of desperation. You want to appear interested but not overly eager. 

  2. You also put off the vibe that you have nowhere else to be, which could give the erroneous impression that you'll be at the employer's beck and call.

  3. Interviewers or hiring managers likely have other appointments and meetings scheduled. When you arrive too early, you could throw a curveball in their schedules and leave a bad impression. 

At the end of the day, being too early is less likely to wow them with your punctuality. Rather, it's more likely that you'll end up inadvertently frustrating the hiring manager or company before the interview even begins.

So, what's the answer to, “How early should you be for an interview?”

As a rule, the earliest you should show up for your job interview is 15 minutes early. That way, you have a few minutes to check in with the receptionist, use the restroom to freshen up, and get your bearings before you head into the interview. Fifteen minutes is the perfect time to show them that you value your time and theirs. 

On the flip side, if the coordinator requests that you come in earlier when you're scheduling your interview, you should abide by that request. It's possible that you may have to get a visitor's badge or fill out some type of paperwork. In those cases, the company sets the before-interview time to accommodate those extras.

When should you arrive for an in-person interview?

Now that you know how early you should be for your job interview, let's talk about ways to ensure you arrive within that ideal timeframe. If you have the opportunity, consider doing a dress rehearsal of the interview day. Commute to the office location at the same time of day your interview is scheduled to take place so you are familiar with the route and can properly budget your travel time. 

If that isn't an option, take advantage of apps like Google Maps and Waze to plot your commute and take into account any reported traffic or travel delays. When in doubt, give yourself an extra 30 minutes to avoid showing up late due to an unforeseen issue. 

What to do if you arrive too early for the interview

If you arrive at the location of your interview more than 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment, be prepared. Look up the area ahead of time to find a coffee shop or something similar where you can hang out until you're ready to head into the building. You can also simply sit in your car and listen to music or make a last-minute run-through of your practice interview questions and answers. 

How early is too early for an interview?

You know 15 minutes is the sweet spot for arriving early to your interview. Everyone knows, though, that the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. With that said, how early is too early for an interview? 

30 minutes or more early is too early

There are only the rarest of chances that if you arrive early, they'll take you early. More likely than not, you'll just confuse them and make them feel rushed – not a great first impression. 

How early should you be for an interview that's held virtually?

One really good thing about a virtual interview is that you don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic and being late – unless your dog decides to lay across the hallway, blocking your route to the home office. Regardless, arrival timing for a virtual interview is just as important as it is for an in-person interview.

Yes, you should still arrive at your virtual interview early – usually between five and ten minutes early. It's critical that you take those extra minutes to double-check that your technology isn't failing you. There are very few acceptable excuses for having a virtual interview and missing it due to tech problems. 

During those extra minutes before a virtual interview, you should also

  • Check that your microphone and speakers are at the right volume/not muted

  • Check that what's behind you won't be distracting or give away any details that are too personal in nature (think: wedding photos or dirty dishes in a sink)

  • Arrange your notes so you can refer to them quickly once the questions start rolling in

How early should you be for an interview – answered!

Leo Tolstoy wrote, “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” Being on time demonstrates respect for the interviewer's schedule and your own preparedness; patience ensures you don't come across as desperate or overzealous by arriving too early.

If you have more questions about interviewing or simply want to feel more confident before your next interview, consider working with a TopInterview coach one-on-one. Learn more.

This article was originally part of the #AskAmanda series. It's been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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