Job seekers who land morning interviews may have an advantage in the hiring process, a new survey suggests. Almost three-quarters (73%) of Canadian financial executives polled recently said the most productive time for meeting with applicants is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Accountemps, the world's first and largest temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, developed the survey. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from more than 270 chief financial officers from a stratified random sample of Canadian companies with more than 20 employees.

Executives were asked, "Which of the following times of day do you believe is the most productive for conducting hiring interviews?"

Their responses:

Before 9 a.m. 13%

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 73

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 7

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 4

After 5 p.m. 1

Don't know 1

100%

"Managers prefer to schedule interviews before the other responsibilities of the day begin," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Job Hunting For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Hungry Minds, Inc.).

"After a full slate of meetings and regular work activities, their energy level and focus may not be as strong in the afternoon. For job candidates seeking an edge in a highly competitive labour market, scheduling a morning interview can be a valuable first step."

Other tips for a successful interview include:

Practise. An interview is like an audition, so make time to rehearse with a friend or family member standing in as the interviewer. Audio or videotaping these sessions can provide additional insight.

Be prepared. Have a clear idea of what the company does and how you can contribute to the organization. The more thoroughly you prepare, the higher your confidence level during the interview.

Arrive on time. Showing up late always creates a bad impression -- even if you have a good excuse. Find out in advance exactly how to get to the interview location. If you've never been there before, plan a trial run.

-- CNW


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