Punctuality is a huge cornerstone of etiquette in Polite Society, right? But I’ve noticed recently that there seems to be some fuzziness as to exactly what it means to be punctual (at least, in terms of when to show up for an interview).

I’ve been told or heard stories of people being told you have to be both 15 minutes early and 30 minutes early, or else you’re obviously not dedicated—nevermind if you show up ten minutes early.

What the hell is up with that? If you want someone at your office (or anywhere else, for that matter) at 9:45, don’t say 10:00. I think it shows more effort, conscientiousness, and respect for the schedule of the person you’re meeting to show up on time.

What do you guys think?

All of the new students I recently interviewed for the library here came to their interviews almost exactly on time—literally just 2 minutes early, max. Which was greatly appreciated, because I tell them that time for a reason, I have a job, and therefore, shit to do. If somebody comes in 15 minutes early, which has happened to me before, it’s totally annoying. I usually get all their paperwork and things together in the last twenty minutes before I schedule them, especially because often I’m not even AT my cubicle, I’m off around the libraries. Early arrivals irk me, and then I don’t get my big mean Boss Lady Interviewer face on. Hah.

I know whenever I’ve gone on interviews or have appts, I do show up about 15 minutes early, but loiter around somewhere nearby before going in.

I dunno, I usually try to show up about 10 minutes early for job interviews. A half an hour early seems a bit overzealous to me, and anyone expecting you to show up that early is asking too much from you before you even work for them… can you imagine how ridiculous expectations could be once you work there?

When I was interviewing new-hires at UHC, I was usually the first interviewer, and so I really appreciated it when people were early. Especially if one interview was to follow another. If one finished early, I could go grab the next candidate from the lobby and keep right on rolling rather than have to sit and wait, or find something to do for 10 minutes between interviews.

I always show up 15 minutes early for interviews. That way I have some leeway if I happen to run into a snag, they have the option to move things along faster if they want.

I don’t find it annoying when people show up early, provided they don’t mind waiting.

Well, I suppose I should differentiate when you actually arrive versus when you announce your arrival. I’m in Cameron’s boat where I usually like to plan to be somewhere a few minutes early in case something does happen (traffic, getting lost, etc). I’ve never interviewed anyone, but I’ve intercepted people waiting for my (former) boss who’ve shown up 15-20 minutes early, and she’s always super busy. It just seems presumptuous to me, I guess.

As a matter of strategy, unless I’m absolutely certain I know how to get there, I make a point to swing past the place I’ll be interviewing a day or two ahead of time (without going in) to make sure I know how to get there.

^^ Seconded.

I tend to do that as well, but I have my father’s sense of direction, which means I can get lost going somewhere I’ve already been a zillion times =\

Agree with the general notion that you should show up at least a little early to something like an interview. Seems like a great idea.

Art, is there a story behind your gripe? ;)

No, I’m always on time. But I did register at a temp agency and their intro video said “always show up 15 minutes early” and I scoffed at that. Then I heard a few days ago that a friend of mine got chewed out at an interview for only showing up ten minutes early and not a full half an hour early. I have no problem being five minutes early, but don’t bullshit around with me. If you want me there half an hour earlier, tell me to get there half an hour earlier.