70. In a Job Interview, How Much Does Timing Matter?

The podcast explores the impact of interview order on candidate success, questioning whether being first or last offers an advantage. It highlights the primacy and recency effects in memory, suggesting the middle slots are the most forgettable. The discussion then considers external factors like interviewer hunger and rainy weather, referencing a study showing lower scores for candidates interviewed on rainy days. The "gambler's fallacy" is introduced as a potential bias where interviewers might try to balance candidate quality, and a study on MBA admissions reveals bias against strong candidates interviewed after a series of other strong applicants. Ultimately, the podcast advises interviewers to be self-aware and avoid scheduling too many interviews consecutively, while interviewees should focus on being exceptional, regardless of their interview slot.