Getting to an interview - one hour early or 10 mins late?

I have an interview tomorow at a company - its about 20 miles away from my home. The question is .... since there are road works going on i have to catch the bus and have found that i can arrive 1 hour early or 10 minutes late - those are the only buses going there.

Do you think it would affect my chances of getting the job if i arrive 10 mins late and what woud being an hour early say about me to the interviewer?

Getting to an interview - one hour early or 10 mins late?tickets

1 hour early - shows enthusiasm but then again what are you gonna do for an hour if they have other interviewees?

Getting to an interview - one hour early or 10 mins late?ballet opera theater

Definitely an hour early. You know you don't even have to go in an hour early just hang out, go for a walk, get a sandwich...relax.
If you get there late many inntervierwers will not even see you.

Get there early and have a look around.
Neither. Go early and find somewhere for coffee, or ring andsee if you can change the time of the interview to work with the bus.
20 minutes to half an hour is the idea time to get there before an interview
Coming late to an interview is a big no-no.

It gives the impression that you don't care about getting the job and you could potentially be late for work every morning.

I would say that arriving an hour early because it was the only public transport available to you to ensure you were on time, shows commitment to getting the job and giving it your best effort.

I would suggest going early and getting a cup of coffee or a newspaper on the way. I'm not sure what else is in the area but I'm sure that there's something you can do.

Alternatively, you could call ahead today and ask if there is any possibility of moving the interview forward by half an hour or so.

Good luck with the interview, whatever you decide to do.
Being early is a very important thing.

In an interview it is very important 2 make a good first impression. 2 be an hour early shows tat you are committed 2 your work. If you have nothing 2 do you should get something productive (intellectual) like finding a book or newspaper.

good luck
I would choose one hour early. If you arrive early it shows that your into the job and could help your chances compared to other interviewee's. When your late for an interview (even if it is 10 minutes) it looks bad and could reflect how you will be if you were hired.
Never be late for an interview, would not create the right impression. Just get the earlier bus and go for a coffee or just a walk if no cafe`s about....

Oh and good luck..........
why not 10 minutes early? dont ever show up late for an interview unless you dont want the job silly
always aim for 10-15 mins early -
i always arrive 10-15 mins early for a interview, if i have to sit around reading for 40 mins to be 10-15 mins early thats what i do.

get there before the interview and find something to do so that you walk into their building with 10-15 minutes before you are due to be interviewed.
read this: ITS BETTER TO BE 2 HOURS EARLY THAN TO BE 1 MIN LATE. Trust me, if ur late, u just forget about it bec ur chances get slimmer each quarter of a second ur late.
An hour early - then find spmewhere to have a cup of coffee before you go in! I wouldnt recommend being late if you want the job!
Be an hour earlier but don't present yourself too early.Have a wonder around first.

First rule to an interviewer is DON'T be late, be clean an tidy.If you're later you will be sweaty and flustered.

Not a good look.

Good Luck.
It is much much better to arrive one hour early than to arrive 10 mins late. I have conducted several job interviews myself and punctuality is a very important factor. I will not allow anybody who comes late to be interviewed at all. So please take the interview seriouly and get there one hour early.
Don't be late...By being early it shows commitment to the position and that you are excellent with time keeping. You do not have to arrive early for the interview go for a coffee or do some shopping. If nowhere local to go turn up and be honest it will impress them...
A couple o points

Get there about 5 or 10 minutes prior to the interview.

This is part of the interview process, if you cant get there for this most important time, how will you turn up for work on time .

If you get there one hour before then you have to wait around , calm down reflect on the interview and prepare your self.

As an employer we get nervious as well and like to look professional turning up early sometimes can cause the person doing the interview being unpreparedand not have there prepared questions availible .

I have done this and the interview has gone crap

any how Good luck
If you want the job turn up early to the interview.

Even if you phone to say you will be late you will NOT get the job. I have seen Managers/Secretaries turn people away at the Reception Desk for being so much as a minute late.
Go for an hour early, at least if the bus is late you will still be early. Like others have said grab a coffee and be as relaxed as possible. Good luck.
Arriving ten minutes late would be a really good way to remove yourself from consideration for the job. For most employers, lateness all but automatically removes you from contention.

If you're really early, walk around the block a few times, read a book, get a cup of coffee........whatever. Come in 10 or 15 minutes before your scheduled time, and you'll look like someone who was smart enough not to waste his boss's time.

Your forethought and effort at courtesy will make a good impression, and a good answer to a "what have you done to deserve this job?" kind of question.
Early - without a doubt. You will be competing with other people who will be on time. On a "points" basis - being late loses you points - so you have to be extra good (and give a really good explanation of your lateness) to get those points back.

You can think positively about this. At least you think far enough ahead to be aware of the travel problem and plan to circumvent it.

Depending on the company / industry, you could spend the hour reading the company's internal bulletin, reading about the industry. If it's not that type of job then take a good book with you.

Good luck.
Never, ever, arrive late. It's unlikely they'll even speak to you, the interviewers have a schedule to keep to as well.

I'd take the early transport and while away the extra time by taking a walk, go for a coffee etc., then present yourself maybe 15 minutes early.
The early bird catches the worm,,,,
You want to arrive aout 10-15 minutes before the interview. If you are late, you will have no chance at getting the job. Also if you are an hour early, they will probably want to know why. As soon as you explain that you have to come by bus, it is a red flag that you will have restrictions on when you can come and go from the job, and you will have no chance at getting the job.

So "arrive" an hour early, but then enjoy a coffee, book, etc. until a few minutes before the interview. Arrive at the actual interview site about 10 minutes in advance. No mention of difficulties getting there.
I would make sure I got there early. No excuses no reasons just get there on time. Many employers would not give you a job if you are unreliable at the interview. In fact if I was interviewing you I would be "out of the office" or the vacancy would be filled.
Personally I'd get there an hour early, and find a cafe nearby, and have a nice relaxing coffee. If it's an industrial area that might be harder...

Your other option would be to ring the interviewer, and ask for an interview 10 minutes later. I'm not sure how this would be taken... It might be seen as a sign of confidence, or they might see you as being difficult. Either way, it's not going to be make-or-break so give it a shot.
Don't even bother showing up if you are 10 minutes late.

Your ONLY choice is 1 hour early. It's not as if you have to go to the interview directly from getting off the bus. Just kill about 1/2 an hour THEN go to the interview.

Seriously, you have zero chance of getting the job if you show up late. I must admit I question your even having to ask.
Is the time of the interview already set? I had once been scheduled an interview, but I canceled it because it did not work on my time. I would suggest you call them up, and tell them you're availability has been changed. I'm sure they will understand.
get there a hour early, as this will show that you are keen for the job