Getting to a job interview on time

Hands up who has ever arrived to a job interview just in the nick of time? Or even drastically late? Did you get the job?

If you’ve ever been remotely delayed on your way to an interview, perhaps it’s time to think about how to avoid arriving into an interview red-faced and out of breath.

Our tips for helping you plan how you’re going to arrive early for interview, could be the difference between you doing a good interview and being so flustered that you fluff up your interview.

Driving to an interview

• Plan your trip with AA Route Planner. This gives you printable directions and journey length and estimated duration. Give yourself extra time – it doesn’t allow for heavy traffic or getting lost.
• Set your satnav with the correct address in advance of your departure, so you don’t lose precious time inputting the address. If the mapping software hasn’t been updated since the arrival of new roads, use your common sense and don’t get dragged onto a slower route.
• Listen to the traffic news on the radio and check the AA Roadwatch website for any roadworks or detours.
• Call the company your interview is with, enquire about parking.

Use a website like Gmap Pedometer to plot your route. Allow yourself 20 minutes per mile and factor in any hills or delays at pedestrian crossings.

Practice walking the route to establish how long it will take to get there.

Bring your umbrella, wear shoes you can walk in and avoid puddles and dog mess!

Let your phone direct you if it’s equipped with GPS.

Check the bus company’s website for online timetables.

Check with others about how long the journey takes.

Find bus stops on a map on the Dublin Bus website.

Text the Dublin Bus route number to 53503 to find out when the next bus leaves its terminus.

To plan your route in advance text the Dublin Bus route number and a time to 53503.

Pick up a timetable at a station or plan your journey online.

Check traffic news on the radio or Irish Rail’s website for disruptions to the service.

Try Dartxt to get details of the next Dart services. Send a text to 53700 with the word Dart and the station you want to depart from.

Getting a taxi to an interview

Book a taxi, it’s the day you most need to arrive on time that you’ll have difficulty finding one to flag down.

Know where you’re going in case the taxi driver doesn’t know that area well.

Getting a lift to an interview

If your driver is prone to never being on time or driving slowly, lie about the time of your interview in order to get them to leave earlier.

If your driver usually smokes in the car, ask them to wait until you get out of the car so you don’t reek of smoke going into the interview.