The best time for a job interview: Why 12:30 PM is riskier than you think
You might think your job interview performance depends only on your CV and your answers. But the time when you sit in that chair can also affect the outcome, especially around lunch and the so-called “hungry judge effect”.
Does interview timing really matter?
When you pick an interview slot, you usually look at your calendar and say, “That works for me.” But your interviewer is also a human being with energy highs and lows, hunger, stress and bias.
Researchers have shown that the time of day can change how generous or harsh people are when they make decisions, whether they are in a courtroom or in a meeting room.
If judges, hiring managers and examiners all drift into harsher moods when they are tired or hungry, you want to avoid the moment when everyone is too tired to think clearly.
What is the hungry judge effect, and how does it apply to job interviews?
In 2011, researchers studied more than 1,000 court decisions. They looked at judges in Israel. These judges decided if prisoners could leave jail early.
At the start of the day, judges said yes 65% of the time. But right before lunch, they almost never said yes. After the judges ate, they started saying yes again.
This pattern became known as the “hungry judge effect”. The idea is simple: as judges got tired and hungry, they went with the safest, easiest option – saying no. After food and a break, they had more mental energy and were more open to saying yes again.
Is the hungry judge effect real? The scientific debate
Later researchers questioned how strong this effect really is. Some argued that the way cases were scheduled might explain part of the pattern, not just hunger or fatigue.
Other studies of real court decisions still find signs of “decision fatigue”: judges become more cautious and less generous as they make many choices in a row, especially later in a session or day.
So the exact numbers may be debated, but the deeper lesson holds: when people make many decisions without rest or food, they tend to play it safe. In hiring, “safe” often means sticking with the current favourite or saying no to the riskier candidate… which might be you.
How decision fatigue affects interviewers
What is decision fatigue in hiring?
Scientists call this ‘decision fatigue’. Making choices uses brain power. After many choices, your brain gets tired. Tired people have trouble thinking clearly. They make quick decisions without thinking enough.
When your interviewer has:
- sifted through dozens of CVs
- answered emails
- sat in back-to-back meetings
- already interviewed two or three candidates
…their brain is more likely to default to simple rules:
- “This feels risky, better say no.”
- “The last person was good, I’ll stick with them.”
You want to meet them when they still have the mental space to really see you.
Does the interview time affect your score?
Recent work in hiring and exams backs this up:
- Studies show that people score better on morning interviews. Interviewers give higher scores early in the day, likely because interviewers are fresher and more focused.
- A large study looked at over 100,000 oral exams. Students did best in the late morning. The best time was between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Researchers suggest this window may also be best for job interviews and other important tests.
Combine this with the hungry judge story, and a picture appears: early-to-mid day, close to but not before a meal break, seems friendlier than late afternoon or the end of a long session.
Best time to schedule a job interview
When your interview is booked right after lunch, it’s natural to worry about the so-called “hungry judge effect” and whether it might quietly count against you. Let’s take a closer look at when it’s actually best to schedule an interview.
When to schedule your interview: The ideal time window
If you can pick any time, aim for a slot like:
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. (late morning, well before hunger sets in)
- 14:00-15:00 p.m. (after lunch digestion, before late-afternoon fatigue)
Here’s why this window works in your favour:
- Blood sugar is stable. Around late morning, your interviewer has likely had breakfast and maybe a coffee. After a reasonable lunch, their energy returns.
- Decision fatigue is lower. They may have made some choices, but they are not at the end of a long day yet.
- Mood is better. People often feel more positive when they are not hungry and not rushing to leave for the day.
By contrast, right before lunch and late afternoon are risky:
- Just before lunch, hunger kicks in; the “hungry judge” mindset is more likely.
- Late afternoon, people are tired, thinking about going home or picking up kids, and less willing to invest energy in complex decisions.
Avoid the post-lunch slump in interviews
There is one catch: the post-lunch slump. A big, heavy meal can make anyone feel sleepy for an hour or so.
So, if your interview is set for early afternoon:
- Your interviewer should ideally have had a light, balanced lunch, not a huge feast.
- You should do the same: eat enough to stay steady, but avoid a meal that makes you drowsy.
You cannot control what they eat, but you can control your own energy. Treat lunch like pre-match fuel, not a Sunday roast.
How to book the best interview time slot
How to ask for your preferred interview time (without sounding demanding)
When a recruiter offers times, you can nudge them: “Do you have anything around late morning or early afternoon, say between 11 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.?”
This sounds polite and flexible, but still moves them to the sweet spot.
If they give you only one option at a bad time (for example, 4:30 p.m.), you usually should accept it. A strong performance can still shine through. Timing helps, but it doesn’t guarantee success.
Best interview times for different job types
Think about the type of interview:
- Short screen (20–30 minutes phone/video): Early afternoon can work well; the recruiter may schedule many calls, and you don’t want to be the very last one.
- Deep technical or case interview: Late morning or after lunch is ideal. Everyone has more brainpower for complex questions.
- Panel interview: Try to avoid very late slots. A whole panel will be tired and more likely to push decisions to “no” or “we’ll think about it”.
For remote interviews across time zones, look for overlap where both sides are in their midday window. It’s better for you to talk at 3:00 p.m. and them at 11:00 a.m. than to force one side into a 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. slot.
Interview tips: How to avoid hungry interviewers
How to manage your energy before an interview
You also face decision fatigue and nerves. Treat the day like a small performance:
- Sleep well the night before.
- Eat a good breakfast and a light lunch.
- Keep water and maybe a small snack handy if the interview runs long.
This way, you avoid your own hungry-candidate effect.
Taking breaks during long job interviews
For multi-round or assessment-day style interviews, you may hit your own energy wall. You can politely ask:
“Would you mind if we take a quick two-minute break so I can grab some water?”
A short pause can reset your focus and signal confidence rather than weakness.
What really wins job offers: Beyond interview timing
You now know that late morning to early afternoon, especially around but not right before lunch, is often a good bet. The hungry judge effect and decision fatigue research all point to the same story: people make fairer, more generous decisions when they are rested and fed.
But do not panic if you end up with a less-than-perfect slot. In the end, you win offers by:
- showing you understand the role,
- telling clear stories about your skills and impact,
- asking thoughtful questions,
- connecting well with the interviewer
Timing is one more tool you can use, not the only one.
If you get a choice, pick 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or early afternoon after lunch (14:00-15:00), avoid the “hungry judge effect” and exhausted parts of the day, and walk into that room knowing you’ve quietly improved your chances.
