Whether you're a job seeker or a manager in charge of hiring, scheduling an interview isn't always a straightforward task. Managers often have other duties that make it difficult to meet with applicants. Prospective employees may need to schedule interviews around family responsibilities, health issues or even their current job. Hiring managers and job applicants can work together to schedule an interview at a time that's mutually convenient.

Determine when an interview would be most convenient for you. Choose a time when you won't need to rush through the interview. For example, don't schedule the interview immediately before an important meeting.

Plan to have an interview at an optimal time during the day. For instance, Glassdoor.com recommends avoiding interviews that are either very early or late in the day. At these times, the interviewer can't give the applicant his full attention. If it's early, he'll be thinking about everything he needs to do that day, for instance. It's also not advisable to have an interview just before or after lunch. Writer Kate Parham, as reported on Glassdoor.com, suggests that Tuesday morning is the best time for an interview. On Monday, the interviewer is thinking about what he needs to accomplish over the week. By Friday, he's making plans for the weekend. On Tuesday, however, the interviewer has settled into the workweek and is able to focus on the applicant.

Re-arrange your schedule if you can't find a convenient time for an interview. If you already have a job and your only free time is on the weekends, for example, you might need to ask for time off during the week. Don't tell your boss that you're interviewing, however.

Call the hiring manager or applicant and ask whether the time you chose is also convenient for them. If they agree, schedule the interview for that time.

Ask to meet at an alternate time if the one suggested isn't convenient for you. Give a reason why the proposed time won't work for you; for instance, you might have a prior appointment.

Suggest a video or phone interview if you absolutely cannot meet in person. This is useful if the company and the job applicant are located in separate states, for instance.

Send a follow-up email or call the day before the interview to confirm the meeting. State that you're looking forward to the interview at the agreed-upon time and place.

Call the employer or applicant if you can't make the meeting after you've scheduled it. Offer the reason why you cannot attend the interview and ask if you can reschedule.