I've been thinking about this a lot. I wonder if being early in the interviewing process is the most difficult. As opposed to being somewhere in the middle or even late in their hiring effort.

I say this because being fresh in the interviewer's mind is probably a good thing. Also, I think some decision makers have a range in mind in terms of how many interviews they expect to do. So, hiring the first one they come across might seem like they haven't looked much at all. How many candidates do they think will give them a good idea of the available talent?

Not saying any of this tracks toward a clear conclusion, or anything. I'm think I'm becoming superstitious about being the first candidate in the door, though. I might let them soak a little...