Schools often view the visits and appointment days as decisive tests of leadership capability and alignment with the school’s values and context. From the candidates’ perspective, however, these days are also a source of critical information about the school itself. What candidates experience during the day often confirms or challenges the impressions they have formed earlier in the process. They can be make or break for candidates as well as clients.
The welcome sets the tone. In post-process feedback, candidates frequently comment on how prepared and calm the start of the days felt. Where arrival is smooth and expectations are clear, candidates tend to perform with greater confidence. Where it feels rushed, unwelcoming or uncertain, performance and interaction can be affected in ways that have little to do with capability.
The structure of the days also matters. Our experience shows that candidates engage more effectively when the schedule allows time for reflection and meaningful interaction. Overly compressed days can limit what panels see and reduce the quality of discussion when decisions are made. It’s best to ensure expectations are clear when candidates are meeting senior leaders and to ensure they know who they are meeting and when, and who will be leading the discussions. For panel interviews, again, the candidates should know who will be on which panel and how long the interviews will be and what, if anything, should be pre-prepared.
Consistency is another important signal. Candidates notice when messages about priorities and culture feel aligned across different conversations. Where inconsistencies appear, even small ones, they can raise questions about clarity and cohesion. Feedback from recent searches suggests these moments often influence how candidates feel about joining the school.
Unscripted interactions are particularly revealing. Candidates regularly refer to encounters with staff or pupils when describing their overall impression of a school. These moments are powerful indicators of everyday culture.
Effective visits and appointment days are not about perfection. They are about coherence and authenticity. When the experience reflects the school accurately, panels gain better insight, and candidates are more likely to answer with honesty. Better decisions are the result.
If your school has a senior leadership appointment approaching, our executive search specialists can help you design an appointment day that reflects your culture clearly and supports confident decision making.