This is exactly the sort of popular-psychology thing that fails to replicate, isn't it? I'm pattern-matching it against "ego depletion" and the hungry-judge theory, both of which failed to replicate.
See:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/judgment-and-decisio...
>A number of studies have shown the robustness of the anchoring effect. Anchors can influence judgment even after weeks or months (Reference MussweilerMussweiler, 2001; Reference Yoon, Fong and DimokaYoon & Fong, 2019). The anchoring effect is present even in experts in the judgmental domain (Reference Englich and MussweilerEnglich & Mussweiler, 2001; Reference Englich, Mussweiler and StrackEnglich et al., 2006). An anchor can influence subsequent judgment even if it is clearly implausible (Reference Strack and MussweilerStrack & Mussweiler, 1997) or when it is compared to a different object (Reference Frederick and MochonFrederick & Mochon, 2012; Reference Mochon and FrederickMochon & Frederick, 2013).
I'm not trusting any result like this unless it comes from a meta-analysis really. I have heard of this general idea before, that the first and last to interview are more likely to get a job, but the plausibility of the finding doesn't make it any less suspect.
Here's hoping someone with a backhoe doesn't check for fiber conduits.