“Can I cancel my interview?”
“What should I do? I have an interview scheduled and I can’t make it.”
These are questions candidates frequently ask. Some people would rather just do a no-call, no-show than actually call the employer to cancel. The one thing employers want to advise candidates on is that you are NOT the first person to cancel an interview and you definitely won’t be the last. Employers understand that things come up unexpectedly and that you may need to reschedule or cancel. In an event that this happens, Amber Shiftlett from www.snagajob.com states that following these three tips will help you handle the situation professionally.
1) Have a Valid Reason – If you have to cancel an interview, make sure it is for a valid reason. Coming up with something such as wanting to go to a movie, watching TV, or losing track of time is not something an employer is going to want to hear. If something important or urgent comes up and you need to reschedule or cancel, give them a call!
2) Call Ahead – If a time ever arises and you have to reschedule or cancel your interview, call ahead. Letting them know what is going on shows the employer or hiring manager you are responsible and you are interested in the position. If you are not able to speak to the hiring manager, leaving a voicemail and following up with an email is definitely ok. They would rather hear from you than you just not showing up.
3) Don’t be a No-show – The last thing you will want to do is not show up to your scheduled interview. This gives the employer the wrong impression. Calling and rescheduling or cancelling only takes a minute, but it shows the employer you are serious in finding a position.
If you want to cancel an interview because you have decided you either don’t want the job or there’s another position that you’ve accepted, it’s still important to take that extra minute to reach out to the hiring manager and let them know what’s going on. If you are ever in need of their services again or you come across a position they offer, your file will show that you called to reschedule and were a responsible candidate. What most people don’t understand is that most employers have an electronic file with the candidate’s name and it will show them when they had a no-call, no-show to an interview.
Taking these three steps should leave a good impression on the employer or hiring manager, and it will make them want to work with you again in the future. A lot of time and work goes into reviewing resumes, screening candidates, and setting up interviews, so please take a minute to call or email to reschedule or cancel an interview.