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Original poster

I really want this job but is this a red flag?

159 replies

sundayclean · 04/03/2025 11:16

I'm looking for a new job and have been invited to attend an interview this Thursday at 2:30. Unfortunately I have a dentist appointment on Thursday at 2pm which has been booked for well over a month. I have an NHS dentist and they are very very strict with cancelling and rescheduling appointments. I cancelled once last year (first time in 7 yrs) due to an emergency and they said if it happened again then I would be taken off the register. It's not great but I only stay with them as I can't afford to go private.

Anyway, I spoke with the hiring manager at the beginning of last week and she contacted yesterday to arrange the interview. In all fairness I never mentioned my appointment when I initially spoke to her as it just slipped my mind but she also didn't mention what day the interviews would be on if I was successful getting to the next stage.

I've asked if she can accommodate another day/time to which she's said no. I really want this job, but she does seem a bit inflexible/awkward. Or am I the one being awkward? I don't really want to risk losing my dentist for a job that I might not even get and I think expecting someone to cancel a prior appointment with 3 days notice is a bit unreasonable. Would this put you off?

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Panicmode1 · 07/03/2025 13:04

ZippyDoodle · 06/03/2025 20:32

@LadyNairne

Is it? I was an Executive Assistant for years and it's not my experience. It's actually very difficult to shoehorn time in senior directors diaries and stuff has to be planned in advance.

Good diary planning is giving people a heads up as to when they might be needed in advance even though diaries may change. It's not springing stuff on people the day before especially if you're giving them a four hour interview slot.

Agree - it's not my experience either - whether as someone organising multiple diaries for interviews or being interviewed as a candidate.

If the interview dates are in the job adverts, then it may be acceptable to give less than 48 hours notice, but it's not 'normal' - in the private sector at least.

ZippyDoodle · 06/03/2025 20:32

@LadyNairne

Is it? I was an Executive Assistant for years and it's not my experience. It's actually very difficult to shoehorn time in senior directors diaries and stuff has to be planned in advance.

Good diary planning is giving people a heads up as to when they might be needed in advance even though diaries may change. It's not springing stuff on people the day before especially if you're giving them a four hour interview slot.

Stepthree · 06/03/2025 18:27

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LadyNairne · 06/03/2025 11:49

ZippyDoodle · 05/03/2025 13:25

I think if a company is so rigid that they can only offer one interview slot between 2pm and 3pm on the third Thursday of the month when it's a Full Moon they need to be upfront about that and put it in the ad or at least give some notice.

This is normal practice although good practice is indeed to put the interview date in the job advertisement, as part of the recruitment timeline.

In reality it can be difficult to book this 4 hour interview slot in for four (usually senior) staff members, three-four months in advance.

I feel like a bit of a reality check is needed for some people on this thread! Unless the OP is referring to a different employer to what I have in mind (eg a sector with more transient workforce which has a constant hiring cycle)

ZippyDoodle · 05/03/2025 13:25

I think if a company is so rigid that they can only offer one interview slot between 2pm and 3pm on the third Thursday of the month when it's a Full Moon they need to be upfront about that and put it in the ad or at least give some notice.

IDontHateRainbows · 05/03/2025 12:32

LittleCharlotte · 05/03/2025 11:33

Entitled indeed. Imagine a company treating an employee as a human being.

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She's not an employee. This isn't a member of staff needing to go to the dentist and being refused situation. She's a candidate for a job, they don't owe her anything, not if it will put them out.
Why should they reschedule their interview plans for one person?
I mean, it's great when they do but it's hardly something to mark the company out as A. Bad. Employer. If they can't.

Genevieva · 05/03/2025 11:37

I have an NHS dentist and they are super accommodating. I would speak to them.

If it is a regular check up, cancel and wait for the next one (six months max).

LittleCharlotte · 05/03/2025 11:33

IDontHateRainbows · 04/03/2025 22:26

The entitlement of some people on this thread is astounding - no a prospective employer doesn't have to 'wait' for you to be available, and there's nothing wrong with them if they don't. Unless you have a very specialised skill set there'll be plenty of other good candidates to choose from. By the sounds of it, they probably had a lucky escape. Imagine being this entitled in the workplace!

Entitled indeed. Imagine a company treating an employee as a human being.

EnoughNow2023 · 05/03/2025 09:07

How much notice did you give the dentist last time as you mention it was an emergency change. Ours (NHS) are also really strict if you reschedule within 24 hours but are usually fine if it's over 48 hours notice. Is it worth at least asking the dentis?
I dont think it is necessarily a red flag. Sadly due to the nature of our business we are usually only able to free up one day for interviewing. We will always try and be as flexible with timings on that day.

Solypim · 05/03/2025 09:01

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godmum56 · 05/03/2025 09:00

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I don't care

Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:58

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godmum56 · 05/03/2025 08:54

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no, you said that they had already decided who would get the job which is different from having more good candidates than you have jobs to offer.

Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:50

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godmum56 · 05/03/2025 08:49

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from experience, this may not be the case, just that there are many more candidates as good as the OP than they have jobs to offer.

godmum56 · 05/03/2025 08:47

Bearbookagainandagain · 04/03/2025 20:43

YOUR recruitment policies maybe. Other employers (all of them actually, in my personal experience) show way more flexibility because it is completely stupid to lose a potential good candidate for a reason so banal.

Calling others "naive" for expecting minimum of respect for people's time really shows how patronising and controlling you would be as an employer. It is a red flag.

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that depends surely on how many good or better candidates you have? If one candidate who isn't a standout can't make the offered slot and you KNOW you will be turning candidates down then why waste your time and theirs?

nj32 · 05/03/2025 08:43

The NHS for example set a side one day to interview candidates so if that doesn't suit, they won't accommodate.

Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:42

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SwingLifeAway · 05/03/2025 08:41

Misaster · 04/03/2025 11:30

Likewise, an employer could hope an employee wouldn’t hold this against them!

ultimately the ball is completely and utterly in their court op

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The employee isn’t getting much chance to hold it against the employer if they won’t reschedule the interview!

Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:39

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Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:38

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ZippyDoodle · 05/03/2025 08:36

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The dental appointment has been arranged for a month. The Op has an infection in her tooth and needs a root canal.

I think I would be prioritising that over an employer who gives you a couple of days notice for an interview and no other option. Not everyone can get time off work at such short notice.

Yes, she is working. Perhaps read the thread?

Solypim · 05/03/2025 08:23

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IDontHateRainbows · 04/03/2025 22:26

The entitlement of some people on this thread is astounding - no a prospective employer doesn't have to 'wait' for you to be available, and there's nothing wrong with them if they don't. Unless you have a very specialised skill set there'll be plenty of other good candidates to choose from. By the sounds of it, they probably had a lucky escape. Imagine being this entitled in the workplace!

largeprintagathachristie · 04/03/2025 20:54

It can be a nightmare with diaries to get an interview panel together in the first place. We have x3 on a panel.

You can also lose good candidates if you have a wait a few days to accommodate someone who can’t make it. If indeed the people on the panel can even find another slot.

So I do see why there might have been reluctance.

I would have tried special pleading with the dentist, at least in the first instance.