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

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.

No mention of next interview, three days notice and no flexibility?!

Nah, I think you've done the right thing.

When I have done job interviews as an employer sometimes I put aside a day or 2 afternoons or similar and as long as I had enough good candidates for those times I wouldn't accommodate anyone at another time.
Sorry OP but interviewers are often very busy and if there are good candidates that can make the required slots there is no reason for them to offer you an alternative.

Thing is depending on what job you are going for they may not particularly care about having the best person ever for the job, they just want someone good enough so will pick out of the ones they have on the day they are interviewing

I think you should contact them, say you were very sorry to pull out due to dental treatment appointment (stressing not just a routine appt) how interested you were in the post and that you would be interested to hear from them if the position does not get filled.

You never know!

But I would say this isn’t necessarily a red flag for the organisation as it can be very hard to get an interview panel together.

To those who are asking about the dentist, The Op had already previously completely missed an appointment so is on a last chance.

I usually give a one week notice for interview slots.

For a 30 minute video interview honestly I’d expect the candidate to just take time out fo their job (eg a late lunch hour) to do it rather than a whole day off work, but that is perhaps the level and sector we work in.

Would your NHS dentist strike you off if you couldn’t attend your appointment due to an emergency? Do they need to know the reason?

Blimey, getting struck off the dentist simply for trying to reschedule an appointment sounds a bit OTT. What if you’ve been run over by a bus or kidnapped by aliens?

Is it a private v public sector thing? I have only ever worked in the private sector -this job was in the public sector. My brother works for them and said it's very common that they are inflexible.

That said, I have another public sector interview tomorrow and was given a week's notice of two days for interviews so have been able to arrange things accordingly. I still think, that if you only give 24-48 hours notice and no other options, and there hasn't been prior notice of the interview dates, that it is unreasonable.

Or, maybe this is just how things are now - I'm in my mid 50s so am less used to the 'computer says no' situation that seems to be how recruitment is done in today's job market. (My DH is currently job seeking after redundancy and it's utterly hideous - and no-one seems to have any manners nowadays).

it might have meant that they had quite a few shortlisted candidates with equal qualifications.

it might have meant that they had quite a few shortlisted candidates with equal qualifications.

I had this happen. I also really wanted the job so moved my appointment.

I got the job.

It was fucking hell on earth and the worst culture I've ever know. I lasted 3 months.

Proceed with caution.

The dentist can reschedule, the issue will be with you not turning up to previous appointments (most likely) or cancelling on the day many times.

The employer can offer times, but it is a bit weird to offer only one slot. I would expect them to open up alternatives early morning, evening or next week if you can't make Thursday, but that you would then make sure you can attend. Either they are very inflexible, or you are low on the recruiter's list but they are putting you through to make up the numbers.

it varies depending on the type of job. If there are a lot of vacancies, and a rolling recruitment, then yes, it is unreasonable. But that is rare - it is more likely that the panel of people who are going to interview have had to coordinate their diaries, cancel and rearrange their other work, coordinate a number of people to attend, and try to fit in everyone to the times available. If I were interviewing 5 people for a job in those circumstances, I would have the same reaction.

I applied for one recently and currently my work isn't flexible so I can't just take time out for an interview
They immediately offered me an evening slot for interview if I couldn't make the day one

But how much notice do you give of the interviews - if you are asking people to attend an interview with 24-48 hours notice, I'm not sure that is reasonable. Completely understand that it takes time to organise diaries - but if the job advert doesn't state interview dates, then I think it is a bit harsh to not allow SOME flexibility......

this, as I said earlier

I gave up on NHS dentists years ago, I pay monthly for a medical plan which gives cashback for things like dentists and opticians, so you may find that's more affordable?

We give at least a week's notice for interviews - and I often have to co-ordinate 3 senior partners' diaries as well as a candidate's availability. I think it's unreasonable to give less than 2 or 3 days notice and expect a candidate to be able to attend, especially for an in person interview. If they are already working, then in many places, it's almost impossible to take time off within that timeframe.

Your last dental appt cancellation was an emergency, so presumably very short notice. 3 days notice is unlikely to fall into the same category and unlikely to be considered another strike against you as they will easily fill the appointment.

A moot point now as you've withdrawn your job application. Good luck with the treatment and finding another job.

Absolutely this
Tbh flaky candidates who have zero idea about recruitment policies or KPIs and would expect an interview at their convenience keeping 5 or so other candidates waiting for a week or so -bottom of the list.
It shows naivety about the working environment.