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

I received an invitation to an interview for Thursday morning, on Tuesday at 4pm - during half term, when I was away. I emailed back and said I was very sorry, but I couldn't make it because I was on holiday but gave three or four days the following week when I could interview (it had to be in person). They withdrew my application. I assume that they had an internal candidate because I think giving someone less than 48 hours notice of an in person interview, and then refusing to accommodate or even allow a shortlisted candidate to interview, was meant to make it impossible. At least you were shortlisted - it's flipping tough out there so well done!

It would be a red flag for me.

The suggestion you go to a private dentist instead is laughable. Very few people can afford that.

I'm sorry OP. To refuse to move around a medical appointment is really poor so I think you're best off away from this company. I know the pain of toothache and you have my sympathies. I hope you get sorted soon but I also think you should report your dentist practice for being so incredibly harsh, not even allowing people to change appointments. It's appalling.

I've had interviews where senior people from different locations all wanted to be in a particular office to do a day of interviewing, often at final stage. To rearrange the interview it would mean seriously messing with their schedule and they are well within their rights to say no, it's not worth doing that to see one extra candidate. No red flags - just bad luck.

What happens if you wake up the morning of the dentist and you have been struck down with sickness, surely you can rearrange they wouldn't want you in the surgery spreading your germs

Withdrawing was the right thing to do, because if they're like this about the interview imagine how much worse they'll be about other things.

My job refused to let me book annual leave for an appointment and I ended up in hospital because it got so bad. It's not worth it.

They obviously don't care about their employees, I can't stand places that treat you like you're at school and they own you. It will be policies about when you can eat, when you can go to the toilet. Even had a morning register at one place.

Definitely a lucky escape.

Because we have a difference of opinion?

Oh no you need your dentist app then .
You can’t go to the interview.
Health is more important than a job

I’ve done a lot of hiring and organising of job interviews in my professional life. At my current large company we need 3 managers plus 1 HR person for a panel even for junior positions.

I will shortlist usually a maximum of 4 candidates for interview so we will schedule 2.5 - 3 hours in the calendars of the 4 staffs members to do 4 x back to back 30 minute interviews followed by 30 minutes to discuss the candidates, compare our scores and make our decision for HR to take forward.

Persuading 4 staff members to give up 3 hours then fitting this time into their schedules is hard and especially as the panel has certain diversity and seniority requirements.

I therefore give the interviewees zero choice on intervirw time. If one candidate was outstanding, and my top choice on paper, I might be a little flexible but not for the others. Just can’t manage it. If one drops out generally I think it makes my choice easier as I then only have to do 3 interviews not 4.

Sorry it’s so brutal but I hope this helps explain why it’s not necessarily a red flag about a company or organisation rather just down to practical time pressures.

@sundayclean you aren’t cancelling your dentist.
You are calling to re schedule . Two different things

Harder

I've worked in recruitment and this isnt a red flag.

It means they have a schedule of interview dates, with rooms booked , interviewers lined up etc. There's a deadline of when the interviews take place, washups and offers made. Schedules cant be changed just because 1 candidate cant attend.

Its unfortunate, but happens all the time.

Yes I do know there's a difference in cost between NHS and private but personally I'd prioritise a job interview. You didn't and that's your choice but don't blame the employer for that.

As for the other bit about leaving your job, it's irrelevant as that's not what happened.

This is corporate life. Candidates need the job a lot more than the employer needs 1 applicant.

Well I certainly would have tried. What did you have to lose? If the dentist said they'd remove you during the phone call you could have THEN cancelled the interview. You could have asked to swap to a cancellation if one came up on the same day/different time. I would have done if I really wanted the job. You could have also changed dentist to a non NHS is you really wanted the job. Oh well.

Big red flag for me, I wouldn’t want to work for a company that are so inflexible.

Interview days and times will be preset to interview a number of candidates. Unfortunately, you are just one of many candidates. Can't make the date, you don't get the interview. I've had this experience myself.

But you could have tried and you didn't.

It doesn't seem like you even rang the dentist to check what might be possible. You weren't cancelling the appointment, you were asking to reschedule. You could have explained it was for an interview. Oh well, you missed out.