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AIBU?

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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?

OP posts:
Chunkilumptious · 04/03/2025 11:30

Sorry @saveforthat I skim read and thought you were saying they could be irritated as it stood.

Chunkilumptious · 04/03/2025 11:29

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 11:20

Yes it would. You could e.g. have had a medical procedure booked. Did they ask at the interview about your availability because I think if they asked and you didn't mention the appointment then I could see why they might be a bit irritated.

Why? They didn't ask for her interview availability and it's not expected to provide it ahead of being invited.

OP of they've put their foot down I'd take it on the chin and chalk it up as good application feedback. Unless it's absolutely unmissable, I don't see this as a good sign of their company culture I'm afraid.

Original poster
sundayclean · 04/03/2025 11:28

@Misaster I hope an employer wouldn't hold something like that against a candidate?! It's a shame if so. Full time job, family, etc, it's easy for things to slip people's minds.

OP posts:
SpringleDingle · 04/03/2025 11:28

That would be a big red flag for me. I would definitely accomodate your availaiblity if I was scheduling interviews (something I do a lot).

wotaloadashite · 04/03/2025 11:27

I had this in the company I currently work for! Applied for an internal move and got a phone call at 5.30 on Tuesday evening asking me to interview on the Wednesday which I had booked as a day off for a medical appointment. They wouldn't reschedule despite the fact that they were clearly the ones being unreasonable. I put it down to karma saying it wasn't the right move for me.

Original poster
sundayclean · 04/03/2025 11:26

@stayathomer it's really tough out there and so much competition. I'm glad to hear your Dh managed to attend his interview in the end though!

@saveforthat no, she didn't ask for my availability. It was only a screening call last week so I wasn't even sure if they wanted to interview me. She contacted me yesterday to confirm I was being moved to the next stage and that they wanted to interview on Thursday.

OP posts:
Misaster · 04/03/2025 11:22

It slipped your mind?

I suppose that could be seen as a red flag from the perspective of a potential future employer

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 11:20

Yes it would. You could e.g. have had a medical procedure booked. Did they ask at the interview about your availability because I think if they asked and you didn't mention the appointment then I could see why they might be a bit irritated.

stayathomer · 04/03/2025 11:20

Dh had this recently- told them he had a hospital appointment on a certain day and they made the interview for that day and he said sorry he couldn’t make it s as nc they basically said ‘tough’. He was the same - said to be fair if they’re so non accommodating do I want to work for them? But his appointment got changed so he ended up going for the interview. It’s tough op!