Cancelling an interview: best to be honest?

[HonestViewPlease]

Have tried to NC for this. I have an interview for an internal role next week. I have spent all afternoon trying to do a basic presentation required for the panel interview and it has hit me that I just can't do it.

I mean I have cobbled together a few slides but it looks and sounds crap when I re-read it. I've realized I just don't have enough achievements to present to the panel (the brief is to describe steps involved in a successful project). I don't want to go through with this and waste everyone's time so I plan to send an e-mail cancelling. Question is should I give the real reason, which I think sounds a bit unprofessional, or say a family situation has arisen which means I cannot go forward with the application. I do not plan to apply for any other internal roles in the future as this situation has made me realize I'm just in the wrong job at the wrong company (lots of other reasons but a very long story) but I also do not want to burn any bridges as the industry I work in is a small one.

I wouldn't no, because what if try very kindly say you can do it later in the week. How about 'dear z, thank you for offering me the opportunity to interview for the role of.. On reflection however, I feel that my application was premature and I will be withdrawing from the process.'

As long as you're not catastrophising and you're 100% sure that this is the right thing to do, then pp's response is perfect. Short, professional, and little scope for them to talk you round.

Thanks. I’ve withdrawn from the application process. The reason I applied is that I dislike my current role - it is a pointless position and I feel increasingly demoralised. I sit in meetings with nothing to contribute and dread every client call. I applied for the new role in order to escape this shit show but the reality is I don’t have the skill set to do it (new role).

I am so unhappy but feel utterly trapped as current role is very well paid and I’m in the process of trying to buy a house so leaving my current employer would impact that. Life is too short to spend doing something you hate but I can’t see a way out at the moment. I have young DC and moving is a priority as we are in a small property and overcrowded. Ironically all of my performance reviews are positive and I received an unexpected pay rise this year. But none of this compensates for the way I feel.