To book an interview slot when I've no ...

[EuphemiaInExcelsis]

... intention of going?

I've applied for work in the area I'm moving to next month. I got an email last Friday inviting me to book an interview slot online.

The interviews are this Wednesday morning, for 15 minutes. Once I started thinking about the logistics of going, my head started to spin! It would mean a journey 2.5h each way, an overnight stay, and half a dozen people invonvenienced by my absence. Also, there are gales and snow forecast tomorrow.

All this for 15 mins!

I called to ask whether I could arrange a phone interview, to which they said no.

Online there's no way to say no thanks to an interview, or to withdraw your application. Would I be unreasonable to book a slot, then phone tomorrow and say I can't make it because of the weather?

Then at least I'd still be on the system if they reschedule.

WWYD?

Put the whole question in the thread title! Please! Why didn't you?

Why don't you just not book a slot then you wouldn't have to bother cancelling?

Why not call to explain what you have just explained? And reapply when you have moved?

Yabu. Just call or email them to explain

Why would you have to stay overnight? Is the first one too early for the first train?

The reasonable approach would be to phone and say "I'm moving to this area on X date, and won't be available on Weds. I hope if another position comes up you'll consider me".

Booking and then cancelling just looks flakey.

I'd go to the interview even if it is highly inconvenient. You may kick yourself a few months down the line, living in a new area with no job the way things are at the moment, and if you cancel you may never get another interview.

Go to the interview anyway.

I really can't go - I think I'll phone, explain why, and reapply in the new year.

Why wouldn't you go, if it's a job you want? I've travelled far longer than that to get to interviews. Lots of people do. Seems a bit daft to me. Especially in this climate, when interviews are pretty hard to come by.

Yes, if you really can't go then phone and explain. People do appreciate honesty about these things.

Do you want the job?

Surely you knew where the interview would be held (presumably where the job will be) when you applied

You are unreasonable to expect them to let you have a telephone interview. It is not their problem that you are currently living 2.5 hours away.

They are probably not short of candidates, so are hardly going to be bending over backwards to accomodate you.

OMG sorry but this is my pet hate!!

I have 6 interviews scheduled for Wed/Thurs this week, 2 half days!

Only 2 people have confirmed their attendance.

Please tell them, if you don't attend they will schedule in someone else, and use their time more effectively.

I phoned and it looks like they're going to reschedule as quite a few people couldn't make it.

I was hoping the interviews would be after Christmas - it's to get onto the supply list for teaching, and I think they were a bit daft to think schools could release people for interviews the week before Christmas!

Anyway, it looks like it'll all work out fine in the end.