To think this is too early for an interview?!

[tomhazard]

I got to the second round of a job in Hong Kong which I would really like. I was supposed to have the 2nd interview today at 6.40am our time - I was ready to go and then at 7.05am they emailed and said the manager was delayed so could they rearrange. I said yes even though I was a bit annoyed at sitting there for 25mins waiting.
Anyway I've just had an email saying could they interview me tomorrow at 5.30am...I know there's a time difference but would I be unreasonable to say that i can't really be interview-ready so early in the morning. Not sure I can even get my brain in gear- it was a struggle this morning!

I do want this job but I feel like it's a bit of a mess around this.

I think it depends on how much you want the job. I have had 5am interviews (also 11 pm offers, which I have declined as I wouldn't have the brain cells to get past a first interview!)
But I would also be pissed off at them wasting my time.

I'm not angry, I'm just bewildered.

If you want the job, do the interview at the time they've suggested.
If you don't care about the job, either don't do the interview or ask them to change the time.

I work with people in other timezones and 5:30 am is too much - who is awake!

Some posters are being a bit weird, I agree- the interview has been rescheduled and they've already wasted OP's time a bit. Personally, I would push back on this- because I wouldn't want to work for an organisation that didn't care at all about employees time/inconvenience. I'd be prepared to lose the job, though, because I'd see it as indicative of company culture. I'd behave differently if the initial interview was offered at 5.30 and they were apologetic about the time difference.

If you're really desperate for this specific job for other reasons, then I'd do the interview. Otherwise, I would push back in a soft-ish way.

I do think you'll surprise yourself with how awake you'll feel, though- the interview nerves will give you a bit of adrenaline, and this will hopefully see you through.

I would just get up and do it. You could ask to have it moved, but I think it may well count against you if there are other strong candidates.

Thank you. I have decided to politely ask for a slightly later time if possible. This was not the time of the original interview and I have already been messed around this morning- I was ready and had asked my mum to stay over and get up with the DC so I could do it.

If this loses me the job then so be it- Like Ladylance says it may not be a good sign of company culture.

I look forward to all my biscuits for lacking commitment, being too lazy to get up and not being appropriate for the job

I'd "reluctantly" agree to do it, but make sure you let them know that you're really keen to appear at your very best and that you're worried that so early in the morning may not show you in this light.

If you got the job, what time would you have to start in the morning? Is this a test?

I look forward to all my biscuits for lacking commitment, being too lazy to get up and not being appropriate for the job

Good luck OP. Hope you get the job.

Am I alone in LOATHING the solitary biscuit reply?

Sanctimonious piss stains.

YANBU.

For me it would be a glaring warning that a lack of respect and unrealistic expectations are as standard there.

Hopefully they drag it back with an understanding and apologetic reply!

Yanbu OP, god you haven’t been won over by the angry mob. 5.30am is very early I wouldn’t be overjoyed either. And if that is only lunchtime in HK I don’t think they have thought it through either.

*glad not sure where God fits into this really 😂

Good lord, there's some sanctimonious years on here! Of course an interview at 5.30am is not normal!
I'd assume someone has miscalculated the time difference, OP, and I'd say your plan to politely ask them to reschedule is perfectly fine.

Alternatively, you're a lazy, good-for-nothing gobshite who doesn't deserve a job.

Oops, years should say twats! My autocorrect is nicer than me!

Alternatively, you're a lazy, good-for-nothing gobshite who doesn't deserve a job. 

Haha laughed out loud. That would be me

Me too, Tomhazard!
Good luck with the interview, I hope you get it!

I’d do it. It’s a one-off and it will be there interesting to hear if they’re grateful for you accommodating the schedule change and the early hour. That would be quite a tell, and give you a much better idea of their attitude as an employer.

Op if you want to work for an international company (or one in a different time zone) early or late meetings really aren’t unusual. If you don’t feel you can cope with the odd meeting at 5.30am it might be best to cancel the interview, as really, what’s the point?

Yeah wineandroses what's the point - I'll always need to be in meetings at 5.30am for a teaching job in an international school. I'll pull out now

Bloody hell you’re one of the snarkiest OPs I’ve read in ages.

Limecheesecaker and yours down below were one of the rudest !

Tbh I think it's pretty silly to tell me to pull out the interview because there's no point if I'm not delighted about having an interview rescheduled for this fairly antisocial time.

Op I'm really not trying to have a go, just a bit bemused. If you want this job, and they are in a different time zone, then an out of office hours appointment for interview shouldn't be a big surprise. It just seems a no-brainer to me - so you'd be getting out of bed a couple of hours earlier than normal? Is it really a big enough deal to jeopardise a job you clearly want (because you applied for it)?

My view may be coloured somewhat by the fact that I commute to work everyday and I am on the road earlier than 5.30. But you know what? I do that because I have a really interesting job which is very rewarding, and so I am willing to reshape my working day. Question is - do you think this job is worth it?

I'm with those who say get on with it. I get up 3 or 4 times a week at 5.30 for my job. It's not that hard.

I have meetings with HK colleagues at 3:30am. The early interview is a test to see how hungry you are for the job (HK jobs are tremendously popular) and it seems you’re not.