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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to cancel a job interview

26 replies

MaMaMaMySharona · 15/08/2018 05:16

I have a job interview today at 5pm for a job that I really don’t want. When I was first called about it, it sounded great - right sector, right salary, right job title - but when I researched over the weekend I just didn’t like the company very much and the location doesn’t work for me at all (well over an hours commute).

I spoke to the recruiter on Monday and tried VERY hard to give her this feedback but she just wasn’t having any of it. I ended up saying I’d still go but massively regretted it as soon as I put the phone down.

Interview is now today and I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about it so much! So now I’ll also be tired 😐 Any advice on what I should do? It just seems a waste of mine and the company’s time for me to go!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 15/08/2018 05:19

YANBU. Just phone the recruiter and tell her. Better than wasting everyone's time.

Now go to sleep! Grin

NotAllIndividuals · 15/08/2018 05:25

You don't have to give any reason if you don't want to go, just call them and tell them. Honestly, it's that easy, in fact it's easier to do that than get drawn into a conversation. If it helps they probably already have someone lined up for the position but they need to go through the interview motions for appearances sake Grin

Or go, you might be surprised! All depends on what you didn't like about them in your research but maybe they come across better in person than online. Interview them. Practice your interview technique. Even if they offer the job you don't have to take it.

EdisonLightBulb · 15/08/2018 05:27

Just cancel. The recruiter is on commission hence the hard sell.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 15/08/2018 05:28

Cancel, life's too short! Unless you need the interview experience because you've not had one for years, then I'd use it as a development opportunity!

Original poster
MaMaMaMySharona · 15/08/2018 05:33

Thanks everyone - I’m so bad at letting people down I’m dreading the phone call!

OP posts:
Annalogy · 15/08/2018 05:35

To be fair, I think I'd go. You never know, you might actually love it Smile

Although if you're absolutely adamant, then I'd just email the recruiter and cancel.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 15/08/2018 05:37

You are not letting them down you are saving them, and you time.

Original poster
MaMaMaMySharona · 15/08/2018 05:40

Annalogy even if I loved the role, the time it would take me to get there just isn’t feasible - that’s actually the main thing putting me off!

OP posts:
alison3001 · 15/08/2018 05:48

I've recently finished a long, protracted period of recruiting for my maternity cover position. Nothing was worse than interviewing someone, thinking they are perfect for the role, offering it to them and they turn it down. It feels like a massive waste of time. Please don't feel bad, I'd have definitely preferred honesty.

BitOutOfPractice · 15/08/2018 05:49

Email the recruiter now. Just factual. "As discussed yesterday, I will not be attending xyz interview as the job doesn't suit me for x reason." No apologies. Just do it and forget it

MenaMecca · 15/08/2018 05:51

I just did this too. I had an interview this morning which I said yes to last Monday. However, after researching the role, I realised I did not want to do it, and I cancelled yesterday.

It also helped that I have a job lined up, which I like a lot better.

Nakedavenger74 · 15/08/2018 05:57

Tell recruiter you won't be going. I agreeed to a job interview once once as I felt I was letting recruiter down. I was offered it an led turned it down and realised I pissed off a whole load of people just to please someone on commission....

Having said that I once went to an interview even though the commute was horrible and I thought I didn't want it. I accepted it and it Kicked off the career I now have and have been in for 15 years! The commute was pretty easy and I got used to it v quick

MissedTheBoatAgain · 15/08/2018 06:25

Recruiters look after their interests, not yours. Only peed off because they might lose a commission. Call them again and say you are not attending.

MrsMaisel · 15/08/2018 06:34

It's really boring interviewing anyone who doesn't really want the job. Do the company a favour and cancel.

Original poster
MaMaMaMySharona · 15/08/2018 07:13

I’ve managed to get an another hour’s sleep in and feel rough but much more prepared after reading these messages!

OP posts:
MenaMecca · 15/08/2018 08:33

Yeah better to cancel now than waste both of your time even further.

WilburIsSomePig · 15/08/2018 08:37

Don't dread the phone call and don't let the recruiter make you feel bad. Don't enter into any kind of conversation about it at all, you won't be going, thanks for their help etc.

tinstar · 15/08/2018 08:43

Personally I wouldn't let the commute put me off if it was a job I was interested in. Working in London an hour's commute is very normal, as is over an hour. Even longer is certainly not unusual. But your choice of course.

Original poster
MaMaMaMySharona · 15/08/2018 09:20

I worked in London for 3 years and moved north to get away from the commute! I sent her an email this morning at 7:30 and asked her to call me to discuss if she wanted when she was free but no word yet...

OP posts:
Annalogy · 15/08/2018 09:26

@MaMaMaMySharona ah, fair enough. You need to do what's best for you and not worry about the recruiter. I'm surprised that she hasn't called you yet lol

Cath2907 · 15/08/2018 09:28

Please don't waste my time. I interview a lot and it is so frustrating when you like someone, offer and they then say "it is too far from home" or something similar. The recruiter gets paid commission for you going so they want you to attend even if it is a waste of time.... I definitely don't!

KidLorneRoll · 15/08/2018 09:30

The company won't thank you for wasting their time. The recruiter (arseholes, the lot of them) are just interested in their commission.

Fevs · 15/08/2018 09:34

Never feel bad on recruiters. In my experience they are purely out for themselves as job is so commission heavy. They will encourage you to go for interviews that deep down you just know aren’t right and ultimately that’s wasting your time and the company’s.

I’d give her a call as don’t always see emails and explain you’ve changed your mind but don’t let her persuade you still go for it if you’re certain you don’t want to.

HerculePoirotsGreyCells · 15/08/2018 09:41

Now that you have found the company details, and have had no luck with the recruiter, could you phone them directly?

DerelictWreck · 15/08/2018 10:13

To be honest I'd still go, and use it as practice for when you have an interview for a job you do want.

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