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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask to reschedule my interview?

65 replies

troobleflooble · 22/12/2021 21:56

I have an interview tomorrow afternoon for a job that I'm really happy and excited about. It's for a professional position and is a virtual interview, to be done over Microsoft teams.

Only problem is I have come down with a terrible cold. I was hoping yesterday would be the worst of it and I'd be starting to feel better by now but I'm actually worse and feel like hammered shit. I look terrible, have a red raw nose and watery eyes from the constant blowing, and when I woke up this morning I had practically lost my voice.

I really don't want to call off the interview but I have absolutely no faith in my ability to perform well at this point. I'm coughing and sneezing every 5 minutes and can barely think I'm so sore and uncomfortable. I don't want to fuck it up and waste a good opportunity!

Wibu to email/call them to reschedule? Or should I just suck it up and do it anyway given that it's virtual and I won't run the risk of infecting anyone?

OP posts:
Palavah · 22/12/2021 22:00

No harm in asking whether they have any room in the interview schedule

SpellBounds · 22/12/2021 22:01

I'd personally suck it up and crack on. Dise yourself up, get Sudafed nasal spray to clear the blocked nose, explain at the beginning you've got a cold so may need to mute and nose blow occasionally but worst case they ask you to rearrange. If you put them off now it'll look like you can't be arsed to do it because it's Christmas.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 22/12/2021 22:01

If you can, attend!

I'm interviewing tomorrow, I would agree to reschedule but if there is a suitable candidate then I would offer them the job.

SpellBounds · 22/12/2021 22:02

*dose

Undisclosedlocation · 22/12/2021 22:05

Personally I would move heaven and earth to do it tomorrow.

If someone told me they couldn’t interview remotely for a job two days before Christmas, they would be very unlikely to get the job. I would simply assume they couldn’t be bothered

Pepperama · 22/12/2021 22:07

Depends a bit. How senior a position? The more senior the more difficult it’d be to postpone, as we couldn’t reassemble the senior panel members easily. Do you knew if they’re desperate to fill quickly and if there’s a lot of competition?

Youngatheart00 · 22/12/2021 22:10

I’d go ahead - dose yourself up and explain when the interview starts. It may work in your favour.

Original poster
troobleflooble · 22/12/2021 22:10

Tbh this is what I was afraid of, that it will look like I'm not very willing. I am though! I'm absolutely gutted to be so sick, I was so happy when I was shortlisted. Now I'm just terrified of making a terrible impression due to illness related brain fog 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
troobleflooble · 22/12/2021 22:12

@Pepperama, it's entry level so not senior at all. I don't think the competition is super high or that they are particularly desperate but I have no idea how big the short list is and they haven't released an actual start date yet.

OP posts:
sunshineonasunnyday · 22/12/2021 22:13

I was thinking about postponing my interview a few weeks ago because I was feeling awful, the universe seemed like it was against me, my laptop wouldn’t connect to Teams last minute and my head was pounding! Honestly I was having a nightmare! I just bit the bullet and went for it!

Nearly 2 weeks of sleepless nights because I thought I well and truly butchered the interview BUT was offered the position yesterday!

So go for it! Don’t reschedule, do your best and perhaps just mention at the beginning that you have a cold.

Good luck !

OnTheBoardwalk · 22/12/2021 22:14

I would attend for a professional post, trying to get time in your bosses calendar can be difficult especially after the 23rd Dec

I’d be worried they’d reschedule you till the new year but then make a decision on another candidate before then

Just be honest with the interviewer and I think you’ll be fine

TerribleCustomerCervix · 22/12/2021 22:18

Just be honest- tell them you’re really keen on the role but not well enough for the interview as scheduled.

I arrange and conduct interviews- I wouldn’t hold something like this against someone when they’ve simply made a request in good faith in order for them to give it their best efforts.

MeridasMum · 22/12/2021 22:20

I wouldn't reschedule at this late stage, you'll likely not get another interview till new year and they'll probably want to have offered the role by then.

Log on for the interview and be honest that you have a rotten cold but will do your best and will mute yourself if you have a coughing fit.

jb7445 · 22/12/2021 22:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 22/12/2021 22:46

I would throw cold and flu products at the situation, not too much paracetemol or anything, just the usual dose, but take that, use a nasal spray to clear your nose (these are amazing), a throat spray for the throat and you can get these tiny pastilles which you can still speak whilst you have them in your mouth, then have a glass of water. Explain at the start you have a bad cold but very much want to interview for this and go for it!

WonderfulYou · 22/12/2021 22:47

I would (and have successfully in the past when ill in interviews!) use this as a bit of an ice breaker/humanising thing. Just say to them upfront 'apologies if I sneeze/cough my way through this, at least we're not in the same room!' or similar.

I love this!

Honestly, I would go to bed now and have a good nights rest.

If you go ahead with the interview you might not get the job but if you re-schedule you might not get the job - so I would just get it done and out of the way!

hayley013 · 22/12/2021 22:48

I would get up mega early, take some lemsip tablets,have a shower, wash hair etc, get dressed and try, if you feel really bad ask if they have room for you to shift forward a bit?

secretnurse · 22/12/2021 22:54

Gently, I think you need to book a PCR test, in the current climate with omicron often presenting as a common cold I'd be livid if someone turned up to be interviewed with your symptoms. I hope you feel better soon, I'm sure they'll be understanding x

Original poster
troobleflooble · 22/12/2021 23:01

@secretnurse it's a virtual interview being done online over Teams. No face to face contact at all, which is good as I won't run the risk of passing anything on.

I have had a covid test and it was negative (fortunately).

I'm so tired and trying to sleep but I'm finding it hard to breathe I'm so bunged up. Haven't slept properly for 2 days because of it. Propped up on pillows to help and my nose is literally dripping! Feeling a bit fed up 😞 Fingers crossed I'll fall asleep soon.

OP posts:
lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 22/12/2021 23:02

I would be less concerned about the coughing and sneezing part and more about whether or not I had had time to prepare for the interview if I'd been Ill. I work in recruitment and everybody is very understanding about this just before Christmas and with covid. As @TerribleCustomerCervix said, as long as you reiterate how keen you are and that you are apologetic I'm sure they will rearrange for Jan.

secretnurse · 22/12/2021 23:06

[quote troobleflooble]@secretnurse it's a virtual interview being done online over Teams. No face to face contact at all, which is good as I won't run the risk of passing anything on.

I have had a covid test and it was negative (fortunately).

I'm so tired and trying to sleep but I'm finding it hard to breathe I'm so bunged up. Haven't slept properly for 2 days because of it. Propped up on pillows to help and my nose is literally dripping! Feeling a bit fed up 😞 Fingers crossed I'll fall asleep soon. [/quote]
Ah that's good, both the virtual interview and the negative PCR! If you feel so poorly you think it would cause you to underperform in the interview I'd be honest and email them exactly that. Ask if they'd be willing to reschedule, but offer to go ahead if they can't, with the warning you're unwell and might need a bit more time to consider your answers! Good luck and feel better soon x

Yellow85 · 22/12/2021 23:10

I interview quite regularly and whilst I wouldn’t want someone in person coughing and sneezing on me, I’d be happy to proceed via zoom. Tbh it would be a bit of a red flag for me if someone called off something as important as an interview for a job.l they actually want due to a cold. It would make me think that they would call in sick for any minor thing if hired.

Vapeyvapevape · 22/12/2021 23:12

I would do it , you may get extra points for being a trooper! I attended an interview years ago with the most horrific ear infection, I couldn’t hear properly, was sweating and felt like death. I just told them at the beginning that I wasn’t well and we had a chat about remedies etc , it definitely broke the ice.
Dose yourself up and good luck x

CoffeeRunner · 22/12/2021 23:17

I have to say my last 2 interviews were done early morning following the night shift.

I honestly felt like on both occasions I was given extra credit for turning up at the given time & not asking to reschedule. I got both jobs.

It may well work in your favour. They may not go in as hard on you as you are unwell.

Curtainpoleloop · 22/12/2021 23:59

I’d move heaven and earth to be there. They may have to make a decision quickly and if you don’t participate, you won’t be in with a shot. Adrenaline might help you through, have you got examples of previous experience prepared? A few questions to ask them? Put a bit of thought into what you want them to leave the interview remembering about you and use that to keep your focus. Good luck.