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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask to postpone my job interview this afternoon?

46 replies

poiuhgf · 18/04/2023 11:58

I have a job interview this afternoon on Teams. I've been unwell the last week and have struggled to prepare for the interview, and just don't feel well enough to put my best foot forward.

The interview is at 4pm, would it be incredibly rude and unprofessional to email and ask to postpone it? Should I just prepare as much as I can and push through?

OP posts:
Tarantullah · 18/04/2023 12:00

I'd push on if it's via teams personally, there's no guarantee they can postpone it and its a bit late in the day now really- different if you'd let them know first thing this morning perhaps.

WandaWonder · 18/04/2023 12:00

I would postpone for an actual emergency reason but no not for this

OKFinally · 18/04/2023 12:01

I would say thanks we will get back to you and move on.

lovemelongtime · 18/04/2023 12:01

You can ask but it's a bit late in the day now. Just call them and ask can you delay till tomorrow. Nothing to lose.

twinklelight · 18/04/2023 12:01

I think any less than 24hrs notice unless is an actual emergency is unreasonable

TonightMatthewIamgoingtobecher · 18/04/2023 12:01

You can try but it may well not be possible always tricky getting slots around panel availability etc and they might want to appoint without delay.

You made it to interview so they must see something in you. Can you get some fresh air, go for a little walk and then maybe do some brief prep this afternoon and then just relax and get ready?

Do let them know at start of interview if you are really unwell helpful for them to be aware.

Very best of luck and get well soon.

Cap89 · 18/04/2023 12:03

It’s a tricky one, but I have to say we were never very impressed with people who asked to postpone because they weren’t well. As unfair as it might be, it just comes across as a bit flaky! A bit different if you’ve been seriously ill but if not, I think it would be better to push through. It also depends on how competitive the job is. If you think you’re a really attractive candidate and they’ve not got a big pool to choose from, they may be a bit more willing to help you out, but if it’s competitive I don’t think it’ll look great. Sorry, I know how hard it is to prepare for things like this if you‘re feeling rubbish. Hopefully the adrenaline will kick in and see you through!

Damnloginpopup · 18/04/2023 12:03

I'd bin your application there and then.

TokyoSushi · 18/04/2023 12:04

If it's on Teams, if you want the job then I think that you have to push through, good luck!

Aposterhasnoname · 18/04/2023 12:07

Honestly, if you did that to me, I’d discount you immediately.

Decafflatteplease · 18/04/2023 12:09

Id say you need to crack on at this late stage.

Can you have a nap or something now?

Ersorrywhatnow · 18/04/2023 12:11

I’d been your application immediately - that’s not an emergency. Use the time you have between now and then to prepare and don’t get too worked up about it

rubyslippers · 18/04/2023 12:11

poiuhgf · 18/04/2023 11:58

I have a job interview this afternoon on Teams. I've been unwell the last week and have struggled to prepare for the interview, and just don't feel well enough to put my best foot forward.

The interview is at 4pm, would it be incredibly rude and unprofessional to email and ask to postpone it? Should I just prepare as much as I can and push through?

Too late to postpone and as a recruiting manager unless it was a huge emergency I would probably discount you for such late notice
try to power through especially if on Teams

Irritateandunreasonable · 18/04/2023 12:12

ofc it’s rude and unprofessional. It’s on teams, you don’t need to go anywhere.

Treeeeeeee · 18/04/2023 12:17

In hospital ill - yes reschedule
Not in hospital - no do not reschedule if you want the job.
Start the meeting by apologising for being ill of you really must and see if they offer to rescheduled (although I wouldn't even recommend this)

Lcb123 · 18/04/2023 12:19

I do a lot of recruitment and I'd be pretty unimpressed by this, with the short notice. It's such a nightmare scheduling interviews. I'd push through if it's on Teams.

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 18/04/2023 12:20

A bit too late now. You could have rescheduled yesterday. Just do your best.

fluffiphlox · 18/04/2023 12:21

I wouldn’t be impressed at all.

Quveas · 18/04/2023 12:22

Sorry, but we hold interviews, whether via Teams or face to face, when we hold them. They don't get re-arranged for any reason. Maybe if there were a shortage of applicants it might be different, but that isn't the case.

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 18/04/2023 12:27

Interviews are usually arranged around the schedules of very busy people, and usually decision is made on the day. Unless all the candidates that turned up weren't appointable we would decline to rearrange. This isn't an emergency and it would likely take weeks to get everyone free again and couldn't have candidates waiting around that long.

If you want a chance at the job you just have to go and do your best.

charlertin · 18/04/2023 12:27

Like others have said OP, don't cancel, just try and do your best. It's not a good look when candidates cancel for things like "not being prepared".
You may surprise yourself during the interview and be more prepared then you think.
Good luck x

Phos · 18/04/2023 12:28

Push through OP. Asking to reschedule at this point, you'd pretty much guarantee yourself being putting out of the running. At least if you turn up, you still have a chance. I've just started a new job that I got with a croaky voice and feeling absolutely awful. They understood.

LeiLeiLeiLei · 18/04/2023 12:28

It is not an emergency so i would push on and go through with interview. If you want you could say youve not been feeling well though please do ask if you are unclear when speaking (if it is that type of illness)

cocksstrideintheevening · 18/04/2023 12:29

That would be the end of your application I'm afraid. You don't even have to anywhere.

sunbathetilmorningtime · 18/04/2023 12:29

Yeah I really wouldn’t. They’ll either discount you or think you’re going to be off sick constantly.