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Original poster

Is it bad to ask for interview to be rescheduled

35 replies

ASDnocareer · 26/02/2025 22:03

I’ve had some bad luck recently. This week I had to leave my living situation (tenancy) due to safety reasons so booked the first affordable Airbnb.

I’m in London so hotels and nice Airbnb’s are too expensive.
Now this Airbnb is luckily in a safe area but there’s no hot water to shower with, no kettle either. I thought I could just force myself to have a cold shower buts its icy cold and feels too painful.

I already find job interviews stressful enough due to anxiety / ASD, and now pathetically I’m in tears because I didn’t expect an Airbnb to not have hot water (on top of stress from living situation, and not expecting to even be in an Airbnb day before my interview).

I don’t have a gym membership either but I can maybe get a day pass tomorrow. Instead of prepping and arriving calmly tomorrow I’ve got to wake even earlier to find a gym then travel to a location I’ve never been to before. Usually would simply arrive early when never been to the place but if I have to go the gym first too it’s cutting it very short, not to mention I’m feeling really down this week.

My head is so overwhelmed (I have ASD so guilty of overstressing), and gutted I won’t be performing to the best of my ability. Is it a terrible idea to ask to reschedule the interview? The recruiter had mentioned they are looking to fill this post very soon and had called to double check my availability so I’m scared if I ask to reschedule they may decline and simply reject me instead.

Also I can’t ask a friend right now to shower at theirs either, as I don’t feel comfortable to explain my living situation to them atm.

OP posts:
hereismydog · 26/02/2025 22:08

Not ideal but could you have a ‘wash’ with baby wipes, just the most important bits? Dry shampoo if your hair needs it. It sounds like you probably really need the job if you are living in these conditions so I would absolutely prioritise getting yourself to the agreed interview even if you’ve not had a proper shower.

Good luck 🤞🏻

BleachedJumper · 26/02/2025 22:08

This is shit for you.

when is the interview? Tomorrow morning? Don’t cancel. Boil a pan of water, fill the sink with hot water and have a sink wash.

Contact air bnb and get a refund, a place without functioning hot water and a kettle is not habitable for sale, so you need a refund on that.

Sell yourself like you’ve never sold yourself before at this interview tomorrow. Good luck.

Springadorable · 26/02/2025 22:08

I think if you ask to reschedule you won't get the job, so would that cause you more or less stress than getting there tomorrow?
Can you heat some water in a pan? Do a wet wipe wash? Best of luck x

NeedSomeComfy · 26/02/2025 22:12

This sounds really rubbish. Lugging yourself out to a random gym in the morning sounds very stressful to me. I agree with washing with hot water in a pan and trying to keep the interview time. Best of luck.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 26/02/2025 22:15

Personally I wouldn't mind rescheduling you if I could, but I'd likely expect you to have a lot of flexibility around when that would be until.

Just a heads up if you haven't used it before, ClassPass offers a trial for £1 which you can use for various gyms. It's a bit of a faff but if money is tight it's a good option and will get you a few day passes - I tried it in my old office and got something like 15 locations within a mile of me. You might be able to find a gym near the location of the interview so you can scope out where it is on your way?

Pinkdreams · 26/02/2025 22:16

As someone who deals with recruitment, to me you would look unreliable and I would fob you off

BleachedJumper · 26/02/2025 22:17

Just to add, don’t get stuck in your head on this scenario.

Is it ideal? No. But the difference between people who end up stuck in dead end shit and who just have a bad day, is mentality. This isn’t the end of the world if you don’t allow it to be. Pull yourself through this and be confident about your abilities. Go and ace the interview.

RaininSummer · 26/02/2025 22:19

If you have a friend to ask, could you just say your boiler is broken and ask if you could have a shower? Not really a lie is it just economical with the truth. I would really try not to reschedule.

howdoyoudooooo · 26/02/2025 22:23

Have a sink wash as best you can and stick to the interview time agreed. Good luck!

LIZS · 26/02/2025 22:25

I recall your previous thread. You do need to make the agreed time if you want this job otherwise you will come across as uncommitted, Research your route now then get organised first thing. Get yourself nearby and find a library or coffee shop to wait in. What time are you due and where? Boil a pan of water to wash if needs be.

RachelLikesTea · 26/02/2025 22:27

Get some dry shampoo and cleanser and attend the interview. Good luck!

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 26/02/2025 22:54

Can't you contact the Airbnb owner and get the hot water sorted? Is it just a switch you don't know about? In places I've stayed you just need to flick a switch to get hot water.

If you can't figure it out, just boil the kettle and fill the sink for a wash and again to wash your hair.

Don't ask for the interview to be rescheduled. The company will be interviewing other people too and you'll just be out of synch with the process if you don't go when you've been asked to go.

Hot water isn't worth crying about. Or missing an interview for.

ThatMerryReader · 26/02/2025 22:55

Honestly, I would not hire someone who finds to have a cold shower just once such an uphill battle. If you struggle which such storm in a teacup, how on earth will you cope with other more challenging unexpected scenarios?

pastabest · 26/02/2025 23:02

Where are you in London. I bet mumsnet could find you a hot shower by the morning.

I'm in the rural north of England and can think of two places you could.go within 20 mins of here and we don't even have things like uber or deliveroo yet.

Katrinawaves · 26/02/2025 23:11

Not sure where you live and where the interview is @ASDnocareer but have a look here for a list of all the places to shower free or at low cost in London. Good luck work your interview

londonhomelessinfo.wordpress.com/showers/

TappyGilmore · 26/02/2025 23:23

I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad look to ask to reschedule, but I think you need to be aware that they may not be able to accommodate you.

It could be a situation where they already have one good candidate and they’re waiting to see you to compare or to have a choice. But if you’re not available this week they might not want to wait and might decide to just go with the person that they already have.

Or it could be a situation where it’s a panel interview and it’s absolutely impossible to get the panel together again.

And the thing is, you won’t know until you actually ask. So at this point where you are desperate for a job, I would probably advise against asking.

LunaLove1 · 26/02/2025 23:25

ThatMerryReader · 26/02/2025 22:55

Honestly, I would not hire someone who finds to have a cold shower just once such an uphill battle. If you struggle which such storm in a teacup, how on earth will you cope with other more challenging unexpected scenarios?

Edited

They’ve had to flee their home for god sake. Have some compassion.

The most minor things can seem monumental when going though a hard time.

ReadingRubbish · 26/02/2025 23:30

Also I can’t ask a friend right now to shower at theirs either, as I don’t feel comfortable to explain my living situation to them

Surely you could just say your boiler has broken down and can you grab a quick shower as you have an interview.

InfoSecInTheCity · 26/02/2025 23:35

I would try not to reschedule as it doesn't give the best impression and they may not be able to squeeze you in and still meet their deadlines for recruitment. Look for a local council leisure centre, they will have showers and you won't need a day pass, just pay for a swim which will be about £5 and use the changing facilities.

Liliol · 26/02/2025 23:37

It isn't always bad to reschedule, but it will be at such short notice. It'll end up cancelled. Get yourself ready tonight, get yourself there in plenty of tomorrow and do your best.

SchoolDilemma17 · 26/02/2025 23:39

Don’t move the interview. Book one night in the cheapest hostel you can find and go and shower there. Or book a day room in a Hotel. This interview is important, they want ro fill the role, don’t mess about and lose time or the opportunity.

ReadingRubbish · 26/02/2025 23:44

I think it would be easier to just have the cold shower. It will be very unpleasant but it will be over quickly. That way you will feel fresh and calm without having to faff around finding somewhere to shower.

If you boil a few pans of water that would help too.

TumbledTussocks · 26/02/2025 23:45

I think you're best bet is going to a leisure centre book a swim or a sauna or something and use the shower. You may also feel better for it.
The only companies I've worked for that would haven't minded a reschedule you wouldn't want to work for.

Iwiicit · 26/02/2025 23:48

ThatMerryReader · 26/02/2025 22:55

Honestly, I would not hire someone who finds to have a cold shower just once such an uphill battle. If you struggle which such storm in a teacup, how on earth will you cope with other more challenging unexpected scenarios?

Edited

Honestly, if you've nothing nice to say butt out.
I think it sounds as if life is very stressful for you at the moment. I agree that you should definitely make attending the interview your number one priority. Local swimming pool will have showers, if not just have a wash. Wishing you every success with your interview. Get that out of the way and then contact Airbnb about the water. Good luck.

Chocolate85 · 26/02/2025 23:49

Don’t reschedule, there is enough time to find a place to shower before then and if you don’t, use baby wipes and deodorant. Boiling water is a good call too. Good luck OP.