How to Cancel an Interview in 3 Steps

There are a number of the reason why you may must cancel an interview. Possibly you obtain a greater job supply, or your private circumstances change and also you’re now not in a position to settle for a brand new place.

So long as you cancel your interview politely and in a well timed method, you possibly can usually preserve an expert relationship with the employer, in response to Forbes.

Listed below are some the reason why you may cancel an interview:

• You acquired and accepted one other job supply.

• You’re now not within the job or the corporate. 

• You’re transferring and unable to report back to the workplace or office. 

• Your private circumstances have modified, and also you wouldn’t be capable to settle for a job supply or fulfill the tasks.  

However earlier than you determine to cancel an interview, ask your self: Must you reschedule the interview as an alternative? When you aren’t 100% certain you don’t need the job, choose to reschedule as an alternative of canceling the interview, says Heather Livingston, a profession advisor on the College of Phoenix.

“In case you have any, any inkling that you just nonetheless wish to work there, do not cancel it, as a result of that is clearly going to take away you from the working,” Livingston says.

Listed below are some causes to reschedule an interview:

• You’re sick, and unable to interview in your scheduled date.

• You’ve skilled a private emergency, similar to a dying within the household, and can be out of city for a number of days. 

• Your transportation fell by way of, and also you’re unable to report back to the interview. 

• Your web is out, and you may’t take a digital interview from a public library or pal’s home. 

When you determine to cancel the interview, comply with these steps.

First, get in contact with the recruiter or interviewer as quickly as potential, ideally at the very least 24 hours earlier than the interview is scheduled to happen.

Don’t ship your cancellation by way of textual content message or e-mail, Livingston says. Sure, it’s at all times tempting to keep away from a doubtlessly awkward dialog. However given the sensitivity of what you’re speaking, calling the interviewer is extra respectful {and professional} than texting or emailing. It reveals that you really want the interviewer to know in regards to the cancellation as quickly as potential, to allow them to modify their schedule accordingly.

Plus, even probably the most politely worded cancellation e-mail or textual content will be learn as sounding much less regretful than you supposed, Livingston says. “It may be misinterpreted and misconstrued, even with one of the best of intentions.”

Thank the interviewer for the time they’ve invested in your candidacy, and specific your appreciation for being thought-about for the function. Then, say you should cancel the interview.

Briefly clarify why you should cancel the interview. You solely must disclose as a lot data as you’re snug sharing, however it may be useful to offer a cause behind the cancellation. Contemplate the way you’d take it if somebody canceled with you as a result of they’re transferring cities to maintain a member of the family, versus canceling due to “private circumstances.”

When you’re canceling the interview since you accepted one other job supply, be sincere and say that. You possibly can say one thing like, “Sadly, I’ve accepted one other job supply, however it’s been great studying extra in regards to the firm and I want you all one of the best in your search.”

You don’t need to disclose the place you’ll be working. If the interviewer asks, use your greatest judgment as as to whether you wish to share that data, Livingston says.

If the interviewer doesn’t reply your preliminary cellphone name, go away a voicemail, Livingston says. In your voicemail, first specific your apologies and your appreciation for the chance. Then, inform them you must cancel the interview.

After you end your voicemail, you possibly can ship an e-mail or textual content message (ideally each, when you’ve got the interviewer’s cellular phone quantity) and inform them you must cancel the interview, in response to Forbes. Embody your cause concisely, and you’ll want to specific your appreciation for his or her time and your apologies at having to cancel your interview.

Specific your appreciation for the chance, and apologize once more for having to cancel the interview. Ask the interviewer in case you can keep related on LinkedIn, Livingston says.