Candidates must keep trying their luck to receive an interview confirmation email, no matter how scary any interview process is for them. However, there are situations when an applicant may be unwilling to attend an interview planned for them.
There are various reasons an interview can be cancelled, and these can come from either the candidate or the company. HR managers and recruiters frequently cancel or reschedule interviews.
Notifying the other party of the cancellation is critical, regardless of who wants to decline the interview.
A kid or other family member may become ill, you may have an unexpected conflicting work obligation at your current employment, your Internet may be down, or your car may break down the morning of the interview.
With other interviews, you may have just decided that this isn’t your best job. This is a step-by-step guide on how best to cancel a job interview.
Table of contents
- Why Would You Want to Cancel a Job Interview?
- Is It Unprofessional to Cancel an Interview?
- When Shouldn’t I Cancel an Interview?
- Potential Consequences of Canceling an Interview
- How Do You Politely Decline an Interview?
- How to Cancel an Interview
- Email Message Example Canceling an Interview
- #1. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
- #2. Email Request to Reschedule Message
- #3. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
- Hi [employer/interviewer name] / Dear [employer/interviewer name],
- #4. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
- Hi [employer/interviewer name],
- #5. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
- Subject: Your Name – Interview for the Job Title position on Date
- #6. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
- Subject: Job Title Interview – Your Name
- #7. Subject: Your Name – Job interview for Job Title at Company Name on Date
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Why Would You Want to Cancel a Job Interview?
People cancel job interviews for a variety of reasons, as previously stated. It’s fine to cancel an interview if you’re certain this isn’t the job for you, and you’re ready to jeopardize your prospects with the firm you’d be interviewing with, as they might not consider relying on you again.
- Better job offers came your way, which you accepted.
- You’ve heard something about the firm that doesn’t correspond with your values, therefore, you’ve decided you can’t be linked to it.
- You’ve concluded you can’t afford the professional change, whether it’s due to the new commute, a possible relocation, a wage decrease, or a loss of benefits.
- You have other commitments, such as a family or a hobby, that you have chosen to prioritize.
- You’ve determined that you don’t want to leave your current job.
- You have simply changed your mind.
- There is a better work opportunity or position elsewhere.
- You decided not to continue looking for a job with a specific company.
- Dissatisfaction with the interview process and their overall experience.
- You believe the job is not a suitable match for them.
- The company’s remuneration package is too low compared to their qualifications and expertise.
- You cannot meet at the proposed time and day.
- A crisis emerges that requires immediate attention.
- You cannot do so because of prior commitments at your current job.
Is It Unprofessional to Cancel an Interview?
It doesn’t seem good to cancel a job interview. However, if you’re certain you don’t want the position, making a sound career decision and not wasting anyone else’s time isn’t inherently unprofessional. Of course, there are more professional methods to cancel an interview.
While cancelling a job interview may be inconvenient, weeding oneself out of the recruitment process can save you and your prospective employer a lot of time.
When Shouldn’t I Cancel an Interview?
If you really want the job or if there’s still a chance you’ll get it, you shouldn’t cancel the interview. But it’s an unfamiliar situation if you need to reschedule the interview.
Don’t cancel the interview because you were sick, couldn’t get time off work, or had a family issue; instead, request a reschedule.
Similarly, don’t cancel the interview because you were late due to traffic or overslept, couldn’t find a babysitter, were overtired, or something else that might have been avoided if you had planned.
Potential Consequences of Canceling an Interview
#1. You’ll look unprofessional
Canceling an interview for unknown reasons or sending an impolite message may have a bad impact on your reputation.
#2. Your inconsistency will limit you
Even if you’re no longer interested in the employment, be cautious if you’re considering another position at the same or a comparable organization. You don’t want the recruiting manager for this position to tell others that you’re untrustworthy and that they should avoid you.
See Also: Six Ways To Boost Productive Output Of Employees
#3. There’s a chance you won’t have another chance.
If you cancel now, there’s a chance you won’t receive another chance to interview for that position or another role at the organization.
How Do You Politely Decline an Interview?
Even if you’ve already applied, you can politely decline an interview by responding and informing the interviewer or recruiter that you’re no longer interested.
While you are under no need to give them a reason, you might state that you have received a better offer or that you have pursued a new professional path that is more appropriate for you.
Express your gratitude for their time and effort, and let them know if you’d want to be kept in mind for any future positions that would be a better fit. It’s critical to maintain a professional and courteous tone in this situation.
How to Cancel an Interview
If you’ve chosen to cancel your job interview, you should do a few things to ensure you’re as professional as possible. You should know how to cancel a job interview. The things you should note are:
- It’s critical to notify the company as soon as possible if you aren’t able to make it to your scheduled interview. Avoid waiting until the last possible moment. As soon as you realize you won’t be able to make it, notify your employer.
- The interviewer’s time is valuable, and another candidate can fill the time slot you’re giving up. You also want to maintain good relations with the employer if you need to reschedule or another position with the organization becomes available.
- Make sure you’re sure you don’t want to do the interview. Consider your reasons for declining the interview—if you’re unsure if you want the job, it’s usually best to attend the interview as a “fact-finding” expedition. You have nothing to lose but time, and you might find that the role fits better than you expected.
- Contact the hiring manager by phone or email. If you determine that going to the job interview isn’t something you want to do.
Email Message Example Canceling an Interview
#1. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
Subject: Your Name – Cancel Interview
Dear Hiring Manager Name,
Thank you for contacting me about the customer care representative position at XYZ firm. I appreciate your interest in the position but cannot keep the interview arranged for Tuesday, January 15th at 10 a.m.
I cannot attend the interview and thus request that my candidacy for the post be withdrawn. Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness.
Best,
Your Name
#2. Email Request to Reschedule Message
Use this email message example when you want to reschedule an interview. Let the hiring manager know when you’ll be available for a meeting or call.
Dear Hiring Manager,
Is it possible to reschedule the interview for the customer service agent position we had scheduled for March 15th at 2 p.m.? I cannot attend but would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss the position with you.
My calendar is open for the rest of the week, and I’m available whenever it’s most convenient for you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Best,
Your Name
#3. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
Hi [employer/interviewer name] / Dear [employer/interviewer name],
I’m writing to let you know that, due to scheduling conflicts, I will cancel our [job title] interview scheduled for [day and time] at [interview location]. Thank you for considering me for this position, however, I’ve withdrawn my application.
[Without oversharing, explain why you’re canceling, such as reevaluating the job move.]I regret any difficulty and thank you in advance for your patience.
[Your name] [Signature]Phone Script
Related Article: Six Ways To Boost Productive Output Of Employees
#4. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
Hi [employer/interviewer name],
I wanted to give you a quick call to discuss our forthcoming interview for the [job title] position at [interview location], which we had scheduled for [day and Time]. Thank you for considering me for this position; however, I’ve withdrawn my application.
[Without over-sharing, explain why you’re canceling, such as reevaluating the job move.]I regret any inconvenience this has caused you, and I look forward to hearing from you if there is a better fit for us in the future.
#5. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
Subject: Your Name – Interview for the Job Title position on Date
Dear Mr. Brown
I am grateful for your attention to my job application for Job Title and the opportunity to interview with Company Name. I’ve accepted a job offer from another organization, therefore I’m sorry to have to cancel our job interview.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I wish you luck in your quest for an appropriate job candidate.
Sincerely
Your Name
Email and contact number
#6. Sample Email Canceling an Interview
Subject: Job Title Interview – Your Name
Dear Ms. Green
I appreciate your time and concern in considering my application for the Job Title position at Company Name.
I’ve taken another position and am no longer available for yours. I sincerely request that our job interview on the Date be cancelled.
I regret any inconvenience this has caused and wish Company Name continued success.
Sincerely
Your Name
Email and Contact number
#7. Subject: Your Name – Job interview for Job Title at Company Name on Date
Dear Mr. Smith
I appreciate your interest in my job application for the position of Job Title and the opportunity to interview with Company Name. However, I am no longer available for this post due to a recent change in my circumstances. I regret to inform you that our job interview scheduled for Date has been cancelled.
I appreciate your time and thoughtfulness and wish Company Name continued success.
Sincerely
Your Name
Email and Contact Number
Conclusion
Cancel interviews only as a last resort, because cancellations might give top-tier job seekers a negative impression of your organization. Remember that the rudest cancellations provide no information about why you cancelled an interview or whether you may still be considered for a job at the organization.
References
- work.chron.com – How to Cancel an Interview After I Accepted a Job Offer
- theinterviewguys.com – How to Cancel a Job Interview (Examples Included)
- upjourney.com – How to Cancel a Job Interview (with Examples), According to 15 Experts
- forgerecruitment.com – How to Cancel a Job Interview
- sparkmailapp.com – How to Decline a Job Interview with a Cancellation Email
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