Not Planning to Show up for an Interview? Here's What to Do

"What should I do if I have to cancel an interview?"

This is a question we often hear from job seekers who are uncertain of how to handle this type of situation. Canceling anything can be tricky, especially things like job interviews, but that's why we're here to help. Keep in mind that you aren’t the first person in the world who had to cancel an interview and you won’t be the last. Employers are people too and they realize that things come up, so don’t let this stress you out too much.

In the event that something comes up and you have to cancel these three tips will help you handle the situation professionally.

1. Have a valid reason- This is very important, if you must cancel an interview be sure you're doing it for the right reasons, not for something like visiting with friends or staying home to catch the season premiere of your favorite TV show. If something important or urgent comes up and you need to reschedule, the hiring manager will certainly understand, just be honest and explain your situation.

2. Call ahead- If you have to cancel make sure you call and let the employer know as soon as possible. Simply explain your reason for canceling and ask if you can reschedule. This shows that you're responsible and are truly interested in the position. If you can't reach the hiring manager don't be afraid to leave a voicemail. They would rather hear from you than just have you not show up without any notice.

3. Don't be a no show- The last thing you want to do is just not show up to your scheduled interview without any notice because this will give the employer the wrong impression of you. Just remember, calling to reschedule only takes a moment and it means a lot to busy hiring managers.

Even if you decide you don’t want to go to the interview because you don’t want the job, or you already accepted another position, it’s important to give the employer a heads up. This way you’ll make sure not to burn any bridges. What happens if your job doesn’t work out and you want another shot at the company? You want them to remember you for your courtesy and not for that fact that you just didn’t show up for a scheduled interview.

Having to cancel an interview isn’t an ideal situation but if you follow these three steps you'll leave a good impression and show the employer what a responsible candidate you are.