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Sign Up NowYou’ve followed every step right in the job application process and even secured that long-awaited interview. The only hitch is that you’re scheduled for an important medical procedure on the same day. Two thoughts cross your mind: either skip the treatment you genuinely need or miss the chance for a position that feels ideal for you.
But here’s something many people forget — there’s another option. If your reason is valid, it’s perfectly fine to ask to move your interview to another date.
So, when is it acceptable to shift an interview? That’s a good question, and in this guide, we’ll cover that along with other helpful details like:
Just like in most cases, there are reasonable and unreasonable causes to change your interview time. Sleeping in or missing an alarm usually doesn’t count as a good enough excuse. But if you’re facing a real emergency such as a health issue, then that’s a solid reason to move your interview to another day.
Here’s a breakdown of acceptable reasons to reschedule and those that might not be seen as professional.
Here are some justifiable reasons to cancel an interview:
Feeling Unwell
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become far more mindful about staying healthy and keeping others safe. You’ve likely made changes in your daily habits to avoid spreading germs. Ignoring an illness just to attend an interview can put your health and others’ well-being at risk.
If you’re feeling unwell, it’s best to inform your potential employer. They’ll likely appreciate your honesty rather than risk getting sick themselves.
Once you’ve recovered, reach out again to request a new interview date. Try not to delay this too long, as there’s usually a short window to rearrange.
If you have ongoing health problems, try booking your interview at a time when you’re feeling stronger. You can also request another format, such as a phone or video interview, if that’s easier for you.
Transportation Problems
We’ve all had those days — your car works perfectly fine one day, and the next, it breaks down unexpectedly. Maybe you take it to the mechanic and have to wait a few days for repairs. When that happens, you might need to shuffle your schedule.
The best thing to do is be upfront about it. Tell the hiring manager your car is being repaired and that you’re working to fix the issue quickly. Most people have faced something similar before, so employers are usually understanding.
Technical Difficulties
These days, many first-round interviews take place over video platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Skype. But sometimes, technology just doesn’t cooperate.
Whether your Wi-Fi drops or your computer refuses to start, these problems can make it impossible to continue. The key is to communicate right away and explain what happened — most recruiters will get it.
If your issue is technical, try offering a phone interview as an alternative. You might also use a tablet or phone for a video call. If your internet connection is unreliable, you could step into a café or another place with public Wi-Fi. It might be a bit noisy, but a simple apology can smooth things over.
Severe Weather Conditions
There are times when you can’t even step outside because of extreme weather. Maybe an ice storm hits suddenly, and the streets are too slick to drive on. Highways close, and even smaller routes become unsafe. In such cases, it’s simply not worth the risk.
If you’re stuck in this kind of situation, contact your interviewer as soon as possible to explain. Most likely, they’ll be facing the same problem — they may have even closed the office for safety.
You can either request to move the interview to another day or suggest doing it remotely. Offering these options shows that you’re flexible and still serious about the opportunity.
Family Emergency
Sometimes life throws something serious your way — like a loss in the family or a crisis involving someone close to you. During such times, it’s natural to pause everything and support those who need you.
A thoughtful employer will understand if you need time away for a family issue. You don’t have to share personal details; just give enough context for them to see that the situation is serious.
Change in Work Hours
When you’re still employed while searching for another job, scheduling interviews can be tricky. Your current boss might not be open to rearranging shifts or letting you off early.
If your work hours suddenly change, be honest about it with your interviewer. Let them know your schedule has shifted and ask for another suitable time. Most recruiters understand this — after all, you’re managing several duties at once.
Feeling Too Tired or Oversleeping
You wake up and realize you’re already behind schedule. You’re anxious and think you won’t perform well in the interview. But here’s the reality: cancelling an interview just because you slept through your alarm can make a recruiter think you’re unreliable and may show up late to work too.
You might consider coming up with another reason, but chances are the interviewer will notice the timing—especially if you reach out right before the meeting starts.
Instead, be honest. Let them know you’re running late and ask if they can wait a short while. Offer an apology and make it clear that this was a one-time mistake that won’t happen again.
Lost on the Way
We’ve all been there before: your GPS says “turn left in fifty yards,” but you miss the turn and take the wrong exit. You end up going the opposite way for ten minutes, adding another fifteen to get back on track. You had allowed extra time, but now you’re going to be late. You feel tense, worried, and afraid that your interviewer will be annoyed.
First, take a moment to relax. Then contact your interviewer and explain what happened. Let them know you’re on your way and roughly how long it will take. If you inform them early enough, they may be able to move the schedule slightly so you can still attend.
Not Ready for the Interview
If you didn’t prepare beforehand, that’s not a strong reason to push your interview to another date. Maybe you spent the night watching TV or scrolling online—whatever the case, it’s not a valid reason to reschedule.
You need to have a solid explanation for missing an interview. Feeling unready doesn’t count, especially when the interviewer has made time and prepared questions for you.
If you find yourself unprepared, take a few minutes to go over key details:
Doing this while waiting for your turn can make a big difference. Even five minutes of review can help you perform more confidently during the interview.
Skipping the Interview Entirely
Not showing up for an interview because you don’t feel like going is one of the worst impressions you can make. If you decide to skip it without notice, don’t expect another chance. That opportunity will likely be gone.
When you “ghost” an interviewer, they’ll probably cross you off their list for future roles too. Even if they call you again, it’s unlikely they’ll forget being stood up. It shows that you value your own time but not theirs.
Losing Interest in the Job
It’s perfectly fine to change your mind about a role. Maybe you’ve already accepted a different job that pays better or offers stronger benefits. If that’s the case, simply be open about it and let the recruiter know you’ve taken another offer.
This approach saves both parties time and effort. Your honesty will be appreciated, and the interviewer can move on to other candidates while respecting your decision.
There are definite advantages to rescheduling an interview, but there can also be drawbacks. While shifting the time may be convenient for you, it might make it harder to build a connection with the recruiter if your reason isn’t reasonable. Below are some pros and cons to think about when deciding whether to postpone.
Here are some valid reasons to reschedule an interview:
Shows Maturity in Communication
Hiring managers often appreciate when candidates are upfront about conflicts and inform them in time. It shows that you can handle unexpected situations responsibly. Remember, your way of communicating during the hiring process reflects your professional behavior too.
It might sound surprising, but when you request a new interview time, you can get a glimpse of how adaptable the company is. Seeing how they respond can tell you a lot about their working culture.
Interviews are a two-way process: both you and the employer are figuring out if it’s a good fit. If a recruiter struggles to adjust or reacts poorly to a genuine scheduling issue, it might suggest poor management or rigid workplace culture.
For example, if your current supervisor asks you to attend an urgent meeting and you inform the recruiter that you’ll need to move the interview, their response can reveal a lot. If they seem irritated or unaccommodating, that could be a sign of inflexibility in the company.
Could Suggest Unreliability or Low Interest in the Job
If there isn’t a valid reason behind changing your interview time, it may appear to the recruiter that you’re not serious about the opportunity. It can also make you seem careless or inconsistent, which could reduce your chance of being selected for the position.
Always make sure there’s a genuine and acceptable reason before asking to move your interview date, since doing otherwise can affect how the interviewer sees your level of commitment.
When you have to reschedule an interview, it’s important to follow certain steps to keep things positive between you and the potential employer.
It’s always best to let the recruiter know right away if you can’t attend the scheduled interview. For instance, imagine you get a call from your doctor on Friday afternoon asking you to come in for an important test the following Monday. Unfortunately, that’s the same day as your interview. Your doctor explains that this is the only time a specialist is available, so you have to be there.
That gives you about four days’ notice to adjust your schedule. If you wait until Monday morning to tell your interviewer, it won’t give them enough time to plan. However, sending a short email on Friday afternoon to explain the situation would be much better.
Try not to delay sending this message. Once you realize you’ll need to reschedule, contact the interviewer immediately to show respect for their time.
If you’re facing a serious family or health matter, there’s no need to go into depth about it. You can be brief while still explaining the reason you’ll miss the interview. Giving only essential information helps protect your privacy while keeping your communication professional.
For instance, you might simply write, “Unfortunately, I cannot attend the interview next Monday afternoon, as I have a family emergency.” That short statement gives enough context without revealing unnecessary details.
Since you’re the one requesting a new appointment, it’s courteous to suggest a few alternative dates and times that work for you. Mention these options in your email or during your call with the hiring manager so they can pick what fits their schedule.
By being proactive and communicative, you show that you’re still interested in the position and want to move forward as soon as possible. Locking in a new date early also helps ensure you don’t lose your spot in the process.
When you request to reschedule, the interviewer might think you’ve lost enthusiasm for the job. To avoid this impression, make sure to clearly restate that you’re still very interested in the role and the company.
Whether through email or over the phone, emphasize your eagerness to be considered. This reassures the employer that your commitment hasn’t changed and that you genuinely want to be part of their team.
Example: Email for Rescheduling an Interview
Subject: Rescheduling Project Manager Interview: Dan Fierstein
Dear Mrs. Bishop,
Reaching out to inform you that, unfortunately, I cannot attend the interview on May 17 at noon, and would like to reschedule the interview.
Unfortunately, there has been a major medical emergency with one of my family members, and I should be there to attend to them in their time of need.
Could we reschedule the interview for May 20 at 1 PM? Please let me know if that date works for you, but if it doesn’t, I’m fairly flexible for the rest of that week and into the beginning of the following week.
I want to apologize for having to reschedule. I know that your time is valuable, and I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.
Sincerely,
Dan Fierstein
One strength of this email is that it’s clear and polite without adding unnecessary information. It explains the reason in a professional tone and avoids overexplaining personal matters.
The sender briefly mentions a medical issue and expresses regret for the inconvenience. They also acknowledge the interviewer’s time and effort, which helps maintain good communication and leaves a positive impression.
Job interviews can be stressful, but if you’d like extra help, you can contact an AI Career Coach at OfferLanded.com. They can assist you in preparing your resume to meet ATS standards, guide you through the interview steps, and help you confidently present your skills and value to potential employers.
If you have a fair and genuine reason, it’s perfectly acceptable to move your interview to a later date. Valid reasons may include family emergencies, health concerns, poor weather conditions, or technical difficulties that prevent you from attending on time. However, reasons such as oversleeping or being unprepared are not considered appropriate grounds for rescheduling and can reflect poorly on your professionalism. If you find yourself needing to reschedule, make sure to reach out to the hiring manager immediately to inform them and propose a new time. When communicating, keep your message concise, polite, and professional, avoiding unnecessary personal details while maintaining respect and clarity.
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