To apologize for missing an interview, promptly reach out to the interviewer via phone or email, give a valid reason why you missed the interview, express sincere regret, and offer to reschedule at a convenient time. Follow up with an apology email and demonstrate continued interest and appreciation for their understanding.
This might not be what you want to hear, but simply not showing up to an interview is an incredibly unprofessional thing to do unless you have a very valid reason that it was completely outside of your control and that you couldn’t contact them in advance (both of which tend to be pretty unlikely).
If you do so, you’ll almost definitely blow your chances at landing the job. From the employer’s perspective, a “no show” is incredibly frustrating and is a massive waste of time. Do everything in your power to reduce this frustration. However, if you’ve done so, use the following tips to try to salvage the situation.
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Attempting to Salvage the Situation
If you think you’re going to miss an interview, you must make every effort to inform the interviewer in advance. Failure to do so will very likely result in you being deemed unprofessional and unreliable, which will greatly damage your chances of being considered for future opportunities.
However, if you have missed an interview without informing them in advance, you might be able to salvage the situation if you give them a valid reason and go about it the right way. Start by reaching out to the interviewer as soon as possible, expressing sincere apologies for the oversight, and providing a brief explanation for the circumstances that led to the missed appointment. Be honest, concise, and professional in your approach.
If the circumstances were completely outside of your control and you genuinely had no way of contacting the interviewer in advance, then you’ll stand the best chance of regaining their trust. If you just couldn’t be bothered to call them in advance then you’ve very likely blown your chances with them.
If appropriate, ask if there is any possibility of rescheduling the interview or if alternative arrangements can be made. By taking responsibility for your actions and demonstrating a genuine desire to make amends, you may still have a chance to leave a positive impression and potentially recover from the misstep. However, be prepared for the possibility that the opportunity may have already passed, and use this experience as a learning moment to ensure better communication and punctuality in the future.
Don’t make excuses. Frankly, it’s very unprofessional to miss an interview. Be as professional and mature as possible to make every effort to regain the trust of the interviewer.
How to reschedule a missed interview
Asking to reschedule an interview after missing it is a crucial step in demonstrating your commitment to the job opportunity. Depending on the situation, you may need to adapt your phone call or email message to ensure it effectively conveys your sentiments.
When reaching out to reschedule, keep the following points in mind:
- Contact the interviewer as soon as possible to show your responsiveness and accountability.
- Be polite and professional in your communication and avoid demanding or entitled language.
- Adhere to the company’s preferred communication channels—typically, a phone call followed by an email is a suitable approach.
Asking to reschedule a missed interview and following up with a thoughtful email showcases your professionalism and commitment to the job opportunity. Providing tailored email messages for different situations ensures that your apology and request are effective and genuine. Keep both the context and the interviewer’s time and understanding in mind when crafting your email.
Crafting an Apology email
Crafting an apology email may vary across different circumstances, but some key elements remain consistent:
- A concise and genuine explanation for your absence
- An expression of remorse for the inconvenience caused
- A confirmation of your interest in the job
- A request for rescheduling the interview, if feasible
- Gratitude for the interviewer’s understanding and time
By creating a tailored message based on the specific situation, you ensure that your email demonstrates genuine intentions and a strong desire to make amends. Timeliness, sincerity, and professionalism are key elements for a successful apology and rescheduling request in this scenario.
Sample Email Messages For Missing an Interview
Here are sample email messages for different situations:
You can use these as a starting point, but make sure to adapt them to your situation. Many of them are too generic and will probably be interpreted as so unless you put some effort into crafting a good message:
Missed interview due to illness:
Subject: [Your Name] – Apology for Missing Interview on [Date] and Request for Rescheduling
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend our scheduled interview on [Date] due to an unexpected illness. I understand the inconvenience this may have caused and sincerely apologize for my absence.
Please let me know if it would be possible to reschedule the interview. I remain highly interested in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Thank you for your understanding and for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
- Missed interview due to unforeseen circumstances:
Subject: [Your Name] – Apology for Missing Interview on [Date] and Request for Rescheduling
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you are doing well. I regret to inform you that I was unable to attend the scheduled interview on [Date] due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience my absence may have caused.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to reschedule the interview if it’s still possible. My interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] remains strong, and I’m eager to discuss my qualifications and experience further.
Thank you for your understanding and for considering my request. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
- Request to reschedule due to an emergency:
Subject: [Your Name] – Request to Reschedule Interview on [Date] Due to Emergency
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you are well. Unfortunately, I experienced an unforeseen emergency, which prevented me from attending our scheduled interview on [Date]. I understand the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely apologize for any difficulties it has created.
I would be grateful if we could reschedule the interview at a later date or time. I genuinely value the opportunity to explore the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and the chance to discuss my suitability for the role.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility in this matter. I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
- Missed interview due to traffic or transportation issues:
Subject: [Your Name] – Apology for Missing Interview on [Date] and Request for Rescheduling
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. Regrettably, I was unable to attend the scheduled interview on [Date] due to unforeseen transportation issues. I apologize for any inconvenience my absence may have caused and thank you for your understanding.
If possible, I would appreciate the opportunity to reschedule the interview. I am genuinely interested in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and look forward to discussing my qualifications with you.
Thank you for considering my request, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
- Missed interview due to technical issues:
Subject: [Your Name] – Apology for Technical Issues on [Date] and Request for Rescheduling
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. Regrettably, I encountered technical issues during our scheduled interview on [Date], which hindered my participation. Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused, and thank you for your understanding.
If feasible, I would appreciate the opportunity to reschedule our interview. My interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] remains strong, and I am eager to discuss my qualifications further.
Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
- Request to reschedule in advance due to a conflict:
Subject: [Your Name] – Request to Reschedule Interview on [Date]
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for offering me the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position on [Date]. Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict has arisen that prevents me from attending the interview at that time.
I respectfully request the possibility to reschedule the interview to a different date or time. I understand the inconvenience this may cause and apologize for any difficulties. I am eager to demonstrate my skills and discuss my fit for the position at [Company Name].
Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Remember to adjust your message based on the specific situation, remain concise, and maintain a professional tone. Conveying sincere regret and a strong desire to make things right will help you maintain good prospects with the company despite missing the interview.
Conclusion
Missing an interview can be an overwhelming experience, but handling the situation professionally significantly increases your chances of salvaging the opportunity. By crafting genuine, situation-specific email messages and demonstrating dedication to the job prospect, you can navigate the challenging circumstance of a missed interview and regain your footing in the hiring process.
