Sometimes during the job search process, you encounter a situation where you want to cancel a job interview and don't know what to do. In that scenario, you need to show your professional side to your hiring manager. You can't merely ghost your hiring manager. You need to know how to cancel a job interview in the right way. What steps are essential? And what you shouldn't do?

Why Should You Cancel a Job interview?

Here are some common reasons people change their mind about an open job interview.

You might have found another excellent job opportunity, so you are no longer interested in the given job option.

• You find out that the company doesn't offer the right pay scale, and that's why you don't want to waste your time.
• You have decided to change your career path.
• The job brings commuting, and you don't want to move to that location.
• There might be some other reasons, but whatever your reason is, it's essential to follow the proper steps of canceling a job interview. 
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Good Reasons for Canceling a Job Interview

Sometimes, you wake up in a bad mood and decide to get rid of any life responsibility. So, in that case, you can't tell your hiring manager that you are in a bad mood. Here are some acceptable reasons for canceling an interview.Find Some Good Reasons to Cancel a Job Interview

An Emergency: You can have a personal or family emergency, and in that scenario, you can decide not to show up for an interview. If you are coming for an interview from another city, and your train is delayed, you can mention that. However, when an emergency is sensitive, you can mention simply that it's a medical or family emergency. There is no need to add too many details.

Sick- You can cancel a job interview when you are too ill to appear for a job interview. You might have a cough, and thereby, you decide not to drag yourself out of bed and spread the infection. In that case, a hiring manager would understand your situation and consider it a valid reason for canceling or rescheduling a job interview. 

Work Responsibility: People typically cancel a job interview last minute when they have some unresolved matter at work. You can quote a few details in the email. This reason also sets a good impression in the mind of your employer. He will consider that you are dedicated to work and handle every job with full responsibility. 

Another job Offer: The hiring manager knows that candidates apply for more than one job. Therefore, when you make up your mind for another job opportunity, it's understandable to cancel another job interview. This way, you will save time for your hiring manager and yourself.

How to Cancel a Job Interview

Here are five simple steps to cancel a job interview. 

Step No.1 Give Proper Notice

The most important thing to do is to give a short notice to the hiring manager. For this purpose, you can either make a call or write an email. You will inform the hiring manager that you can't appear at the job interview in this notice. It's essential to give the notice; it will provide the hiring manager an impression that you are a professional person. 

When you plan to re-apply for another job position at a company in the future, it's good to cancel a job interview on the right note.

Another reason to deal with this formality is to keep your network alive. Not appearing on a job interview is not a good sign. So, you better showcase a positive side to the corporate world.

Step No.2 Make a Reschedule plan

You can write an email in which you request an interview reschedule. An employer always likes to work with a talented person. If you give a genuine reason, he would understand it. Therefore, he won't mind rescheduling the interview for you.

On the flip side, you might not get a reschedule chance. You don't know how a hiring manager will react to a request, especially when he has many candidates. In that case, you might lose this job opportunity. 

However, it's worth giving reschedule a chance and try your luck.

Step No.3 Keep it Short

When you are writing an email to cancel a job interview, don't add too many details. You will add position detail, company name, place, and name where your interview will take place. Explain the main reasons for not appearing for a job interview in only one or two sentences.

Step No.4 Be Courteous 

First of all, you need to thank the hiring manager for giving you a job opportunity. Next, you will decline this job interview courteously. If you are not planning to reschedule an interview and simply skip the option, then give a good reason.

You can tell the company that you have got another job, and that's why you won't appear for the job. You can apologize for the inconvenience resulting from this cancellation or reschedule. It's essential to choose a few words, and carefully, you can't afford to annoy a person.

Step No.5 Add Vital Details

Whether you are canceling a job interview on call or email, you better provide all essential details such as when that interview was, why you can't appear on it, and what the job position is. 

Keep in mind that a hiring manager is a busy professional; he might have many interviews one day. The more specific you are about the interview, the quicker he will get an idea of what job position you are talking about. It's easy for him to check the details and, if required, reschedule.
 

Reschedule A job Interview email example

Subject: Sara Beckham—Reschedule interview

Dear Ms. Seema,

I'm quite thankful that you contacted me for an open job position as a digital marketer at X-Zone USA. I'm reaching out to inform you that I won't appear for a job interview, which is happening on March 25, 2021. I am facing a medical emergency at my home. 

Would it be possible for you to reschedule my job interview for May 2? If that's a possibility, 2 p.m. It Will work best for me.

I would appreciate your understanding on this matter and appreciate your time and consideration.

I apologize for any convenience.
 

Sincerely,

Sara Beckham

[email protected]

866-990-1455
 

Is It Unprofessional to Cancel an Interview?

Yes, it looks unprofessional to cancel a job interview. It would help if you did it the right way; else, the hiring manager will have an impression that you are a careless person. It looks awkward to cancel an interview, but the hiring manager will understand it when you do it correctly.
 

When Shouldn't You Cancel an Interview?

In case you are interested in the job and have got an interview call after so many trials, you must prefer to appear on the job instead of canceling a job interview. You can show your courteous side by asking for an interview reschedule.

The first thing to do is to try to appear in this interview. If that's not a possibility, you better ask for a reschedule. In case you are running late, give notice to the hiring manager and ask him to wait for a bit. He may stretch the timing a bit, only to conduct your interview. Other reasons when you shouldn't cancel the interview is when you can't find a babysitter or are overtired.

Try to find a way out of your current issue and appear on the job interview for which you have put all the efforts. It's worth trying a bit more.

If you still cancel it, you will look unprofessional and lose your second chance to interview.

Know: How to Answer Interview Question: Sell me This Pen

Job Interview cancellation email templates

You can use this simple template and create your own job interview cancellation email quickly. 
 

Cancellation email template

Subject: [Add your name here]—Interview cancellation

Dear Hiring Manager, 

Thank you for considering a job of (position name) available at (company name). I'm writing this email to inform you that I need to cancel this interview happening at (interview location) on (date and time). 

I appreciate this job opening but I'm not longer available for this position.

I am extremely sorry for any inconvenience caused and also appreciate your consideration and time.

Faithfully,

[Your name]

Use this Email to Reschedule a job interview 

Subject: [Your name]—Reschedule interview

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am thankful that you considered this open (mention job position) available at (company name). I am reaching out to let you know that I need to cancel this job interview, which is scheduled for (date and time) at (company place). I am unable to appear on this job interview because (give a quick reason- write just one line).

Can you please reschedule it for (mention date)? If so, I would appreciate it if you could set it on (mention time) as it would work best for me.

Sorry for Inconvenience. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your contact information]

Wrap up

It’s time to learn how to cancel a job interview in the best manner. You need to do it professionally. Keep the details simple and add a good reason that is acceptable for a hiring manager. Follow the canceling interview template and example when writing an email.’