You may find the idea of rescheduling a job interview a bit strange and a bit embarrassing... No matter how desperate you are for getting a job, sudden and compelling circumstances may stand on your way to come to your interview on time. But of course, you don't want to make a wrong impression about your absence, and you don't want to lose your application. There is no doubt the correct way to let your employer know that you are not coming on time, and you want this job. This option is called rescheduling a job interview. Fratres will offer you practical ways to do so.

 I Can't Attend a Job Interview Because:

Dear reader, there are many reasons that can directly convince your employer to reschedule your job interview, without losing your chance to get a new appointment. These reasons are not excuses. They are real facts and happening that cannot be under your control. Let's list some of them.

1.Reschedule your Interview Due to Bad Weather:

If the weather changes, this is not your own fault. Employers know very well that some candidates cannot attend in such situations. They may not find means of transport to come or getting there will be hard for them. That's why employers can reschedule your job interview for a better day. Get news about the weather, by downloading a weather application from this list:

Best weather apps for 2020

2. You Can't Access to the Previously Agreed Location

All right! Let's face it. You can't always rely on transportation. Whether you're on a bus, a train, or even a car, there's a lot of unexpected factors that may hinder your path to the interview. As long as you don't have the interviewer's new address, you have the total rights to reschedule your interview. Don't worry! Your employer keeps rescheduling the interview request for a change of the interview location." If it wasn’t your day,  read this article; 

How to Decline an Interview?

3. Missing the Appointment

So, if your car breaks down at the last minute or you get stuck in a traffic jam, or if the train you're waiting for is too late to get to the meeting time, don't panic! You can explain this to your employer by phone and prove to him that you got transportation trouble that prevented you from coming on time. If you want to get compensations for this delay, read this:

Train Delays How to claim if it's late or canceled

4. Falling Sick:

Do you know what the only thing that can really spoil your meeting is? Throwing up at the recruiter's shoes! If you feel any symptoms of any disease, don't oblige yourself to come. Just contact the person concerned and reschedule a new meeting.

By going to a job interview, when you're very ill, you risk passing the disease to your future manager. Also, your illness would affect your performance simply because no one offers the best of what they have when they are sick.

Email Sample to Reschedule an interview for Bad Weather or Traffic Jam

Subject: Your Name - Reschedule an Interview

Dear Mr/ Mrs your employer's name,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the (mention the applied job position) interview questions at ( mention the company's name). I apologize for not being able to come today. Due to (bad weather, traffic jam) I was unable to attend today's interview. As this urgent case prevented me from happening, I hope to get a second chance of applying for this job position. I ask for rescheduling this interview for another appointment. If possible, contact me.

Again, I apologize for my absence. Please consider my request.

Best regards,

Your Name

Email Sample to Reschedule an Interview Due to Train/Bus Delay 

Subject: Your Name - Reschedule an Interview

Dear Mr/ Mrs your employer's name,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the (mention the applied job position) interview questions at ( mention the company's name). I apologize for not being able to come today. Due to (the train/ bus delay) which I took from (mention the station) at (the time of departure), I was unable to attend today's interview. As this urgent case prevented me from coming, I hope to get a second chance to attend another job interview later. I ask for rescheduling this interview for another appointment. If possible, contact me.

Again, I apologize for not being able to come. I hope you consider my excuse and respond to my request.

Best regards,

Your Name.

How do employers respond to a rescheduling interview request?  

After giving samples of email requests to reschedule a job interview, it is possible that your employer sends you an email to confirm a rescheduled job interview and arrange with you a second meeting.

Here is how can be the email you are expecting;

Subject: Rescheduling an Interview 

Dear Mr/ Mrs the candidate's name,

I have received your email, in which you have informed me about the reasons that prevented you from coming to the meeting. I understand what you have been through. Concerning your request for rescheduling your job interview. This is possible. I will be available on ( mention the day) at ( mention time). We will contact you through the phone to remind you of this appointment. Hope to meet you next time.

All the best, ( prompt recovery if you received the news of your candidate's sickness).

Your Name.

Use an email reminder template. It's free, and you can get it from here;

interview reminder template

These were sample emails from both a candidate and an employer. As long as you are honest and you deal with your recruitment officer professionally, your employer will reschedule a new interview. Hiring officials are human beings like us. They can pass through similar situations. They could have faced obstacles that prevented them from getting to the interview like you. So, don't be afraid! Check this article to know what to bring with you next time;

What to Bring to a Job Interview?