How to Decline an Interview After It's Already Been Scheduled Over the Phone

Always contact a company in advance to cancel an interview.

Circumstances change, so you may no longer be interested in a job opportunity although you have already scheduled an interview. Perhaps you found out more about the position and no longer believe it is a good "fit." Or maybe you got another job offer between the time when you scheduled your interview and the actual date of your interview. Whatever the reason, it is unprofessional just to skip the interview. Instead, contact the company and gracefully decline the interview.

Instructions

1. Think about your decision and confirm that you are no longer interested in the position. Take a few days to review the job description and information about the company to help inform your decision.

2. Ensure you have a valid reason to share with the company before you decline the interview. If you feel you are unprepared, consider rescheduling the interview. Simply suggest that the scheduled time does not work for you any longer.

3. Determine whom to contact. You should contact the same person to whom you spoke when you scheduled your interview. Since you scheduled the interview over the phone, you must call the person.

4. Provide sufficient advance warning. As your interviewers may be busy with other commitments, consider giving them at least one day's notice.

5. Contact the interviewer or the person who scheduled your interview. Be open about your decision. If declining an interview, provide your reason to the interviewer. Honesty and frankness will lessen damage to your reputation.

6. Express gratitude for the opportunity. Avoid burning bridges. You may still be interested in working for the company, although not in this specific position, or you may be interested again in the future -- express this in your phone call.

Tips & Warnings

• Always inform the company when you do not intend to participate in an interview. Not showing up for an interview will make you look unprofessional and could harm your reputation, especially if you intend to apply for other jobs with the same company.

References

• The Everything Job Interview Book: All You Need to Make a Great First Impression and Land the Perfect Job; Joy Darlington and Nancy Schuman
• 100% Job Search Success, Second Edition; Amy Solomon et al.
• How to Say It: Job Interviews; Linda Matias