Be a Graceful Applicant: How to Drop Out of a Job Interview

Given the state of today’s tight competition for job, there is a common opinion among job seekers that “getting accepted in a job you don’t like is better than being jobless, so applying for random jobs is okay”. Unfortunately, such perception is not necessarily true.

Sending your job applications to companies you don’t really know is just like buying a lottery: you never know what you will get. Most job seekers usually realise about this when they receive calls from the hiring manager that invite them for a job interview. Only then they will immediately search for detailed information about the job and later find out that it is not the kind of company or the job they actually want. Upon learning deeper about the company, you might believe that you will not belong in the environment, culture, or the tasks of the job. Rather than wasting your time to go to half-hearted interview, you are considering to not show up at all. Is it okay if you drop out of the job interview, then?

The answer is surely yes – but you need to do it the right way. Even if you are not interested in the job, you cannot just miss the interview without informing the recruiter as this will leave bad impression on the company. It is crucial to always stay polite and behave professionals even to company you don’t really like. Here are some tips to help you drop out of a job interview without being seen as a rude applicant:

Reconsider your decision

Once you drop out of the interview, you should be ready for the consequence it follows: it is possible that the same chance never comes twice. Before regretting the decision to leave such opportunity, it would better for you to find more references about the company and the job. If you are unable to obtain enough information to convince yourself, then maybe you can find it out directly from the company through the interview session. You can change your mind and try to come to the interview while prepare several questions about the organisation to the interviewee. All you should keep in mind is that this is only interview, not an employment contract. So you should not think that you are in the process which immediately binds you.

Inform the recruiter ASAP

When you have decided that you will not proceed the interview session, it is important to inform the recruiter exactly after you make fixed decision. Letting the hiring managers about your withdrawal a few hours after receiving the invitation will be the best, as you give them more time to call other candidates to replace you. By informing as soon as possible, the company will value you as a responsible person too.

Manage your words

It is obvious that you cannot say that you are pulling out from the interview simply because you don’t like the company. However, it doesn’t mean you should make up an excuse such as lying that you have signed another contract while you actually haven’t. You just need to say that you decide to go for the different direction at the time. Additionally, you should complete your notification with showing gratitude and offering apology. You can make a call or send an email to inform about the withdrawal.

Read also: Survival Tips: How to Live On the Job You Hate