I'm sick should I cancel a job interview ????

Postpone. The manager won't appreciate it when you get him sick.

Agreed. Send an email to HR ASAP and be highly apologetic that you currently have strong symptoms of cold or potentially a fever. The Manager will appreciate it. Express that you are very interested in the position as well, and that if it's possible to re-schedule for sometime next week.

Depends how bad you want the job, you can try phoning and ask if it's possible to postpone for a few days, but that's your call.

If you have a fever I'm sure they'd understand

carmaster wrote: ↑Postpone. The manager won't appreciate it when you get him sick.

You will be known as the grossly sick candidate.

It's highly unprofessional if you show up sick and no one would respect you.

Ely wrote: ↑a friend that works in HR is telling me that I will probably be disqualified as they might think I get sick all the time

yeah right. great friend you have there.

I would immediately skip you and move on to the next applicant. so expect this to backfire with a lot of companies.

well I think this depends on the job, no? if it's some really entry level job they might not have the patience to wait for you, or be annoyed you're throwing off their schedule.

but chances are they will be understanding.

I was sick during one interview and thought I'd just do it anyway, but it definitely affected my performance because even with pills, I had a massive headache and went home to sleep after...and no I didn't get the job LOL. I'm normally pretty engaged in interviews, but I could feel my energy levels were at an all-time low. in retrospect, they probably would've rescheduled. they were only interviewing a few candidates anyway, and there was only one interviewer, so it wouldn't be a big deal (vs. like, reschedule a big panel of people).

Absolutely. You won't be on the top of your game.
So you risk your chances either way.

rocking23nf wrote: ↑I would immediately skip you and move on to the next applicant. so expect this to backfire with a lot of companies.

Unless dying I would go in.

I get what the others are saying and do not necessarily think they are incorrect, however, it depends greatly on who is doing the hiring/who is going to be on the panel.


All it takes is one Old School "I've never missed a day of work in my life" sort of person on the panel -- they will think you are yet another entitled millennial who thinks the world revolves around them. On the other hand if you go in while obviously not feeling well they may be impressed at your work ethic and the importance you have placed on this interview.

I've been faced with the same situation and went in fairly sick because I wanted to show that the interview was important to me. I got the job.

Just IMHO.


Really it's a cost/benefit thing. I personally think that if you don't go in it's 50/50 they understand. If they do, great, you get to reschedule. If they don't, you've blown your shot. Do you want to take that chance of blowing your shot?

Going in sick, while somewhat annoying to the interviewer(s), it DOES show that this interview is VERY important to you. That's actually exactly what they said to me when I went in. I of course apologized profusely for my illness but it was made clear that the reason I was there was because this was extremely important to me.

Do not go in.

People who go in while sick is incredibly selfish and I would not appreciate it one bit if you got me sick, JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, because you were not considerate enough to not come in.

rocking23nf wrote: ↑I would immediately skip you and move on to the next applicant. so expect this to backfire with a lot of companies.

Quoted for truth.

No win situation really, but if you dont show 100% you wont get the job.

My bil called in sick to an interview. They were supposed to reschedule - never heard from them again.

I just want to say that this is very much a generational issue. Older "I've never called in sick a day in my life" type manager/HR will NOT be impressed if you call in sick on the interview. Gen X manager may or may not cut you a break. If it's an older millennial Manager you are golden.

Problem is most managers are still boomers or "early" gen Xers. And those generations were raised on "suck it up" mentality.

when I interview people, they are on a shortlist of usually 3 people, max 5 people, we are on timelines to get the job filled, waiting days or weeks to interview someone who is sick, for a chance they may be right for the job is not worth it. most interviews don't work out.

Don't go in, and please don't communicate this via EMAIL! Call in, and explain your situation. Be very accommodating (after all, you're at their mercy and they're offering u a position).

Be confident in yourself, its not your fault you got sick, but the real interview now is, can you communicate this to them and are they willing to be reasonable (which I would expect, considering its a Health and Safety issue if you do show at a workplace, sick)


Good luck OP, dont stress much but please call, do not email!

I'd call and ask them what they prefer.

Bamelin wrote: ↑Unless dying I would go in.

I get what the others are saying and do not necessarily think they are incorrect, however, it depends greatly on who is doing the hiring/who is going to be on the panel.


All it takes is one Old School "I've never missed a day of work in my life" sort of person on the panel -- they will think you are yet another entitled millennial who thinks the world revolves around them. On the other hand if you go in while obviously not feeling well they may be impressed at your work ethic and the importance you have placed on this interview.

I've been faced with the same situation and went in fairly sick because I wanted to show that the interview was important to me. I got the job.

Just IMHO.


Really it's a cost/benefit thing. I personally think that if you don't go in it's 50/50 they understand. If they do, great, you get to reschedule. If they don't, you've blown your shot. Do you want to take that chance of blowing your shot?

Going in sick, while somewhat annoying to the interviewer(s), it DOES show that this interview is VERY important to you. That's actually exactly what they said to me when I went in. I of course apologized profusely for my illness but it was made clear that the reason I was there was because this was extremely important to me.

I am so grateful I don't work in an environment like you're suggesting. A workplace like that isn't inclusive, considerate or cares about the well being of their staff. This isn't a behaviour that should be tolerated, accepted or permitted, it just condones reduced productivity, lower morale and higher expenses for the company itself. Its despicable!

if you can give the person a call and kindly request to reschedule due to you being sick. Leave a voicemail as well if he/she does not ppick up.

simplysic wrote: ↑I am so grateful I don't work in an environment like you're suggesting. A workplace like that isn't inclusive, considerate or cares about the well being of their staff. This isn't a behaviour that should be tolerated, accepted or permitted, it just condones reduced productivity, lower morale and higher expenses for the company itself. Its despicable!

you have no idea the lies and BS that potential new hires will tell you to get a job. not to mention chances are the person is not sick and simply trying to stall because of a another job offer they think is coming.

simplysic wrote: ↑I am so grateful I don't work in an environment like you're suggesting. A workplace like that isn't inclusive, considerate or cares about the well being of their staff. This isn't a behaviour that should be tolerated, accepted or permitted, it just condones reduced productivity, lower morale and higher expenses for the company itself. Its despicable!

That's life man. Lots of workplaces have people in them that do not EVER call in sick, take this as a major source of pride, and look down at those that do. We aren't talking about a workplace so much as talking about the personality of the person who will be interviewing the OP. And the harsh reality is there are definitely management types out there who will think "he/she hasn't even made it past the first interview yet and he/she's calling in sick."