Interview but sick

bargainhunter121

Hi everyone.

I was just invited to interview yesterday at a company I would love to work for and the interview is on Thursday. Yesterday I confirmed my attendance, however this morning I have woken up and have the flu. I feel absolutely awful. I'm not sure what I should do.

Should I ask if I can postpone the interview or try and attend? I'm just worried that if I do go I won't be at my best and definitely not as prepared as I would like.

Thoughts please...

Sinhanada

You should definitely call them and let them know. If it is a company you would love to work for then honesty up front is the best policy. If they like you from either your application form or CV then they will hopefully reschedule the interview for you

asajj

It should be obvious to call them to ask it postpone due to illness.If they are not understanding , they won't be either if you start work for them anyway.

tomtontom

Have you really got the flu or have you got a bad cold? If you had influenza it is unlikely you'd be posting on the internet. You may feel well enough to go by Thursday.

I wouldn't ask to postpone due to illness - it doesn't bode well for your future reliability.

Caroline_a

I would do my best to struggle in. Most large companies give people one shot at an interview unless you're pretty high up. Dose yourself up, and when you get there apologise for looking/sounding grotty. They'll be impressed that if nothing else, you tried!

[Deleted User]

With the way it is I wouldn't attempt to cancel, and they may not realise there is much to anything wrong!

Get as much rest as you can, be kind to yourself and if you feel grotty don't rush there, (make sure you allow plenty of time) and have your own fluids to drink before you go in, it may make a little difference, there is nothing worse then starting a job ill which I have experience of couple of times now and no one said ought for days let alone an hour? That's if it is a job you really want?

Flu will pass - job opportunities may too sorry to say, though I'm not confident if job applications get kept 'on file' anymore as it were if you decide with trying for a postpone

pmd123

I'd definitely ring them and ask to postpone, if the interview is on Thursday, will their next working day be Saturday? or Tuesday? Either would give extra days for you to recover, and would likely not be a major disadvantage to them.

I'd phrase it along the lines that I don't think I'd do myself justice while feeling this poorly, so if it could be moved back to the next working day it would help out a lot, if not I will still be attending, as I really want the post.

I would definitely reschedule if a decent candidate was feeling poorly on the day of the interview.

Good luck.

Takeaway_Addict

asajj wrote: »

It should be obvious to call them to ask it postpone due to illness.If they are not understanding , they won't be either if you start work for them anyway.

It has to depend surely, if I had 6 interviewees and one called in sick I wouldn't be bothered about that candidate unless I felt the other 5 were poor. I would fancy my chances of getting a good candidate within those 5.

Whilst I would understand the situation for the OP i'm not going to make more work for myself.

Money_maker

If you try to postpone then cite illness not the flu. You could just have a cold and if you do struggle in to attend then they'll have you down as a drama queen for suggesting you have flu when its a common cold.

spokeneasy

If you call them and clearly sound ill (put a d on every word and sniffling, throwing up) then yes, contact them and rearrange.
If its just a bout of the lurgy then go to the interview. Treat it like you're at work and show that no illness will stop you from going in unless you are really on your deathbed.
Dose up on medicines as much as possible without being drowsy and you will be fine

shortcrust

I wouldn't cancel unless I physically couldn't go. It's risky. They may not bother to rearrange if they've got plenty of candidates, and there are plenty of 'never had a day off in my life' types out there who'll take a dim view.