What To Do If Youre Late For A Job Interview

No matter how well you do in the interview, arriving more than a few minutes late for a job interview is likely to have a negative impact on the employer’s impression of you. Being late may affect your chances of getting a job.

Compare that to competitive snowboarding – no matter how smooth or brilliant you skate, a fall can overwhelm the rest of your performance and reduce your chances of winning.

During job interviews, avoid being late at all costs. In situations where you can’t help but be late, use these tips to deal with being late for a job interview as effectively as possible.

1. Call ahead

If you’re late for a job interview, and you doubt you’ll be on time, always call ahead. Avoid making excuses. Simply let the person who answers the phone know that you are late for the job interview and give a realistic time frame for when you will arrive.

The more notifications you can give, the better. Calling when you’re several minutes late is less likely to calm their anger than calling earlier. However, if you are more than 10 minutes late, be prepared to cancel or reschedule the interview. Set up alternate times and days just in case.

2. I deeply apologize

Honestly admit your mistake and express remorse for making the interviewer wait. Then proceed respectfully and don’t think of delaying you.

Don’t worry that an apology will only draw attention to your being late. Your interviewer has noticed that you can count on them. No one likes having to wait for someone who is late, especially employers with busy schedules.

3. You have an excellent reason

Heavy traffic, faulty alarms, or being late at work seem like lame excuses to an employer who only takes the time to talk to you about the job. An organized and reliable candidate will take into account possible errors or delays when planning a job interview.

Anything short of a family emergency or serious accident is unlikely to convince your interviewer that you’re not in the least bit fickle. When arriving late to a job interview is unavoidable, honesty and regret are better than excuses.

4. Restart your game face

Even though you may feel overwhelmed by being late, take a moment to regroup, gather your thoughts, and regain your composure before meeting your interviewer. Don’t let being late take over your thoughts and overshadow the entire interview.

Once you’ve apologized for arriving late, don’t bring it up again. Shift the focus as quickly as possible from your false mistakes to your strengths and skills that will make you an asset to the company.

Remember that everyone makes mistakes, even the people who interview you. Look for natural opportunities during your job interview to alleviate any concerns they may have about your reliability. Convince them through your good manners, experience and personal references that you are not only completely reliable, but also flexible and able to change course quickly when the unexpected happens.