By now, you fully understand the importance of arriving on time for a job interview. You know being even a few minutes late can ruin your chances of getting hired —but sometimes life gets in the way.
You had every intention of arriving early to your interview, but things didn’t go as planned. Now you know there’s no way you’ll make it there on time, and you’re frantic. First, don’t panic and drive like a maniac. Take a deep breath, and follow these steps to try and redeem yourself.
- Give the Interviewer a Call
- Have a Good Reason
- Apologize Profusely
Give the Interviewer a Call
The only thing worse than showing up late for a job interview is doing so without warning. As soon as you realize you’re going to be late, call the interviewer. Doing so is a sign of respect, as it shows the other person you want to give them as much advance warning as possible. This might allow them to rearrange their schedule, so they don’t waste time waiting for you to arrive.
Have a Good Reason
Oversleeping, having trouble finding parking and other reasons tied to your own irresponsibility won’t cut it, so don’t even try them. On the other hand, explanations like having your car breakdown en route to the interview or a family emergency might buy you some leniency, because they’re beyond your control.
Apologize Profusely
If you act like being late is no big deal, you’ll send the message you don’t respect the interviewer’s time —or value punctuality in general. Apologizing and taking full responsibility for the situation will show the interviewer you’re accountable for your actions and willing to own your mistakes. No one is perfect, so displaying this level of humility could put you back into the interviewer’s good graces.
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