My Poodle Ate My Cell Phone: How to Reschedule a Job Interview

Just for clarification, with the possible exception of some veterinary type positions, calling to reschedule a job interview should never include the word "poodle." Ever. But there are things that come up, and they do not always come up at the most convenient times. Sometimes you absolutely have to reschedule an interview no matter how much you would rather not.

As soon as you realize that there might be a problem, phone the company and ask to speak to the person you are scheduled to see. Explain briefly that there is a slight issue with the day or time of the interview and ask if it is possible to reschedule. Try to avoid using the word "emergency" unless it is both true and completely unavoidable. Don't offer more information than what is necessary and always remain calm, upbeat and professional. If rescheduling is not a possibility, try to quickly decide if you can make your time work or not. If you know that you cannot, it is better to be honest and lose your chance at the job than to keep the appointment and not show up at all.

The worst thing you can do is to make up a phony emergency and then get caught in the lie at a later time. If you say that you have came down with a raging flu, making it impossible to come to a two p.m. interview, what will you say if you run into your interviewer at a local club that same evening? If you are willing to blow off a job interview for something so trivial you must not be very interested in working in the first place.

If the problem arose just before you left for the interview, say for instance, car problems, try to find an alternate way to get there, but do not wait too long to make the phone call if you either cannot or will be running late. Do not wait until ten minutes before your scheduled interview time to call and say that your car broke down on the Interstate. If you absolutely know that you cannot find another ride to the interview, call and try to reschedule, but assure your interviewer that your car is reliable and that nothing like this has happened before.

Although it may sound tempting to do so, do not drag yourself into an interview with motor oil smudged on your face and clothes from trying to get your car to go again. It may make you look dedicated, but then again it may just appear sloppy and unprofessional. Remember, you cannot undo a bad first impression. The same holds for coming to an interview with an apparent illness. If you walk in coughing and sneezing the interview will remember you alright- with horror two days later when she comes down with the virus you brought to the interview.