Missed interview

MonkeyBone

Hi guys and ladies,

I am not sure if this goes in W & J so I apologise if I am wrong.

Anyways I just want peoples opinions on this. I was supposed to go for an interview today for a graduate programme (I am currently working part time) and I had intended to drive up (from Galway to Dublin) but my car broke down ( never had a problem until today but fate has a sensse of humour). Now I tried to get back into the city for a citylink bus but I would not have arrived in Dublin in time. I sent an email when I eventually got to a friends house explaining this (prior to 9am and the interview was set for 9am for 3.5 hours). Basically my question is: Does this look bad for me if I apply for a job with this company (a big IT distributor) in the future?

I suppose I am posting this thread to alleviate my fears but I would like peoples opinions on it.

crazycat3224

Similar thing happened to me yesterday. My alarm (which had been set the previous evening) never went off and I only woke up when the interview was scheduled to start at 8.30am. I immediately them to apologise and then sent the interviewer an email. I did not expect for it to be rearragned by surprisingly, the interviewer replied to my email and she rearranged it for today. Now in the interview this morning she did say that she was particularly impressed with my CV and this is what made the difference. Most important thing to do is to RING them asap and explain what happened. You never know they might just rearrange.

tinnuvial

If you had telephoned them this morning you might still have been in with a chance - depending on wether it was a one-on-one interview or an assessment center type of thing. As it is you will have to walk away from this one most likely. As to whether this will affect your chances with them at some future stage, it all depends. Most companies don't keep application details after a year so unless you have a really distinctive name or job on your CV that somebody might remember you'd probably be okay after a year. However, some companies digitize all the CVs and keep records on all applications/interviewees and that would include the fact that you didn't show up and yes that might harm you. I wouldn't let that stop you though, they might appreciate your persistance.

Black Swan

It's called recovery. I have a friend that's into sales. He says you must act with the speed of lightening to recover with the missed appointment. You cannot delay and should talk with then on the phone the moment it happens, not just email.

Rasmus

As it was expected to be for 3.5 hrs, I guess it was an open assessment of some sort?
If they were expecting you personally though, even as part of a group, I would imagine that the fact that you did you did not call them from the road beside your broken-down vehicle, nor from someone's house when you got back to town, it won't be looked upon favorably.
Why didn't you ring them, out of interest? Did you not have a number?

MonkeyBone

Rasmus wrote: »

As it was expected to be for 3.5 hrs, I guess it was an open assessment of some sort?
If they were expecting you personally though, even as part of a group, I would imagine that the fact that you did you did not call them from the road beside your broken-down vehicle, nor from someone's house when you got back to town, it won't be looked upon favorably.
Why didn't you ring them, out of interest? Did you not have a number?

I did have the number but it was around 5am when this happened and the last bus that would have made it left Galway at 5.10am...

3DataModem

Travelling from Galway you might get some leeway.

As an interviewer I will look very unfavourably on a latecomer. A no-show without a call is binned unless somebody is dead.

Agree with poster above... making a call at earliest opportunity (leave voicemail) is critical.

tatli_lokma

MonkeyBone wrote: »

I did have the number but it was around 5am when this happened and the last bus that would have made it left Galway at 5.10am...

I still would have rang - had there been a voicemail, then that would be 'proof' if you will of the time and circumstances. If there was no voicemail I would have had their number on redial from 8pm, constantly phoning until they answered. By emailing, for all they know maybe you just slept it out, or weren't organised enough to get yourself there on time? The personal touch always goes futher - on the phone you may have been able to win them over, but by relying on email alone it is not likely they were impressed. you cannot even be certain that the mail was read, or that the right person saw it.

These things happen, we all get unexpectedly delayed beyond our control. When it happens you need to show willing, as such, take the time to phone in person, be genuine and apologetic. A decent person will reschedule for you if its possible.

MonkeyBone

Thanks everyone I got that sorted in the end.

crazycat3224

Glad to hear that you got sorted in the end. Hope that it was a favourable outcome. The interview that I missed last week and managed to rearrange well I ended up being offered the job and I start tomorrow. Proof that you can completely mess it up and still have a good outcome.