Interview question: should I explain myself?

allym

Hi guys,

I'd really appreciate any help with this, although it probably sounds like a very stupid thing to be worrying about.

I have a job interview tomorrow for a position that I would really hope to get. Unfortunately my grandmother, who I'm very close to, passed away a few days ago and her funeral was at the weekend. As a result I'm a little out of sorts and not really myself. I can't cancel the interview as I feel that they would be unlikely to offer me another one.

But at the start of the interview should I say something to explain myself? Or will that just sound like I'm making excuses? I'm just terrified that my mind will go blank or I'll end up saying something stupid when normally I'm very good in interviews.

Thanks for your help.

Clearlier

In general I would say no. There's a risk that it will set a bad tone for the interview and it's difficult to see how an interviewer would allow for it unless something specific happens in the interview at which point it might be appropriate to explain. I'd get the thought of 'explaining before the event' out of my head though and focus on doing my best so that she would have been proud of you.

pauliebdub

If it was me I could contact them and explain the situation and ask if they could postpone the interview for a couple of days to allow myself time to recover and be in a better frame of mind. If they say no, i would look at it that they are not the type of company id like to work for due to their lack of understanding or compassion and let it go.

How badly to do you want the job? Is it possible to pick yourself up for the hour that it takes to do the interview?

Condolences on your loss.

Alanstrainor

pauliebdub wrote: »

If it was me I could contact them and explain the situation and ask if they could postpone the interview for a couple of days to allow myself time to recover and be in a better frame of mind. If they say no, i would look at it that they are not the type of company id like to work for due to their lack of understanding or compassion and let it go.

How badly to do you want the job? Is it possible to pick yourself up for the hour that it takes to do the interview?

Condolences on your loss.

They could have a number of people going for the position on the same day, I wouldn't think it reasonable to expect them to reschedule the whole thing on account of one candidate.

OP, I would also not mention it, and try and focus and prepare as best you can. Mentioning it before the interview would be unusual, and would make it stand out for the interviewers when thinking back over the candidates.

Mrs OBumble

Or they could equally be interviewing over several days, and very happy to accommodate. You won't know if you don't ask.

If you think that your interview performance will be impacted, then by all means ask in advance.

If they say "no" then I'd do the inteview still (since you want the job), say nothing about the issue - and them them come to any conclusions they want. If something does wrong, then

If they offer you the job, then they've been decent enough to make allowances.
If they dont offer it, then they're probably not good people to work for.


The only thing I wouldn't do is mention it at the interview itself.

allym

Thanks for all the replies.

I think you're all right it's best to just put it out of my head and focus on the interview itself. Whereas if I'm thinking about mentioning it, then I'll be focusing on it to much and probably end up making it worse for myself!

Thank you very much. Mods you can close this now if you want!

Eoin

pauliebdub wrote: »

If it was me I could contact them and explain the situation and ask if they could postpone the interview for a couple of days to allow myself time to recover and be in a better frame of mind. If they say no, i would look at it that they are not the type of company id like to work for due to their lack of understanding or compassion and let it go.

How badly to do you want the job? Is it possible to pick yourself up for the hour that it takes to do the interview?

Condolences on your loss.

I'd agree with asking them if it's possible to reschedule if the OP needs an extra day or two, but I certainly wouldn't infer anything negative about the company if they said no.

Edit: a bit late at this stage though! Good luck at the interview, and condolences also.