Were you ever late for an interview?

Biodegradable

It sounds like a terribly irresponsible thing, but in reality it must be quite common. Does it really look that bad if you're just a few minutes late for an interview? If you have to drive say 100 miles to the location of your interview, and you make a wrong turn after getting directions that are misleading, then something like that could cost you 20 minutes. And that might interrupt their whole interviewing schedule for the day. For other reasons it can be quite difficult to allow for how much time you'll will need in order to make it on time for an interview.

I think the best thing to do is to call them and let them know that you're going to be late. That was the mistake I made once. I knew I was going to be late, but I was in denial about it so I didn't ring them. After one interview I had a few years back, one of the interviewers rang me up the next day and told me how bad it looked that I was late for their interview. He said that the only reason he was telling me it was because he had a son that reminded me of him who was also struggling to get a job in his field!

In my last interview I was asked the question of how I'm organised, and I ended up talking about how I made sure I was on time for the interview itself as the example of how I'm organised! Is that odd?

biko

Sure, okay


On topic, no I am very rarely late for anything. Nor will I abide people who are late for meetings with me. Their time is not more important than mine.

Degag

Biodegradable wrote: »

In my last interview I was asked the question of how I'm organised, and I ended up talking about how I made sure I was on time for the interview itself as the example of how I'm organised! Is that odd.

Yes.

Raconteuse

I once got the date of an interview mixed up so didn't show at all! I know - awfully stupid.

I wrote them an extremely apologetic email, not expecting much but needed to apologise anyway as it was terrible form, and they rang me to come in as soon as I could! They were also really nice about it.

I was amazed - but it was public sector (HSE), a far less likely outcome if it were private.

It was for a panel, and I got a place on the panel but nothing came up.

Being late though would be an absolute no-no usually, because you need to be leaving a good bit earlier than you would normally for the distance you're travelling, and if you're driving you need to ensure your car is ok for oil, water, tyre pressure etc.

However things can occur outside of your control - like a severe accident en route causing a major delay. They should be understanding in a case like this, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can accommodate you.

Rodin

Late for an interview would mean no chance of job if I were hiring

mightyreds

I was late for an interview before by 2 hours, got lost on the way and ended up getting the job, which I turned down then after.

branie2

I was never late

RacoonQueen

No it is not ever ok to be late for an interview - unless you get caught up behind a massive crash on a motorway or something. Most people would aim to turn up about 10 minutes early I'd imagine.

I had someone arrive an hour and 15 minutes early a couple of weeks ago and that was very off putting. He was well aware what time his interview was at and opted to sit in the reception area anyway. I understand anxiety about arriving on time when you don't know the area, but he drove over so he could have spent the hour waiting in his car (what I would have done).

Raconteuse

Yeah I've read recommendations that you don't turn up ludicrously early either.

s7ryf3925pivug

Yes, once. I didn't get an offer. I probably would have if I wasn't late, as I was better qualified than others who got offers for the same thing.

Greyfox

I'm always late, every job/college/school ive had have warned me about been late but I've never been late for an interview, there too important and compeditive to ever take such a risk. Been late is usually a clear sign that your not to bothered about the job

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

I once left a premises without being interviewed. I showed up on time, but they left me sitting in a cold hallway for 20mins. I walked out, and when they phoned me to ask where I’d gone to, I told them why.

selfbuild17

https://i.redd.it/we5htufnc81y.png

the_syco

Usually plan to be at least 30 minutes early for an interview, so if traffic gets bad, I can still make it in time. If I don't get there 30 minutes early, I ring to say I'll be late. I have actually rang ahead twice saying I'd be late.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

but he drove over so he could have spent the hour waiting in his car (what I would have done).

I was an hour early for the interview of my current job; I waited in the car for 40'ish minutes, and then drove into their carpark to be 15 minutes early.

mikemac2 wrote: »

It goes the other way too. I paid for a train to an afternoon interview and they rang me 20 minutes before the interview to cancel as the lady was sick and never came in. They could have told me that morning ?!? I never got that train fare back either

Unless I really wanted a job in that place, I'd see this as a red flag and not come back.

Speedsie

I once arrived for an interview, but none of the interviewers were there. They had forgotten all about it, and only for I had the letter calling me to interview, I would have doubted I had the correct day/time! The receptionist was very apologetic, and they subsequently sent a letter of apology.

(Yes, letter! Though email existed, it wasn't commonplace)

I'm generally early for everything though. My late father used to say 'If you are early, you are on time; if you are on time, you're late; if you are late, you'd better have a cast iron reason'.

biko

biko wrote: »

Sure, okay


On topic, no I am very rarely late for anything. Nor will I abide people who are late for meetings with me. Their time is not more important than mine.

So what happens if someone's being interviewed ahead of you, so you're waiting for them to finish? Do you throw a strop and storm out, slamming the door behind you?

DeanAustin

It's a really bad sign for someone but I wouldn't write them off entirely for being late. Things happen.

On he flip side, what I see far more often is interviews not starting on time because the interviewer(s) aren't ready. That's utterly disrespectful. That and not reading the CV properly beforehand and winging it. Happens quite a bit.

The Princess Bride

I worked with a woman, many years ago.
Lovely person but forever late for work and a little ditzy too.

She was late for an interview once, and when they asked at the end whether she'd any questions, she asked if anyone would give her the loan of a bus fare home.
She didn't get the job.

mrcheez

Yep was late for an interview by a few mins, but got the job and was actually offered more than the expected salary. I guess if they really want you they're willing to overlook it.

The "interview advice" books without fail state it is your fault to be late for an interview.
A better question from the OP might be
"Were you late for the interview and still get the job, on your own merit"

Collie D

My first ever job interview I was about 1.5-2 hours late. Got very lost and back when only yuppies and drug dealers had mobile phones - I think I used a phone box to call them but can’t really remember.

Anyway it was for a McDonald’s that was opening a new store. I got the job and a friend of mine who also applied didn’t. Bearing in mind I was so late and seeing the calibre of some of the people who also got the job I still sometimes wonder what the hell he said in there.

SeaFields

Yes I was. There was after being a bad traffic accident in the area which meant everything was back up all over. Even with my plan to be early for the interview time it just wasn't possible to get there on time. When I got there, apologized and explained. The person signing people in for the interview said it wasn't a problem as everyone had been delayed that morning.

Got offered the job afterwards.

Homelander

Collie D wrote: »

Bearing in mind I was so late and seeing the calibre of some of the people who also got the job I still sometimes wonder what the hell he said in there.

When asked what their biggest achievement to date was - and I wish I was joking here - someone said to me "The day I confronted and beat up my bully".

Used think that question could only have weak answers rather than outright wrong ones until that moment

RacoonQueen

SeaFields wrote: »

Yes I was. There was after being a bad traffic accident in the area which meant everything was back up all over. Even with my plan to be early for the interview time it just wasn't possible to get there on time. When I got there, apologized and explained. The person signing people in for the interview said it wasn't a problem as everyone had been delayed that morning.

Got offered the job afterwards.

Probably one of few situations where it is ok. That or a family emergency, or just ring first. In my industry, it might be that they are already working and there was an emergency in work so despite being scheduled to be off that morning/afternoon they couldn't get away from their current job. That would actually be a plus, still showing commitment to the job you're trying to leave - but only if they contacted you to let you know :P

Biodegradable

Greyfox wrote: »

I'm always late, every job/college/school ive had have warned me about being late but I've never been late for an interview, there they're too important and compeditive to ever take such a risk. Been Being late is usually a clear sign that your you're not totoo bothered about the job

Good God, make sure your CV has the spelling right!

BeerWolf

Punctuality is important to me.

Strumms

BeerWolf wrote: »

Punctuality is important to me.

Me too, I’ll always arrive early.

That said I was left 50 minutes waiting for an interview once without explanation. The secretary / PA every few minutes just smiled insincerely and said “ ahhh sure they have a lot of candidates to fit in “... after 50 minutes I was advising her “well I’ve a lot of potential employers to fit in” which I had.. including another interview later that day which I was successful for..

Your Face

I was an over a hour late for an interview. I didn't apologise for it and I got the job. Never humble yourself for these people.

valoren

Rodin wrote: »

Late for an interview would mean no chance of job if I were hiring

Its subjective. Say someone is travelling to a 10am interview and an accident happens delaying them significantly, they contact the interviewer telling them they are delayed. They get there at 10.30 and it's a sorry you're late/no job situation? Conversely, if that was the case then it would be the kind of unsympathetic employer I'd avoid like the plague.

Biodegradable

Strumms wrote: »

after 50 minutes I was advising her “well I’ve a lot of potential employers to fit in” which I had.. including another interview later that day which I was successful for..

They could have caused you to be late for that you know! Did you leave before the interview started?

That happened to me too once. Except it was 40 minutes late they were. The interview was in a hotel and I was the only candidate. It caused me to be late for the evening shift of the job I already had... and I was on probation. Got fired from the bum job I already had! By chance I had been given a warning about timing the day before the interview. So they were watching me as I arrived in just one minute late! And the only reason I was late for work the day before was because I got the phone call about organising the interview when I was on the way out the door for work!

Strumms

Biodegradable wrote: »

They could have caused you to be late for that you know! Did you leave before the interview?

That happened to me too once. Except it was 40 minutes late they were. The interview was in a hotel and I was the only candidate. It caused me to be late for the for work for the evening shift of the job I already had... and I was on probation. Got fired from the bum job I already had as by chance I had been given a warning about timing the day before so they were watching me as I arrived in just one minute late!

Yes, I left before... that evening the phone rang just before 6pm but I couldn’t be bothered to answer them, whatever their excuse or question was.. what I didn’t like too was the PA thought it was funny... I think if I was a PA in the situation I’m apologizing, informing why there is a delay and offering a refreshment such as tea, coffee or even just some water..

pauliebdub

I was late a good few years ago, got stuck in bad traffic, rang ahead and all but when I arrived twenty minutes late they told me to bugger off.

Richard Hillman

I think I was about 5mins late before but as I have learned from Job interviews, the interviewers are always late themselves. They left me standing there for about 20mins and was about to go home.

no, i'm chronically early
and if i'm too early i'll walk around


ps be nice to the receptionist, they'll ask their opinion

whisky_galore

I think it's the height of bad manners to be intentionally late, seems to be the norm here to turn up whenever one pleases.

Purple Mountain

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

I once left a premises without being interviewed. I showed up on time, but they left me sitting in a cold hallway for 20mins. I walked out, and when they phoned me to ask where I’d gone to, I told them why.

I once turned up to an interview and they weren't expecting me despite my rsvp via email that Id be there.
They tried to fudge some excuses but made time for me between people.
I did the interview, they had no cv in front of them so I was totally thrown.
It got my radar up about their disorganisation.
They emailed me back to invite me to round 2 but I declined.
And I could clearly see the email thread where I'd rsvpd previously so I knew I was not the disorganised one.
I was sorry after I just didn't decline to do first interview.
Waste of everyone's time.

Biodegradable

whisky_galore wrote: »

seems to be the norm here to turn up whenever one pleases.

Where?

Biodegradable

Purple Mountain wrote: »

I once turned up to an interview and they weren't expecting me despite my rsvp via email that 8d be there.
They tried to fudge some excuses but made time for me between people.
I did the interview, they had no cv in front of them so I was totally thrown.
It got my radar up about their disorganisation.
They emailed me back to invite me to round 2 but I declined.
And I could clearly see the email thread where I'd rsvpd previously so I knew I was not the disorganised one.
I was sorry after I just didn't decline to do first interview.
Waste of everyone's time.

Well if you travelled far for it you might as well have? Hardly a big regret!

Biodegradable

Strumms wrote: »

Yes, I left before... that evening the phone rang just before 6pm but I couldn’t be bothered to answer them, whatever their excuse or question was.. what I didn’t like too was the PA thought it was funny... I think if I was a PA in the situation I’m apologizing, informing why there is a delay and offering a refreshment such as tea, coffee or even just some water..

What's a PA? and in what way did he/she think it was funny?

donegal_man

Years ago when living in London I was among a large group of people who showed up for an interview only to be told the venue had been changed and we should have received a letter informing us (before mobile phone became ubiquitous).
The unfortunate receptionist took our names to reschedule, the letter with the new appointment arrived before the one advising of the change of location and included a reminder that it was very important to let their HR department know well in advance if you weren't going to attend.

Raconteuse

valoren wrote: »

Its subjective. Say someone is travelling to a 10am interview and an accident happens delaying them significantly, they contact the interviewer telling them they are delayed. They get there at 10.30 and it's a sorry you're late/no job situation?.

Someone here might say yes. Do you visit the Work & Jobs forum? Full of bad-ass employers/hiring managers.

The reality though is of course that they'd at least be understanding.

Ubbquittious

a few times. didnt get the job when i was late. once i showed up to the wrong building on time and had to make my way to the right one.

RugbyLover123

I had a number of job interviews for my first full time job after college. I was late to 3 of them off the top of my head. 10 minutes for the first and about 5 for the 2nd and 3rd.

1 was difficult to find in an industrial estate and had the wrong location in Google Maps. It also took me longer to get to then I thought.

The other 2 I went to the wrong part of the company first as there was more then 1 building on the complex (tbf both interviews were not in the area you'd have expected). Bad preparation by myself, as both companies did say where exactly the interview was in the small print.

I don’t think being late impacted me on not getting any of the jobs, as I got on very well in them, I just lacked experience needed for all 3. Thats what they said and thats what I tell myself anyway

As another poster said, if you care and want the job you make an effort to be 15 or so minutes early.

Tell me how

Yes.
Gave myself 30 minutes to travel a 6 minute car journey to one. Was less than a minute late, but was late according to the interviewer (which I agreed with).
When I told him there had been a road accident which resulted in a traffic jam which I was in the middle of and on a road where I could not just leave the car and walk, he said I should have accounted for that.
I decided there and then I didn't want to work there and the interview was over after about 15 minutes.

Already exists

I don't think I've ever been late for an interview. I've been early though - 12 hours early. Turned up at 8a.m. for an interview that was scheduled for 8p.m. In my defence the letter said 8 o'clock and didn't specify morning or evening.
It was my first interview after college and the rejection letter arrived in the post the next day - so was obviously posted before the rest of the candidates had been interviewed.

Paddy Cow

I was never late but when I was younger and less responsible, I once showed up for an interview hungover. I have a tendency to talk an awful lot of shyte when hungover. I was 21 and just moved to London and was being interviewed for a reservations job in a hotel. The woman interviewing me (who was also Irish) asked me what I thought my previous boss said about me when she rang for a reference.

Without thinking, I came out with "oh did you ring Mark? what did he say?" This threw her for a second and she said that she hadn't actually rang him but what did I think he would say? I gave an answer and we had a good laugh about it and I got the job! I was pretty naive back then and she recognised I wasn't being intentionally disrespectful but I'd never say anything like that again. That was probably my worst booboo in an interview.

stevek93

Yes, once I planned an interview after work I got caught in work and stayed 10 15 minutes late to resolved an issue with the CEO's laptop, explained in the interview I had to deal with the CEO of my company which was true but they didn't believe me

Biodegradable

Tell me how wrote: »

I decided there and then I didn't want to work there and the interview was over after about 15 minutes.

So why did you bother being interviewed at all?

Biodegradable

Paddy Cow wrote: »

I gave an answer and we had a good laugh about it

What was the answer?

antodeco

I had to do a 2.5 hour drive for an interview. This was me finishing work at 5:30 (I had 24 hours notice for the interview) and had to be there for 8:00. I was late by about 10 minutes. Had rang ahead and told them. They knew I was driving literally across the country for it.

Aced the interview was really good. Didn't get the job, and the reason being was "late for the interview". I'd like to think I dodged a bullet for it.

Biodegradable

stevek93 wrote: »

I explained in the interview I had to deal with the CEO of my company which was true but they didn't believe me

And the annoying thing was you probably knew they wouldn't believe you, but you couldn't help but say it! Should you have forfeited the CEO's laptop for the interview?