It was a tough call, given the economy and all but my childcare fell through for a job interview. The interview was for Monday and I let them know on Thursday and told them any other day is fine.
On a side note,we haven't used any sitters yet nor have I left my child in the care of other moms without me yet. The lesson learned here is that I have to find a sitter and not rely on my inlaws--though they are more than happy to do it.
Anyway, today I got an e-mail that said "normally I don't reschedule interviews but I will give you a shot. How is Thursday."
Ouch!!!
This is for a part-time job that I'm unsure about but I still feel like I'm getting off on the wrong foot.
I didn't mention lack of childcare as my reason for the reschedule.
Thoughts? I think he was a bit harsh considering my advanced warning but understand that the economy is tough.
I think I posted all this knowing I was wrong all along! The lesson learned is don't rely on one sitter!
Not harsh. In fact, understanding. Most places would have told you they weren't interested in you anymore. You had 3-4 days to find childcare. Next time, you need to find it!!!
You found out on Thursday that your childcare for Monday fell thru. You could not find someone for the couple of hours. I think you need to firm up babysitting before your accept any job offer. He was not being harsh. I am sure you are not the only one to apply. You say you are not sure about the job. I think you need to decide if you want the job. If not do not waste this mans time.
I would not reschedule a interview unless my arm was severed LOL. I would have called all my friends to see if I could get another person to help out.
Glad they changed it for you! Now you have to go in a blow them away.
Good luck
If you think you might want this job, then you need to make Thursday happen. He's not harsh -- he's the employer. Your availability (or not) for an interview says a lot about you.
Time to find a sitter, fast.
And yes, don't mention childcare. You don't need to talk about why you weren't available the first time.
Well, having worked in the personnel department for many years, this would be a red flag for me right off the bat. During the interview you may be asked about the rescheduling; it's going to be a lose-lose situation! If you lie and they find out, that's not good. If you tell the truth, they're going to think this is going to be a continuing problem and that's not good.
If I was the one interviewing you, I'm sorry but I'd put you in the "no" pile before you even had a chance.
Sorry!!
Good luck!!
What's done is done. Now focus on landing the job!
I don't think the lesson learned is don't rely on one sitter. I think the lesson learned is don't give up so soon. You gave up on Thursday when you still have the rest of Thursday and all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday before you HAD to call them.
Chin up! You have a job interview on Thursday! That's totally awesome! (Sorry, my little guy has been saying this a lot lately.) Good luck, and go kick some butt :-)
Wow, definitely not starting out on the right foot. I am really glad that you did not mention your lack of childcare. This company does not know you, thus they do not know that you don't cancel all of the time. The simple fact is that you have to go in and prove yourself to any job. Wow them by your qualifications first before you tell them anything about your personal situation.
Fair or not, this is one of those job interview realities. How you dress shouldn't matter. What you know and how qualified you are is what should matter. Nevertheless, you must dress appropriately. Otherwise they will notice what you wore rather than you.
I would not mention rescheduling again or your reasons why. Since you haven't already mentioned childcare, you definitely don't want to, as they might fear you would often call in sick because of lack of childcare.
Go to the interview onThursday. Dress appropriately, be at least 15 minutes early, be polite but not apologetic and wow them with your qualifications.
Good luck!!!
I'm not going to say anything about another sitter. What I will say is that you shouldn't get your hopes up for this, but use this interview as a practice for another one. You don't need to give a reason for missing your original appointment. I would think from this email, that the interviewer is not very "family friendly", so don't tell him or her why you couldn't come.
I will tell you that I had an interview on the day that the Challenger blew up. (I remember because I was laying in the bed watching when it blew up.) I had woken up that morning sick as a dog, throwing up over and over. I was able to talk to my interviewer and tell him that I was home from work with a bad stomach virus and he wouldn't want me to come to see him like this. He was fine about it. Truly, neither of us would have felt up to an interview after what happened to the Challenger... Stuff happens and it doesn't mean that you're a bad potential employee. Do your best with the interview to show your stuff.
By the way, I got the job...
:)
I definitely feel for you, but you would have gone in the "no" pile unless you had a funeral for a close family member or similar. I would have thought that you could have found other arrangements if you really wanted to be there. You have already made it clear that this job is not a priority for you. So he was being the opposite of harsh! If you don't want the job, just let someone else have it who does want it. If you do want the job, I would thank him for giving you a second chance, but do not mention the reason for the change. If this is a larger company or one that knows anything about HR, he won't ask why you rescheduled.
Are there NO churches, teens, unemployed neighbors etc. that you could have asked to sit???
I'm a former recruiter. Depending on the level of job, it's ok to reschedule an interview when you give enough notice, which you did in this case. If it's a lower level job or a first interview where you're only scheduled to meet with 1-2 people, it's not a problem.
However, if it's an interview where you'll be meeting with four or more people (either all at once or back to back) or for a high level position, I would not do it. Finding time in a busy executive's schedule for an interview is HARD and coordinating the schedules of multiple higher-level managers is sometimes nearly impossible.
When you go on the interview, thank them graciously for rescheduling and apologize for the inconvenience. Make sure you show up 10-15 minutes EARLY so you can do paperwork if needed and to give the impression that you are reliable.
Even though you've never used a sitter, you always could use a babysitting service when you're in a pinch and really can't reschedule.
I don't think the email is as harsh as it sounds to you, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.
You are doing a great job! Don't be hard on yourself.They made an exception for you and that is a great sign. They are interested. Good luck!
I think it is more about time management. I posted a job recently and had 26 people apply. Between my schedule at work and the regulations I have to follow it makes it tough to narrow down candidates. I usually have people booked back to back for several days.
When people cancel it makes it seem like they have better things to do rather than come to the interview, regardless of the reason. It is starting things out on the wrong foot immediately.
I am in child care so I know how it is when people have small children so it doesn't bother me on that end but I know a lot of business owners that it does because it sets the standard that you might not come in, call out etc. because of child care issues which makes it difficult for employers.
