How to cancel job interview without burning any bridges?
TL;DR I agreed to a job interview and now I don't want to go; how do I explain it to the HR without burning the bridge for further applications to the same company?
Context:
Some time ago I applied for multiple job positions, as I perform very well in my current company and wanted to get some perspective on how much raise I can ask for while being periodically evaluated.
HR from one company called, we agreed on the interview date, it's next Monday. I received an invitation email and then realized that the office I would work at is 1-hour drive from my place of living, and I definitely don't want to travel 2 hours a day (on good traffic days) to and from work. I do know it's my bad that I did not consider it before applying and agreeing to meet.
However, I like the company culture and projects very much and I think I might apply there again in the future, preceding it with the relocation (I rent a flat, it's not THAT big of a deal, just definitely not now, as I relocated recently and like it so far).
Difference between my question and possible duplicate is that I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview, while OP in the other question does - he decided to stick with his current company.
Another difference is that it leads to the great answer by ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere.
interviewing applications
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
|
show 3 more comments
TL;DR I agreed to a job interview and now I don't want to go; how do I explain it to the HR without burning the bridge for further applications to the same company?
Context:
Some time ago I applied for multiple job positions, as I perform very well in my current company and wanted to get some perspective on how much raise I can ask for while being periodically evaluated.
HR from one company called, we agreed on the interview date, it's next Monday. I received an invitation email and then realized that the office I would work at is 1-hour drive from my place of living, and I definitely don't want to travel 2 hours a day (on good traffic days) to and from work. I do know it's my bad that I did not consider it before applying and agreeing to meet.
However, I like the company culture and projects very much and I think I might apply there again in the future, preceding it with the relocation (I rent a flat, it's not THAT big of a deal, just definitely not now, as I relocated recently and like it so far).
Difference between my question and possible duplicate is that I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview, while OP in the other question does - he decided to stick with his current company.
Another difference is that it leads to the great answer by ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere.
interviewing applications
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
6
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
2
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
8
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
2
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
TL;DR I agreed to a job interview and now I don't want to go; how do I explain it to the HR without burning the bridge for further applications to the same company?
Context:
Some time ago I applied for multiple job positions, as I perform very well in my current company and wanted to get some perspective on how much raise I can ask for while being periodically evaluated.
HR from one company called, we agreed on the interview date, it's next Monday. I received an invitation email and then realized that the office I would work at is 1-hour drive from my place of living, and I definitely don't want to travel 2 hours a day (on good traffic days) to and from work. I do know it's my bad that I did not consider it before applying and agreeing to meet.
However, I like the company culture and projects very much and I think I might apply there again in the future, preceding it with the relocation (I rent a flat, it's not THAT big of a deal, just definitely not now, as I relocated recently and like it so far).
Difference between my question and possible duplicate is that I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview, while OP in the other question does - he decided to stick with his current company.
Another difference is that it leads to the great answer by ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere.
interviewing applications
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
TL;DR I agreed to a job interview and now I don't want to go; how do I explain it to the HR without burning the bridge for further applications to the same company?
Context:
Some time ago I applied for multiple job positions, as I perform very well in my current company and wanted to get some perspective on how much raise I can ask for while being periodically evaluated.
HR from one company called, we agreed on the interview date, it's next Monday. I received an invitation email and then realized that the office I would work at is 1-hour drive from my place of living, and I definitely don't want to travel 2 hours a day (on good traffic days) to and from work. I do know it's my bad that I did not consider it before applying and agreeing to meet.
However, I like the company culture and projects very much and I think I might apply there again in the future, preceding it with the relocation (I rent a flat, it's not THAT big of a deal, just definitely not now, as I relocated recently and like it so far).
Difference between my question and possible duplicate is that I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview, while OP in the other question does - he decided to stick with his current company.
Another difference is that it leads to the great answer by ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere.
interviewing applications
interviewing applications
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
edited 13 mins ago
David Richerby
1,3561020
1,3561020
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
asked 19 hours ago
wscourgewscourge
32328
32328
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
wscourge is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
6
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
2
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
8
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
2
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
6
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
2
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
8
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
2
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago
6
6
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
2
2
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
8
8
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
2
2
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
Don't think of it as skipping the interview - you're politely declining one particular opportunity.
Dear HR,
I am writing to let you know that I will not be continuing further
with my application for the [position].
Thank you for your consideration of my application, and apologies for
the late notification. I hope we can discuss other opportunities in
future.
Keep it simple - interviewers are used to having cancellations, and if it's done politely and in advance of scheduled interviews this will count in your favour.
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
add a comment |
Just be honest. Tell them how much you like them, but that the 2 hours daily travel is a deal breaker for you and you just realized that.
Who knows - they may move their office some day or find some other opportunity for you.
Maybe they (and you) can live with with a day or two weekly at the office and some home office days, maybe they can come up with something else.
Or they may agree that 7 hours work day could be fine for you so they compensate 1 hour and you go with 1 hour.
If you give them the real problem - they may be able to find some real solutions. No company will just throw away a good and honest engineer, trust me :).
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview
Yes you do. Your honest, actual reason is that you don't want to work at the company because you've realised the commute is so long. That's a perfectly good reason. Obviously, you're sorry for not noticing that sooner, etc.
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
add a comment |
Honesty is the best policy if it's a job that you may be interested in the future simply just contact the employer explain them that you had prior authorizations, but you are still interested in a job at a later time and point and if you decide to go that route you will definitely give them a call to set up a different interview.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
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add a comment |
Just tell them that you are cancelling because you decided to take another job offer from a different company.
It's a white lie, because you did decide you will take another job offer you will receive at some point in the future.
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Don't think of it as skipping the interview - you're politely declining one particular opportunity.
Dear HR,
I am writing to let you know that I will not be continuing further
with my application for the [position].
Thank you for your consideration of my application, and apologies for
the late notification. I hope we can discuss other opportunities in
future.
Keep it simple - interviewers are used to having cancellations, and if it's done politely and in advance of scheduled interviews this will count in your favour.
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
add a comment |
Don't think of it as skipping the interview - you're politely declining one particular opportunity.
Dear HR,
I am writing to let you know that I will not be continuing further
with my application for the [position].
Thank you for your consideration of my application, and apologies for
the late notification. I hope we can discuss other opportunities in
future.
Keep it simple - interviewers are used to having cancellations, and if it's done politely and in advance of scheduled interviews this will count in your favour.
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
add a comment |
Don't think of it as skipping the interview - you're politely declining one particular opportunity.
Dear HR,
I am writing to let you know that I will not be continuing further
with my application for the [position].
Thank you for your consideration of my application, and apologies for
the late notification. I hope we can discuss other opportunities in
future.
Keep it simple - interviewers are used to having cancellations, and if it's done politely and in advance of scheduled interviews this will count in your favour.
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
Don't think of it as skipping the interview - you're politely declining one particular opportunity.
Dear HR,
I am writing to let you know that I will not be continuing further
with my application for the [position].
Thank you for your consideration of my application, and apologies for
the late notification. I hope we can discuss other opportunities in
future.
Keep it simple - interviewers are used to having cancellations, and if it's done politely and in advance of scheduled interviews this will count in your favour.
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
answered 18 hours ago
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHereItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
2,89211022
2,89211022
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
1
1
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
Just hit the "Send" button - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't think of not giving a reason, all ideas I had were to make up some false one.
– wscourge
17 hours ago
3
3
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
They might come back and ask why - which would show that they were particularly interested in you. In that case, you could just say that on reflection it didn't fit with your current plans. Then again, they might not (though that wouldn't mean they weren't interested).
– ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
17 hours ago
37
37
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
It went great. They thanked me and invited me to apply in the future. Thank you :)
– wscourge
14 hours ago
11
11
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
Notably, from a pure cost point of view, it's much more profitable for the company to have the interviewers do something else because the candidate canceled rather than spend their time in the interview only for the candidate to decline later. The sooner the process is interrupted, the more costs are saved on either side.
– Matthieu M.
12 hours ago
add a comment |
Just be honest. Tell them how much you like them, but that the 2 hours daily travel is a deal breaker for you and you just realized that.
Who knows - they may move their office some day or find some other opportunity for you.
Maybe they (and you) can live with with a day or two weekly at the office and some home office days, maybe they can come up with something else.
Or they may agree that 7 hours work day could be fine for you so they compensate 1 hour and you go with 1 hour.
If you give them the real problem - they may be able to find some real solutions. No company will just throw away a good and honest engineer, trust me :).
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Just be honest. Tell them how much you like them, but that the 2 hours daily travel is a deal breaker for you and you just realized that.
Who knows - they may move their office some day or find some other opportunity for you.
Maybe they (and you) can live with with a day or two weekly at the office and some home office days, maybe they can come up with something else.
Or they may agree that 7 hours work day could be fine for you so they compensate 1 hour and you go with 1 hour.
If you give them the real problem - they may be able to find some real solutions. No company will just throw away a good and honest engineer, trust me :).
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Just be honest. Tell them how much you like them, but that the 2 hours daily travel is a deal breaker for you and you just realized that.
Who knows - they may move their office some day or find some other opportunity for you.
Maybe they (and you) can live with with a day or two weekly at the office and some home office days, maybe they can come up with something else.
Or they may agree that 7 hours work day could be fine for you so they compensate 1 hour and you go with 1 hour.
If you give them the real problem - they may be able to find some real solutions. No company will just throw away a good and honest engineer, trust me :).
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
Just be honest. Tell them how much you like them, but that the 2 hours daily travel is a deal breaker for you and you just realized that.
Who knows - they may move their office some day or find some other opportunity for you.
Maybe they (and you) can live with with a day or two weekly at the office and some home office days, maybe they can come up with something else.
Or they may agree that 7 hours work day could be fine for you so they compensate 1 hour and you go with 1 hour.
If you give them the real problem - they may be able to find some real solutions. No company will just throw away a good and honest engineer, trust me :).
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
answered 18 hours ago
Pavel DonchevPavel Donchev
46135
46135
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
From experience, I'd rather work three more hours than commute 2 hrs a day. More money / less time at work just isn't worth that stress.
– DonQuiKong
15 hours ago
3
3
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
It might not even require waiting. Many, many years ago, I went to an interview that I thought would be a bad commute ... the team lead was familiar with where I lived, and told me about some back roads that cut down on the commute. They were also flexible enough that I could shift my hours to not commute during rush hour (checking e-mail and such in the morning before heading in, so I wasn't there 'til late at night, either). And once I had established myself, they let me work from home much of the time. I ended up working there for 14 years, so it's worth being up-front and honest.
– Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview
Yes you do. Your honest, actual reason is that you don't want to work at the company because you've realised the commute is so long. That's a perfectly good reason. Obviously, you're sorry for not noticing that sooner, etc.
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
add a comment |
I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview
Yes you do. Your honest, actual reason is that you don't want to work at the company because you've realised the commute is so long. That's a perfectly good reason. Obviously, you're sorry for not noticing that sooner, etc.
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
add a comment |
I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview
Yes you do. Your honest, actual reason is that you don't want to work at the company because you've realised the commute is so long. That's a perfectly good reason. Obviously, you're sorry for not noticing that sooner, etc.
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
I (in my opinion) don't have an honest excuse to cancel the interview
Yes you do. Your honest, actual reason is that you don't want to work at the company because you've realised the commute is so long. That's a perfectly good reason. Obviously, you're sorry for not noticing that sooner, etc.
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
answered 6 hours ago
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
1,3561020
1,3561020
add a comment |
add a comment |
Honesty is the best policy if it's a job that you may be interested in the future simply just contact the employer explain them that you had prior authorizations, but you are still interested in a job at a later time and point and if you decide to go that route you will definitely give them a call to set up a different interview.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Honesty is the best policy if it's a job that you may be interested in the future simply just contact the employer explain them that you had prior authorizations, but you are still interested in a job at a later time and point and if you decide to go that route you will definitely give them a call to set up a different interview.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Honesty is the best policy if it's a job that you may be interested in the future simply just contact the employer explain them that you had prior authorizations, but you are still interested in a job at a later time and point and if you decide to go that route you will definitely give them a call to set up a different interview.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Honesty is the best policy if it's a job that you may be interested in the future simply just contact the employer explain them that you had prior authorizations, but you are still interested in a job at a later time and point and if you decide to go that route you will definitely give them a call to set up a different interview.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
answered 11 hours ago
Age ReyesAge Reyes
1
1
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Age Reyes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Just tell them that you are cancelling because you decided to take another job offer from a different company.
It's a white lie, because you did decide you will take another job offer you will receive at some point in the future.
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
add a comment |
Just tell them that you are cancelling because you decided to take another job offer from a different company.
It's a white lie, because you did decide you will take another job offer you will receive at some point in the future.
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
add a comment |
Just tell them that you are cancelling because you decided to take another job offer from a different company.
It's a white lie, because you did decide you will take another job offer you will receive at some point in the future.
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
Just tell them that you are cancelling because you decided to take another job offer from a different company.
It's a white lie, because you did decide you will take another job offer you will receive at some point in the future.
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
answered 19 hours ago
PhilippPhilipp
22.7k45389
22.7k45389
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
add a comment |
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
20
20
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
Well, it's always risky to lie. Most of the time, it goes undetected, but as soon as it gets detected, an uncontrollable amount of problems may occur.
– gazzz0x2z
18 hours ago
3
3
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
So technically if OP applied to the same company in the future, the company could cross-check his CV and notice that he did not end/start a new job around this time. I think it's highly unlikely any company is doing such rigorous background checking (though, depending on the job, they might). Nevertheless, it seems unnecessary to lie on the off-chance it could come back to bite him.
– Roy
17 hours ago
6
6
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
@Roy it's especially unnecessary since you could simply omit that. If you don't explain the exact details, you aren't lying. A simple "my circumstances changed" can mean a new job offer or that you decided to stay at your company. Or that even your company had a new job offer for you. Or anything else. You don't owe the interviewers an exact account and your precise reasoning for every decision you've made when it doesn't concern them.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
There's no reason to lie. No manager is going to tell HR "don't bother sending me candidates who aborted the interview process in the past because of a long commute".
– Abigail
13 hours ago
add a comment |
wscourge is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
wscourge is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
wscourge is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
wscourge is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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6
Possible duplicate of How to politely exit the interviewing process without burning any bridges?
– gnat
18 hours ago
2
Voting to leave open : the other post is about an exit interview - something completely different than a job interview.
– gazzz0x2z
17 hours ago
8
@gazzz0x2z it's not about an exit interview - it's about exiting the interview process. As in, you've started to apply for a job but want to stop doing that, including future interviews.
– vlaz
16 hours ago
2
Why not just take the interview and decline the job offer if you get one? Interviewing is a skill that I believe can be improved through practice. I will interview with almost any company that wants me to even if I think the job isn't right for me. The worst that can happen is they make you an offer you can't refuse.
– Jesse_b
13 hours ago
I work in a far-out suburb, and we had at least one candidate call up the day of the interview and say that they just got Google directions and they aren't going to work that far out. I got the suburb names confused, went to the interview anyway, and liked the place so much I decided the commute was acceptable.
– David Thornley
12 hours ago