I’m sure HR professionals and headhunters dread the most hearing about a candidate canceling an interview last minute or suddenly being unreachable just before the interview, even though they had been in communication just a few hours before.
Throughout my career, I’ve encountered various reasons for candidates canceling their interviews:
- “I have to go on a business trip”
- “I received another offer”
- “I’m not feeling well”
- “I have a family emergency”
And some unique ones:
- “My car broke down on the way to the interview”
- “My pet got sick”
- “The interview process is too complicated”
From an employer’s perspective, HR and interviewers understand that unforeseen situations may arise, and as long as the candidate communicates in advance, rescheduling the interview is generally not a problem.
From a recruiter’s perspective, the most important factor in preventing no-shows is understanding the candidate’s intent. Candidate interest can fluctuate from the time they apply to the time of the interview. If we detect a decrease in interest during the process, it’s important to proactively check in and suggest canceling the interview if needed. What’s the strangest reason for a No-Show interview that you’ve heard of? Feel free to share your experience with us!
