late for the interview 1

[langleymass]

I have had probably 100 interviews. For only the second time yesterday, I actually arrived late for one. I made the mistake of thinking the interview was 3:30 instead of 3:00. I showed up about 3:15. I still had the interview fortunately.

It wouldn't be so unfortunate if I didn't consider the best opportunity I have ever had. She said she was interviewing about 14 people. Are my chanaces at getting this job already sunk?

Thanks.

 

[jrbarnett]

You never know. I would say with 14 interviewees, probably not, but a few years ago we hired a placement student who arrived 15 minutes late for his interview?
Why? He was the most technically proficient of the interviewees (6 people invited in total), and 2 of those didn't turn up at all. In short, it should always be that the best applicant for the job gets it, but this doesn't always happen.

John

 

[langleymass]

John,

Thanks. But showing up on time is an important skill in any job.

If I liked a candidate who had showed up late for an interview, I would definitely try to get a second interview. I would do that as a test--if he's late a second time, he would definitely be out.

When I got into the interview, I really didn't say anything about it. I figured anything I could say wouldn't help. I wanted her to think about what I could do for the job. When the issue was brought up, I just said "I'm really sorry." Then I apologized again in my thank-you note.

 

[chiph]

All you can do is explain why you're late, and apologize. It's usually best if you apologize *before* they bring the subject up, as you're showing that you realized you made a mistake, and are owning up to it before being "found out".

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[langleymass]

It's done now, so there is nothing left to do. I naturally wonder if I still have a chance. This was the best opportunity I have ever had. I'm not feeling too well.

There are going to be second interviews. It's all a question of whether or not I have made the cut.

I didn't think making excuses was the right thing to do. If you show sincere regret and remorse, that may make a difference. If you start making excuses, you come off as someone who doesn't accept responsibility.

My hope is that she will think that it was just traffic, since it was Friday afternoon.

Traffic was the culpit back in 1998, which was the only other interview I have been late for. Fortunately, I was able to call and reschedule.

 

[vstewart7206]

Boy, this is unfortunate. Maybe you should just assume that all interviews start on the hour. You won't lose any points for showing up early.

 

[sha76]

An old colleague turned up a day late for his interview! He got the job, but we'll never let him forget it!

"Your rock is eroding wrong." -Dogbert

 

[langleymass]

Thanks, everybody. I definitely feel better.

 

[lionelhill]

One of my friends once saw a job advertised in a journal. It suited them superbly, so, highly excited, they picked up the phone and called for an application form. Unfortunately they'd been reading a journal that had been laying around a good six months, and the job had been filled five months previously... can't win them all.

 

[jancebk]

Langley:
If you believe you were extremely well suited for the job, write a thank you note describing how you meet their requirements. So many job candidates fail to do that - and that will help you stand out from the crowd.
It sounds as if you made an honest mistake, and were "early" for what you believed to be the targeted start time.
Good luck!
Jan

 

[baltman]

vstewart7206,

I beg to differ. I have definitely seen people dropped from consideration because they've shown up too early. There are a lot of different ways to turn off interviewers. Showing up only a minute or two early happens to be one of the few safe things you can do.

DO get to the interview early, DON'T walk in until 5-10 minutes before.

Brian

<quote>You won't lose any points for showing up early.</quote>

 

[Corran007]

I agree on dont show up too early.
i always arrive early for interviws, but i hang around somewhere not at the actual interview, but close nearby. i will hang out in my car, go find the door to where im interviewing but then use the washroom, walk around some getting a better feel for the area if you can, ect. i usually arive around 5 or so mins before i scheduled to start. ive found alot of companys have paperwork for you to sign or do before you actually start. like fill out an actual application, read the full job description, ect.

 

[vstewart7206]

How do you know someone won't see you in your car hanging out?

 

[Corran007]

well it depends on where it is at. at my current job they might have notice so once i found the building(its the whole building so no place to wander) i drove to another parking lot a couple of blocks away and waited there till it was closer in time. if its a parking garage that supports multiple place it depends.

The point is that you never know what traffic conditions will come up (especially in the city i live in) so its best to get to the area early but not to the actual interview.

 

[JeremyNYC]

langleymass,

I just want to come back to one point: if it's your bad, it's _always_ better for you to address it before the other person does. Don't make excuses. Just apologize and tell them what happened. The important part is that you recognize that you made a mistake and address it. Every employee makes mistakes, and every sane employer knows this and is OK with it. Good employers see a big difference between people who address these things proactively and those who wait for their mistake to be noticed by others.

OK, I'll touch on a second thing, too. This may well have been the best opportunity you've ever seen. But that doesn't mean it's the best opportunity you will ever see, and it doesn't mean that the job would have worked out so perfectly in the end. There will be other great opportunities that get you really excited.

And, lastly, there's plenty of chance you're still in the running, particularly given that they're doing second interviews. If I was interviewing and I really liked someone who showed up late, I would stay open to interviewing the person a second time.

Jeremy

---
Jeremy Wallace
METRIX Project Coordinator
Fund for the City of New York

 

[langleymass]

I am still in the running for this job.

 

[lb63640]

Good to know--now you have a chance for redemption and show them how brightly you can shine!

 

[langleymass]

I will feel better if I get a second interview.

 

[langleymass]

It's over, and I am not getting another interview. The nice thing was that she actually called back. That is the only second time that I have gotten a call back when I have been turned down. Ultimately, I regret this even more.

Fortunately I still have a couple good opps out there.

 

[TomKane]

That's a pity. Best of luck finding something.