Interviewer Didn’t Show Up: What It Could Mean

When you go in for an interview, the hiring manager is your chance to make a great impression and show them what you can bring to the table. So when your interviewer didn’t show up, it can be pretty disheartening. Here’s what could be going on.

They Might Have Forgotten

The first thing to consider is that the interviewer might have just forgotten. Maybe they had a last-minute emergency and couldn’t make it. If this is the case, you can always follow up with them to see if there’s another time you can come in for an interview.

They Might Not Have Been Interested

Another possibility is that the interviewer might not have been interested in you from the start. Maybe they already had someone else in mind for the position and just used you to fill out their roster. If this is the case, there’s not much you can do except move on and keep looking.

They Might Be Unavailable

It’s also possible that the interviewer is just unavailable. Maybe they’re on vacation or out of town. If this is the case, you might be able to reschedule for a later date.

They Might Have Quit

The worst-case scenario is that the interviewer has quit their job and moved on. If this is the case, you might not be able to do anything except wait for them to contact you.

No matter what’s going on, don’t give up. There are plenty of other jobs out there and plenty of other interviewers who would love to meet you. Stay positive and keep looking for your next opportunity.

What To Do When Your Interviewer Didn’t Show Up

Give Them Some Time

Even while being late can be seen as a sign of unprofessionalism, it does happen from time to time for many reasons. You never know when an interviewer might be late because of a job issue or a traffic jam. Consider giving them at least half an hour before deciding to call it quits with the meeting.

Please Double-check Your Details

Your meeting time may have been misunderstood, so check your calendar to see if there was confusion. Make sure you’ve taken the interviewer’s time zone into consideration. Make sure you have the correct address before you arrive at the interview. In video interviews, be sure you’re using the correct link to connect to the other person. Make sure you gave the interviewer the correct phone number if they claimed they would call you.

Try To Be A Little More Pliable In Your Approach

It’s possible that waiting around will help the situation if you have the time. In an interview, you may hear an interviewer say anything along the lines of: “Because I’m running late, I apologize for any inconvenience this causes. Is it possible for us to meet in an hour?” Even if meeting on the same day isn’t ideal, it can be advantageous. In light of the fact that you are already well-prepared for the interview, you may want to complete it as soon as possible. This saves you the time and effort of rehearsing interview questions and putting on your professional clothing.

Be Aware Of When It’s Time To Move On

Unless they come up after 30 minutes and you haven’t heard from them, it’s safe to say that you won’t be meeting today. For those who are interested in meeting in the future, the decision is entirely yours. Make a decision based on their explanation. If you genuinely want the job, you may want to give the applicant a second chance if they make a mistake.

Proactively Respond

If your interviewer fails to appear, the first thing you should do is email your interviewer (or the recruiter who scheduled it) five to ten minutes after the specified start time.

A brief apology message can help you retain a positive rapport with the interviewer and, ideally, allow you to begin the interview (albeit somewhat late) or reschedule as soon as possible.

Work Hard To Prevent This From Happening Again

The stronger your personal connection is with your interviewer, the more probable they will attend your meeting.

Therefore, when you confirm your interview the day before the meeting, attach a personal letter expressing how much you’re looking forward to the chat and why meeting this person, in particular, excites you.

If you have an internal connection at the organization, ask if they feel comfortable pinging your interviewer to express their support for your candidacy and their eagerness to hear how the conversation unfolds.

Not only will these actions increase the likelihood of your interviewer showing up, but they will also position you for a successful conversation.

Remember That It Says Neither Things About You

There are various possible explanations for your interviewer’s behavior.

It’s likely they’re dealing with a fire drill at work (or at home), or they’re having connectivity troubles, or their conduct is totally understandable.

It comes down to priorities, according to many of the professionals I’ve spoken with. While recruiting is critical to team and company success, it is extremely rare for someone to make it their primary focus on the job. As a result, when we’re feeling swamped at work, interviews might become one of the easiest meetings to cancel or postpone.

This in no way excuses the actions (and the negative impact it has on job seekers). However, as upset or irritated as you are, you must know that this is your interviewer’s failing, not yours and that you have no need to take the encounter personally. The likelihood is that you will be rescheduled and reinstated on the calendar within a few days.

How To Follow Up

Decide If You Want To Give It Another Go

Consider whether you want to re-enter the job market before reaching out to the employer. You should be open to the possibility that they made an honest mistake or had a legitimate cause for doing something for the first time. If you’ve had to reschedule more than once, it’s possible that this isn’t the greatest time for you. Requesting that they remove your application from their database may be necessary for some circumstances.

Send Them An Email

Send an email to the interviewer once you’ve decided to give them another chance. Is there anything else I should know about your plans? You waited 30 minutes for them to arrive, so let them know that you did. Keeping your demeanor professional while letting them know you’re on time arrival is important. If you need to reschedule your meeting, let them know about it.

Let Them Know When You’ll Be Free

Give them a few possible times and dates for a follow-up meeting. Asking your interviewer if they have a better time to meet could also demonstrate your willingness to work around their schedule. Make an effort to fit in with their busy schedule so that you can show them what you can do for them.

Affirm Your Concern

Don’t be afraid to convey how sorry you are for their predicament in your email. You may remark, “I hope everything is good with you,” if you’re not sure why they couldn’t meet. Keeping a positive first impression on others can be as simple as demonstrating your concern for their well-being. Behaving with respect and kindness demonstrates that you are capable of dealing with unexpected situations.