First, I want to say: I’m so sorry your interviewer didn’t show up. Any frustration you feel is 100% valid.
When interviewing for a job, you want to make a good first impression. This may mean reviewing common interview questions and making sure you arrive early or at the very least, on time. But even when you do everything right, there might still be times when your interview doesn't go quite as planned - like when the interviewer doesn't show up for your meeting.
Here are some tips for navigating a situation like this:
Respond Proactively and Confirm the No-Show
Before taking any action, ensure that the interviewer has indeed missed the meeting. Contact your interviewer (or the recruiter who scheduled it) 5-10 minutes after your designated start time. A quick no-blame message will allow you to confirm whether there’s been a misunderstanding or something unexpected that led to the absence.
The company's HR department or the person who arranged the interview to confirm whether there has been a misunderstanding or an unexpected occurrence that led to the interviewer's absence.
“I am checking in to make sure you’re still available for our 2pm ET interview today. I hope everything is okay on your end and if you need to reschedule, let me know a few alternative windows that work for you this week. Thanks so much! ”
Or if you’re emailing a recruiter:
“I am checking in as I haven’t yet heard from Melissa for our 2pm ET interview today. I hope everything is okay on her end; if we need to reschedule, let me know a few alternative windows that work this week. Thank you!”
Once you’ve taken care of logistics, you’ll have time to think and feel through the situation and chart your next steps.
Assess whether you should avoid this company or not
While you want to give your interviewer the benefit of the doubt, it’s important to observe whether this behaviour is a one-off situation or if it indicates something problematic about the team and/or company.
Ask yourself:
- Did anyone else from this company miss or reschedule conversations with you?
- Are last minute things that come up a part of the nature of the job?
- Has the interviewer been responsive to your emails previously?
- How have your interactions to date made you feel?
Basically, you just want to assess if this was a one-off negative experience, a recruiting issue, or a red flag about the individuals and teams you would be working with.
Recognize this says nothing about you
Don’t take this personally. It’s possible your interviewer is dealing with an emergency in the office (or at home), or they’re experiencing connectivity issues, or there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for the missed meeting. Whatever the reason is, I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll be rescheduled and back on their calendar within a few days.
Remind yourself of the value you bring to the table
Although this experience is unfortunate, there’s so many things to keep in mind:
- You got an interview! That means you’re qualified enough to surpass tons of other applicants to get an interview.
- Think about how much time and energy you put into this application process, and what they energy and work ethic could do for a new company.
Final Thoughts
Encountering an interviewer no-show can be disheartening, but it's essential to respond with professionalism and tact. By confirming the absence and following up, you can navigate the situation and salvage the opportunity (if you want). Use this experience to assess the company's reliability and consider how it aligns with your career goals.
Remember that how you handle adversity can often be just as important as the skills and experiences you bring to the table. Good luck with your next interview!