How To Cancel An Interview And Reschedule It? Interview Cancellation Letter Sample

If you have received an interview call but you do not wish to go for it; you need to inform the employer of you wishing to cancel it.

But not many people know that cancelling and re-scheduled interview is not something that can be taken lightly. It is a fragile process that may lead to snapping of professional relationships.

Thus, you need to be careful how you do it even if you do not have any interest in the job role. The ideal way is to cancel an interview is to do it in such a way that the line of communication never ceases yet the interest in your candidature remains high.

One of the most common reasons for cancelling a job interview is the time schedule clash with an existing appointment/job position. Most of the interviewees think that the interviewer would understand if they send across an Email stating the cancellation.

However, it is not true. It is a common trait of human beings to feel ‘disappointed’ when they come to know that ‘their time’ has been wasted.

This article discuses the right way to cancel a job interview and provides two examples of interview cancellation letters/emails.

How should you cancel an interview and reschedule it?

So, how does one cancel an interview?
The two most important aspects of cancelling an interview are time and the mode of communication. If you happen to goof-up in any one of them; your chances of severing the professional relationship is bound to be high.

Timing of cancellation

First things first- respect others’ time. You need to inform well in advance if you wish to cancel the interview. It will be a wasted effort to inform the interviewer 5-10 minutes before the scheduled interview. Further, it will prove your lack of ‘time management’ and forewarn the interviewer while considering you for the job profile.

Mode of communication

The most preferred ways to communicate on a professional front is via email.
People, all across the globe rely on this service and not budge from using their ‘Blackberry’s’ or ‘Outlook setups’ to shoot a mail. What they miss-out on is that emails are not a guaranteed and error-proof method to rely on. It might happen that the email might not reach the ‘inbox’ of the recruiter due to SPAM FILTERS. Perhaps, the recruiter might not check the inbox in time even if the mail makes it to the inbox.

The safest and surest way to do it is to pick up the phone and communicate. This method gives a personal touch to the line of communication as well.

Job Interview Cancellation Letter Sample: Reschedule interview sample letter

The following are two samples cancelling-interview via email or letter.

1^st example – Cancelling & rescheduling an interview
Dear [Name of the hiring coordinator]
My apologies for asking the cancellation and rescheduling of my job interview
Because of [xyz], I am sending you this written notice to request the cancellation of my job interview for the job of [position] at [location, department] with [Name].
I would appreciate if you can reschedule the job interview as soon as possible.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your name]

2nd sample interview cancellation letter
Dear [Name of the hiring coordinator]
I regret that I must cancel our appointment or , I am sorry to ask for canceling my meeting [job interview] on [Date] with [Name] at your corporate office as [reason].
I would like to reschedule the appointment and therefore ask to fix up a new time for it.
Sincerely,
[Your name]