8 Ways to Cancel a Job Interview and Examples

Do you already have an interview schedule and are in the process of recruiting? You have a desire to cancel, but are afraid of being seen as unprofessional? Don't worry, refusing an interview won't make you appear unprofessional. Apart from that, you have taken the right action by notifying the recruiter.  

According to leading career expert Alison Doyle, there are several reasons why it's important to let recruiters know that you can't complete the interview process. First, it's polite. Second, your absence will disrupt the hiring process and prevent you from having opportunities at the company in the future. Therefore, if you are still confused, here are some ways to cancel a job interview. 

Reasons for Cancellation of Job Interviews

If you want to know how it is common for job interviews to get canceled, you should know why. Instead of being curious, here are some common reasons why people decline job interviews.

• Has been accepted to work in another company.
• After research, no longer feel fit for job or company.
• Unable to go to the interview location.
• During the interview, there are other things that must be considered.

How to Cancel a Job Interview

1. Notify recruiters quickly

Instead, immediately tell the recruiter that you want to postpone the interview. This way, they will find out quickly that you cannot attend the interview.

It is recommended to notify this a few days before the set date. Don't cancel a few hours before the interview because it's too sudden.

2. Keep it short and easy to understand

Career Sidekick says that in the shortest way possible, you can end an interview. You don't have to spend a lot of time talking or sending long emails to get your points across. If you can't explain in detail the reason for your cancellation, that's fine.

3. Include the date and time position of the interview

Don't forget to mention the date, time, and job you are applying for. Keep in mind that several people are involved in the interview stage, such as the HRD team and users. By doing this, you can help them in the hiring process. 

4. Explain why the interview was cancelled

Try to avoid unreasonable or long-winded excuses. Because you are honest, recruiters will appreciate your honesty. therefore they can start looking for someone else to fill the vacant position. There are many reasons why the interview was cancelled. 

5. Offer an apology

Next, it is very important to apologize for any inconvenience that may have occurred as a result of canceling the job interview. This is the best way to build a good relationship with recruiters and related companies.

6. Said politely

Even if you want to cancel the job application at the company, that doesn't mean he has to write a message in an impolite way. Just as he wants to apply at Alfamart, he also has to cancel his job interview appointments in a polite manner.

7. Prepare again if needed

There's nothing wrong with trying to reschedule the interview if you can't attend due to an unexpected or sudden situation. Try sending an explanation and apology to the recruiter via email or phone. Don't forget to let HRD know that you are still interested in the position by explaining your acceptable reasons. This will allow them to rearrange the interview. 

8. Always remember to say thank you

Even though it looks easy, many people forget this saying. Thank you for showing your gratitude towards the recruiting process that is being carried out. 

Sample Job Interview Cancellation Email

Subject: Your name—Interview cancellation

To 

Dear HRD/HRD name

I would like to thank you for your invitation to interview for [position you are applying for] at [Company name]. While I am very grateful for this hiring process, I had to cancel my scheduled interview for Tuesday, January 15th, at 10am. That's because I've been hired elsewhere. I apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced. I thank you for the consideration. 

Salam, 

(Your name)

This is a brief explanation of how you can cancel a job interview in a professional way, using polite language or sentences. Hopefully this information is useful for those who want to cancel a job interview at the company.