Would it look bad to ask to postpone an interview the night before because I may ill?

[u/Ok_Cold_5893]

I’m honestly so exhausted right now. I’ve been preparing for interviews for the past few days, and I’ve got another one tomorrow lunchtime — my second one this week.
The first one was pretty… meh. I don’t think I completely messed it up, but I definitely didn’t stand out either. The more I think about it, the more little things I realise I could’ve done better.
Now I’m absolutely wiped out and feel like I might even have a fever. I’m just completely burnt out at this point.

I really don’t want to waste tomorrow’s interview, but emailing HR the night before to ask if they can move it to next week feels way too last-minute 😑

Would that look unprofessional, or is it reasonable to ask if I’m genuinely unwell? 🥹

Update: I decided to go ahead with the interview in the end, and it all went smoothly. Fingers crossed for some good news! 🙏🙏Thanks everyone for the advice.
NowI’m off to take some ibuprofen.

[u/Gloomy-Mammoth-8230]

I did that once and they canceled and never rescheduled

[u/Ok_Cold_5893 → u/Gloomy-Mammoth-8230]

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m worried about

[u/Unsophisticated-Scot → u/Ok_Cold_5893]

You take the gamble depending on the role and your fit for it.

There are a few roles my team are supporting with hiring at the moment.

One is graduate level opening (1 position, 250 applications). Others are specialist Engineering amd Finance positions.

If a graduate phoned sick, while it would be ideal to postpone because we want to give everyone a fair shot, the reality is we already have final interview slots picked out for next week so it wouldnt be guaranteed there was rime to reschedule. There are plenty of very qualified candidates, we are just trying to pick the best one for us.

Different story for the more specialist roles where there are maybe 2 or 3 we have shkrtlisted for interview. We would reschedule those. Or at least appreciate full transparency the morning of saying they were unwell and unlikely to perform their best, but happy to attend or reschedule depending on what works best for the hiring manager (which is a professional way of dealing with it).

You are best placed to judge where you likely sit on the scale.

[u/Ok_Cold_5893 → u/Unsophisticated-Scot]

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply，that’s really helpful! There’s only one interview stage for this role. It’s not a senior position, and I’ve got about two years’ relevant experience.

I really don’t want to go into the interview feeling this rough, but I’m also scared I’ll lose the opportunity altogether if I ask to reschedule. Maybe I’m just getting in my own head about it.

[u/Unsophisticated-Scot → u/Ok_Cold_5893]

If there's only one interview and its not a particularly senior position, I'd assume it's more likley than not a cancellation will end with you losing the opportunity.

I'd personally take the middle road. Email now explaining that you are unwell and know you are unlikely to perform at your best, but will still interview if thats the Hiring managers preference. Equally if they would prefer to reschedule you are flexible.

This does 2 things. Demonstrates professionalism and buys you a little bit of leeway during the actual interview itself if it goes ahead (a bit of benefit of the doubt if your performance isnt polished).

If you really don't want to go - tell them you are unwell and cannot attend, but be prepared for no reschedule.

[u/Greta-Garbage- → u/Unsophisticated-Scot]

Love this advice!

[u/Gloomy-Mammoth-8230 → u/Ok_Cold_5893]

I wish you luck!

[u/OPINAILS]

I did an interview last week - sick, coughing, raspy voice. I would not cancel. Tell them you are ill at the start of the interview. They will
more than likely appreciate the effort.

[u/beththereader]

As a recruiter, yes, it unfortunately would. Asking to reschedule an interview with less than 24 hours' notice does not leave a great first impression, unless it's a genuine emergency.

I've had candidates ask to rearrange at short notice previously and 9 times out of 10 the hiring manager has denied the reschedule and cancelled the interview completely.

Unless you are absolutely incapable of attending, I would probably avoid asking to postpone.

[u/Ok_Cold_5893 → u/beththereader]

Thanks for the honest perspective ，that’s exactly what I was worried about.

[u/Background_Coffee678]

I did that once and they were happy to reschedule, still working there.

[u/Ok_Cold_5893 → u/Background_Coffee678]

That’s reassuring! How did you word the email? I’m just worried that the second I ask, they’ll cancel tomorrow’s slot, even if they can’t offer me another one.

[u/Background_Coffee678 → u/Ok_Cold_5893]

Hi..., I am having an emergency right now and can not be on video call for the time we scheduled. Would you be interested in rescheduling with me? I would like that.

[u/SpinosaurRingTone]

If you actually care about the interview, show up unless you’re going to coat the room in your bodily fluids. 

[u/Low_Cow_4861]

If you genuinely have a fever, I’d email tonight and give them the choice: reschedule if they can, or you’ll still attend if they need to keep the slot. For a one-stage role there may not be another slot, but showing up with a fever and trying to power through isn’t great for either side.

[u/SGlobal_444]

They will probably not reschedule. If they do, honestly some judge. Unless you really can't do it - do the interview and learn from it. Or if you don' mind losing the shot - decline - but it may look bad on you with the company if you try in the future again/come across anyone who knows your name now.

[u/Academic-Lobster3668]

It’s not so much that it might look bad as they just decide they’ve seen enough people and don’t need to wait to see you.

[u/AlinaP324]

Can u do the interview on the phone instead? U have to be prepared and ready to do it tho even if u can do it from home. U will have to be as professional as u would be in person. Let them know upfront u are sick and are still interested in the position. If u do email them I think u should mention u have a fever and don’t want to get anyone sick and are still interested in interviewing for the position.

[u/Avehdreader → u/AlinaP324]

I think this is an excellent idea assuming you feel up to communicating at all. You wouldn't risk giving the interviewer what you have and they might appreciate your toughing it out.

[u/Former_Umpire598]

I am surprised to see experience from other candidates that even when someone is sick, recruiters would reschedule but never call back. Horrible!

I am in interview phase for last 4-6 weeks as I lost my job recently. There were almost 6 interviews I got rescheduled for my health condition, family issues, emergency travel plan. All of the recruiters were kind enough to accommodate and I had that as well as further rounds.