Are there any big consequences apart from some annoyed reception manager if I pull reconsider the work and pull out of the planned interview?
I’ve went through the pre screening talk, but some details didn’t sit right with me as none of it was openly laid out in the work posting.
I’d already accepted an interview time out of impulsiveness, I’m planning to duck out of it next week since the interview is much later.
TLDR - Is it fine to do this without any actual consequences?
I see absolutely no problem, the process of interviewing for a company goes both ways: for them to see if you would be a good fit for their open position, and for you to evaluate if what they offer is right for you.
No contract have been signed, you are free to revoke any appointment. Be courteous, let them know you have made a decision not to pursue this venture and that will be enough.
You should always pull out during the interview. If you don’t they might think you are hiding something and won’t be able to give them the moneyshot.
You don’t owe them a damn thing. Trust your gut.
… what are they going to do? send you a bill that will probably cost more to fight over in court and go through the collections fees than would otherwise be reasonable?
At worst, they’re just going to mark it as being you declined to interview.
They will have no issue with dropping you if they found something they don’t like.
Why should you worry? If you be respectful and say you have reconsidered your application at this time and don’t wish to continue it should not cause a problem. If it does cause a problem, then you have dodged a massive red flag.
The only consequences would be reputational. Don’t wait until the interview itself, let them know now that you will not be available for the interview.
Hey company, it was great speaking to you last week, I’m afraid I’m not able to move forward at this time, and I need to cancel our in-person interview for next week.
Agreed. Ghosting is dumb and unprofessional. Just drop them a quick polite note and everything should be fine.
The only consequences would be reputational. Don’t wait until the interview itself, let them know now that you will not be available for the interview.
Definitely cancel.over just not showing up, preferably before the day of the interview. Circumstances may change, new positions may open up, you don’t owe them anything but you want to keep things amicable in case you are interested in the future.
Some would consider it rude & unprofessional (and might rage about it in a LinkedIn post using the usual virtue signaling corporate suckup bullshit). But you don’t owe them anything.
As long as you don’t ghost them or cancel the same day as the interview I don’t seem any harm aside from losing that opportunity.
Just indicate you’ve reconsidered and politely decline.
If its for a job inside your same or sister company, office politics may come into play.
It’s a normal part of the game. You need to accept the employer and employer needs to accept you.
It’s nicer to call them hey, I’m going to cancel as I am no longer interested but you could totally come to test the water and get interviews experience. Or even within 10 minutes raise a blocking point and leave.
Once I interviewed someone who was a great fit for the company, but not for that specific position, we kept it short, and I complained afterward to the HR who made both of us loose time. I hope that person is doing well
No legal issues at all. Worst case they will blackball you from interviewing at that company for a few years, and tell other companies in that industry, or others that work with those recruoters at least, that you’re a flake and try to get you blackballed there too. And that’s going to be incredibly rare and only really happen if you’re an asshole about it or no-call-no-show the interview and waste their time.
Politely decline to continue with them, they’ll probably appreciate that you’re being honest and not wasting their time interviewing you for you to just say no later.
“I’ve decided to pursue other endeavors, thank you for your time”.
Go to the interview and get the practice, or try something new. Make outrageous demands, tell them they do things wrong etc.
The practice bit is good advice.
I’ve been on the hiring end of those conversations before, and frankly I prefer it when a candidate withdraws. It saves me the time and effort of an interview and let’s me focus on other candidates.
Don’t forget, it’s an inter-view-- you’re vetting them as a potential employer just as much as they’re vetting you as a potential hire. It’s completely reasonable to tell them that after further consideration, you don’t think the you’re a good fit for the job and that you’d like to withdraw your application, thanking them for their time and consideration. It’s more professional to be respectful of everyone’s time and withdraw since you already know you don’t want the job.
If they booked you plane tickets or something to fly you in for a face to face…? Eh, they might have a beef with that. You’d have wanted to withdraw before it got that far.
I’ve been on the hiring end of those conversations before, and frankly I prefer it when a candidate withdraws.
This, so much, this.
I’ve done many interviews on the hiring side. They’re exhausting. If you’re not interested in the job, please don’t interview. No repercussions will be had and any (introverted) ICs that were going to be pulled into the interview will breath a sigh of relief.
not completely true. if going through a recruiter it will be a bit of bridge burning. They don’t like to tell their client a prospect they found is no longer interested and it will effect what they send you in future. Its really not that bad though as mostly its a personal thing and they are business people and will get over it and do whats best for business. That is if your skills are in demand enough. The more you do it with a particular recruiter (not sure why it would be something that happens a lot) the less confidence they will have in putting you forward as a prospect.
You’re probably right on the grand scheme of things. However, I find recruiters are a dime a dozen. When job postings in my area that match my skill set are posted, I get 5-6 recruiters messaging me for the same job. So, at least for me, I wouldn’t worry about burning bridges with a single recruiter.
If the recruiter is worth bothering with, they’ll have no issue with you pulling out of a hiring process. Just explain your reasons and if those are valid, there should be no hard feelings. If they take it irrationally or try to pressure you, that’s a red flag.
No.
