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Cancelling interview the day of

assessmentday HR
New answer on Oct 31, 2021
9 Answers
1.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 25, 2021

Hello everyone,
I have a three case study round on Monday but already got an offer yesterday (that I took) and haven't had the time to call to cancel the interviews. Is it okay to do so the day of? The company has invested a lot of time in me (ex: business dinner, etc.) and I don't know if it would be a good idea to cancel the day of, considering all their effort. What should I do? Any advice would be helpful.
 

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Sophia
Expert
replied on Sep 27, 2021
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

Congratulations on the offer! If you have already accepted the offer and signed your contract, I would call the company, explain your situation, and politely cancel the interview. It might feel awkward cancelling on such short notice, but if you've already accepted another offer I think it would be better than wasting their time and your time.

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 26, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Please cancel, apologise to them and be nice. 

And congrats on the other offer. All the best.

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 26, 2021
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

At this point it seems that the best thing you can do is cancel on the day of. You could already send an email and call first thing in the morning. 

It’s definitely not better to do an interview and use more of their time if you’re not planning on taking their potential offer.

Things don’t always work out perfectly. Everybody is aware of that. Congrats on your offer and best of luck starting out!

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Slawomir
Expert
replied on Sep 25, 2021
Former McK interviewer, PhD who successfully transitioned from Academia, received offers from McK/BCG/Bain/LEK

I agree with Pedro that it is better to cancel prior to the interview rather than waste interviewers' (and yours) time.

You never know - perhaps the interviewers had to push important work to accommodate you and they will be actually glad to “recover” an hour of time during their busy day (I may or may not be speaking based on personal experience).

Or maybe one of them got sick in the meantime and your message (even at the last minute) will save everybody from panic mode search for a replacement.

Just be professional and respectful in your communication to leave a good impression.

Congrats and good luck with the offer you accepted!

Slawomir

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Sep 25, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

It's better to be upfront and tell them you received a great offer than to go to an interview while having already accepted an offer.

In the first case you are being respectful and they should be cool with it. This is not as uncommon as you think, On the second case, you'll either bomb the interviews, reject an offer, and waste everybody's time (and they may find out). Which means a close door later on… and you may want to keep it open.

Of course, provide a good reason for accepting the other offer without even interviewing with them, and thank them for all the effort they'd put on you. If you do this well, you'll keep the door open.

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Anonymous A on Sep 25, 2021

Hello Pedro. Thank you for your reply. Is it still okay if I cancel 30-60 min before the interview? They start relatively early in the morning and I am not sure if they will consider me to being rude/disrespectful. Thanks again!

Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 27, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

I'd definitely cancel since you would just block more resources on the interview day for them.

Cheers and congrats on the offer! ;-)

Florian

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 26, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Is the other offer signed and confirmed? With a start date very soon? 

If so, I would cancel. If so though, you need to send an email now. I would not send them an email tomorrow morning right before the interview.

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 26, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi!

I would definitely cancel.

Congrats on your offer.

Best,

Anto

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Marco-Alexander
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 31, 2021
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor

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Sophia gave the best answer

Sophia

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