Job Interview and Being Sick

[FlamesAddiction]

Hey, just looking for some opinions on this.

I have a job interview scheduled for tomorrow and came down with something last night. Fever, headache, sore throat... I am expecting to still be showing symptoms tomorrow.

My first inclination is to take some medication and suck it up. I'm afraid if I call to reschedule, it will sound like an excuse to get longer to prepare. I am also afraid that they are interviewing people all week and they might just cancel or see me as creating a problem before even getting hired.

But on the other hand, who wants to be locked inside a room with a sick person for an hour or have someone bring a contagious illness into a highly populated work place....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[V]

Suck it up and hide how sick you are the best that you can. It's worked for me.

[DoubleF]

Because of the economy, I'd suggest to go to the interview. I've chatted with a few friends who don't take sick days and go home only when their manager sends them home because they fear the whole office will come down with something.

Grab a bunch of Dayquil. It will block nearly all symptoms. Drink lots of water during the day. After the Dayquil wears off, you'll feel way worse, but it'll get you through the day and you should be able to sleep it off when you get home.

Good luck.

[Flabbibulin]

I once went to an interview while on the tail end of a flu, and it was a huge mistake. Thought I would be ok, but my mind was just cloudy and it was kind of a disaster. And although calling and rescheduling may not be ideal, I would think that showing up when clearly ill may tick off the person interviewing you.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I've chatted with a few friends who don't take sick days and go home only when their manager sends them home
Good luck.

[edn88]

Get as much rest as you can, lots of fluids. Take some Dayquil if you need it and have a pocket full of fishermen friends.

[corporatejay]

Agreed with V. You can mask it for an hour. The only reason to cancel would be uncontrollable ####ting.

[darklord700]

Don't cancel the interview, you might not get one after that. Even if you do get one later, the interviewer might wonder if you get sick often and will likely miss work.

Tell the interviewer your condition but downplay it a bit. Tough it out for an hour or so and good luck.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

That's pretty much the same expression I made when I first heard it. That's a pretty bad work environment when an individual and their colleagues are too scared to take time off for illness due to fear of it would affect job security.

[Weitz]

If you are visibly ill to the interviewers just mention it to them when you show up.

No one is going to hold being sick over you if you are a qualified candidate.

[GGG]

I would phone in and explain the situation but say you are able to make it but if there is another opening that fits their timeline it would work better and you are concerned with getting them sick. To me being aware of getting them sick shows concern for them while also being willing to suck it up and come in if there isn't another time.

To features I want in someone working for me.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I'd say you need to make the call as to how badly your sickness is going to impair your ability to interview.

A few years back I had a wicked sinus infection that lead to non stop coughing right before an interview. I decided to tough it out anyways and go to the interview but the cough meant I was giving short curt answers and generally strugging to not cough or to stifle coughing fits. Did terrible on this interview as a result. (It was a second interview to assess "fit" and chemistry)

I really wished I had called in sick afterwards - I lost the job either way.

That said, if it's just a sore throat or something you can fight through and give a reasonable performance - I'd try and go.

[Huntingwhale]

I remember when we were going to interview a guy for a position a couple years ago and he called in sick to reschedule. No one believed him. Sad as it may be, in this economy you should suck it up and go. Hundreds of other people might be applying for that position. When the guy we were interviewing called in sick, everybody assumed it was because he had a better interview lined up and he just didn't want to admit it. Keeping us as a backup plan of sorts.

Unless you are already working and have a personal relationship with your co-workers, the sad reality is people are going to assume you have something better to do if you call in sick for an interview, even if you are 100% being truthful.

Go to the interview. When you meet the interviewer they will almost certainly ask ''how are you?". Mention you're not feeling well right off the bat, but you are dedicated to wanting this position. The interviewer might be a bit grossed out, but they will see you're dedication to wanting the job.

[Boo Radley]

My wife is in HR and this was her advice also.

It is important though that you make every effort to go the interview. If you just have a cold then you should not miss it. Giving them the heads up is considerate.

Originally Posted by GGG

I would phone in and explain the situation but say you are able to make it but if there is another opening that fits their timeline it would work better and you are concerned with getting them sick. To me being aware of getting them sick shows concern for them while also being willing to suck it up and come in if there isn't another time.

To features I want in someone working for me.

[rotten42]

drug up and go!

[CroFlames]

I agree with most here. Essentially suck it up for an hour.

The fisherman's friend ed88 suggested is a great idea. It'll keep your throat and sinuses clear when they eventually clog up during talking. You could tell the interviewer that you just came down with a bit of a scratchy throat, but it's really NBD if he asks.

Then go home and sleep for 18 hours haha.

[FlamesAddiction]

Great, thanks for all the advice. I have a good idea of how to play it tomorrow now.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Great, thanks for all the advice. I have a good idea of how to play it tomorrow now.

Good luck!

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

When the guy we were interviewing called in sick, everybody assumed it was because he had a better interview lined up and he just didn't want to admit it. Keeping us as a backup plan of sorts.

Ironically, making such an assumption would look terrible to a fellow interviewer.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I would definitely tough it out. You may not perform at peak levels but that would reflect better on you than trying to reschedule it. It sucks though. Get tons of sleep, lots of water, and hopefully you'll feel a bit better.