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Is it bad form to cancel an interview?
I recently finished massage school and just got my license in the mail a few days ago. I applied for my top two picks for jobs right away; the chair massage place at the airport, and a medium sized spa. I had worked at the same spa years ago doing nails, but eventually quit for a better paying job elsewhere, and they have since improved their pay rates. There is also a new manager now.
Within a day I had interviews set up with both of the places I applied. I interviewed at the airport yesterday, and my spa interview is scheduled for next Tuesday. I had planned to do both interviews before making a decision, but I was offered a job at the airport on the spot, and after the interview knew it was really a better fit for me, so I accepted. It will take a few weeks to get my security badge which I need to have before I can start working, so I wanted to get the ball rolling on that as soon as possible as well.
Both jobs start out with two days a week with the opportunity to pick up more shifts as they come available, so initially I thought it could be feasible to do both, and I was going to just see how things went with the second interview. But the more I think about it, I also want to keep doing nails part time, and having three jobs would likely just be too much for me. My nail salon job is extremely flexible, so picking up additional shifts at the airport will not be an issue if I keep working there.
So basically I have decided at this point that I do not want the spa job right now. I don't know if I should go ahead and do the interview and then tell them later I have accepted another position, or if I should email them back and cancel it. The two biggest things that make me not really want to do it are the spa takes me just over an hour to get to, and the interview includes a practical interview of a 60 minute massage. Tuesday is my only day off right now. I don't really want to spend half of it riding the bus and doing a massage I don't get paid for. BUT, I definitely don't want to burn any bridges with this spa because it is a good place to work and you never know what may happen in the future.
Is it acceptable for me to email the manager back and let her know I've decided to take an offer elsewhere, or would it be better for me to just go do the interview?
Re: Is it bad form to cancel an interview?
I would definitely continue through with the interview. As a hiring manager, I will explain why...
1. Most fields do carry a lot of potential through CONNECTIONS. Your name may get passed around and you don't want to have the sentence, "She canceled...
attached to your story.
2. If you interview, they like you, and they offer...be honest with them and tell them you are being offered TWO jobs at the same time. See if they're willing to wiggle in price. Maybe you can make more at one than the other.
3. Say something freaky happens and for some reason you can't/ don't want to work the initial job you were offered. Maybe you don't like your boss, your clientele, location, whatever it might be. You could literally call up the other employer and say, "I tried them out and realized that I would be happier working in your environment, do you still have a position available?" You might not even have to re-apply because your interview was so recently conducted.
4. You're building a relationship. When you meet this potential employer, even if you already have an offer...you're getting her information. What if, in the interview, she realizes you're much more qualified than she anticipated and offers you more hours/a better position based on your interaction? You can also find her on Linkedin, and you would have an endless supply of connections. If you play your cards right and meet many people this way, you will never have to actively look for a job again.
There are people I've met in an interview who weren't right for the position they were applying for, so I forwarded them to better/different position. There are also people who got other job offers who I fought for because I liked them so much and offered more pay/vacation to recruit them.
Good luck:)
I'm the complete opposite. If you are dead set on the position you've already been offered I think it would be best to cancel the interview. I prefer if applicants tell me right off the bat that they have other committments and aren't interested anymore or that they have gained other employment. I appreciate their honesty and their respect for my time.
However, if you are still on the edge about which job to take I'd say follow the previous posters advice.
I would just call and cancel and say another opportunity arose
I understand what nichhollle is saying, however, I think this is industry based, and I am not sure that losing the connections at one salon is going to effect your overall career in the industry since they are so independently run--and sometimes, from one town to another you don't know the people in the industry. VS. working for a large corporation, where connections are improtant to move throughout or within the industry.
Anyway- one thing to consider about working at the airport==can you accept tips? I know our airport has a policy that the people working at the spa in the terminal can not accept tips. Also is there a free lot to park in? parking could be a make or break for me,.
We can accept tips at the airport. So does the nail salon in the airport. That might just be a company policy in yours? I don't drive, so parking isn't an issue. I live a 15 minute walk from the light rail which takes me directly to the airport.
I did wind up cancelling and thanked her for the opportunity. It is true that everyone knows everyone in this business, even across multiple cities, but I knew I just wouldn't be up to giving my best massage today and that could hurt me as well.