As an interviewee, how long should you wait at an interview when you suspect a no-show?
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8
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I was invited for an interview in the evening, outside working hours. I was let in by a guy that brought me up to the company offices where there is absolute no one. The lights have also been dimmed already.
I have been assured that the person that is supposed to interview me should be here "any moment". Besides this being extremely unprofessional and making me wary of doing business with them anytime soon, how long are you supposed to wait when your interviewer is (supposedly) running late?
Note: they obviously have all my contact information, so if they wanted they could have given me a little heads up.
Update: the guy showed up 30 minutes late. I was actually leaving when I heard him come in. He said the usual sorry for being late bs of course.
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
interviewing
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I was invited for an interview in the evening, outside working hours. I was let in by a guy that brought me up to the company offices where there is absolute no one. The lights have also been dimmed already.
I have been assured that the person that is supposed to interview me should be here "any moment". Besides this being extremely unprofessional and making me wary of doing business with them anytime soon, how long are you supposed to wait when your interviewer is (supposedly) running late?
Note: they obviously have all my contact information, so if they wanted they could have given me a little heads up.
Update: the guy showed up 30 minutes late. I was actually leaving when I heard him come in. He said the usual sorry for being late bs of course.
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
interviewing
1
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
1
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
3
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
4
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
2
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I was invited for an interview in the evening, outside working hours. I was let in by a guy that brought me up to the company offices where there is absolute no one. The lights have also been dimmed already.
I have been assured that the person that is supposed to interview me should be here "any moment". Besides this being extremely unprofessional and making me wary of doing business with them anytime soon, how long are you supposed to wait when your interviewer is (supposedly) running late?
Note: they obviously have all my contact information, so if they wanted they could have given me a little heads up.
Update: the guy showed up 30 minutes late. I was actually leaving when I heard him come in. He said the usual sorry for being late bs of course.
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
interviewing
I was invited for an interview in the evening, outside working hours. I was let in by a guy that brought me up to the company offices where there is absolute no one. The lights have also been dimmed already.
I have been assured that the person that is supposed to interview me should be here "any moment". Besides this being extremely unprofessional and making me wary of doing business with them anytime soon, how long are you supposed to wait when your interviewer is (supposedly) running late?
Note: they obviously have all my contact information, so if they wanted they could have given me a little heads up.
Update: the guy showed up 30 minutes late. I was actually leaving when I heard him come in. He said the usual sorry for being late bs of course.
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
interviewing
edited Oct 7 '16 at 21:02
dennismv
307315
307315
asked Apr 26 '16 at 17:14
user1301428
231239
231239
1
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
1
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
3
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
4
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
2
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19
 |Â
show 4 more comments
1
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
1
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
3
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
4
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
2
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19
1
1
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
1
1
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
3
3
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
4
4
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
2
2
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19
 |Â
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
Wait 10 - 20 minutes, then call them. If they don't answer, send an email saying you were there and hope to reschedule, if you want to reschedule. Keep in mind they were a no-show, so I'd be surprised if you'd want to reschedule.
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
The time to wait is directly proportional to how much you want or need the job.
It's important to try to contact the person you are meeting with while you wait, but as soon as you leave, you have lost the chance for that moment to make progress on getting the job.
I would wait until you are able to confirm that the person will not arrive (and reschedule ASAP), or until it's clear that no one is coming -- however long that means to you.
Of course it's unprofessional to keep someone waiting a long time, but delays happen. The people making hiring decisions are usually busy, and sometimes you may not get a second chance. Maybe the next day the company finds the person they want to hire, and you miss out.
At some point, waiting a long time before finally getting interviewed speaks to one's dedication and resolve generally.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
My first job out of college I went to this company where I waited nearly an hour before interviewing from the time they asked me to come in. I worked that job nearly a decade before moving on.
It entirely depends on your vibe but if the interview went well then that is all that matters. If he was busy doing something perhaps cut him a little slack.
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
15 minutes is the limit I have set for myself for any no-show.
In important circumstances, it may be extended, but not much more so.
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
suggest improvements |Â
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
Wait 10 - 20 minutes, then call them. If they don't answer, send an email saying you were there and hope to reschedule, if you want to reschedule. Keep in mind they were a no-show, so I'd be surprised if you'd want to reschedule.
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
Wait 10 - 20 minutes, then call them. If they don't answer, send an email saying you were there and hope to reschedule, if you want to reschedule. Keep in mind they were a no-show, so I'd be surprised if you'd want to reschedule.
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
Wait 10 - 20 minutes, then call them. If they don't answer, send an email saying you were there and hope to reschedule, if you want to reschedule. Keep in mind they were a no-show, so I'd be surprised if you'd want to reschedule.
Wait 10 - 20 minutes, then call them. If they don't answer, send an email saying you were there and hope to reschedule, if you want to reschedule. Keep in mind they were a no-show, so I'd be surprised if you'd want to reschedule.
edited Apr 26 '16 at 18:59
NotMe
20.9k55695
20.9k55695
answered Apr 26 '16 at 17:25
user49733
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
suggest improvements |Â
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
1
1
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
Bear in mind that you should also consider any special circumstances. One company I worked for several years ago was supposed to involve the CIO, who grants overall approval, but he was busy putting out fires on various projects when I came in. They managed to peel him away for 10 minutes, but I wouldn't have minded rescheduling. Another interview had to be pushed last minute due to the interviewer having a family emergency. But, if they forgot about the interview time or were simply back late from lunch? That's a problem.
â MattD
Oct 7 '16 at 21:17
1
1
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
@MattD everyone is always busy putting out fires. if they weren't they wouldn't need to hire you.
â emory
Oct 8 '16 at 0:39
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
The time to wait is directly proportional to how much you want or need the job.
It's important to try to contact the person you are meeting with while you wait, but as soon as you leave, you have lost the chance for that moment to make progress on getting the job.
I would wait until you are able to confirm that the person will not arrive (and reschedule ASAP), or until it's clear that no one is coming -- however long that means to you.
Of course it's unprofessional to keep someone waiting a long time, but delays happen. The people making hiring decisions are usually busy, and sometimes you may not get a second chance. Maybe the next day the company finds the person they want to hire, and you miss out.
At some point, waiting a long time before finally getting interviewed speaks to one's dedication and resolve generally.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
The time to wait is directly proportional to how much you want or need the job.
It's important to try to contact the person you are meeting with while you wait, but as soon as you leave, you have lost the chance for that moment to make progress on getting the job.
I would wait until you are able to confirm that the person will not arrive (and reschedule ASAP), or until it's clear that no one is coming -- however long that means to you.
Of course it's unprofessional to keep someone waiting a long time, but delays happen. The people making hiring decisions are usually busy, and sometimes you may not get a second chance. Maybe the next day the company finds the person they want to hire, and you miss out.
At some point, waiting a long time before finally getting interviewed speaks to one's dedication and resolve generally.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
The time to wait is directly proportional to how much you want or need the job.
It's important to try to contact the person you are meeting with while you wait, but as soon as you leave, you have lost the chance for that moment to make progress on getting the job.
I would wait until you are able to confirm that the person will not arrive (and reschedule ASAP), or until it's clear that no one is coming -- however long that means to you.
Of course it's unprofessional to keep someone waiting a long time, but delays happen. The people making hiring decisions are usually busy, and sometimes you may not get a second chance. Maybe the next day the company finds the person they want to hire, and you miss out.
At some point, waiting a long time before finally getting interviewed speaks to one's dedication and resolve generally.
Still, I am curious to see if there is a typical time-to-wait when these things happen that people agree upon.
The time to wait is directly proportional to how much you want or need the job.
It's important to try to contact the person you are meeting with while you wait, but as soon as you leave, you have lost the chance for that moment to make progress on getting the job.
I would wait until you are able to confirm that the person will not arrive (and reschedule ASAP), or until it's clear that no one is coming -- however long that means to you.
Of course it's unprofessional to keep someone waiting a long time, but delays happen. The people making hiring decisions are usually busy, and sometimes you may not get a second chance. Maybe the next day the company finds the person they want to hire, and you miss out.
At some point, waiting a long time before finally getting interviewed speaks to one's dedication and resolve generally.
edited Oct 7 '16 at 22:27
answered Oct 7 '16 at 21:23
mcknz
15.6k55468
15.6k55468
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
My first job out of college I went to this company where I waited nearly an hour before interviewing from the time they asked me to come in. I worked that job nearly a decade before moving on.
It entirely depends on your vibe but if the interview went well then that is all that matters. If he was busy doing something perhaps cut him a little slack.
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
My first job out of college I went to this company where I waited nearly an hour before interviewing from the time they asked me to come in. I worked that job nearly a decade before moving on.
It entirely depends on your vibe but if the interview went well then that is all that matters. If he was busy doing something perhaps cut him a little slack.
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
My first job out of college I went to this company where I waited nearly an hour before interviewing from the time they asked me to come in. I worked that job nearly a decade before moving on.
It entirely depends on your vibe but if the interview went well then that is all that matters. If he was busy doing something perhaps cut him a little slack.
My first job out of college I went to this company where I waited nearly an hour before interviewing from the time they asked me to come in. I worked that job nearly a decade before moving on.
It entirely depends on your vibe but if the interview went well then that is all that matters. If he was busy doing something perhaps cut him a little slack.
answered Apr 27 '16 at 13:22
Dan
4,752412
4,752412
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
suggest improvements |Â
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
While I had a similar experience (1 hour 20 minutes for me), this is a comment and not an answer.
â Lilienthalâ¦
Oct 8 '16 at 14:27
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
15 minutes is the limit I have set for myself for any no-show.
In important circumstances, it may be extended, but not much more so.
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
15 minutes is the limit I have set for myself for any no-show.
In important circumstances, it may be extended, but not much more so.
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
15 minutes is the limit I have set for myself for any no-show.
In important circumstances, it may be extended, but not much more so.
15 minutes is the limit I have set for myself for any no-show.
In important circumstances, it may be extended, but not much more so.
answered Oct 7 '16 at 20:40
dennismv
307315
307315
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
suggest improvements |Â
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
Why have you set that limit, and what makes the circumstances important? Please elaborate in your answer.
â cst1992
Oct 8 '16 at 9:57
suggest improvements |Â
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1
call them asap if you can. If not, probably 20 minutes. Talk to the guy who let you in before you leave.
â hownowbrowncow
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
1
Aren't you going to tell us how this story ended? Did the interviewer show up? How long it took?
â GustavoMP
Apr 26 '16 at 17:18
3
@GustavoMP lol :D I am still here, 20 minutes in
â user1301428
Apr 26 '16 at 17:21
4
You were waiting for the interviewer to show up and you decided to post a question here? Wow!
â WorkerDrone
Apr 26 '16 at 20:13
2
@WorkerDrone I am a little surprised as well. I might have called someone I knew before asking in real time on the internet. Perhaps do a google search on the question myself.
â Dan
Apr 27 '16 at 13:19