Actually in the midst of this one right now.
I was let go in January and I’ve had an absolutely awful time trying to find a job since. Thousands of applications, only a handful of calls, and even fewer real interviews.
A few weeks ago, I was approached by a fairly large company in my area of expertise with a role that was perfect. I did the recruiter call and it went incredibly well, but I was leaving to travel across the country the next day and we had trouble arranging the next interview because the times the other interviewers were available I would be on planes. We actually managed to nail down a time, but when I tried to join the Zoom, it kept kicking me back. It turns out they had had to cancel the interview, but I hadn’t seen the email because of the aforementioned plane time.
Skip to earlier this week and they finally managed to set me up with the hiring manager for an interview today. Everything was confirmed and set up. I woke up this morning, opened my calendar to see what my day looked like, saw my interview set for noon, and started going about my normal routine.
At about 1045, my dog started to get antsy, so I took her for a walk. Recently, I decided to start leaving my phone at home during at least one walk a day, so I could break the habit of just scrolling as I walk. I got home to a 10 minute old email from the recruiter asking why I wasn’t on the zoom call. Confused because I still had 45 minutes until my meeting, I opened my calendar and saw that in my just-woke-up-grogginess I had mistakenly read the meeting as being at noon instead of 11.
I immediately responded to explain what had happened, but I fear the damage is done and I won’t be hearing back from them. And even if I do, I now look like a total flake.
TL;DR: I misread my calendar like an idiot and left my phone at home while walking my dog, so I missed an interview for a job I desperately need.
Comments
That’s rough. You did all you can do. If they say no thank you, just thank them for their time so they don’t dump you into the “never hire” pool.
I had an interview over the phone. He told me he would get back to me when the other 2 people could all schedule a time. I didn’t know he would email me the time. I expected a call or text since that’s how we had communicated. I had emailed him my resume. I dont ever check my professional email unless I am expecting something. He could me 30 minutes into meeting I was not at that was an hour away.
Still got the job.
Why don’t you just not scroll on your phone while walking if you don’t want to scroll on your phone while walking, do you have zero self control?
You should always have your phone with you for emergency purposes. Just use self-control to not scroll.
That blows. However, I still think the decision to leave the phone at home when you walk your dog is the right one. That’s not why you missed the interview.
how can you use your phone while walking a dog? i need 110% of my attention on the dog at all time to net get my arm dismembered
Re read your story before the next job interview. May help you focus on getting the job rather than things that cost you this one. Good luck
I’m sorry this happened. What a horrible feeling. It doesn’t mean you’re a flake.
For what it’s worth, my husband was on the opposite side of this scenario a while back – the interviewee did not show, and it was someone who was super interested. HR did everything they could to contact the person to reschedule, but the person didn’t respond.
Hopefully they understand that mistakes happen, and reschedule. Most hiring managers want a good pool of people to choose from, and don’t want to dismiss qualified candidates on a minor mistake.
Good luck!
I can relate to this kind of series of unfortunate events. It tracks so hard for someone with ADHD.
So often, in an attempt to do something to help deal with ADHD, it breaks other things down the line, and adds to the stress of living with ADHD.
Additionally, stress about something super important makes me misread things. I’ve had similar experiences, hopefully they can chalk this up to another schedule difficulty and give you another chance
This obnoxious self righteous commentary about “having self control” is genuinely so bizarre to me… like isn’t OP exercising self control by leaving his phone behind?
Bro said he needed a job but he started a thread and is responding to every single comment that suggests he take ownership for not being able to read a calender or how he should react in emergencies. If you didn’t get the job surely your time would be better suited putting the fries in the bag little bro?
Could you claim you were jetlagged and mixed up time zones and stuff?
Sometimes the first opportunity that presents itself is actually a dud and there’s something way better right around the corner. And if they can’t handle waiting ten minutes they probably suck anyway lol
Haha, epic fail! Bet your dog loved the extra-long trek, though.
Use the explosive diarrhea excuse. Works every time.
Honestly, this is a Greek tragedy in tech recruiter format. You tried to better yourself and got punished by the gods of unemployment. If they don’t get it, they weren’t your people anyway.
I honestly think mistaking the time of the only important thing you had to do that day is an executive function issue that’s relevant.
Welcome to the “career sabotage club”, missing your own interview because of a rookie calendar fail is the worst flex. At least your dog got some quality time while you nuked your chances. Now it’s just waiting to see if they value your honesty or just ghost you. Fingers crossed.