Being late for job interviews: Automatically disqualified? Yes or no?

[Tomorrow]

When I interviewed for my current job, I was asked to meet with management during the workday (I was working at the time). I explained that I would likely be able to meet them at the time they requested, but that if something at my current job needed me to stay later than I had intended, I would let them know that I would be running behind.

Sure enough, I was in a meeting with a client that ran late. As soon as the meeting was over, I called one of the managers at the new company, explained that my meeting had just let out, and that I would be about 15 minutes late. He said no problem, he understood completely.

I arrived at 3:40 for a 3:30 appointment. I came in, shook everyone's hand and introduced myself, and apologized for being late. I explained that I owe it to my current employer and clients to serve them while I was an employee there, and that my tardiness couldn't be helped. I believe it actually won me points during the interview, because I got the job.

So no, I don't think anything is automatic in the job hunting process. And I'm not sure I'd want to work for someone who makes up his mind so absolutely that a good reason for something is no reason at all to him.

 

[maflynn]

Obviously not a lot of hiring managers here. Good people are very hard to find. Good people can be late for things. If you disqualify someone for being late, you're probably not a very good manager, at least when to comes to hiring.

Given the economy, employers generally have the pick of the litter, so they can automatically disqualify a person.

In sectors that are in high demand, I'm sure they would be more accommodating

 

[question fear]

Many years ago when I was a retail manager I did hiring. I voted it's a DQ, but I wish there was more nuance to the question. Here's my take, and remember, I was hiring for a low-level but very regimented schedule position:

-If I'm interviewing you and you call me to say you were running late, or you come in with an excellent explanation, I'm willing to let it slide.

-If you come in late with no explanation (and by late, I mean more than 10-15 minutes or so beyond the set time), you're already starting at a huge disadvantage. So much so that it better be a fantastic interview.

I don't think I would be as harsh in an office environment where 10 minutes late isn't a big deal. But in retail, where entry level was hourly and we had a very tight payroll schedule, someone coming in late consistently throws off the whole schedule. Either a manager has to fill in until the employee arrives, we run shorthanded, or someone stays late and potentially hurts our payroll budget. It was far worse if the late person was relieving someone else at a one-person job, ie one cashier replacing another.

Also, we found that people who couldn't make it to their interview on time often had reasons why they were late for regular shifts.

But as I said, if you're not in a job environment where your timeliness directly relates to your coworker's ability to leave, I don't know that I would be that harsh.

 

[codymac]

I've been interviewing people for ~15 years. Life is unavoidable.

As an interviewer, how a candidate handles that can be an excellent illustration in what their approach to work will be.

As a job seeker, I wouldn't want to end up working for anyone who would disqualify me outright because I was unavoidably delayed.

Not automatically disqualified but there's a very good chance they'll do something in the process that will disqualify them (like the OP's example). I certainly wouldn't try to track down a candidate.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

So no, I don't think anything is automatic in the job hunting process. And I'm not sure I'd want to work for someone who makes up his mind so absolutely that a good reason for something is no reason at all to him.

You showed a very professional behavior; taking still care about the current job, inform upfront about the risk of delay, confirm the delay etc. good points. In that case coming late is not really coming late. Also here in Japan it happen often that public transportation stops because of "people accident"; nothing you can do; just try to call and inform about the delay.
Coming late without information: might still listen but will be very difficult to convince us.

 

[roadbloc]

Personally I would not hire anyone who was late to their interview. Unless their interview was mind-blowing.

 

[CausticSoda]

No - it's ideal. Ask about the reasons, and what you hear and how they say it will probably very useful in making your decision.

 

[Misskitty]

The mere fact that you have allowed this to consume you for this long says a lot about your character. I try not to judge people based on their behavior on these forums; I would be the pot calling the kettle black at that point. However, there has been some consistent behavior you have displayed which starts and stops with your sense of entitlement. Your original post suggested you were entitled to the job especially over the "goofball" who was late. Then you feel entitled to be exempt from a company "wasting your time" by having you shadow someone early on a Saturday morning. Did it ever occur to you that they did not anticipate being slow and when they sent you home 2.5 hours later, they were making an effort NOT to waste your time? Did it occur to you that they merely forgot to pay you for the parking and your BS note to them 3 weeks later suggests that you weren't a right fit after all? Why didn't you just speak up on your way out? Did you forget? I bet you did because my theory is they did as well. Reimbursing you for $10 probably was not nor is it high on their list of to-do's.

This isn't a question of morals, it is definitely a question entitlement. It's $10 and yes, you are absolutely in the wrong for coming at them in the manner that you say you have. It is aggressive and unnecessary. Based on some previous posts, I would have thought $10 wasn't a big deal. You can call it principle, but I truly think it is the $10 and the fact that you clearly did not get the job. I think that's commonly referred to as bitterness. If anyone says they've never showed signs of bitterness or even entitlement then they're likely lying or they simply didn't realize it; however, it is my opinion that these are the reasons you want your money, not because you have some moral ground that you want to stand on.

So no, I would never disqualify a candidate for being late unless the reason seriously suggested there would be future issues and no, I would not ask about the $10. I would simply move on and continue to focus that energy on finding a job that is suitable for you.

Relax, you are getting things mixed up from my latest post to my original one. They are two different companies. The company who owes me $10 for parking is a company from almost a month ago. The one in my original post is from last Friday. So dont go around making false accusations.

The one from a month ago, I didnt ask to be reimbursed because when I left management was tied up with patients and I really didnt want to disturb them when they had so many things on their plate. Besides, I also had faith in them that someone would call me back to say hey "have you been reimbursed for your parking?....let us do that." I was giving them the benefit of the doubt to see if they would do that, but nope. They have no dignity, no morals and no respect for others.

Forgot to pay me back? Hmm dont be so gullable. I know the tricks that some companies try to pull these days and its not gonna work with me. And even if they did happen to forget (which we all know isnt true), than that speaks volumes about their trust. I was more than nice and willing enough to go down there on my day off early on a weekend morning expecting to spend a full day there without pay. And the fact they dont even appreciate it with even a simple "thanks for coming in on your day off....yada yada yada" says what kind of crap company they are. If you get hired, what makes you think theyre going to pay you if they cant even be trusted to keep their word about parking?

Im sorry to burst your bubble but asking candidates to spend a full day with them with NO pay, is not something that is the norm. If you dont have enough confidence in hiring them, than move onto the next candidate, its as simple as that. If you want to bring them in for a 1 day trial, then compensate them for their time!!! To me time is money, but I also value peoples time. I sure in hell would never ask or expect anyone to spend a full day with me helping me with my daily duties without compensation.

People should always have some kind of compensation for their time. I know its them trying out for the job, but why dont you turn the tables and ask the management if they would be willing to devote a whole day at a job with no compensation because the company doesnt have faith in them? I wouldnt get your hopes up on them accepting. They would tell them to get lost because they feel so insulted.

Sorry, but this isnt my first job out of high school where Im a nobody and have to prove that I can count to 10 and spell my name correctly. The fact I was even asked to do this so called "trial" with my knowledge and work experience was a flat out insult. And the fact that they are doing this exact same thing with other candidates is a complete joke on their behalf.

Dont assume things, like that Im bitter because I didnt hear back. Im actually glad because after that day I knew it wasnt for me. All the interest I had in the position was all out the window. And it wasnt because of the $10, it was because i just didnt feel like a good fit and wasnt impressed with the management to be honest. Everything from them not being very professional upon me first meeting them, to not even thanking me for my time that day to come in, etc are factors in why I have no interest in the company. There are companies that just dont appreciate peoples time and this is a prime example.

I asked for my $10 reimbursed because of the principle. Like I said, I cant stand companies who try to weasel their way out of things and dont follow up with their word. Im actually quite shocked that it doesnt bother you at all. But hey if you want to allow companies to walk all over you, then so be it.

You just burned any remaining bridges you had with that company.

Like I already mentioned, I couldnt care less about this because I have zero interest in the company anymore. Im getting my $10 back because I dont appreciate when people/companies dont follow up with their word. Im sure you would feel the same. They can pull these little tricks running over others like theyre a bunch of nobodies and im sure 9 out of 10 times they wont be followed up on, but not me.

 

[yg17]

Like I already mentioned, I couldnt care less about this because I have zero interest in the company anymore. Im getting my $10 back because I dont appreciate when people/companies dont follow up with their word. Im sure you would feel the same. They can pull these little tricks running over others like theyre a bunch of nobodies and im sure 9 out of 10 times they wont be followed up on, but not me.

People know people. You better hope the hiring manager doesn't talk to friends and peers in the same field in your location because your name will get out there as the person who threw a fit over 10 dollars.

I have a cousin who's pretty much unemployable in the St. Louis restaurant industry because he's a deadbead who's quit or been fired from dozens of jobs as a waiter and burned any bridge he's ever had, and in an industry where everyone knows everyone and owners and managers and executive chefs all talk to each other, his name is on an unofficial ******** among restaurant owners in the metro area. Now he's doing something else unrelated to restaurants, surely getting his name on a ******** for another line of work.

The point is, this may cost you more than 10 dollars in the future.

Oh, and yes, asking candidates to spend entire days with the company is normal. I had 4 interviews in my senior year of college where I spent the entire day with the company even though the actual interview may have only been one or two hours, or previously done on the phone before they invited me to their office. I got paid precisely $0 for those days and didn't complain one bit. I was thankful for the opportunities, especially since they eventually turned into job offers.

 

[Misskitty]

People know people. You better hope the hiring manager doesn't talk to friends and peers in the same field in your location because your name will get out there as the person who threw a fit over 10 dollars.

I have a cousin who's pretty much unemployable in the St. Louis restaurant industry because he's a deadbead who's quit or been fired from dozens of jobs as a waiter and burned any bridge he's ever had, and in an industry where everyone knows everyone and owners and managers and executive chefs all talk to each other, his name is on an unofficial ******** among restaurant owners in the metro area. Now he's doing something else unrelated to restaurants, surely getting his name on a ******** for another line of work.

The point is, this may cost you more than 10 dollars in the future.

Oh, and yes, asking candidates to spend entire days with the company is normal. I had 4 interviews in my senior year of college where I spent the entire day with the company even though the actual interview may have only been one or two hours, or previously done on the phone before they invited me to their office. I got paid precisely $0 for those days and didn't complain one bit. I was thankful for the opportunities, especially since they eventually turned into job offers.

Whats so bad about asking for my $10 back? They said they cover my parking from the start, so its not an issue for them. If they never said that and I was asking for my money back than thats another story.

Again, its the principle and im not throwing a fit over it. I go in get my money and off I go. I wont show that Im upset, I just act like how I went in before. If anything, it shows that Im on top of things and pay attention to where my money goes, not careless like some may be about their money. I dont understand why you think me asking for something im entitled to is out of this world.

By the way, this company isnt even in the same field as the one in my original post. The opposite if anything.

 

[Septembersrain]

I'd say Yes. Though I've got a huge pet peeve that includes tardiness. I'll even beat myself up if I'm late (Even if I'm not really late but right on time).

I make a really inflexible boss on that front. Though I'm likely to try to at least give a few chances/opportunities for them to explain.

 

[BigPrince]

Yep, as a small business owner who runs 3 machine shops, 1 prototyping shop, an HR department, with a total of around 32 people working for me these days.

I do all the interviews, and if you don't call ahead with a real excuse like a traffic jam or car problem? I call you and say I am not interested.

Anyone who shows up late for an interview won't be working for me.

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See, I used to think like that, but now I dont think its good enough. If they dont show up on time to be interviewed, then how good of a worker will they be? Answer? A ****** one.

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As they should, someone who doesn't take their interview seriously deserves no job.

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Good man, I have done the same dozens of times.

Now if there actually was a traffic accident, or a huge delay and they call about it, that is fine.

But just showing up when they feel like? No job.

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Why should it not? If they don't show up for an interview on time, it means they will be a terrible worker.

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Yes, if something actually happened, that is fine. But if they are lazy and dont show up on time? Have fun at McDonalds.

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Depends who you work for.

If you work for an awful company with low standards for its workers? That viewpoint probably holds true.

The business I run, I pay nearly 25% higher than big and small business in the industry I am in, with better benefits, and a standard 40 hour workweek unless we are crushed with a major contract.

People line up to work for me, a company that tolerates someone who is late to his first interview probably also makes a bad product. I don't have to seek out good workers, they come to me.

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If they are " all star ", they show up on time for their first interview. If they show up late? Not worth hiring.

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Really? I had a guy show up half an hour late in my office, no phone calls, no nothing, big smirk on his facing, thinking he was so good he would be hired, I called him a ****ing loser, get out of my office, and learn how to be a good worker.

You did read the part where I said I would be happy he called ahead right to indicate he was running late...if there was no call ahead that would change my opinion.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Whats so bad about asking for my $10 back? They said they cover my parking from the start, so its not an issue for them. If they never said that and I was asking for my money back than thats another story.

Again, its the principle and im not throwing a fit over it. I go in get my money and off I go. I wont show that Im upset, I just act like how I went in before. If anything, it shows that Im on top of things and pay attention to where my money goes, not careless like some may be about their money. I dont understand why you think me asking for something im entitled to is out of this world.

By the way, this company isnt even in the same field as the one in my original post. The opposite if anything.

Stop acting so entitled. You're not nearly as entitled as you believe you are. You approached this all wrong which speaks worlds to your character. You shouldn't have come at them the way you did regardless of how little you say you care about the company or the job.

 

[NT1440]

I actually got hired after being 10 minutes late. I politely apologized and explained that I had been on campus for 30 minutes and was directed to the wrong IT department by three different faculty members, which got a laugh from my new boss. Sometimes you just need to acknowledge the inconvienance and knock out the rest of the interview.

 

[RiddlaBronc]

Ahhhh women, making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[1934hotrod]

I say yes as it should, shows a lack or missing grown up gene, persons word is worthless, cannot plan, and immature.

 

[JoeG4]

I actually got hired after being 10 minutes late. I politely apologized and explained that I had been on campus for 30 minutes and was directed to the wrong IT department by three different faculty members, which got a laugh from my new boss. Sometimes you just need to acknowledge the inconvienance and knock out the rest of the interview.

Haha, something like this happened with my first on-campus interview, turned out the company was on North something street, and the town had a something street on the other side of town... google maps automatically routed me to the wrong address: An apartment complex!

I called them when I got to the apartment complex, we had a good laugh and the interview went fine as soon as I got there.

 

[Misskitty]

Stop acting so entitled. You're not nearly as entitled as you believe you are. You approached this all wrong which speaks worlds to your character. You shouldn't have come at them the way you did regardless of how little you say you care about the company or the job.

So in other words you are saying "just let them run all over you."

You do know that some people like to stand up for themselves right?

 

[Strax]

All I know is that given the choice between hiring someone who showed up late but had a good attitude and someone like Misskitty here, I would hire the late person 100% of the time.

 

[samiwas]

Why should it not? If they don't show up for an interview on time, it means they will be a terrible worker.

This is just a ridiculous statement.

I have a habit of being right on time. I admit that I'm terrible about being places early. However, that doesn't mean "I'm a terrible worker". Most people I work for are extremely pleased with my work, and the speed, efficiency, and detail with which I complete it. I've had bosses tell me they learned a lot from working with me.

When I took over prepping shows for a company, their old guy took five days to prep it, and it would be a mediocre job at best. The other people he has used when I'm not available take 3-4 days. I do usually it in two days, and then spend the other days helping the boss reorganize his shop or doing other tasks. This last time, I started teaching him how to make his CAD drawings more efficient and clean. He was so excited about what I taught him, he talked about it for days. I might be late sometimes, but I'm not a terrible worker.

I wouldn't automatically disqualify a person for being a few minutes late. I'm actually really easy-going when it comes to people working for me, but they have to earn the easy-going demeanor. If you're good and thorough, I'll give you leeway with being on time and taking longer breaks. If you suck and work slowly, I become more of a hardass.

The last time it happened to me, I was 40 minutes early getting to the arena I was going to be working in. However, because of several other things happening in the area (a hair weave show!?), many parking lots were closed or jam packed. Because of construction, I couldn't figure out how to get to the arena's back lot. Once I finally navigated all the traffic and found a lot, they wouldn't let me use the card machine and would only take cash. So I had to leave again, go back out into the nightmare, get to an ATM, then plow back through. I was one minute early for the call after that. All sorts of things can happen, even with the best of planning. I did call the guy I was working for, by the way.

But, if I was interviewing someone, I would expect a call if they were late. If they were going to be really late, I'd expect a pretty decent excuse. But automatic disqualification? No way.

 

[samiwas]

Whats so bad about asking for my $10 back? They said they cover my parking from the start, so its not an issue for them. If they never said that and I was asking for my money back than thats another story.

So in other words you are saying "just let them run all over you."

You do know that some people like to stand up for themselves right?

When you contacted them to request your ten dollars back, which of the following more resembles the approach you took?

A: "Hi, this is MissKitty. I have my receipt for parking from the day I spent shadowing at your facility. Do you need that receipt in order to reimburse the parking? Do you need anything from me to process this?"

B: "I spent my day off working for you and you promised to pay my parking!! But you haven't! I demand payment right now!"

 

[Macky-Mac]

calling to let the interviewer know you've been delayed and will be late is NOT the same thing as simply showing up late

 

[yg17]

So in other words you are saying "just let them run all over you."

You do know that some people like to stand up for themselves right?

It's 10 dollars we're talking about. That's not exactly "run all over you" money. When an out of town employer asks you to travel to their location for an interview, then doesn't pay for your flight and hotel, then they're running all over you.

The way I see it, you should be lucky they even offered to reimburse you for parking. Cost of parking is just another expense of owning a car. I had to pay to park for the interview with my current employer and I didn't ask them to pay me back. In fact, I still have to pay to park. The joys of working in a downtown area.

 

[GoCubsGo]

So in other words you are saying "just let them run all over you."

You do know that some people like to stand up for themselves right?

Interesting stance you take considering your other recent thread.
No, I would not let them walk all over me because frankly, that is not what they're doing. They likely forgot (as I suspect you did that day as well) and you sat around bitching and whining about it to strangers for three weeks then sent a horribly unprofessional demand for reimbursement. If you say it wasn't horribly unprofessional then you're a liar because you wrote, "I just emailed the owner to let me know, reimburse me ASAP. I dont care if i look like a cheapass doing this over $10, but I really cant stand when people do this. Hopefully she has some dignity and morals to follow through with it."

That speaks volumes to the manner in which you approached this in an e-mail.

All I know is that given the choice between hiring someone who showed up late but had a good attitude and someone like Misskitty here, I would hire the late person 100% of the time.

When you contacted them to request your ten dollars back, which of the following more resembles the approach you took?

A: "Hi, this is MissKitty. I have my receipt for parking from the day I spent shadowing at your facility. Do you need that receipt in order to reimburse the parking? Do you need anything from me to process this?"

B: "I spent my day off working for you and you promised to pay my parking!! But you haven't! I demand payment right now!"

My vote: B.

Girl, you need to dial it back on this. You didn't get the job, they're likely shaking their heads at you and your behavior, and my advice is to focus this passion on the next interview.

 

[NT1440]

Haha, something like this happened with my first on-campus interview, turned out the company was on North something street, and the town had a something street on the other side of town... google maps automatically routed me to the wrong address: An apartment complex!

I called them when I got to the apartment complex, we had a good laugh and the interview went fine as soon as I got there.

Yea sometimes just being honest and outright about a mistake is refreshing for people. I feel it was my handling of the situation that might have played a part in me getting the job.