What to Do If You Have an Interview But You Are Sick

Getting sick right before an important interview is any job seeker's worst nightmare. Unfortunately, colds, the flu and stomach viruses can hit at any time. If you're feeling under the weather and have a job interview coming up, you need to make a decision that's considerate of your interviewer and doesn't hurt your chances of scoring the job. Whether you should reschedule the interview or stick it out depends on a few key factors.

First, you should always attempt to reschedule the job interview if you have a highly contagious illness. No matter how inconvenient your rescheduling, your interviewer is sure to appreciate the courtesy. You may also want to reschedule your job interview if your sickness involves noticeable symptoms, such as a constantly running nose, a bad cough or a skin rash. Even if your doctor assures you that you're not contagious and you do the same for your interviewer, your symptoms can still be distracting, taking the focus away from your skills and accomplishments.

You should also try to reschedule if being sick means you're not at your best. If a fever, a lack of sleep or cold medications leave you less than 80 percent sharp, your interview performance is likely to suffer. You want your potential employer to see you as a confident, capable worker, but portraying your best qualities is tough when you're fighting through the fog of an illness.

If you decide to reschedule, call the interviewer or hiring manager as soon as possible to give him plenty of time to make necessary arrangements. Explain that the job position and the interview are on top of your priority list but you don't want to risk the health of your interviewer and the other workers who might come in contact with you.

If the company is unable to reschedule the interview and your illness is mild enough, especially if the interview took much planning, consider trying to stick it out. When a potential employer has made a large effort to accommodate you, it's important to make every effort to make it to the job interview to make a positive impression, even if you're feeling under the weather.

If the company can't reschedule the job interview and you're simply too sick to tough it out, ask the manager about other options, such as a Skype interview or a phone interview. Even if this isn't possible, the request shows your potential employer that you're serious about the job. You may even get a call back for future openings thanks to your attitude.

When rescheduling a job interview due to getting sick, keep in mind that a little gratitude goes a long way. Write an email thanking the hiring manager for fitting you in on another date, no matter how far off it is.

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