How to reschedule an interview: give notice, offer options, keep it short.
Rescheduling once, early and politely, is usually fine. What hurts is late notice, vague excuses or moving the same interview twice. Here is how to ask.
To reschedule an interview, contact the scheduler as soon as you know, by email (or phone if it is within a few hours). Apologise briefly, give a short honest reason without oversharing, offer two or three specific new times, and confirm you are still very interested. Try not to reschedule the same interview twice.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Planned conflict, with notice
When to use: When you know in advance that the time no longer works.
Subject: Request to reschedule, [Role] interview Hi [Name], I'm very much looking forward to interviewing for the [Role] position, but a conflict has come up for [date and time]. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Would any of these times work instead: [option 1], [option 2] or [option 3]? Thank you for your flexibility, [Your name]
Short-notice emergency
When to use: When something urgent comes up the same day. Call first if the interview is within a few hours, then send this.
Subject: Today's interview, [Role] Hi [Name], I'm very sorry, but [brief reason, e.g. a family emergency] means I can't attend today's interview at [time]. I remain very interested in the role and would be grateful for the chance to reschedule at a time that suits the team. With apologies, [Your name]
Feeling unwell
When to use: When you are ill and would perform poorly or might be contagious.
Hi [Name], I've woken up unwell and don't want to give the team a poor interview or pass anything on. Would it be possible to move our conversation to later this week? I'm free [options]. Thank you, [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
How much notice?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Several days ahead | Email the scheduler with alternatives. |
| Under 24 hours | Email, then call if you have a number. |
| Within a few hours | Call first, then email to confirm in writing. |
| Second request for the same interview | Avoid if you possibly can; it can signal low interest. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Something came up, can we do it another time? |
| Strong | A conflict has come up for Tuesday at 10:00. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Would Wednesday at 2:00, Thursday at 11:00 or Friday at 9:30 work instead? |
Why it matters: The weak version gives the scheduler more work and sounds like low interest. The strong version solves their problem by offering times.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the last minute to say anything.
- Over-explaining personal details.
- Offering no alternative times.
- Simply not showing up.
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Questions people ask
Is it bad to reschedule a job interview?
Do I need to give a reason?
Should I call or email?
What if they can't reschedule?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.