Stop Blowing Off Interviews
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Dear potential intern candidates,
I’m begging you to please stop blowing off internship interviews. I’ve heard from a number of employers about students who apply to specific internships, respond to the employer, and then blow off the interview. This is extremely unprofessional. You MUST communicate with the employer. If you cannot make the interview for whatever reason – just be honest and send them an email ASAP. Completely blowing off an interview is not acceptable and remember – everyone knows everyone. You have no idea who these employers know in their personal and professional networks. Make sure you don’t burn a bridge with anyone. If you are no longer available for the internship, don’t feel bad, just be honest and send a nice note declining the opportunity. From an employer’s point of view, they would much rather hear that you cannot do the internship before they bring you on board.
Please take this note into consideration when/if you are contemplating blowing off an interview or employer’s correspondence.
You can do this and you can do this the professional way!
Best,
Your Intern Queen, Lauren Berger
It is amazing that this problem seems to be an issue around the world. I run a similar company in Kenya offering similar solutions to students & we have students blowing off interviews all the time. Am not sure how students expect to succeed if showing up for an interview & doing so on time is such a big issue. I can guarantee you that blowing off interviews works for people interested in destroying their careers & it is a great solution for career failure.
What a coincidence. I was sitting in my office talking to one of my co-workers about this the other day. I work with a human rights organization in Dallas and we have recently had a couple of issues with individuals not showing up for interviews, or following through on internship and volunteer opportunities. One young girl in particular came in for an interview and committed to working with us and then never showed up for her first day. We contacted her and received what seemed to be a false excuse for her just not following through. Though she may have thought that she would be fine, I was having lunch with a friend a few days later and was discussing her and it turns out that the candidate had also applied recently with my friends organization too and was being considered for an interview. I encouraged him to still interview her.
It’s amazing who knows who in this world! But especially in terms of jobs and internships because you’re more than likely going to be applying in the same field, and employers in those fields will know each other! Without a doubt! Think about it, it’s the connections that help make them successful, so also the more successful the employer you’re applying under the more people they know.
So follow Lauren’s advice, follow through!
Holland Banks