Strange Job Interview Question

[thebruce44]

This Wednesday I have a follow up interview for what is essentially my dream job. I have been out of work for 4 months now (Civil Engineering) and this is my first serious lead. During my first interview they told me I was the only person they were interviewing for the opening at my level (out of 200 resumes and 40 phone interviews), but they were also looking at a structural engineer and they wouldn't be able to hire two people.

 

So last Friday they called to schedule another interview and we set it for Wed...I promptly went out and had a bike accident on Saturday. Long story short, I have a fat lip, bad bruise on my chin, and road rash on my right cheek to the point of swelling around my eye. My left hand is also pretty messed up in terms of scrapes and swelling, but I am not too concerned about this. I still haven't eaten anything besides a few milk shakes, as my entire jaw hurts from the chin impact. I honestly feel like I might have a slight concussion. I know I will be fine by the end of the week and my face will probably be healed by next Monday.

 

If I was working right now, and had an important project due, I would have gone into work today. However, I really don't want to get dressed up in a suit, shave around the scab on my chin, and go downtown for this interview in front of all these guys I have met once before (one of them never before).

 

I plan to call this afternoon and explain my situation and ask to move the interview back to Friday or even Monday. Some friends and family are very against this though, as they think it will show weakness or that I will be calling in sick a lot (even though I have taken 2 sick days in the last 3 years). I think there are some extenuating circumstances though and they wouldn't hold this against me. Its not just the self concious aspect of having a big scrape on my face and fat lip, but also that it is really hard to talk right now with my jaw.

 

I would love to hear some opinions of the board as I know some of you guys do a lot of hiring. I think I could tell a white lie and say I have to get a check up for my wrist on Wed so that is why I want to move it back.

 

Thoughts?

[BrewCrewLifer]

I'm just finishing up grad school and we've had many discussions with teachers, and portions of class devoted to interviewing and issues such as this. I think the best course of action would be for you to call them up, explain the situation, and then leave it up to them as to whether they would like you to come in and interview. I would not ask to have it moved back, instead say that you are happy to still come in, but you are concerned about your appearance and the issue with having trouble talking, and if they would like you are happy to reschedule the interview for a day or 2 later.

[PaulRigdon]

I agree with the advice you've got. In fact I think you can use it to your advantage. It could be a real ice breaker and perhaps ease the tension of a normal interview.

 

As a person in charge of hiring at my job, I would look at it as you being unreliable and would lean towards the other person. Under no circumstances should you ever reschedule an interview. Well maybe a death in the family...

[Fatter than Joey]

As a person in charge of hiring at my job, I would look at it as you being unreliable and would lean towards the other person.

 

I don't think would happen at all, especially at the level of employment you are interviewing at.... clearly it was an accident and does not have anything to do with reliability.

 

If you were selected out of a pool of 200 they are clearly interested in you. I would certainly let them know you were involved in an accident and you are having problems talking for extended periods of time... They don't want to waste their time watching you struggle to talk.

 

I'd probably go see a Dr. if you think you had a concussion.

 

I think I could tell a white lie and say I have to get a check up for my wrist on Wed so that is why I want to move it back.

 

Def. don't do this. I don't know what your wrist has to do with things, but you certainly should have had the foresight to not schedule a wrist appt during the same time as your interview, or vice versa.

 

I'd be 100% honest, and say you banged your head rather bad, you are having problems talking, and out of consideration to their time, you were wondering if the process would be more effective a couple of days down the road.

 

These cats are probably rather busy dudes, and I can tell you they have no interest in watching you impersonate Mushmouth from Fat Albert for 45 minutes.

 

Accidents are not a sign of weakness.

 

Good luck in either case.

[Thurston Fluff]

Two things you should never do is show up late for an interview or reschedule You could call and explain your circumstance and if they would rather you reschedule it would be acceptable but I think they might leave the final decision up to you. If that is the case I would go. If anything showing up after obviously suffering an accident may even show how reliable you are and how seriously you take your job.

[hawing]

I think the best course of action would be for you to call them up, explain the situation, and then leave it up to them as to whether they would like you to come in and interview.

I'm siding with BrewCrewLifer (and, indirectly, with others in this thread). Giving them a heads-up plus leaving the decision up to them makes me think you are both courteous and serious about the interview/job.

 

I would suggest you make this contact today if possible. Since your accident took place "over the weekend," Monday is really the soonest you can reasonably notify them of your unusual circumstance. The more time you give them to react, the better you look.

 

Good luck.

[thebruce44]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I do know that they are very interested in me and consider myself to be incredibly lucky to have gotten this close to getting the job in this economy.

 

I think I will call just to give them a heads up that talking is somewhat difficult for me at this point and leave it up to them. I don't want to say this, but I have noticed (or been told) that I am not making complete sense right now when it comes to technical issues, so I think that could effect me in an interview. I think just another day or two could make a dramatic difference though, but I also understand if they want to make their decision right away.

 

I think that is how I plan to put it to them...basically say I am still excited and more than willing to come in and do the interview, but it may take a little longer than normal as I am moving and talking a little slower than usual. I think a day or two could make a big difference, but I understand if they want to do it right away, so to let me know if they would like to reschedule and I would make myself available Thursday, Friday, or Monday at all times with Friday or Monday probably being ideal just to get me back to normal.

 

How does that sound?

[Fatter than Joey]

I would just say you are having trouble speaking for long periods of time, and you are not interested in wasting their time.

 

I think Hawing is right, I'd do something on the quicker side.

[RyDogg66]

I wouldnt reschedule, I would go. You will heal up quite a bit between now and then and it could be a decent ice breaker.

[Teatoe993]

If Jack Lemon could make his interview in the "Out Of Towners" and Will Smith in the "Pursuit Of Happyness", you better be able to make yours. Personally, I wouldn't even call to explain the situation. It'll make a good ice breaker at the interview.

[hawing]

I think that is how I plan to put it to them...basically say I am still excited and more than willing to come in and do the interview, but it may take a little longer than normal as I am moving and talking a little slower than usual. I think a day or two could make a big difference, but I understand if they want to do it right away, so to let me know if they would like to reschedule and I would make myself available Thursday, Friday, or Monday at all times with Friday or Monday probably being ideal just to get me back to normal.

 

How does that sound?

I like the original BCL advice of leaving it up to the employer just a little more (less wordy than what you've posted above, and from what you've said, it sounds like the less wordy for you this week, the better).

 

Also, not to sound like your mom or to alarm you unduly, but if others are noticing that you are moving and talking more slowly than usual, and you have any shred of medical coverage, I'd suggest you see a doctor, or at least call one of those nurse-staffed hotlines to describe how you've felt since the accident and whether that's cause for concern. If your reaction time is off, you'd want to be cautious behind the wheel (or handlebars) of any vehicle.

[RU Rah Rah]

Also, not to sound like your mom or to alarm you unduly, but if others are noticing that you are moving and talking more slowly than usual, and you have any shred of medical coverage, I'd suggest you see a doctor, or at least call one of those nurse-staffed hotlines to describe how you've felt since the accident and whether that's cause for concern. If your reaction time is off, you'd want to be cautious behind the wheel (or handlebars) of any vehicle.

This strikes me, too. If you're "not making complete sense," then this isn't strictly a job interview question; it's a matter of figuring out if your brain is ok, and quickly.

[thebruce44]

I just talked to the secretary and told her what happened. She said they have had people who have been in accidents before come in for interviews and it wont effect the interview or the hiring process at all, but if I was still having trouble speaking on Wednesday I should call to reschedule and it wouldn't be a big deal. As I am re reading what I just typed though, I am realizing that something is a bit off since I am repeating myself and spelling very poorly. I am going to make an appointment to see a doctor right away. Thanks for all the advise guys.

[Fatter than Joey]

I am going to make an appointment to see a doctor right away.

 

This is the most critical thing -- hope it all goes well...

[hawing]

Yes, please let us know how it's going, both brain-wise and interview-wise.

[valpocrewsader]

I agree with PaulRigdon and Teatoe on this one, suck it up and carry on with the interview. But then again, I pretty much demand 100% dependability and think 2 sick days in 3 years is a lot....

[Fatter than Joey]

But then again, I pretty much demand 100% dependability and think 2 sick days in 3 years is a lot....

 

You can't treat engineers like that.

[mothershipconnection]

I got my job 2 days after having my wisdom teeth removed. I already had the appointment when they wanted to schedule the interview, but there wasn't a time that'd work for them for another two weeks. I told them I'd be cool with it as long as they were and everything worked out.

[thebruce44]

What line of work are you in valpocrewsader? I don't just think its engineers, I can't think of any line of work where this wouldn't be considered great attendance.

 

And I have a Dr apt for tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I will be feeling better by then and they will say everything is fine.

[thebruce44]

Went to the Dr today. She said to keep using neosporn on my road rash, ice my jaw and take Advil. No concussion, although she said I may have had one originally and should have gone to the ER. I also got a tetanus shot. I should be all healed up by next week, with no noticeable marks/scars a week or two later.

 

Still have the job interview tomorrow and am looking forward to it. My face looks passable now that the fat lip is gone. I will probably put a band aid over the really bad part on my cheek though. Still speaking a little slow but mostly because of my jaw and the pain I am still in. I am sure they will look past this if I can still give passable answers as they said I was very articulate in the first interview.

 

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions.

[thebruce44]

And thanks again for the advise. The interview went great. My messed up face and hands was a great icebreaker, and they offered me the job at the end of the interview. I start Monday and end my 5 long months of unemployment!

 

To those of you still looking, keep trying. I had all but given up until this perfect fit fell in my lap. It will happen eventually.

[Blancofan1]

congrats!!! hopefully the job goes great and there are no more lingering effects from the accident