30 Good Excuses To Make To Attend An Interview

Getting through job interviews without jeopardising your existing position can require careful balance. It’s critical to find excuses for attending interviews without compromising your job stability.

This article provides 30 creative and believable reasons to help you set up interviews without causing suspicion.

These explanations can cover your job-seeking activities, whether you have to leave work early, miss an important meeting, or request time off.

For best results, remember to modify them according to your unique circumstances and business regulations.

Assuming your excuse succeeded, what steps would you take to get employed at your new job location? One of these is to thoroughly prepare for the interview and give it your all. So, to help you prepare for your upcoming interview and ultimately boost your chances of getting hired, contact our team of professional interview coaches right now!

Here Are 30 Good Excuses To Make To Attend An Interview:

1. I have a family emergency.
2. I need a day off to handle some issues affecting my productivity.
3. I have an appointment with the Doctor.
4. I have a dental appointment.
5. I have a follow-up appointment.
6. I need to be home to let someone in.
7. I have to drive my mother, father, uncle aunt, grandmother, and grandfather to the Airport.
8. I have an emergency at home.
9. Can I take my annual leave next week?
10. l have an appointment with a vet Doctor.
11. Please can I work from home I am feeling sick.
12. I’m taking a couple of hours of personal time.
13. I have an emergency ( car repair, home repair, or appliance repair) and have to wait for service.
14. I want to attend to a sick child.
15. I want to attend to a sick parent.
16. I wish to attend a funeral.
17. I want to go get a medical test.
18. I just developed a migraine and need to go home.
19. I have a business meeting.
20. I have a personal business to settle with my landlord.
21. I have an appointment with an attorney to get wills, set up a trust, advanced directives, etc.
22. I have a financial planning appointment.
23. Can my lunch break be extended?         
24. Plan your Annual leave strategically.
25. Try to be honest if you know your employer very well.
26. I have an illness or I injured myself.
27. I have conjunctivitis (pink eyes).
28. I  have a stomach virus
29. One of my relative’s children is sick.
30. I have an external meeting away from the office.                                                                    

Tip:

It’s up to you whether or not to let your supervisor know you’re going on a job interview. Think about how the organisation operates, how you get along with your manager, and how it might affect your current position.

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Note: If you want to find out more good excuses to make to attend an interview and some not-too-good excuses, read here.

Strategies For A Believable Excuse

I can assure you that your employer is aware that you are looking for another work. Thus, it is important to make your excuse as convincing as possible while avoiding any form of suspicion. Here are some essential tactics for informing your manager about a forthcoming interview without risking your existing employment position.

1. Be Specific And Detailed:

To make your excuse believable, provide your present employer with detailed information regarding it. For example, if you want to tell them that you are sick and will be unable to work that day, you can simulate illness beforehand.

Even on that day, remind them of your doctor’s appointment and provide details on the hospital and doctor. This can go a long way.

2. Practice Your Delivery:

If you’re not particularly eloquent, this can come in helpful. Practise how you want to break the news to them. Look for a natural cue to begin and always make eye contact with your employer

because it is commonly assumed that a person who cannot make eye contact while speaking has low self-esteem or is lying; and you don’t want to be caught red-handed, do you?

3. Choose A Reasonable Excuse:

Consider the type of excuse you want to provide; will it be convincing? Is it following your employer’s expectations? How can you explain it in a way that does not appear or sound suspicious? Consider all of this while making the excuse.

4. Be Prepared For Follow-up Questions:

Depending on the type of excuse you provide, you may be required to follow it up to demonstrate that you are serious and not making something up. Always remember your initial excuse and apply it in later interactions with your employer.

Consider how people would react if you had previously used an excuse for being sick and then, while following up, you incorrectly told them that it was for a wedding. Whatever you do, be consistent with your excuse and follow it up; don’t feel reluctant.

5. Offer To Help:

Give a helping hand to complete any outstanding duties before the due date, as you have already planned your absence for that day or for a certain period of time.

This will demonstrate your commitment to the organisation and your continued care for it.

6. Avoid Social Media:

It’s important to keep in mind that if you are using an excuse to take time off, it’s best to ensure that there is no evidence of your activities on social media.

Posting about your time off could potentially undermine the validity of your excuse.

How To Write And Submit A Written Excuse

Let’s imagine there is no provision for verbal permissions, what would you do? Here are some guidelines for submitting a written excuse to your employer:

1. Follow The Company’s Protocol: If your company has a specific procedure for submitting absences, follow it carefully. This may involve using a designated form, submitting through a specific system, or informing your supervisor directly.
2. Be Timely: Submit your excuse as soon as possible after you know you will be absent. This shows respect for your employer and helps them plan accordingly.
3. Be Clear & Concise: State the reason for your absence clearly and concisely. Avoid using vague or ambiguous language.
4. Provide Supporting Documentation: If applicable, include any supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note or a copy of your flight itinerary.
5. Express Your Regret: Apologize for the inconvenience and express your intention to make up any missed work or deadlines.
6. Maintain Professionalism: Use a formal tone and avoid using slang or informal language.

Example Of A Written Excuse:

Dear [Supervisor’s Name],

I am writing to inform you that I will be absent from work on [Date] due to [Reason for absence]. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and I will ensure that my workload is covered during my absence.

Please let me know if there is anything specific I can do to assist while I am away.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Position]

Top 4 Ways To Job Hunt Without Having To Make Excuses

Here are 4 other ways you can

• Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and leverage your existing network to discover new opportunities.
• Explore online job boards and platforms to find suitable positions without leaving your current job.
• If your current role is no longer fulfilling, consider having an open conversation with your employer about your career goals.
• If you’ve accumulated vacation time or personal days, consider using them strategically for job interviews.

It’s not always easy, but it is possible. We’ve explained in great detail how to job hunt without having to lie during interviews. Discover the secrets of job hunting like a pro in this blog post.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to be mindful of making excuses to attend a job interview because often, employers can tell when you are actively seeking other job opportunities.

Even if they act like they believe your reasons, they may have an idea of your intentions.

Additionally, it’s not sustainable to keep making excuses if you have to attend multiple interviews or if your initial job interview doesn’t lead to an offer.

Taking a medical leave as an excuse may also not be viable as your employer may request a medical certificate. Therefore, it’s best to be upfront about your need to attend an interview rather than resorting to making excuses.

Editor’s Recommendation

• How to Job Hunt Without Quitting Your Job
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• Worst Interview Mistakes Made By Job Applicants

 Written By: Aanuoluwaposimi Ajayi