Though canceling an interview is understandable, candidates must practice proper etiquette by providing as much notice as possible so their would-be employers are prepared and not left in a difficult situation. People shouldn't assume that the hiring team will know why they're not showing up; instead, provide a brief explanation (even if vague) as soon as possible so that companies know about your absence. It's also important to reflect on feedback from canceled interviews to improve interview techniques for future positions. While canceling interviews may seem unprofessional and upsetting, it might be just what someone needs when needed most.

Hiring managers and interviewers understand that not everything can be predicted. They want you to show up prepared and ready for the interview, but they would rather you reschedule than come unprepared. So if something comes up where rescheduling isn't possible or doesn’t make sense in either yourself or the interviewer's timeline, it's okay to politely and professionally explain the situation and cancel the meeting. As long as you communicate respectfully, canceling an interview isn't unacceptable in most cases; it just signals that now is not a good time for this particular conversation.

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