Is it bad to turn down an interview in 3 days after having agreed to it?

[Erica_24]

I had originally applied for a day shift position, but when the recruiter called, I was told that the day shift was taken by an internal applicant, and they only have night shift position now. She had asked me at the time (a week ago) if I'd still like to interview, and I agreed to it -- I asked if it's possible to decide after I have the interview, and she happily agreed and scheduled me for an interview next Monday (2/25).

I've been thinking about it this week, I think I've decided I really don't want to do night shift anymore (been on night shift for 6 and half years). Even if they offer me the position, I will turn it down. Should I just go ahead and cancel the interview (If yes, How can I politely decline the interview?) Will this burn the bridge? or should I just go through the interview and decline the position after if they want to hire me.

side note: Not sure if this matter, but I had originally applied for the ICU day shift position, the position they are interviewing me for is step-down night shift because I only have step-down experiences so far. The recruiter had mentioned if I am aiming to pursue an ICU position, I should probably take this night shift to step down at this time. But I get so tired working night shift now, I think for the sack of my health I should pass this opportunity and wait.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

I don't think it bad at all to turn down an interview because you have decided the position is not a good fit for you. Better to do that before than after you've interviewed and taken up their time. Just be polite and always leave the door open for future consideration.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Never turn down an interview. Recruiters do not know what is going on in the minds of the managers.

You never know what offer will come from that interview. I was in a similar situation, I politely declined the night shift position... was then offered day shift.

Good luck.

[klone, MSN, RN]

While I agree with BTDT that sometimes something else comes along that you're not aware of at first, as a hiring manager, I would be mildly annoyed if I offered you the position, and you declined it, knowing that the position was on nights and you only want days. I would be thinking "Why the **** did you waste everyone's time, knowing that you would turn it down?"

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you know for sure that you will turn down the position, then it is rude to waste people's time by interviewing with them. Just be polite and keep the door open should a new position open up on days. By wasting their time, they may be less likely to take you seriously in the future should you apply again in the future (for a day position or whatever.)

Perhaps you can ask about the possibility of a rotating shift position ... or the possibility of transferring to days once you have worked there a while, etc. before the interview. If those seem to be possibilities, I would recommend interviewing to establish a relationship with the manager and perhaps make those possibilities real and imminent.

[Wuzzie]

2 hours ago, klone said:

While I agree with BTDT that sometimes something else comes along that you're not aware of at first, as a hiring manager, I would be mildly annoyed if I offered you the position, and you declined it, knowing that the position was on nights and you only want days. I would be thinking "Why the **** did you waste everyone's time, knowing that you would turn it down?"

OP, I think you should keep an open mind. While I agree with Klone that if you're absolutely certain you will turn down the job then doing the interview would be rude but what if you went and heard some really good things?

[Katillac, RN]

Recruiters and hiring managers are different creatures and need to be treated differently. The recruiter's job is to find a pool of candidates in the world that might be a good fit for any number of positions they have or will have in their client list. The hiring manager of a facility's job is typically to find a candidate to fill X position. There's ZERO harm or rudeness in saying to the recruiter that after reconsidering, you're not 100% sure night shift is the right fit for you but you'd appreciate the chance to sit with her and discuss the position. That way, she knows exactly who you are and how you present for the next opportunity that comes along. She knows her hiring managers, and knows whether she can say that a candidate isn't sold on night shift but has outstanding qualifications and ask the hiring manager if he or she wants to talk with you.

But I'm not sure I'd use the same strategy with a hiring manager. With competitive jobs, any trace of flakiness, insincerity or lack of professionalism can be enough to put you second in line. So that's a tough call.

[Erica_24]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions! I think I will still go to the interview and keep an open mind, and find out the possibility of switching to day shift in the near future. ?

[DowntheRiver]

On 2/22/2019 at 2:06 PM, Erica_24 said:

Thank you all for your input and suggestions! I think I will still go to the interview and keep an open mind, and find out the possibility of switching to day shift in the near future. ?

How did it go?