Another option, depending on how sick you are, is to go and let them know, and decline to shake hands politely due to contagion. This is not going to work if you're super sick, but I've definitely done that in meetings and people are appreciative.

Op here. The interview is at 1pm. I'll shower, neti pot, go to bed, and hope to feel good in the morning. Will email by 7am if i need to bail, or I like that first idea of giving them the choice unless I'm totally down for the count. Thanks for the reassurance that at least some recruiters wouldn't disqualify me for being sick if necessary!

If I am the person interviewing you, I would prefer you call our recruiter no later than early afternoon and cancel if you are feeling crappy.


I do not want to spend my weekend in bed - and I would much prefer to meet you when you are on. If you are interviewing with my company - the interview consists of meeting 4 people and I would guess that you will be drained before you are done.

My company does recruiting events every few weeks and they would be happy to put you in the next one.

I once had a 2nd round hour-long phone interview and i shat on myself in the middle of the interview. as in full load, in my boxers and down my leg.

i didn't want to go to the bathroom and was 'caught' between a rock and a hard spot and suddenly felt very sick.

needless to say they invited me for a final round at hq (i didn't get the job, but it wasn't because i shit myself during the phone interview)/.

I recently rescheduled an interview for this reason. I was working with a headhunter and she advised me to reschedule. You only get one shot, so you want to be at your best when you interview. If the interviewer is inflexible, then it's not someone you'd want to work for anyway.

Just take a crapload of medicine before the interview and power through it. If you cough during it just say you have a cold.

Go unless you are actively coughing or looking sick and can't fake it for an hour.

If you really aren't up to it, call/email and give them the option. You can come in, but may be contagious, or you can reschedule. Put the decision on them.

This afternoon I've developed a low grade fever. Killer sore throat. Lots of colds going around my big office. If I still feel crappy but not super sick in the morning do I cancel the interview? Having seen my current manager refuse to see someone who called in sick for an interview, I'm scared to cancel, but maybe there are some people out there who are not so draconian?