How bad is it to be sick during an interview?

[andybshaker]

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Hi SDN, I have two interviews this week--one on Wednesday and one on Friday. Since Saturday, I have had a bit of a cold (which is especially annoying because I get sick extremely infrequently.) I have been taking a lot of theraflu, mucinex, robitussin, etc. but in all likelihood on Wednesday I will be at least slightly hoarse and might have a cough. How much will this count against me? I feel like it would be ill-advised to postpone an interview that's in January.

 

[deleted407021]

You could wear a surgical mask to show your commitment to public health!

jk, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think they'd count having the sniffles against you and your performance probably won't be very noticeable affected.


Good luck!

 

[lalex]

Very bad! It shows that you are a weakling that is susceptible to petty human things such as colds!

 

[andybshaker]

You could wear a surgical mask to show your commitment to public health!

jk, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think they'd count having the sniffles against you and your performance probably won't be very noticeable affected.


Good luck!

Thanks. I know that objectively nobody would really care but it's all about impressions.

 

[Lannister]

Haha you'll be fine! I made it through an interview with the stomach flu and spent every presentation plotting ways to get out of the room unnoticed so I could go puke, if necessary.

 

[trini818]

Haha you'll be fine! I made it through an interview with the stomach flu and spent every presentation plotting ways to get out of the room unnoticed so I could go puke, if necessary.

I always fear this will happen to me.

 

[Lannister]

I always fear this will happen to me.

It was pretty bad, and it was my top choice too. I thought about calling and asking to reschedule, in retrospect I probably should have. But oh well, it is what it is!

 

[Goldslugs]

I went through 5 interviews in a row while sick. Honestly don't expect interviewers to care and be sick. Watch your stamina though, interviewers wont give a **** and mark you down without hesitation, and if your stamina wasn't down (I hyped myself up with excitement), expect to hear "are you really sick?" Interviewers are just an all-around pain in the arse.

 

[andybshaker]

Haha you'll be fine! I made it through an interview with the stomach flu and spent every presentation plotting ways to get out of the room unnoticed so I could go puke, if necessary.

Oh dear that sounds awful. Did you get in? 🙂

 

[Lannister]

Oh dear that sounds awful. Did you get in? 🙂

Sadly no, post-interview hold.

 

[NotWayneBrady]

Sadly no, post-interview hold.

Of all the interviews I think you could go through while not feeling well, you lucked out. That interview was the most relaxed one I have had all cycle.

 

[JustAPhD]

As long as you're not violently sick from a hangover I highly doubt they'll care.

 

[Lannister]

Of all the interviews I think you could go through while not feeling well, you lucked out. That interview was the most relaxed one I have had all cycle.

Very true! I just wonder if they noticed the weird look on my face through all the presentations and thought I wasn't interested or something haha.

 

[NotWayneBrady]

As long as you're not violently sick from a hangover I highly doubt they'll care.

Oh god my worst nightmare...

I have achieved 2-3 day long hangovers before. It's a gift, really.

 

[MaxPlancker]

I lost my voice for a few interviews and it was pretty frustrating. I just tried to minimize conversation and save my voice for the actual interviews. Worked out for me with acceptances at those places...I think you'll be fine.