Minor cold with interview in two days

[thespitfire]

Hi! I have a minor cold. I feel confident that in a couple of days I’ll be able to handle an interview day. Would it be appropriate to still attend even if I’m a little sniffly? I wouldn’t want to shake an interviewer’s hand due to just having been sick, and I would communicate this, but wondering if that would come across poorly. I prefer not to reschedule because I already made travel plans and took time off work.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Holmeslizzle]

-anyone else, disagree with me if you think this is wrong-

Don't let a cold get in the way. Right before the interview, go to the bathroom. Clear your sinuses so you can speak clearly without sounding congested. Wash your hands like they owe you money, then dry them completely. Walk into the interview without wiping your nose and you won't get them sick.

 

[electropartyogram]

Afrin No Drip Severe Congestion and some Claritin (preferably generic).

+1 for washing your hands frequently

 

[RTC19]

I'm just a premed, but I think it's okay to still go and just let the interview know you have a cold and would rather not shake hands in a warm but professional tone.

Maybe keep a little thing of hand sanitizer in your purse if you are a lady or suit pocket if you are a guy. Then, use it frequently to avoid getting other interviewees sick.

I have a cold too. Seems like cold/flu season is hitting early this year.

Hang in there and best of luck! Keep us posted if you wish.

 

[710118]

I think it’s totally fine to let your interviewer know. Just say, “I am feeling a bit under the weather so I think it’s best not to shake hands” or something like that. No interviewer would get offended whatsoever

 

[756034]

I was in this same situation. A few days before one of my interviews, I had that "tickle in your throat" that turns into a "I CAN'T BREATHE I'M COUGHING SO HARD" cough. Cough drops or mints or something to suck on were a lifesaver. And for what its worth, at least a quarter of my interview group that day said they were getting over a similar cold too. GOOD LUCK!

 

[thespitfire]

Thanks everyone for your kind and helpful replies!!! 🙂

 

[deleted1011020]

Half a Sudafed usually does the trick for me.

 

[mwsapphire]

Santizer, avoid shaking hands- and I'm gonna go against the grain here-
Blow your nose if you need to! No snorting. Plz.

 

[deleted966164]

No. Nah mmmm hmmm. No. 😵

 

[DNAJB6]

Try some Mucinex. You'll be fine.

 

[mickmouse301!]

honestly this happened to me a couple of times, and the adrenaline kicks in and you feel fine!

 

[Cornfed101]

You’re not a toddler. You should be fine as long as you aren’t licking doorknobs

 

[WedgeDawg]

It’s fine, I went to residency interviews with pneumonia and med school interviews with viral GI issues. Just wash your hands, don’t wipe your nose with your hand, bring and use a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and cover your mouth when you cough.