A kinder way to say “can we reschedule the interview?”

Say this instead

1. 01

   Hi Zainab, thank you for the invitation. I have a clash on Thursday at 2 pm that I can't move. Could we find another time? I'm free Friday morning or any time on Monday.

   Recruiter / HR · Email

   Use this as a candidate with a real clash, since it names the problem and offers specific replacement times.

   Use for my message
   Copy
2. 02

   Hi Zainab, it's Hayden. Something has come up for Thursday's 2 pm interview. Could we move it to Friday morning? Happy to work around your calendar.

   Recruiter / HR · SMS

   A short-notice text suits a recruiter who already messaged you, and it still shows you're flexible.

   Use for my message
   Copy
3. 03

   Hi Diego, I'm still very interested in speaking with the team. Could Tuesday's interview move to later in the week? Any slot from Wednesday onwards suits me.

   Recruiter / HR · Chat

   Try it on LinkedIn or a hiring platform, because it confirms your interest before you ask for the change.

   Use for my message
   Copy
4. 04

   Hey Ishita, can we move tomorrow's candidate interview from 3 pm to 4 pm? My earlier meeting may run long. Does that work for you and the rest of the panel?

   Coworker · Chat

   As an interviewer needing a small shift, you ask about the whole panel instead of only yourself.

   Use for my message
   Copy
5. 05

   Hi Karen, I have a clash with Wednesday's 11 am interview. Could we move it to the afternoon, or would you like Duncan to join in my place? Tell me what works best.

   Boss · Email

   If you sit on a panel and can't attend, your boss gets two options to pick from.

   Use for my message
   Copy
6. 06

   Hello Natalie, I'd like to move our Monday discovery interview to Wednesday so the right people from our side can join. Would 10 am or 3 pm suit you?

   Client · Email

   On a client call you're running, the reason benefits them and the two times are easy to choose between.

   Use for my message
   Copy
7. 07

   Hi Jason, I need to shift your interview for the team lead role from Tuesday to Wednesday. Would 11 am or 2 pm suit you? Let me know and I'll update the invite.

   Someone you manage · Chat

   When you manage the candidate and run the interview, you stay direct, give choices and say what happens next.

   Use for my message
   Copy

Examples

What to avoid

• Sending the question alone, with no reason or new times, leaves the other person to do the work, so suggest at least two options.
• A long, detailed excuse or an invented one weakens your message, and a short, honest reason is enough.
• Asking at the last minute adds pressure when you could have written as soon as you knew about the clash.
• Leaving your interest unclear can read as a lack of enthusiasm, so add a line saying you still want to speak with them.

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