How can we ask for more time to prepare for a interview?

When I started my preparation for the meeting I expected the time I had allotted would be sufficient but it quickly became apparent that in order for me to put my best foot forward, I require more time to sufficiently prepare.

The best way to ask for more time to prepare for an interview is to be clear, concise and honest —with good justification.

I've drafted a potential response below so as to give a rough idea of what I'm talking about:

Dear Recruiter / Hiring Manager,

I was hoping we could explore the possibility of postponing the interview we have arranged for the 6th of August at The Business for the Sales Manager position.

This by no means indicates a lack of interest on my part, infact quite the opposite. When I started my preparation for the meeting I expected the time I had allotted would be sufficient but it quickly became apparent that in order for me to put my best foot forward, I require more time to sufficiently prepare.

I'm happy to discuss this in further detail on the telephone.

Kind regards,

Candidate Name.

The answer demonstrates that:

  • You have already started preparation
  • You are really keen on the position
  • You want to perform at your best
  • You are able to negotiate

Correct preparation for an interview is absolutely vital so ensuring you have enough time to do so is the right path to take. Next time you're arranging an interview —try to ensure you have enough time to prepare from the get go.