Whatever you do, never fail to show up to an interview without a call to explain your situation. Likewise, being late is better than not showing up there at all, but it still should be avoided if at all possible. If you have to be late, always call and explain the situation post haste. This makes sense. After all, if you can’t make the interview on time, it is fair to assume that you won’t be making any other important deadlines either.
Sure, sometimes the universe conspires against you and you get into a fender bender or your subway gets stuck or your bus goes out of service at exactly the wrong moment. In these circumstances it is okay to be late as long as you call.
Pet Peeve Number #6: Lack of Preparation.