Turned down for job - feel need to rant!

VALM

I had my first interview on Wednesday since being made redundant at Christmas. I was informed that they had had a return of 82 applicants and I had been shortlisted alone with 7 others for interview.

The job was a part time position. I was asked at interview pointedly as to whether I was a true candidate because I had always previously worked full time on substantially more money. I said that I was fully aware of the differences in salary and hours and that I had applied for the job because my childcare needs have changed.

I came away suspecting that I wouldn't get the job because I thought they felt I would leave as soon as I could get back into my old profession.

I got a phone call today telling me I had not got the job. When asked why I was told that I did not have knowledge of their database. I was livid and told them I thought they had been unfair as they had not mentioned the specific database in either their advertisment or job description, nor had they queried my ability to learn their database in the interview. She then went on to patronise me by saying I wouldn't have been able to pick up the usage of it. I got very cross and asked her how she could presume this?

Am so annoyed. Basically feel that going for the interview was a waste of time. They knew I did not have that experience when I completed the Application form!

Rant over.

roxalana

I would ring again and ask if the appointed candidate had experience of that database...

VALM

Her words were that it came down to us appointing someone who had experience of the database so it sounds as if they did.

roxalana

I think then it must have come down to 'there was someone with more relevant experience on the day' - and the person you spoke to needs to work on their people skills!

Perhaps you had a lucky escape if that's how they treat applicants...

VALM

roxalana wrote: »

I think then it must have come down to 'there was someone with more relevant experience on the day' - and the person you spoke to needs to work on their people skills!

Perhaps you had a lucky escape if that's how they treat applicants...

Thanks, that's cheered me up a bit.

Ninja_Seb

Maybe they just prefered someone else and they are just flobbing you off. It happens all the time..

I always take feedback with a pinch of salt as it's probably not the truth.

Horace

Another way of looking at it - say to yourself that its their loss. Anyway who would want to work for them anyway if that's the way they treat people, the woman may be embittered because she didnt get the job either and they promoted a friend instead:rolleyes:

onlyforboards_2

It is so annoying when companies don't get it together to put what they actually require on their job spec or don't use the interview time to address any issues they may have doubts about.
It does feel like a waste of time, it also makes me wonder if the successful applicant is internal especially if their database is specific to them and apparently so difficult to learn.
Good luck for the next one!

Savvy_Sue

VALM wrote: »

I had applied for the job because my childcare needs have changed.

I don't know if it was a factor in this case, but TBH I would see if you can rephrase this. I would probably go for something like "my family situation has changed" or "my domestic life has changed" without saying specifically 'childcare'.

But then my children never featured on my cv or application forms. It wouldn't take a great deal to work out that a change from f/t to p/t and voluntary work for 11 years was probably bringing up children, but I always felt that if I didn't specifically say "I have children" potential employers were less likely to ask about my childcare arrangements or whether I planned to have any more. Which would have been very stupid questions for them to have asked anyway.