Met the criteria but not even an interview

thriftyminx13

hi there, I'm typing on behalf of my other half.

He applied for a job a couple of months ago, where they had set criteria and which he matched perfectly. It was as if the job was designed for him. It was almost like a sign we felt. Every question was easily met.

My question is the deadline for being offered an interview was last week, so can you appeal? or can you ask under Freedom of information how you didn't meet the criteria? or do you just have to always wonder why?

I feel gutted for my partner and gutted for the company because he would have been a great asset.

Any advice whether you can contest or how to go about finding out why you didn't get an interview would be much appreciated please......thanks!

Anihilator

No he can't appeal.
He can ask for information under the FOI only if its certain type of companies, the DPA may help but some items are protected.

Also please bear in mind the Job description is a minimum, in reality a large proportion of candidates should meet it and hence it depends on how they sell themselves in the CV and what the company are looking for over the job description.

Imo any request would be a waste of time and cash. All they have to do is reply stating that others met the job description along with your form etc more closely and cash your DSAR cheque and even then that is if it hasnt already been disposed of.

cazziebo

I'm interviewing just now for two positions. To date I've had more than 80 responses. I'd guess 60 meet the criteria. I'll put 10 at most, probably 6, per position forward for first interview. I'll pick the best out of a very good bunch.

borders_dude

FOI only applies to public bodies!

PasturesNew

You might meet the criteria from the advert, but from the 200-300 applicants they got, they found new criteria that they were interested in, so ended up changing the job spec a bit and interviewing those that met the new criteria. This happens quite a lot.

e.g. if I advertise for a receptionist and want somebody to answer phones and greet customers, if I get applicants that are PAs, I might suddenly decide to stick a PC on the reception desk and get the receptionist to also perform overspill typing duties. This might not have been even thought of when the first job advert was written.

thriftyminx13

Thanks very much, was more wondering is it worth asking for feedback but from what you say there isn't too much point.

In terms of the criteria he more than met the criteria. They asked for some coaching experience and my partner is a level 5 coach the highest you can get so while I know that the criteria can get bumped up as the numbers increase, its just hard to take.

Also they didn't take CVs but your points still merit.

DCFC79

thriftyminx13 wrote: »

Thanks very much, was more wondering is it worth asking for feedback but from what you say there isn't too much point.

In terms of the criteria he more than met the criteria. They asked for some coaching experience and my partner is a level 5 coach the highest you can get so while I know that the criteria can get bumped up as the numbers increase, its just hard to take.

Also they didn't take CVs but your points still merit.

you could try, it wont cost nothing just a quick email asking for some feedback

LittleVoice

borders_dude wrote: »

FOI only applies to public bodies!

. . . and can't be used to obtain information about job applications.

A subject access request under Data Protection legislation would be unlikely to achieve anything - just a copy of the application form submitted and possibly a few ticks on a matrix table of the person spec requirements.

The only way in which an appeal could be made if an interview is not granted is if the applicant applies under the guaranteed interview scheme for people with disabilities if the potential employer is signed up to that.

Zazen999

I take it he hasn't actually been turned down yet? So, don't appeal! Get him to call and enquire about the position. Deadlines schmeadlines - the recruiting manager might be off with swine flu or have twisted an ankle - so get him to call and ask first. These things happen.

Then, once he has a reply, if he hasn't been called, then just email asking for feedback.

doobiesis_2

There's a lot of people in the same situation as your partner. I recently have been looking for a job for 8 weeks and applied for many many jobs where I fitted the criteria but had no feedback/callback or interview. It's part of the process of looking I'm afraid he'll have to toughen up and take the rough ride that is looking for a job at the moment. As I'm sure that it won't be the last time it happens before he finds work.

Errata

TBH the great majority of applicants fit job criteria, that's why they apply for the job.