Turned down as I don't live locally

LadyMissA

Just got an email from an agency saying I didn't meet the criteria for a 4 day a week job I applied for and when I asked from some feedback I was told the job is in Streatham and it's way to far for me to get to.

I advised the agency it was 1h 20 from my house and I was willing to travel and the reply was the company do not want to interivew anyone who isn't local.

What a load of **** as why do they not put that in the advert 'do not apply if you do not live within 5 mins of Streatham'?

Argh rant over.

red_devil

Is this the real reason or just an excuse.

Did you ask them why they interviewed you then when they knew you werent local. Does seem odd.

LadyMissA

red_devil wrote: »

Is this the real reason or just an excuse.

Did you ask them why they interviewed you then when they knew you werent local. Does seem odd.

I haven't had an interview. This was what she told me on an email when she first said I didn't meet the criteria so I asked if I was under qualified to which she replied

'
Thanks for the email. Unfortunately the role is based in Streatham so a very difficult commute from where you are based.

GotToChange

Oh this does make me cross (although 80 minutes is quite some travel time....); they should specify in the role requrements that this is what they are looking at, then you wouldn't waste your time would you?

I also dislike that they tell you that you - as in YOU, personally - don't meet the criteria, when it isn't that at all and is in fact distance-ism.


Even if it is a way to let you down gently, could all be avoided if they were more efficient in the first place.



(red devil - I don't think that it went to interview stage, as LadyMissA would have a lot more to say if it had I am thinking.)

LadyMissA

GotToChange wrote: »

Oh this does make me cross (although 80 minutes is quite some travel time....); they should specify in the role requrements that this is what they are looking at, then you wouldn't waste your time would you?

I also dislike that they tell you that you - as in YOU, personally - don't meet the requirements, when it isnt that at all and is in fact distance-ism.


Even if it is a way to let you down gently, could all be avoided if they were more efficient in the first place.



(red devil - I don't think that it went to interview stage, as LadyMissA would have a lot more to say if it had I am thinking.)

80 mins is 10 less the time I have to travel by law to get my JSA so I am applying for jobs all over London.

They must seem to think no one actually travels to work and why do they not just reply 'they are looking for local people' or put it in the advert!

This is just plain stupid and I hope they get no one apply as its only a 4 day a week job so no one will leave a 5 day a week job for it!

GotToChange

I know there is a 90 minute rule - but it seems crazy (and yes, I have brought that up too) as, in one direction from my house, I wouldn't get to the nearest city in 90 minutes - if at the wrong time of day (15 miles away).

Yet in the opposite direction, I could be on the East Coast in that time and have done so - in a blummin' horse lorry. I would not dream of a daily commute to Bridlington.
(But it I took the fork off to Lincoln, that would be impossible too - and resulted in my - STOOOPIDLY - declining a Nursing place at the University there.)

And then, if adding in public transport - if I missed the hourly bus that passes through my village, it could be 90 minutes to get 5 miles to the nearest town.
Walking and cycling are not an option due to no pavements in any direction, narrow roads and killer drivers.

One size doesn't fit all - does it?:)
Even though "they" would love it if it did.

j.e.j.

I suspect it's the agency being disorganised/less than honest.

Is there a reason why someone would need to live locally for this job? Ie. would you need to be on call or something like that. If not, perhaps the company just have in mind being able to call employees in at 5 minutes notice to come in to work.

LadyMissA

GotToChange wrote: »

I know there is a 90 minute rule - but it seems crazy (and yes, I have brought that up too) as, in one direction from my house, I wouldn't get to the nearest city in 90 minutes - if at the wrong time of day (15 miles away).

Yes that's more bonkers if you are no where near a good transport system and I even say that living on the tube line - 'good' is a word I wouldn't even use for the tube but the fact if I would travel 90 mins each way if I had to in order to get a job. Ok, I wouldn't stay but it's a stop gap till I get something else.

To the poster above, I feel they want someone local so they know or think they will turn up on time and no it's not an on call kind of role. Having said that when I once worked in Ealing I was first in at 8.40 coming all the way from East London compared to people who lived in Greenford which was like 1 mile away who would be late!

hcb42

if you want it, tell them you are moving!!! It is not and can never be a reason to decline someone without knowing the circumstances

LadyMissA

hcb42 wrote: »

if you want it, tell them you are moving!!! It is not and can never be a reason to decline someone without knowing the circumstances

I told the agency I can do the travelling but the employer wants someone local, not a lot I can do there. Such things get in the way of getting a job

gibson123

Sounds like they may expect you to take assignments at very short notice, so probably best out of it. Good luck with your job search.