Gutted I've not had an interview, and not sure why

athensgeorgia

I'm at college at the moment doing a Legal Secretary course. A firm of solicitors approached my lecturer saying they had a temporary position coming up to cover maternity leave and inviting us to apply. So I emailed my CV and covering letter. Everybody else on the course who applied has been called in for interview except me.

I feel really defeated and I know I shouldn't. When I finish the course I'd planned on applying for admin assistant positions to get some experience on my CV. I've been in the same job for 8 years and already felt my CV was lacking and this I feel has only confirmed it.

Everybody else on the course has been in college for 2 years prior to this, whereas I haven't this will be my only qualification apart from GCSE's.

What's bothering me more is the fact I started the course 6 weeks later than everybody else but I'm so far ahead of them with regards to all the course work and I'm on target to get a distinction in all the units. I was really proud of myself that I was gonna get this diploma.

I wasn't even planning on applying for jobs until after August but feel so depressed now and it makes me feel worse for all these people applying for so many jobs and I'm so negative about the one I already have.

Not sure what I'm expecting I was just sort of venting I guess.

duchy

Every employer is looking for different things and you were a candidate with currently no qualifications gained (the current course doesn't count until it is completed) against candidates with some qualifications. Once te course is done the situation is completely different as you become a candidate with a strong qualification with distinctions.

Talk to yourr tutor about it and see what they say but my bet is they will say the same thing !

elsien

You could try phoning them to ask for feedback. It may have been something simple such as you missed something out that was on the job spec that others had put it.
If they had lots of applications they were trying to whittle down, it only needs something simple like that to move you to the "no thanks" pile. Regardless of how you're doing on your course, you need to make sure you're ticking all the boxes to get through shortlisting to interview. How you're doing on the course doesn't really come into it for them.
Use the experience to learn from so you don't end up in the same boat again. And try not to take it personally - it's not personal, it's some person sitting there with a pile of forms looking for reasons to narrow them down. However minor those reasons might be.

SGina

Just a thought, but did you double check that you sent the CV to the correct e-mail address. If it was incorrect it would normally bounce back but there might be a character out of place.

You could give the firm a curtesy call & ask if they had received the CV and any feedback on why you didn't get selected.

Sorry to hear this but keep your spirits up, it's not the last opportunity.

athensgeorgia

SGina wrote: »

Just a thought, but did you double check that you sent the CV to the correct e-mail address. If it was incorrect it would normally bounce back but there might be a character out of place.

You could give the firm a curtesy call & ask if they had received the CV and any feedback on why you didn't get selected.

Funnily enough I did originally mistype the email and re-sent it to the right one.

I'd be embarrassed to get in touch and ask for feedback in case I came across as being rude or something. Is it common practice calling for feedback? I've read on here people suggesting it but do people actually do it and what sort of reaction do they get?

LisaW123

Yes, people do ask for feedback and it shows you are interested in rectifying areas where you are going wrong (if you are going wrong. Maybe some of the other candidates had more work experience or whatever). Some employers may feel a little awkward about it so, if it were me, I'd probably email them. Just a brief note saying something like "further to my application for ...... post, I wonder if it would be possible for you to give me some feedback as to why I was not selected for interview in order that I can improve my applications in future. I would be very grateful for any guidance you could provide."

As other posters have said, try not to take it personally. Horses for courses and all that. Keep trying and eventually you will find something.

Elvisia

I suspect they only wanted to interview x number of people, and went through CVs and picked out the ones with the most experience until they reached x amount. It's also possible if you sent your CV to the wrong address originally that they chose the interviewees before they read yours? Do ask at your college if your CV is OK. And don't take it personally as they don't know you, and how you're doing on the course is of no interest to them as they're only after experience. Chin up, improve what you can, and get on with the next application!

Lots of luck.

SGina

I agree with LisaW above. It depends on how you approach them, just be polite. If they do not want to give feedback then just move on. All this is good experience and hopefully future knockbacks won't hit you so hard. You are doing the right things so carry on.

Joface_2

Don't think of this as a bad thing, use it to give you the motivation to make sure you get that distinction.

Good luck

heretolearn_2

Have you had anyone review your CV? What was in your cover letter? AS they shortlisted for interview from these documents and you were the only one shortlisted, maybe there is a problem with them somewhere. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, but there must be a reason. If you are 100% sure it's because they have additional experience, ok, but if there is any doubt in your mind then take a second look.

People often post letters/CVs here for comments. You'll get 20 different opinions if you do and some of it rubbish, but if you find that a lot of people are raising the same point, then you might want to follow that advice.

athensgeorgia

heretolearn wrote: »

Have you had anyone review your CV? What was in your cover letter? AS they shortlisted for interview from these documents and you were the only one shortlisted, maybe there is a problem with them somewhere. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, but there must be a reason. If you are 100% sure it's because they have additional experience, ok, but if there is any doubt in your mind then take a second look.

People often post letters/CVs here for comments. You'll get 20 different opinions if you do and some of it rubbish, but if you find that a lot of people are raising the same point, then you might want to follow that advice.

I'll copy and paste them both.