No interview but meet criteria for job

wolfbane9

Hi I'm just looking for some perspective. I applied for a job with a team within my current organisation. I'm currently on fixed term contract and this post was permanent which is ideal. I exceeded on the criteria and met several high requirements that were desirable including some strong qualifications. However I got an email saying I wasn't shortlisted for interview. 
The job is in a team where I interviewed for a different post a while ago and was offered but declined as it was very short term compared to my current contract. I have a child to support and couldn't accept as it was so risky. However surely this is not a reason to refuse a qualified candidate for a totally different post??

Comms69

Yes, yes it is a valid reason.

wolfbane9

May I also add that originally the different post was a long contract but they changed it due to maternity leave hence my decision not to take it. I was courteous throughout. 

[Deleted User]

As long as you weren't rejected as the result of a protected characteristic, they could decline you because of your haircut.

Many qualified people won't get an interview for any given job.

nicechap

wolfbane9 said:

Hi I'm just looking for some perspective. I applied for a job with a team within my current organisation. I'm currently on fixed term contract and this post was permanent which is ideal. I exceeded on the criteria and met several high requirements that were desirable including some strong qualifications. However I got an email saying I wasn't shortlisted for interview. 
The job is in a team where I interviewed for a different post a while ago and was offered but declined as it was very short term compared to my current contract. I have a child to support and couldn't accept as it was so risky. However surely this is not a reason to refuse a qualified candidate for a totally different post??

Have you tried politely asking why you weren't shortlisted? Maybe framed as in what else would I need to demonstrate/ learn to be able to apply in the future.

What does your organisation's policies say about applications and interviews? 

Presumably you could complain/ raise a grievance but unless its due to discrimination of a protected characteristic, would that present you in a positive light to the recruitment manager?

wolfbane9

I'm just surprised as it feels like I've effectively I've been blacklisted from that team because i couldn't take an old post up? Doesn't seem at all right as I haven't done anything wrong but lose out on good opportunities because of it? 

asajj

You still had a job though - that's the opportunity cost, you could have taken a different job somewhere else?
You might be "overqualified" for the job too - have you considered that? Or someone is more suitable applied.
it doesn't have to be all right with you as long as it is legal. 

Comms69

wolfbane9 said:

I'm just surprised as it feels like I've effectively I've been blacklisted from that team because i couldn't take an old post up? Doesn't seem at all right as I haven't done anything wrong but lose out on good opportunities because of it? 

Yes i suspect you have been. It might not seen 'right', but it's legal. I suspect applying for a job, then declining it (whatever the reason, but especially one that you should've thought about) also isnt right.

[Deleted User]

There’s no law that states you have to be offered an interview because you met all the criteria. Loads could apply and everyone could meet the criteria, they can’t interview everyone. 

wolfbane9

Comms69 said:

wolfbane9 said:

I'm just surprised as it feels like I've effectively I've been blacklisted from that team because i couldn't take an old post up? Doesn't seem at all right as I haven't done anything wrong but lose out on good opportunities because of it? 

Yes i suspect you have been. It might not seen 'right', but it's legal. I suspect applying for a job, then declining it (whatever the reason, but especially one that you should've thought about) also isnt right.

How would I know they'd change the length of contract after interview? That wasn't my fault, simply them wanting to reduce it to match maternity leave, which wasn't advertised? If they changed the salary after offering it I'm sure they'd be in the wrong. 

JReacher1

Yeah it doesn’t seem like this team will give you another opportunity. It’s unfortunate but this is the problem in applying for jobs in teams where you have previously turned them down.