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Original poster

AIBU to be confused about interview rejection reason

41 replies

amethyst69 · 19/07/2024 13:06

Had an interview yesterday for a role in a special school admin setting. I've worked in education admin for 15 years. Wasn't aware there was a task but tackled it well. Interview was tough- panel of 3 - but I answered fully and asked a couple of relevant questions at the end.

Called about 4 hrs later ' I've got good news and bad news. The good news is you passed the task element the bad news is we're not offering the post because you have no special school experience and didn't talk about the challenges faced in this area. All your exp is mainstream. Your interview was fantastic, you demonstrated the skills we need well however so well done'.

I didn't say much as I was pretty stumped. Not because I didn't get it - totally get it might be internal, might be better qualified. It was the reason. If they wanted that experience then why wasn't it stipulated? None of the questions were about challenges - I'd done my research and could have answered but wasn't asked.

Just found it a bit odd and would have preferred honesty.

OP posts:
ChicaneOvenchips · 19/07/2024 13:34

As you say it probably went internal to their preferred colleague. I had an NHS admin interview once and didn't get it, their reasons being it went to someone with experience in safeguarding. They didn't ask any questions related to this and if they had I would have been able to tell them I have been DSL in an education setting previously (as stated on my application form) . Clearly they did not want to give me the chance over and above their colleague. It worked out for the best for me as I joined a different organisation and have worked my way up in a job I really enjoy.

Original poster
amethyst69 · 19/07/2024 13:31

PrincessHoneysuckle · 19/07/2024 13:29

I had a job rejection phonecall about have an hour ago.It sucks 💐

Sending hugs 🫂 it's not the best feeling but something that's meant for you is out there!!

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 19/07/2024 13:29

I had a job rejection phonecall about have an hour ago.It sucks 💐

Reallybadidea · 19/07/2024 13:29

I think that's a really poor way of telling you that you didn't get the job. Sounds like they did a "shit sandwich" technique when really they should have just told you straight up that you didn't get the job before getting into the feedback.

PandaCwtch · 19/07/2024 13:21

I think @Onabench has it - they didn't strictly need it, but if someone else they interviewed had it and everything else was equal, the other person will have just pipped you.

I disagree with others that it's wasting your time. Until everyone was interviewed, they wouldn't have known who else would apply. I done quite a lot of recruitment, and sometimes you'll get loads of fantastic candidates where several could do the job, and other times there will be very few who match even the essential criteria. Sometimes it's just down to who else has applied.

Original poster
amethyst69 · 19/07/2024 13:20

BoomBoom70 · 19/07/2024 13:17

Sorry you didn’t get the job. It might be worth asking at the end of the interview when they ask if you have any questions:

  • Based on our interview, is there anything that I can clear up or address?
  • Is there any additional information I can provide to support my application?

Thank you thats great advice for the future

OP posts:
BoomBoom70 · 19/07/2024 13:17

Sorry you didn’t get the job. It might be worth asking at the end of the interview when they ask if you have any questions:

  • Based on our interview, is there anything that I can clear up or address?
  • Is there any additional information I can provide to support my application?
Original poster
amethyst69 · 19/07/2024 13:17

Illbethereforyouuu · 19/07/2024 13:14

They shouldn't have interviewed you in that case. Waste of everyone's time.

Do agree with this though! Putting it in essential or desirable criteria would have saved me an application

OP posts:
Original poster
amethyst69 · 19/07/2024 13:16

Thank you all for your lovely comments and support. Absolutely understand that they likely hired someone with that experience and there will be another job out there for me!

OP posts:
Illbethereforyouuu · 19/07/2024 13:14

They shouldn't have interviewed you in that case. Waste of everyone's time.

5128gap · 19/07/2024 13:14

They mean you did a good interview, passed the test and demonstrated the skills they wanted, but lost out to someone who also did that but had experience of the environment. I'm not sure they were dishonest as the experience probably wasn't essential but faced with someone with it and someone without they went for someone with. That's the thing with a competitive process isn't it? Its not just about being good enough, you can tick all the boxes but still lose out to someone with a bit extra something.

PatricksMother · 19/07/2024 13:12

It sounds like you did really well, but they already had someone they preferred lined up. They had to give you a reason, so they made up some shit.

Keep looking. You are obviously a good candidate, so a deserving employer is going to snap you up soon.

Piffpaffpoff · 19/07/2024 13:12

Oh there’s nothing worse than ‘you did brilliantly but…’ feedback.

My guess would be that they didn’t necessarily need that particular experience, there was someone else who had it and that tipped the balance in their favour. theres nothing else you could have done.

All you can do now is onwards and upwards to the next one, knowing you are coming across brilliantly.

Rollercoaster1920 · 19/07/2024 13:10

I'd read that feedback as they might have hired you but another candidate has special needs school experience so they've gone for them.

Onabench · 19/07/2024 13:09

Maybe the experience wasn't firm requirement but they had another applicant who had both skills and experience, so they trump you

Sounds like you did really well OP, just keep an eye out for other posts

Cinocino · 19/07/2024 13:08

Is it not obvious there are different needs in special education and if you didn’t have direct experience then you would need to highlight what transferable skills made you suitable for that position?

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