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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Didn’t get an interview

99 replies

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 00:22

If you don’t get an interview - external or internal, do you still ask why you didn’t get an interview?

what if the job is re advertised but previous applicants told not to reapply?

OP posts:
Original poster
tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 17:15

Sexual orientation, everyone is protected

OP posts:
EBearhug · 07/08/2026 17:13

Skippyasyermuni · 07/08/2026 13:18

That’s really odd. And maybe shows why employers don’t want you. A very childish attitude to a very normal process of application and rejection, which can be for many reasons and the feedback is often useful.

It’s actually quite funny, the idea of a candidate being rejected and standing there thinking, “well, I didn’t like them anyway and they don’t know what they’re talking about if they dare to turn me down.”

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I've come out of an interview thinking, don't want to work for this lot, whatever the outcome - it's useful to remember interviews are two-way. Even in internal jobs, you might not know the manager/departmental culture.

Last time I was interviewing, there was more than one candidate we could have offered the role to, but we didn't have budget to employ them all, and then it does come down to who we liked most on a personal level, if they'reotherwise equal. It's a tough market out there. Sometimes, having all the skills and experience isn't enough when it's a strong field.

Original poster
tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 17:13

Race, everyone has a race

OP posts:
EBearhug · 07/08/2026 17:07

Skippyasyermuni · 07/08/2026 17:04

Sex is a protected characteristic so yes, everyone has one. But that isn’t always relevant because it only matters if you are being discriminated against due to the characteristic. It doesn’t actually mean no one can ever be fired or ever denied an interview, in the way this OP seems to think.

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Age, too.

Skippyasyermuni · 07/08/2026 17:04

Sparkletastic · 07/08/2026 15:14

No. They don’t.

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Sex is a protected characteristic so yes, everyone has one. But that isn’t always relevant because it only matters if you are being discriminated against due to the characteristic. It doesn’t actually mean no one can ever be fired or ever denied an interview, in the way this OP seems to think.

DewDropsAndCobWebs · 07/08/2026 15:38

You are a bit rude here, maybe that comes across at work?

lulubalu · 07/08/2026 15:29

I can't quite put my finger on why I'm finding this thread so amusing 😅

HollyhocksandPeons · 07/08/2026 15:27

cheeseislife8 · 07/08/2026 00:27

Yes, it's like asking for feedback after an interview. Useful information for your future progression

That is assuming they will tell the truth. Are they interesting in giving honest feedback? From personal experience, once my boss did not hire a perfectly good candidate because she had a lisp. Like in bokth for a box and socth for socks. Would he have told her that? Naaah

godmum56 · 07/08/2026 15:24

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 09:44

I asked the hiring manager and she said I wasn’t suitable for the role

then you can either ask for more detail or accept that.

Sparkletastic · 07/08/2026 15:14

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 13:31

Everyone has a PC.

Show quote history

No. They don’t.

tramtracks · 07/08/2026 15:12

ColdAsAWitches · 07/08/2026 13:15

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've read on here. And that's saying something!

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Grin
VestibuleWeaver · 07/08/2026 14:57

Snoutywoofs · 07/08/2026 14:10

You’re not the neurodivergent OP who failed probation at a big 4 company are you? Your response style seems similar.

If not, it sounds like this team don’t want you in the role for whatever reason.

Oh, no, I think you might be right.

PurpleCoo · 07/08/2026 14:53

Did you tailor your application form to the person spec, explicitly stating, with concrete examples how you meet each item on the person spec? Both essential and desirable?

amusedbush · 07/08/2026 14:50

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 12:57

They didn’t interview me before but now they can?

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But you have already applied for the role, which makes you a previous applicant. They said previous applicants should not reapply, not just previous interviewees.

The hiring manager also confirmed that you're not right for the role, so it doesn't matter that they "can" interview you now – they're not going to.

Blades2 · 07/08/2026 14:29

Not used to being told no I take it.

chocoluv · 07/08/2026 14:15

topcat2014 · 07/08/2026 13:01

I never seek any kind of feedback. If they don't want me then I don't value anything they say

Why would you take it so personally??

Feedback is an essential part of most roles.

If you can’t cope with receiving feedback and improving yourself, then you will struggle with any role you get.

There are multiple people applying for the same role.
I would absolutely like to know if it’s the fact I’m lacking experience, a certain qualification etc as if it’s a job I really want then I’ll work towards that goal.

chocoluv · 07/08/2026 14:12

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 12:53

Why can’t I reapply

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Sorry I misread, I thought you said you can’t reapply, which is common as they will already have your application on file.

Snoutywoofs · 07/08/2026 14:10

You’re not the neurodivergent OP who failed probation at a big 4 company are you? Your response style seems similar.

If not, it sounds like this team don’t want you in the role for whatever reason.

Gizlotsmum · 07/08/2026 14:10

If you do reapply I suspect you will get the same result unless you left something out of your application. They know you and your abilities, assuming you weren’t filtered out by AI then there will be reasons ( they don’t think you have the required skills) that you weren’t offered an interview

Skippyasyermuni · 07/08/2026 13:53

tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 13:31

Everyone has a PC.

Show quote history

I think that poster may be subtly asking if are you neurodiverse or diagnoses learning difficulty or anything that could affect your understanding of the situation.

ilovesooty · 07/08/2026 13:43

I'm afraid that you will have to accept that they didn't want you in this role. If you have skills and qualities you can evidence you will need to look elsewhere.

SunnyRedSnail · 07/08/2026 13:43

@tyrabanks123 given you're not listening to anything anyone is saying on here then it is becoming quite apparent why they didn't even want to give you an interview...

Knittedfairies2 · 07/08/2026 13:36

You're not listening OP; the hiring manager doesn't think you have the skills need so you weren't shortlisted. Unless your application/cover letter missed out significant information it would be a waste of time to re-apply.

HermioneWeasley · 07/08/2026 13:36

If you’ve worked in the team before and are a known quantity then for whatever reason, they don’t want you - it might be a difference of opinion on your skills or it might be your style or team dynamics or whatever. There is no point applying again.

most managers would almost always take a good internal candidate as they know what they’re getting.

Original poster
tyrabanks123 · 07/08/2026 13:31

Sparkletastic · 07/08/2026 13:29

Do you have a protected characteristic OP? Did you evidence each aspect of the job description and person specification in your application?

Everyone has a PC.

OP posts:
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