Why are earth would I not be interviewed for this post?

[EleanorLavish]

I am a nurse, been out a few years, did RTP.
I was a skilled senior nurse before my time out raising kids.
I recently applied for a staff nurse band 5 post in a private hospital. They were advertising for wards, OPs, theatre and recovery. I have experience in most of these areas.
I didn’t even get offered an interview?!
Is it ok to ring and ask why? I’m an excellent nurse, if I say so myself, and always do well at interviews ( I have never failed to get any job i applied for).
I’m flabbergasted that nurses are in such short supply and yet they wouldn’t even interview me. Sorry if that sounds big headed, I don’t mean like I’m so amazing, but why would you not interview a good nurse? And are they obliged to give me a reason?
Thanks.

I would assume because they had other candidates with more recent experience?

I had all the criteria they requested. If you fulfill the criteria aren’t they obliged to interview you?

Agree with PP that this is the most likely, though I agree it's ridiculous. I don't think they're obliged to give you a reason though.

How long is a few years? If a lot has changed in that time, and they receive a lot of applications, then they may have more recent experience.

How was your application? Did it provide all the information? Did it match the job spec?

Nurses being in short supply isn’t an issue. They advertised, nurses applied, and they short listed. There is obviously adequate supply for these positions I’m afraid.

Nope not obliged to interview anyone.

I'm not sure that they are. They might have had many, many candidates who fulfilled the criteria too and can't interview all of them.

I don't think they are obliged to interview you at all. I have been in a similar situation, although in a different field. Unfortunately lots of places only offer feedback at interview stage, but it is always worth asking.

Fair enough. Just a bit miffed that a previous senior nurse wouldn’t even be considered for a junior job.
Ah well.

Nursing might be different but when I was out of work for a few years due to caring responsibilities, I found it incredibly hard to secure a job when I was able to return to work. Even though I had excellent skills and experience (even if I do say myself )

I was told by one agency that I would be overlooked a lot because 'why would they interview you who haven't worked for two years when they can interview people who are working now or have been recently'.

How many years have you not worked?

Could you do some agency temp work go get yourself back into work it would allay any concerns employers would have re your experience being slightly out dated

Perhaps go through a medical staffing agency to get yourself back in the game?

No they're not obliged to interview anyone, however I don't think there's any harm in writing/emailing for feedback. Particularly if you are asking so that you can improve future applications.

Did you apply for any of the positions specifically or did you just make a general application?

How frustrating for you. I've had the same experience, though not in your field. I've thought I ticked all the boxes and more, then not even made the interview stage.

I tend to think in these situations that often, they already have a candidate lined up for the job, and will only interview the minimum number of other candidates necessary to 'tick the box' of a fair selection process.

I have only ever heard of an obligation to interview people who meet the minimum criteria for a role in the context of ensuring equality for disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria. I don't think there is any legal obligation to do this for non-disabled candidates.

There can never be a criteria to interview everyone who meets the job spec. Think about it, they could be at it for weeks. They have to be able to short list.

Maybe failure to proof-read your CV (or the thread title)....

I've had the same situation (though totally different job and industry, plus I am actually in work) and am equally confused. It's so bizarre!

How did you apply op? Did you have to send a copy of your CV electronically?
I only ask because a lot of places now have an automatic computerised system that scans CV’s and they only seem to accept ones that are in a specific format. The system ‘spits out’ all the rest. Crazy I know but it’s true. It could be that an actual human never even saw your CV due to the computer disregarding it.

Certainly ask for feedback. There can be certain techniques to fill out application forms (e.g.STAR framework to show how you have demonstrated a particular competency) that are as important as what is on your CV. If you can find out what the selection criteria were, then you can adapt your applications for future opportunities.

Rigamorph - there’s really no need.
Why are some people so nasty? If you’ve nothing constructive to say then just don’t post.

Sorry, I deserved that

If you fulfill the criteria aren’t they obliged to interview you?

No.

I do a lot of interviewing in work (public sector- 1 hour competency-based panel interviews). A recent role had 154 applicants who met the criteria. It’d have taken weeks (and cost tens of thousands!) to interview them. Plus, nobody wants their time wasted being interviewed with 153 others.

We reduced it to the top 5.

(Accept that this is not nursing, so mileage may vary).

It's most likely due to you previously having been much more senior.
They maybe presumed you'd find it difficult to go back to a more junior role.

That first, followed by a gap in experience.

I think the NHS policies are forever changing and there's probably a lot of trying and red tape to catch up on.

Typo **lot of Training and red tape

Have you worked in a private hospital before? If not, it will probably be that and the fact you have been out of practice for a while.

Good luck in your job search. Maybe try the nurse bank at your local hospital to get some up to date experience?