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Ive just been turned down for a job in a call centre, but can't think why?

82 replies

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 11:22

Just that really.

It's an inward bound call centre, so not sales. Went along yesterday for a skills assessment, after previously passing a verbal reasoning test and telephone interview. I had to do a few more tests, spelling (which I know I passed), General knowledge (which I know I passed as the questions were absurdly easy), a timed typing test which I got over 94% because it showed up on the screen and recorded voicemail which I did in one go, no stuttering. I also had to answer a questionnaire on how i'd react in certain situations and how I feel about certain things etc.

My parents run and business and I often help out if at a loose end, so am used to answering phones and my first proper job was in estate agency so I'm always complemented on my telephone voice.

Everything seemed positive, they were very nice. I asked questions. The next step would have been a face to face interview, and they made me feel like I'd be asked back, but this morning I received an email saying after reviewing everything I'm not being asked back and thanking me etc.

So random and I can't work out what Ive done wrong really? Don't get me wrong I have a job, but just fancied a change. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Needallthesleep · 31/10/2018 11:29

I am also hunting for jobs, and I think that in the face of Brexit/extreme economic uncertainty that companies are being unbelievably careful about recruiting. It feels like unless you have done that specific job then you won't get it. Or at least that has been my experience recently.

SneakyGremlins · 31/10/2018 11:31

I think Needallthesleep has it.

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 11:39

They give you full training before even putting you near the phones, so I don't think they require previous experience.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Hoppinggreen · 31/10/2018 11:42

Yes but if other candidates did as well as you AND had previous experience then they wouid probably choose them over you

RunSweatLaughAndLatte · 31/10/2018 11:52

Could you ask for feedback?

Mirali · 31/10/2018 12:02

Maybe they decided not to recruit more people after all

helpmum2003 · 31/10/2018 12:03

Sorry to hear this.

I would phone your contact there and ask politely for feedback

Good luck

Batteriesallgone · 31/10/2018 12:05

Maybe your questionnaire answers weren’t right. That’s what jumps out at me. If you’ve not done this kind of job before maybe your instincts aren’t quite right.

GiantKitten · 31/10/2018 12:05

Asking for feedback is the best idea.

DS2 came second in 2 interviews recently & in both cases it was because another person had more specific skills.

Frustrating but KBO, OP Flowers

ileclerc · 31/10/2018 12:05

Could be for any number of reasons, without asking for feedback you wont know.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 31/10/2018 12:09

I imagine Needallthesleep is spot on. 10 years ago I walked into a call centre job with no experience and on the back of 1 interview. The fact you've already had to jump through so many hoops tells me they need to be super picky.

polkadotpixie · 31/10/2018 12:21

You may have done too well. I was once turned down for a similar job and when I asked for feedback they said they felt the role wouldn't challenge me as I was overqualified and they thought I would leave for something better paying after a short time (they were probably right tbh!)

AdamNichol · 31/10/2018 12:25

They may be holding off appointing
You may have been filtered out by recruitment software
You may have been outcompeted
They may have selected someone who improves their diversity or GPG

Only they can really answer this

kaytee87 · 31/10/2018 12:26

Ask them for feedback.

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 12:33

They may have selected someone who improves their diversity

Are they allowed to do that?!

I think the reason I'm most confused is that the person looking after me was so positive, she even said that she contact me yesterday afternoon. However she didn't and then I got the email this morning. The company has a rolling recruitment, and the next intake is in the new year. There was only me there yesterday. Not that it really matters now.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 31/10/2018 12:35

Are they allowed to do that?!

Yes. Positive discrimination is allowed for ethnic minorities.

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 12:37

That's pretty shitty IMO.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 31/10/2018 12:41

It's really, really not shitty. It's an attempt at combatting the discrimination and racism that ethnic minorities face on a daily basis.

cheesefield · 31/10/2018 12:42

Why is it shitty?

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 12:47

Because it's discrimates against people who are probably perfectly capable of doing the job? Any kind of discrimination is wrong.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 31/10/2018 12:51

Take it up with the courts then 

Clearly you have no idea what white privilege is.

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 12:59

What on earth are you on about?! Why would you even bring up something like that?

This isn't the politics forum ffs. All I wanted to know was why I may have been unsuccessful.

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SlightAggrandising · 31/10/2018 13:03

Positive discrimination isn't legal any more than any other sort of discrimination.

AdamNichol · 31/10/2018 13:04

@ManicUnicorn - just to be clear, "positive" hiring practices can only apply where all candidates are 'appointable' and in practice that usually means on an even keel. You can't appoint on diversity for unqualified or distant 2nd place

starrynitelight · 31/10/2018 13:07

Ask for feedback