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Original poster

awkward work issue

170 replies

moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 20:56

I've just started a new job, and am currently in a handover period with the current postholder.

Without giving too much away for obvious reasons I was shown a document today that the panel who interviewed me used to select candidates for interview. The members of the panel shortlisted separately. The individual who shortlisted me put me down as a no because, in their words, my "english wasn't good".

TBH I was gobsmacked by this. I went over my cover letter and CV again and there were no grammatical or spelling errors at all, no weird clunky sentences, nothing. I have a first class degree in English and an MA. Of all the things that would count against me in a shortlisting process, this isn't even something I would consider.

The only thing I can think of is that I have a foreign name because my parents aren't British. But I was born and raised here. I don't even speak another language: English is my mother tongue.

Anyway maybe I'm being over sensitive but I feel upset about this now - the Director in question is my line manager and I'm worried. He gave me a 2 out of 5 on the form - and yet I was shortlisted, interviewed and given the role?!

I have got zero confidence as it is and it's taken a massive plummet tonight.

OP posts:
Ffsnosexallowed · 12/11/2020 22:03

You're overthinking this. He made a comment about your application, before meeting you. Forget you saw it. It really doesn't matter.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 22:06

I guess I don’t really understand why your confidence would rest on the opinion of some random bloke.

I know it shouldn't, I know it's pathetic, it's just really knocked me.

I've been there for a week and in that time I've largely just been doing handover so I haven't had much opportunity to interact with him yet.

OP posts:
Kingsley08 · 12/11/2020 22:06

I honestly believe it’s an error OP.

I’ve messed up on CVs before. Gave one a thumbs up when I meant to do the opposite. Obviously, I corrected my mistake but if my colleague hadn’t flagged it up, we could have called in a completely unsuitable applicant.

Your name may be foreign but if they bothered to look at your education, they could easily see that you’re UK educated.

Keep an eye on the manager but if he really thought you were useless, you wouldn’t have gotten the job.

Sunbird24 · 12/11/2020 22:06

@moreexcitingthanbegonias is there an HR department you can make aware? If this kind of document is being kept and used for other purposes it should have all candidates’ personal details redacted.

TokyoSushi · 12/11/2020 22:06

I've a feeling that they assumed you wouldn't have a good grasp of English because of your name, which says a lot about the person.

How awful for you to find out that way, and I agree, you must have been brilliant in your interview.

ThePlantsitter · 12/11/2020 22:08

If you have an English degree and an MA your English is good. He must have seen that on your CV. I'm not sure why you've allowed it to bash your confidence so much - you've got two higher level qualifications that say your English is good. It must be an error or if your boss is a xenophobe you'll find out soon enough.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 22:09

I'm guessing that I was interviewed based on the feedback of the two other shortlisters and then I came across well at interview so the third one decided to give me a chance.

But I am just panicking about his standards now because I have been over that CV and cover letter a million times now and I am utterly flummoxed as to what he could have picked up on to mark me in that way. I've shown my husband too - he's an English teacher - and he's as bemused as I am.

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 12/11/2020 22:11

You shouldn’t have been shown the document. The person who noted the comment obviously felt there was an issue with your English, so maybe had concerns regarding your interaction with clients/customers. But it really doesn’t matter - you got the job, so others must have disagreed. It was I assume meant to be confidential so I would save your anger for the person who chose to disclose it to you. I once read on an interview form on my file for an internal job that I had a ‘hidden personality’, which probably would have upset me had I seen it at the start of my job. But I went on to do very well in the role. I guess a lot of us wouldn’t like to be witness to exactly what was in the interviewers heads when they are facing us.

StealthPolarBear · 12/11/2020 22:11

Then I suspect he's wrong and he doesn't know it!

ancientgran · 12/11/2020 22:12

Shortlisting is one of my least favourite jobs, sometimes you have hundreds to look at and I suspect he may have just lost concentration/skim read it. Honestly it can happen if you have hundreds to read and some people want to write War and Peace.

You obviously did well at interview so he realised he got it wrong. Put it behind you and knock them dead.

Suzi888 · 12/11/2020 22:12

“Basically they made out it was an accident but I don't see how it could have been accidental” so they did it to be spiteful then.

Regarding your line manager, surely he/she is basing it solely on your name? I can’t see what else it could be, not with your qualifications.
Were they on the interview panel? did you get any vibes?

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 22:14

Shortlisting is one of my least favourite jobs, sometimes you have hundreds to look at and I suspect he may have just lost concentration/skim read it. Honestly it can happen if you have hundreds to read and some people want to write War and Peace

I shortlist a lot and I completely get that, but the thing is this was the longlist - it was about 20 candidates.

Were they on the interview panel? did you get any vibes?

Yes they were and I felt he didn't give much away and was less friendly than the other two but that may just be his general manner.

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 12/11/2020 22:18

Sorry, you’ve answered that I think! I never get seem to get the updates! Confused
Try not to think about it, easier said than done I know!

AlexaShutUp · 12/11/2020 22:18

OP, it's a crap thing to find but try not to take it personally. They subsequently liked you enough to offer the job, and that's what matters!

First impressions are not always accurate. I once took a temporary role, and subsequently saw a message between my line manager and another director, saying that I was fine for the temporary role but they didn't think I'd have been the right person to do it long term. (I suspect this is because I had had the temerity to ask about flexible working, which they declined Hmm) A few months later, they were offering me lots of flexibility and a significant pay rise in order to tempt me to stay, so I guess they changed their minds! (I didn't accept their offer, as it happens!)

ThePlantsitter · 12/11/2020 22:19

What do you want advice on OP? Use it that you just want to vent about your worry (fine) or is there something you think should do?

You can't possibly think your English level is a worry. You are more educated than about 90% of the population.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 22:20

Sorry, I'm just venting really. I don't think there's much I can do other than see how it goes. If it's awful I won't stay.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 12/11/2020 22:21

But ultimately he met you and agreed you were the best for the job. If he had not, you’d not have got it, as you work for him.

I’d focus more on what the person showing you was thinking, I’d suspect there was not a good motive there.

ThePlantsitter · 12/11/2020 22:24

Just tell yourself it was an error then. It probably was. I get that this type of thing can take the shine off but it's usually when it's accurate that it stings! This isn't. He was probably just not paying attention properly.

StealthPolarBear · 12/11/2020 22:24

I do get it op (well I don't but I sympathise). I can't really see any other options though :(

justconcedealready · 12/11/2020 22:26

TBH, it sadly sounds like the director might be racist. Ignore, keep your head up, and kick arse doing the job.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 22:26

There are weird office politics here as well. I don't know if I will stay long term.

OP posts:
ToelessPobble · 12/11/2020 22:27

It does sound like they may have made a racist judgement based on your name. HOWEVER, that should not knock your confidence. Likely someone overrode it due to the remark of English not good enough and realising that was untrue. And you should be incredibly proud of yourself as not only did you do well enough at the interview to get the job, you did with a start further behind the others as you had to get past their preconceived ideas which is much harder. Hole your head high, you deserve that job!!!

Colycola · 12/11/2020 22:27

I think it says more about him than you. I would be on the look out for more casual racism.

Cherrysoup · 12/11/2020 22:27

Who on earth showed you everyone’s documents? That’s absolutely outrageous and needs flagging up.

Based on your CV, he gave you a 2/5, which is meaningless as he hadn’t met you. Thinking of the French experiment whereby North African candidates changed their names to something more French after multiple rejections-surprise, they were all suddenly employed-I wonder if he based his score on your name alone? Shocking, but makes sense having only read your CV.

RedRedRobinBobbin · 12/11/2020 22:28

I think people saying steer clear mean the idiot who showed it to you. They were obviously trying to undermine you and the document may not even be real.
If it is real and was casual racism the only plus point is that once they met you they got over it.
If anything try to use this to spur you on to show how good you can be in the role.