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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to send this reply?

137 replies

BobMarley · 28/05/2012 16:09

I had been invited for an interview for a maternity cover contract. Unfortunately the interview date was when I was away abroad for the week and asked them if we could reschedule to a later date.

This was the reply I got:

"Thank you for your e-mail.

Unfortunately due to holiday/diary arrangements we are unable to reschedule your interview.

If we are unsuccessful in making an appointment following the interviews, we will be in contact with you"

AIBU to send this back:

"Thank you very much for getting back to me. However, I must say that it is incredibly disappointing that not more effort can be made to re-schedule the interview. Unfortunately it does not give me a very favourable impression of the sort of person and company I would potentially be working for. I would therefore not be interested in an interview if you were not to find the right candidate with the current interviewees."

OP posts:
Loie159 · 28/05/2012 16:24

of course it is a 2 way street, for you to find out about them etc, but they are under no obligation to change the date are they? I think it is disrepectful to send an email like that without calling HR first. It might be like others have suggested that they can only do them on that day and with 10 candidates to interview they just cant fit you in on another day. Also re flexibility it also v much depends on the type of job. If it is for a basic admin position then they possibly have plenty of qualified people who could do it and so outting themselves out is not necessary. If it is a more niche skilled job then maybe it is strange for them not to offer a reschedule. But what was the job for?

ll31 · 28/05/2012 16:24

Yabvu - just acknowledge and thank them - and even possibly put something in about how you'd tried but were unable to cancel your holiday without losing all money etc

No one owes you a job - it's for a temporary position so presumably they want it filled quickly

AKE2012 · 28/05/2012 16:24

I had got an email for a job interview. I turned up on the day and was told that the interviews were the day before and was basically made to feel like a liar for disagreeing with them. It made me rethink applying for a job with them in the future but I would never write a reply like that as one day you made need their job. Just let it go.

Tee2072 · 28/05/2012 16:25

Of course it's a two way street but that email makes you sound like an entitled bitch.

WipsGlitter · 28/05/2012 16:25

That is a terrible email. It is a nightmare trying to put an interview panel together. Do you really expect them to rearrange it all for you? Is this your first ever interview? If I got that email I wouldn't want you working for me. It smacks of having a very very poor attitude.

FredFredGeorge · 28/05/2012 16:25

It's a maternity cover contract, YABVU, they could probably manage if they took the first remotely qualified person in without bothering with an interview, they have no reason at all to string it out, delay the other candidates responses until after they've seen you. If it was for a role where absolutely the best candidate was wanted then you might have a complaint, but for a short term contract, nope, it's in their interest to hire someone as painlessly as possible.

Original poster
BobMarley · 28/05/2012 16:25

As this is an unanimous verdict I won't send it. How about this instead:

"Thank you very much for getting back to me. I'm obviously disappointed that the interview cannot be re-scheduled and hope to hear from you in the future."

And if I do hear from them I will decide then if I want to go to the interview.

OP posts:
Mishy1234 · 28/05/2012 16:25

I can understand why you are annoyed, but YABU.

Please don't send that reply. It won't do you any favours and could potentially damage your reputation. It's a very small world and you may well come across these people again, not to mention that emails can be forwarded on...

GobblersKnob · 28/05/2012 16:26

Even more Confused

When we used to need to interview, we would have to find a few days where all the necessary members of staff you needed to be in the panel were there, which included two people who were off site. All interviews took place within those few days, which gave us some flexability, should candidates not be able to make a particular day.

Why should they work around you?

Unless you are a brain surgeon there are normally dozens of people just as capable as you, interviews are so not a two way street.

1950sHousewife · 28/05/2012 16:27

Bob - the first email was the one I would have wanted to send, but the second is the right one to send.

It's great, isn't it, MN for hammering some sense in when you are outraged. I would have been too, but I can understand why they coudn't re-arrange, annoying as it is.

At least this way you haven't burnt your bridges.

thisisyesterday · 28/05/2012 16:27

agree with others i'm afraid.

can you imagine if they had every applicant contacting them going "ooh i can't make that date, can you change it?"

if you want the job badly enough then why can't YOU reschedule things so that you can go to the interview?

Tee2072 · 28/05/2012 16:27

That is much better. And doesn't burn all of your bridges.

Nanny0gg · 28/05/2012 16:28

The interview is a particular date.
You can either make it or you can't.
Unless you are the only suitable candidate why should they reschedule everyone else (to a potentially inconvenient date) just for you?

MrsVamos · 28/05/2012 16:28

Bob

Maybe you should be considering yourself fortunate to be in a position where you may decide to go for an interview for a job that you don't really want or need ?

I would hazard a guess there are a couple of million people in this country who would love to be in your position...never mind going on bloody holiday. Hmm

GobblersKnob · 28/05/2012 16:28

Sorry, much cross posting. Send the second one if you really feel it is necessary. I would just start looking again though tbh, it is maternity cover, no-one is going to get back to you.

Heyyyho · 28/05/2012 16:28

I worked in HR recruitment my whole career. If I had recieved that letter I would breathe a massive sigh of relief and note your name as someone we would not want on our records in future.

Also I was in an identical situation to you once. I called the company had a lovely chat with the hr and politely explained the situation, sounded v disappointed on my behalf for not making the interview but asked them to please bear me in mind for future reference.
They called me at the end of the summer with a job for me.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 28/05/2012 16:29

Op you aren't coming across as the nicest or brightest person in your posts.

1950sHousewife · 28/05/2012 16:31

Hobnobs, I think that Bob is just upset and venting - which can come across as being not very nice, but I don't think that is the way she is normally.
Read the second email she wrote, it's far more balanced.

Anyone on a rant sounds a little deranged, but isn't that what MN is for? Better to get it out here than make mistakes like sending that first email.

Follyfoot · 28/05/2012 16:31

Surely you realise on some level what a rude email that is and that you shouldnt sent it? I'm struggling to see any reason why they should they get an interview panel together especially to see you at your convenience.

Actually, no, send it - the people who did the shortlisting will be mightily relieved you wont be coming to be interviewed, and its glorious preposterousness will brighten up their day Grin

LaurieFairyCake · 28/05/2012 16:32

yes, your second email is better

I can't remember the phrase about honey to trap something Hmm but I know I always get results when I'm extra kind (even when I feel like being cunty)

Original poster
BobMarley · 28/05/2012 16:32

Oh ok ok, you are all, of course, right. And 1950sHouseWife sums it up nicely.

I'm just pissed off that they can't be a bit more flexible. I'll send the 2nd email.

OP posts:
GnocchiNineDoors · 28/05/2012 16:36

They are going out of their way to keep you as a back up should their initial interviewees be unsuccessful. Be grateful.

SauvignonBlanche · 28/05/2012 16:36

Second e-mail.
I wouldn't reschedule an interview, unless there were only a couple of candidates, but that is rarely the case.

NotaDisneyMum · 28/05/2012 16:38

Goodness, i think YABU!

I've never forgotten the interview I had 14 years ago when I had applied for a job near to where DH(now ex) and I were relocating; 100 miles and a ferry journey away from where we lived. The interview date was set for the day we were moving - so I travelled down the night before by train, collected the keys for our new house, slept on an air mattress on the floor and went off to the interview the next morning leaving thenDH to organise the removal men and travel down in the car with assorted pets etc (no DCs then, thank goodness).

Despite explaining my predicament, the employers were not able to interview me on a different day.

Oh, and I didn't get the job Grin

Primafacie · 28/05/2012 16:40

This reminds me of an application by an utterly pompous nutjob a young grad for a job in finance that did the rounds a few months ago. Within hours, every major bank and asset manager in New York, London and Hong Kong had received it. This guy is never going to get a job in finance. Ever. His career has ended before it got started.

YABU, obviously. People talk, and whoever receives your email may let the world and their sister know about the snotty woman who sends bitching emails when she can't attend an interview.