To have expected a phone call?

[newdawning]

I went for a job interview today which involved a written test, a presentation and a 5 person panel formal interview. There were 3 other candidates.
In the job description and at the interview it was mentioned (repeatedly) that the company was a caring environment who treat their staff and community well who are all about developing individuals etc.
So I get an email at 4pm today to say I was unsuccessful, the email was generic and full of spelling mistakes. It stated that I could call for feedback so I did only no one answered and a friend of a friend who works there said they all left early for the bank holiday (4.05) usually someone in till 6pm or later.
AIBU to think a phone call would have been a kinder way and its a bit of a shitty way to let someone know. Especially if you pride yourself on being such a lovely company?

I can see where you are coming from, but personally, I prefer to hear these things by email. That way, I can pick it up whenever. I had this during the week, but as I knew I couldn't take calls till 5oclock, had to wait for hours to hear about. Job, whereas if they could have emailed me, I'd have been put out of my misery earlier.

Aw, Sorry you didn't get the job. YANBU after all the protestations from them about being caring. Huh ( with knobs on)
All this stuff about being ' Investors in People 'etc is pretty thin stuff.
Anyway, come on , cheer up. What's done is done. No amount of handwringing will alter anything, unfortunately.
Get a nice iced Gin and Tonic in your hand and think what a lucky escape you had. If this is how caring they turned out to be, who wants to work for them anyway?
Gird your loins, don't waste any more of your precious time on them. A pox on the lot of them.
Xx

YANBU!

Sounds like their caring sharing is all flannel!!

I once went for a job at an organisation which used to visit healthcare organisations and assess them and do very lengthy reviews and advice on how to improve their practice. (before the Healthcare Commission was set up) I was there all day doing assessments etc. )

I got a bog standard letter saying was unsuccessful. I rang up to ask for feedback and they said it was not their practice to give feedback!! So I said, but your whole reason for being is about reviewing performance so that organisations can improve but you don't do that for individuals!! Thy were a bit stumped. I think I'd have hated it.

Thank you! I I feel like I may have dodged a bullet. I have been offered another job today via phonecall(lower position) and a better fit with my dds. So I am happy enough,just felt it was crap to do that to someone and then piss off for the weekend.

Generally it is more appropriate to respond to someone in writing if they have been unsuccessful in an interview. No, I don't think it is "kinder" to let someone know by telephone. Would you really want a call in the middle of the supermarket or on the school run to let you know you did not get the job? Or for them to leave you a voicemail?

It is poor form that the email had spelling errors but I don't think you are being at all reasonable to be upset that everyone had gone home at 4.05 on the Friday before a bank holiday. If anything, surely this supports their assertions to be a caring company who treat the staff well. I also certainly don't think they expect someone to call for feedback 5 mins after receiving a rejection! Couldn't it wait until after the weekend? By which point you will probably be a bit less emotional about the whole thing.

Thanks for the reply, I am not 'emotional' about it I just expected a conversation. I have only received phonecalls never a letter so I had assumed that it would be the case infact have never known it within my industry. I have had several interviews this week and I was offered 2 and not offered the other 2. For the other job that I didn't get they called me last night but I missed the call and then they called again this morning to tell me. In that circumstance I would have been expected an email/letter rather than the second call.
I just think it's thoughtless to leave people hanging, plus how much longer would it have taken to make the phone calls. However its good to know that to some people its standard practice and preferred so maybe expect it again in the future.

YABU

A rejection letter or email is standard practice in the sector I work in. I'm surprised anyone would use a phone call for that - too much opportunity for the wrong thing to be said.

I'd only expect a phone call if I was being offered the job.

Also, I'd absolutely hate a rejection phone call. I prefer to receive my rejections in private.

A letter is standard in my sector. I do the interview, choose my candidate and leave HR to do all the paperwork. The fact that you found out on the same day that you were unsuccessful seems odd to me. Usually there is a gap while the successful candidate thinks about it.
I would give feedback but not on the same day, especially on a bank holiday Friday! You would be asked to ring back next week.