Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really p*ss*d off that I am being negatively judged

40 replies

Givemeallthegin · 30/04/2017 12:06

I am out of work at the moment. I was made redundant from my last permanant role about 18 months ago and between then and now I took a couple of contract roles.

I now really want to get back into a permanant role preferably one with good pension contributions as I am not exactly a spring chicken and it would be good to add to my pension.

I found a really good role about 2 months ago. Fits with my skills and experience and its about a 30 minuite commute. Weeks after I applied, I interviewed and they really liked me.

Here is the problem - the last person they hired for the role walked out on them after a few months. She was also a female and had done some contracting roles. The company are really nervous that I will bolt too. The recruiter helping me with interviews has told me this.

I made contact with the person who left via a meetup group for females who work in IT and she explained she left because she could not handle the technical side of the role. I don't think I would have the same problem as the role is very similiar to the role I was made redundant from.

Part of me wants to scream about the whole bloody unfairness of it all. It means that I am at a disadvantage to anyone else applying through no fault of my own. I am not an entitled little chicklet, I don't think I should be handed the role just for turning up for interview, I just want a level playing field.

I am so upset I cannot think straight. I need some advice on how to persuade this company that I will not walk out on them. (Grabbing them by the shirt mid-interview and yelling this in their face is not a viable option)

OP posts:
itsmine · 30/04/2017 12:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Givemeallthegin · 30/04/2017 12:22

I've had the interview, hence the words:
Weeks after I applied, I interviewed and they really liked me
then I got the recruiter feedback
The company are really nervous that I will bolt too. The recruiter helping me with interviews has told me this

So not really a leap at all but thank you for trying to contribute.

OP posts:
SaveMeBarry · 30/04/2017 12:27

If that was the actual feedback then surely you could make contact to reiterate your interest in the job and assure them you are confident in your ability to do all that the job requires?

Any new starter in a company could "bolt", why do they imagine you're a higher "bolting" risk?? Confused

itsmine · 30/04/2017 12:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1471545174 · 30/04/2017 12:39

Let the recruiter know and understand your worry on this and ask them to feed back to the prospective employer. Emphasise your maturity, experience, technical skills etc, and keenness to start. Good luck!

RB68 · 30/04/2017 12:47

I would just say - well that is a bit of a leap given that I am an entirely different person. Contracting was to ensure I could pay the bills, I prefer a salaried role for security. My understanding is that the person in question struggled with the technical aspects of the role, that wouldn't be an issue for me given my experience with xyz.

user1493022461 · 30/04/2017 12:52

You're taking it all rather too seriously. If you weren't very convincing at the interview that's not really anyone elses fault.

SuperFlyHigh · 30/04/2017 12:53

Reiterate your good points. Good references help too.

On the down side, be careful that the reason the ex- employee didn't bolt was for other reasons.

I was in a job last year for 10 weeks and after I started I found the previous person in same position had left after 5 weeks and the other person who was filling in in the interim period for the same role but was also employed as admin assistant, she also left suddenly not working her notice period and wouldn't return. Boss was a nightmare and undergoing psychiatric treatment.

So just ensure its safe for you to start there.

Original poster
Givemeallthegin · 30/04/2017 12:55

ah sorry didn't see the 'I Interviewed' bit.

No worries, I am probably a bit wound up right now so sorry if my reply came across as a little terse.

I can see their point of view I just need to know what to say or do in order to change it. They are convinced of my skills and experience.... and the skills and experience of the other 3 people they are interviewing. I just have a cloud over my application as I have some contracting on my CV. I have a second interivew in a week and it would be really good to have some idea about how to tackle their doubts.

OP posts:
Monkeyface26 · 30/04/2017 12:56

This seems like something the recruiter could help with. Did they recruit the previous incumbent?
Could the recruiter explain the situation exactly as it is? As an active professional, keen to develop your career, you attend meet-up groups for those in your area of expertise, you met the previous incumbent & now understand her reasons for leaving, which were technical. You remain as keen as ever to join them & are confident in your ability to fulfill the role due to your proven track-record of competency in this technical area.....
This is the recruitment agent's job. She should advocate for you. She will bank her fee when/if they hire you. However the recruitment agency would generally have to refund the fee if you left within a short time-frame. If her previous recruit left, it could be that you also need to convince her of your enthusiasm & suitability for the role as she can I'll-afford to place another person who leaves quickly.

Coffeethrowtrampbitch · 30/04/2017 13:01

Could you offer to have an extended notice period in your contract, on your side only, to persuade them you will stick to it?

Dh has done this in the past, you agree you will give your employer 3 month's notice instead of 1, so if you were to leave they would have ample time to replace you, and you're unlikely to find a new employer who will wait for you to complete a 3 month notice period.

It might help to reassure them you have every intention of sticking to this job.
I hope I works, you must be so cross that someone else's behaviour is giving them second thoughts about you.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/04/2017 13:03

It's Sunday and not enough caffeine has been imbibed, but the AGENCY needs to reply something along the lines of...

'GIN contracted in order to enable her to take the time to find a permanent position that she felt was of interest to her & that she had the right skill set for. It's unfortunate for you that the previous employee left, but GIN has a different skill set & is looking for a secure, permanent position'

Ethylred · 30/04/2017 13:03

You have an opportunity to reassure this employer about the things that worry them. Why be enraged at being given the opportunity?

Original poster
Givemeallthegin · 30/04/2017 13:04

You're taking it all rather too seriously. If you weren't very convincing at the interview that's not really anyone elses fault. Hmm
Confused

Have to admit my jaw dropped a little when I read your comments.

How do you suggest I counter the fact you think I am taking getting a job too seriously? Should I wear clown shoes or a batgirl outfit to the 2nd interview?

Where did I say I was not convincing at interview? Hmm
Confused

OP posts:
Nacknick · 30/04/2017 13:05

Is it because you have some contracting on your cv or because you're female??

She was also a female...

I just have a cloud over my application as I have some contracting on my CV.

Not sure of the relevance of the female bit to be honest so you just need to explain the contracting bit which should be quite straightforward?

loverlybunchofcoconuts · 30/04/2017 13:05

If you weren't very convincing at the interview that's not really anyone elses fault.
Thats really harsh! Although interviewers should be totally fair and see everyone as separate, different people,they sometimes do have some funny ideas, it doesn't have to be the OPs fault in any way.

I once interviewed for a job typing up reports for someone, on an ad hoc basis. I was well qualified, and everthing was going well, until he realised I had 2 DCs.

He'd had someone previously who couldn't do something on time when their DCs were ill, which made him look bad. Despite me assuring him that I'd ALWAYS finish things, unless it was literally life or death, and saying hand on heart, that neither of my DCs had been ill enough to stop me working for over a year, he clearly saw me as a great risk based on what had happened before, and his whole perspective changed.
It's not right or fair, but it does happen.

herethereandeverywhere · 30/04/2017 13:06

You really need to emphasise why you want a permanent (not contract) role with the company - contracting didn't suit you, prefer certainty of approaching projects knowing you will still be at the company throughout all phases (don't big up the benefits side, focus on the role) - and any other great answers that you can think of - perhaps being sure you are a great 'fit' (give reasons) so you will not want to look for anything else one you are contributing there, or whatever.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/04/2017 13:08

I've just read your update saying you have a second interview, so you can say all that yourself.

Focus on how important it was for you to find a permanent position that you felt was of interest to you & that you had the correct skill set for, so in the meantime you contracted in order to do that and that you have no interest in contracting as a permanent situation.

user1493022461 · 30/04/2017 13:09

Where did I say I was not convincing at interview?

When you said they are not convinced that you will be different, which is the entire point of your thread?

How do you suggest I counter the fact you think I am taking getting a job too seriously?

If you are so upset you can't think straight, you are taking it too seriously.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/04/2017 13:11

GIN. Just rise above the goady fucker posts, they're not worthy of anyone's time.

haveacupoftea · 30/04/2017 13:13

I attended interview for a permanent job after a few temp jobs and they asked at the end was I really interested in a permanent position. I explained that I hadn't been job hopping it was just the situation I had found myself in and I'd recently just moved into my own home with DP with a mortgage to pay and wanted something stable. That was enough for them. Just tell them you want to make your pensions contributions and are looking for a steady job to allow you to do so etc.

BlueSkyBurningBright · 30/04/2017 13:16

See the positive in this. It is really good that you have that feedback. You can do something about it at your second interview.

Address it head on when you go back. Say that you have had feedback that they are a little concerned about your contracting. You enjoyed contracting but not as much as working in a permanent role. You are only applying for permanent roles. Say that the job role really meets what you are looking for and what you have done before, you like the company and the commute is easy, so for you there are no negatives and you are very interested in working for them.

Good luck with your second interview.

FinallyHere · 30/04/2017 13:18

I would also encourage you to keep looking for roles. You don't actually know why the last person left, as opposed to what she told you. S/he may just have been the most recent in a string of people to move on, which is why they are concerned. That job may actually be hell on earth and they are thinking a major change of approach is required.

Don't take your foot off the accelerator looking for opportunities just because this one sounds tantalisingly close. Finding other options will give you choices, which is always a good thing and also stop you getting hung up on this one. They will be a great job out there for you, just keep looking meanwhile. It may be this one, it may be another. All the best.

herethereandeverywhere · 30/04/2017 13:19

Yes GIN, second interview means you have a great chance!

Instead of worrying about the person that went before, focus on the hints and tips about selling yourself as the best person for the role. You've been given a 'clue' that they need reassuring that your history as a contractor won't mean you're going to leave soon after being recruited. so,

  1. per what I said previously, think of lots of reasons why you being permanent would be good for your application to the role
  2. perhaps mention it's a given that the certainty of permanent employment and the great benefits offered by the company hugely appeal to you
  3. You took contract roles to stay skilled up and earning whilst looking for the next permanent role which was always your intention - this role is perfect because of your well-matched technical experience, always wanted to work for X (or an up and coming company like X, whatever description suits the company)

You could really turn this into such an advantage for you in you can get this information across at the interview.

TinselTwins · 30/04/2017 13:20

I think you're taking it a bit personally. If smaller employers have a negative experience with the previous candidate they are usually going to be hypersensitive about avoiding that particular problem in the future and will be questioning our judgement "well we liked the last one too, but we were wrong about her, maybe wee need to think differently about how we recruit/interview" etc

Swipe left for the next trending thread