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AIBU?

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Original poster

Should I take this rude reply further?

132 replies

livingontheedgeee · 09/02/2019 23:12

I recently applied for a job working as a PA to the CEO in a local company.

I wasn't selected for an interview which is fair enough but I did ask the company for some feedback on my application so I could adjust my CV to better showcase my skills.

The response I received from the HR Director was frankly quite shocking - so much it actually upset me.

To paraphrase, he suggested if they offered me the role they would run the risk of needing to re-advertise after 6 months. He told me I must believe their system of selection was flawed and that I was clearly bitter about the fact I wasn't taken any further.

I was very polite in my email and just wanted critical feedback - something which is commonplace when applying for a job. His grammar and spelling was atrocious and after reading the entire email, I was shocked at having been spoken to like I was shit on his shoe.

Should I make a formal complaint or do you think it might just come across as sour grapes and I should let it go?

OP posts:
PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 09/02/2019 23:13

I would try to look at it as a lucky escape away from the company. Flowers

StillCoughingandLaughing · 09/02/2019 23:14

What are you hoping to get from the complaint? As you don’t work for the company you’re unlikely to even hear the result.

Starlight456 · 09/02/2019 23:14

I am not sure what the point of taking it further Would be . Sounds like a lucky escape to me

ErictheGuineaPig · 09/02/2019 23:15

God, yes, what a lucky escape! How bizarre that the hr director would take such a standard request so badly. I would almost wonder if someone else has hacked their email to be honest! I'm not sure about complaining though, who would you complain to?

thebeesknees123 · 09/02/2019 23:15

It may come across as sour grapes. I don't think he'll see your point. He sounds as thick as pigshit and you have dodged a bullet. I wouldn't invite yet more criticism as it would fuel his fire

Lochroy · 09/02/2019 23:15

Who would you complain to? He's a twat,be glad you found out now rather than after signing a contract and move on.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 09/02/2019 23:19

I wouldn’t. I would publish his response on Twitter with big red pen corrections for all his mistakes.

HerRoyalNotness · 09/02/2019 23:21

So he didn’t give any constructive feedback at all? I’d reply, erm, Thanks for your help —you giant bellend—

Original poster
livingontheedgeee · 09/02/2019 23:22

ILoveMaxiBondi

Grin Grin Grin

OP posts:
ATBhinchers · 09/02/2019 23:22

I'd love to see what your email was before commenting on whether he was being unreasonable or not.

thewinkingprawn · 09/02/2019 23:23

Good god no, consider it a very lucky escape.

thewinkingprawn · 09/02/2019 23:23

But yes, seeing your email would be useful - it is an odd response if you sent a very bland polite email

Original poster
livingontheedgeee · 09/02/2019 23:25

ATBhinchers

Word for word:

Dear Chris

Thank you for responding to my application.

Could you possibly provide me with specific feedback on which areas you felt I was lacking in order that I can adjust my CV for future applications? I have so much experience but it is sometimes difficult to express that in a CV without it becoming too unwieldy.

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

OP posts:
lilydilly · 09/02/2019 23:25

WOW! Lucky escape OP.

I am really sorry you are upset, but you dodged a bullet there!!!

Damia · 09/02/2019 23:26

I would correct all his spelling mistakes and grammar and send it back to him and every other email address you have for the company. But that's just me...

thewinkingprawn · 09/02/2019 23:27

Crikey if that was it word for word then you had an incredibly lucky escape. Don’t complain, breathe a sigh of relief. He’s right that they probably would have ended up re recruiting within 6 months but not for the reasons he thinks

ivykaty44 · 09/02/2019 23:29

It’s normal to ask for feed back to help at the next interview, I had feedback that my team work answer was not sufficiently encouraging - so I worked on it.

Seems the HR department is out of touch on giving feedback

Strange about the 6 month comment - he thinks you’d leave..? Surely that’s a hunch and not based on the interview questions?

bumblenbean · 09/02/2019 23:31

How utterly bizarre. What a twat. If you could be bothered you could email the CEO himself and say you were very disappointed by the HR director’s rude response. At least you’d have the satisfaction of knowing you’d dropped him in it ...

misskiki69 · 09/02/2019 23:33

All that was asked for was some feedback, there was no need whatsoever to accuse you of being bitter. How extremely unprofessional. I interview, as part of my role at work and even if I did feel an unsuccessful applicant had shown bitterness / sour grapes (which you haven't) there is no way I would ever use such terminology. And as for the sloppy spelling..... disgraceful!

jua890 · 09/02/2019 23:35

I agree with bumblenbean. Email CEO, be polite and just say you expected more from a "reputable" company, that you be treated with professionalism at every stage of the application process and that you didn't understand the response.

Keep it short, sweet and polite.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/02/2019 23:36

If you could be bothered you could email the CEO himself and say you were very disappointed by the HR director’s rude response. At least you’d have the satisfaction of knowing you’d dropped him in it

Yes - forward the email to the CEO as you do. Chances are you'll get a similar response though (but you never know).

Congratulations on your lucky escape.

Imperfectsusan · 09/02/2019 23:38

The HR manager is an ignorant and probably unqualified twit. Your query is normal.

SassitudeandSparkle · 09/02/2019 23:40

The HR director shouldn't have been rude - they could have just declined to give the feedback if they didn't want to do it (former HR worker here).

However - your email does focus on your own future applications rather than not meeting the criteria for their job.

Would absolutely agree with the PPs who think you have dodged a bullet though! Good luck with the job search and I would definitely stay away from that company!

Guineapiglet345 · 09/02/2019 23:41

A few things:

Be grateful for his reply, you’ve not wasted any time interviewing for a job with him, because you certainly wouldn’t want to work for someone so unprofessional and it’s saved you time applying there in future.

I wouldn’t ask for feedback if you haven’t even had an interview, he doesn’t know you or your experience so can’t really give you the feedback you’re looking for and they probably got lots of applicants so wouldn’t have time to give feedback on unsuccessful CVs, you could ask a recruitment agency for help with your CV.

Don’t complain, your email to him, while polite, did kind of look like you were angling for them to give you a second chance, you won’t get anything worth having by complaining and the employer will just think you’re bitter about not getting an interview.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/02/2019 23:41

I have a feeling this is one of those companies where there is a very high staff turn over, because
.They treat their staff so shitty creating a toxic atmosphere. Have their employee dreading going into work, so They just leave in the end.
Thank God you didn't get the job.

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