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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:
gamerwidow · 10/02/2019 11:51

I would never provide feedback on an application even though the NHS job application form is long and detailed. Most posts I recruit for have 50+ applications most of them very similar. It’s often very small differences that mean an interview or not. I barely have the time to shortlist from the applications let alone start going through giving feedback. Most of the time if you’ve met all the essential criteria there’s nothing actually wrong with your application anyway you’ve just been unlucky that someone slightly more qualified applied too.

Mmmmbrekkie · 10/02/2019 11:53

You posted your response but not his

This is what we are interested in seeing!

Orchiddingme · 10/02/2019 11:53

I would not post his response unless you want to see it in the Daily Mail.

OlennasWimple · 10/02/2019 12:04

I agree that it's unusual to provide feedback to candidates who dont' get an interview. But if you're going to do it, it should be professional!

All he needed to write was that unfortunately, due to the volume of applications received, it was not possible to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates. End

brownjumper · 10/02/2019 12:06

How can everyone agree his is a prick when we haven't seen the reply? Post the reply, then we can judge!!

Mmmmbrekkie · 10/02/2019 12:08

I agree

I’m always a bit skeptic when an OP says “to paraphrase”

bringincrazyback · 10/02/2019 12:26

He sounds like a dick and his attitude could well be a reflection of the company culture. I wouldn't even dignify it with a reply myself, he was rude and unprofessional and sounds like he would take any further correspondence as proof that he was 'right' to reject your application.

Romanov · 10/02/2019 12:30

No way to tell without his email

Justaboy · 10/02/2019 12:49

I run a small business, no HR and regularly have 50+ application for any job I advertise, it is also common to get emails from rejected candidates asking for feedback. I usually contact them by phone for a quick chat and, on occasion, have been so impressed by the candidates keenness to improve that I have reconsidered and invited them for interview, so asking for feedback is a good idea. It shows tenacity and a robust approach to feedback.

Take a bow sarahjconnor THAT is how to run a company, thats good managment. Thats whats so wrong with the way firms are run in the UK over some 40 years I have concluded that theres very little wrong with the British worker, but theres a lot wrong with the managment.

OP, don't waste anymore time on this bunch, just rise above it you derserve a better employer or just remian self employed!

Di11y · 10/02/2019 12:55

requesting feedback after an interview is usual, not after initial rejection, especially focusing on how you have so much experience a cv is not able to show it does make you sound a bit bitter. he responded unprofessionally but you would often have got no response.

starshollow1 · 10/02/2019 13:21

I would have probably expected a generic response from the HR assistant along the lines of "Thank you for your application unfortunately due to the volume of applications we are unable to give individual feedback."

The thought that an HR director has the time and inclination to reply, and in such an appalling way is quite something.

I would contact the CEO direct and make it plain you don't want the job now given the correspondence but thought he should know how his company is being represented externally.

Either that or I'd print it, red pen it then twitter, fb, insta etc... if the company has a social media following.

Lucky escape OP!

Bluntness100 · 10/02/2019 13:22

I’m always a bit skeptic when an OP says “to paraphrase”

To be honest I am too here. I think thr op is pissed off she didn't get to interview and she got rejected so quickly. I'd be very surprised if the response she got back was that she was a bitter woman and if it was we'd see it in the daily fail. It would be w very unusual response when they didn't even have to respond at all, to what was let's face it, a bit if w cf request asking for cv advice.

Unless of course the email she said she sent, maybe has something missing.....

Aeroflotgirl · 10/02/2019 15:37

Even though they get lots of applications, they could have just sent a bog standard reply along the lines of: thank you for your application, unfortunately we receive many applications, and can only select, a small number,t hat we feel will be successful to the advertised position. We wish you the best of luck next time.

That man was rude and unprofessional, giving you such a personal and nasty reply.

Allergictoironing · 10/02/2019 15:55

Even though they get lots of applications, they could have just sent a bog standard reply along the lines of: thank you for your application, unfortunately we receive many applications, and can only select, a small number,t hat we feel will be successful to the advertised position. We wish you the best of luck next time.

That man was rude and unprofessional, giving you such a personal and nasty reply.

I'm guessing that they DID send that kind of reply initially, which prompted the OP to mail back & request feedback. No excuses for a rude reply, but she did request personal feedback.

nocoolnamesleft · 10/02/2019 16:29

Is personal feedback on CVs really a thing? I mean, yes, for interviews, absolutely. But how to feckle your CV? People pay good money for that sort of advice.

dayswithaY · 10/02/2019 16:38

If you ask for feedback you can't complain when someone gives it to you. Move on, nothing to see here.

Isleepinahedgefund · 10/02/2019 16:52

Whoever wrote the email shouldn't have been rude - would love to see the wording to see what you're interpreting as rude.

However: think you were asking for far too much considering you didn't get an interview. The convention is that feedback is given after an interview. I wouldn't have given you the feedback you asked for (on your CV) either, although I either wouldn't have replied or would have sent you a short email saying sorry no feedback.

And I believe they got 30 applicants in a day. I'm currently involved in a recruitment campaign that has received around 200 applications in a week, with another week to go. For three positions. We can't close it early. Campaign before that we had over 1000 applications for a possible 20 jobs. Can you imagine how much fun it is to sift all those?!! And can you imagine if we had to give them all feedback on their applications?

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 10/02/2019 20:32

My mistake, I thought the OP had had an interview. I agree feedback on a CV is unusual. However the response was telling. Not very polite, so they are either under incredible work pressure or are just bastards. Neither would make me want to work for them.

Original poster
livingontheedgeee · 12/02/2019 21:13

Thanks for all the constructive replies from which I've drawn the conclusion that the guy is just an arse. I'd have had more respect if he said " I am sorry but due to the number of applicants, we are unable to provide individual feedback". But he didn't, he tried to belittle me.

I'll just move on (after a twitter expose of course Grin ) and wish the person who gets the job all the luck in the world.

OP posts:
CantStopMeNow · 13/02/2019 05:43

I'd do this 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
Then underneath i'd add "So....who did you shag to get your job?

I'm a bitch when someone pisses me off like this - especially when i have nothing to lose Grin

MiGi777 · 13/02/2019 05:59

That's awful. Congratulations on NOT getting the job! I wouldn't want to live in the same city as that guy let alone work where he is head of HR! I would definitely email the CEO and include a copy of the email you sent and the one you received back. Not to make a formal complaint but just to make him/her aware of what has happened. Plus he was very nasty to you and accused you of being bitter and accusing their selection process was flawed which is clearly untrue and a personal attack on you when all you asked for was feed back/advice to improve. He's obviously uptight, bitter and missable about something and he's tried to project his negativity onto you because people like that get a kick out of making others feel bad. That's his issue not yours and you must put it down to the vile place it came from and DO NOT let him upset you, he's not worth it. Why do people have to be so nasty? It's beyond me.

interLibrary · 13/02/2019 06:03

Further? Where?

As it's MN, I guess I should suggest 101, OFSTED and HR--

As he doesn't know you and didn't even meet you for an interview, feedback would be pretty pointless.

I'd have given you a fairly blunt reply to your request.

MaggieAndHopey · 13/02/2019 06:53

"I’m always a bit skeptic when an OP says “to paraphrase”"

Yes, me too. She quoted her own email in full - why not his? It suggests that his response wasn't as rude as she's making out here but she's stung by the rejection anyway - which is fair enough, so would I be. Applying for jobs is soul-destroying.

dimdarkashian · 13/02/2019 06:59

Absolutely post on Twitter as PP said...then please post link Grin

OVienna · 13/02/2019 07:45

Totally sceptical that we have the whole story here.

But if we really do - in the age of Twitter, Glassdoor and discrimination claims they can't have someone who is that rude in a public facing role. I would want to know if I did, if I were the CEO.

But I am afraid the situation is not exactly as it's been recounted here...