Not good enough for scheduled interview X 3

[NotGoodEnuff]

On here for traffic and stories.

I had an interview cancelled today that was for tomorrow. This was the 3rd time it had been re-scheduled. I asked the recruitment agent when they wanted to interview again, he said they didn't, as they were hoping for better CV's.
Such as slap in the face, 1st interview I waited an hour for them to ring, before the agent emailed to say that the client couldn't interview me.
2nd interview was cancelled an hour before it was due to start.
3rd interview was cancelled today - so at least 24 hours notice.
But no chance of a 4th interview date as they don't think I'm good enough :(

I've been out of work for 7 months and I have only worked 7 months in the last 2 years so I have reference issues.

I can't claim benefits as I'm a single woman and as I'm living with a man the UC people think we are a couple as I don't pay rent.
My friend doesn't want to take rent from me when I'm not working.

Don't know what to do?!

Anyone else got any rude interviewer stories to share?

If the company is treating candidates like this at interview stage they don't sound like they'd be very nice employers. Sorry you had this experience and hope something much better comes along for you.

It isn’t necessarily as simple as “you aren’t good enough”: many companies have HR policies which require them to demonstrate that they recruited the best candidate and they can’t do that if they only interviewed one person, so they want to go back out to advertise to get a better range of interviewable candidates. It’s disappointing and doesn't help you right now, but it does indicate you had a CV / application worth considering for interview in the first place.

They can’t refuse you UC because you live with somebody, you should still be entitled to the basic element even if you aren’t paying rent and claiming housing costs. If the lack of rent is causing confusion then friend needs to provide you with a lodging agreement stating you rent a room which you can then use to claim the housing cost element of UC.

@Sunbeams

If the company is treating candidates like this at interview stage they don't sound like they'd be very nice employers. Sorry you had this experience and hope something much better comes along for you.

Exactly this!

Your recruitment agent should be helping you. They should be able to offer help with your CV and should be getting more feedback from prospective employers to help you. Have you considered going for temporary roles in the meantime?

19:18Otocinclus
He owns
Something to do with his mortgage agreement about not renting
However, I don't think he will as he doesn't want the money from me

Horribly rude of them, if the agent is telling the truth.

19:27ComtesseDeSpair

UC think I'm living with a partner

19:31SprinklesMcDoodles
It was a temporary role

What do you mean they think you’re living with a partner? When applying the question is if you’re living with a partner with a yes or no answer so surely you just answer no?

You can claim UC living costs, you don’t need to claim for housing costs if you’re not paying rent.

20:00MinnieMD

When I went not my interview they wanted to know whose house it was and I wasn't claiming the housing benefit element
I told them it was a friends house and that I didn't pay rent
They asked what impact toward bills, I said nothing
They came to the conclusion we must be in a relationship as it seems he's financially supporting me

Also, I agree with pp. while it’s disheartening it’s probably better not to work for a company that starts off their recruitment process like this

Sorry about the spelling mistakes

I can't claim the single persons allowance now as it's on my record that he is supporting me, which isn't true in the sense of a partner, but I guess he is if I don't pay rent and bills

Of course you can get universal credit my adult son lives with me and gets it. We have have different surnames they don't even know I'm his mother. He just doesn't claim for rent.

20:05teenagetantrums
They don't think you're in a relationship though, do they?
Not the same thing.

@NotGoodEnuff

19:27ComtesseDeSpair

UC think I'm living with a partner

You can challenge that decision, you don't need to just accept it.

Go back and tell them (lodge a mandatory reconsideration) he isn't your partner DWP need to consider a number of criteria when deciding whether or not you are in a relationship, they can't just arbitrarily decide that based simply on what you have written above. If you don't get the right MR outcome, you can appeal the decision and it will go to an independent tribunal to decide.

20:14RavingAnnie
How?
I showed them bank statements and because he loaned me money once that seemed to be the nail in the coffin.
If I was living with parents there would be no issue.
It's because the person I spoke to and now it's on my record, can't understand why a non blood relative would let you live rent free and bill free. Which I guess is not very common so hard to explain. They think the only possible logical explanation is that he's my partner.
I could move out and claim UC and the rent, but then I won't have anything left anyway after paying rent, bills etc.
At least I've got a nice place to stay with someone I know.

It’s a very tough employment market. I am recruiting for an admin job (£20k) and had nearly 500 applicants, many of whom were very overqualified. There is probably nothing wrong with you as a candidate.

That’s a horrible way to treat a candidate. To be fair you’ve probably had a lucky escape.

The recruitment agency are probably just as frustrated as you and at least they’ve been honest and passed on what the client said. Some agencies would just try to fob you off.

Please dont best yourself up because they’ve deemed you as ‘not good enough’ - your CV could be fab and there’s maybe just one thing you don’t have that’s putting them off.

Also are you sure they used the words ‘not good enough’? If so that was a poor choice of words from the person you spoke to - unsuitable or they have identified candidates with better suited experience would have been a kinder way to explain!

20:20WalrusWife
Would you recruit an over qualified person though?

I'm an accountant and don't even get considered for retail, call centre, admin jobs, which I know I'll happily do.

NotGoodEnuff - is there a reason you don’t want to work in accountancy? I would consider you if you were able to demonstrate the skills required. We ask candidates to write answers to competency based questions on the application form.

My main question would be why an accountant wants to do a pretty mundane admin job.

20:26WalrusWife

There is a pandemic
The economy is weak
There are not many accountancy jobs as companies are folding
There is greater competition with smany other accountants out of work too

I know his mortgage may say he can't rent the place out but it's different rules for a lodger. You just need an agreement - easily found online. If he doesn't want the money,(presumably doesn't need it) surely he could just keep it and put it towards new furniture or something for the house? Or give it to you as a leaving present when you have a job. ;)
You can definitely challenge them thinking you're a couple. Although if you pay no rent or bills then he is supporting you...