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Original poster

Closing Job Application Process Early

225 replies

CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 10:48

Just wanting some thoughts on this. I was applying for a job under the guaranteed interview scheme, I would have been offered an interview as I met all the criteria and had several years experience with all points of the criteria, qualified in the subject area and worked at a more senior level to this role in another organisation (similar).

I read through the application thoroughly and had worked on my draft application for quite a while, adjusted my CV and ensured everything was easy to link together to demonstrate the competencies. It also included a personal statement which I wrote from scratch.

There was no mention of rolling applications or that applications would close early for any circumstance on the website.

I went to submit the application on Friday (having had a reminder email at midnight) and they had closed it early. I have been told it's because they chose the candidate.

Now, I have a big issue with this because I feel it puts women and people with disabilities at a huge disadvantage. I feel really off that they have closed it on the final day of school closures, before a weekend (when partner's could have been in a better position to provide childcare) and with zero information about the possibly this would happen.

I have emailed HR but had no response yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 11:52

A CV is not role specific.

Unfortunately in my field it is very much role specific, particularly when you have various experience within that field.

OP posts:
2020iscancelled · 09/03/2021 11:52

Earlier*

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/03/2021 11:55

I think it's very poor practice not to let people know this is a possibly but unless it's a role in the public sector I would always assume its a possibility now.

Original poster
CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 11:56

It's the public sector Grin

OP posts:
therocinante · 09/03/2021 11:58

@CockatooZoo

I don't have a problem with them doing it had they stated it may happen on the application documents. There was no mention of this at all.
It's pretty standard to close applications early if the right candidate has been found/they've had enough applications. They have no obligation as far as I know to disclose that.
on12145 · 09/03/2021 11:58

@CockatooZoo

It's should not purely be a woman's responsibility to shoulder childcare.

Is your husband working in intensive care due a pandemic? And vaccinating on his days off as a volunteer?

I'm not sure the relevance of that. He works full time. As do I and we still balance childcare.

Let's even take men completely out of the equation. It appears (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that you're not presently working. So therefore even without your exP help with childcare you still have one less massive barrier than all the working mothers out there who are also applying for new jobs.

I'm a bit confused about how you think those of us are coping who also don't have children in school but have full 8am-6pm working responsibilities...we're not superhuman, we just get what needs to be done done. Unless your children are up all night you had evenings to do this.

Out of curiosity if schools were not re-opening what would you have done then - not applied?!

MyLittleOrangutan · 09/03/2021 11:59

You clearly weren't the most efficient though were you? They could have left the applications open and just never looked at your application, they're not required to even respond to an application form.

By all means ring them up and tell them how unfair it is that they didn't wait for you to put your application in and you couldn't do it during the day because you have childcare commitments and you can't do it in the evening because you're disabled and your husband can't help with childcare because he can't get time off his job. But I'm not sure that after hearing all that they'll want to hire you more than the person that got their application in quickly and has no other commitments.

Babysharkdododont · 09/03/2021 12:00

I wonder if your PhD is in physics OP, you seem determined to get the world to revolve around you, not the sun.
If it's public sector it's absolutely deriguour that they close early when enough applications have been received. Your skills must not be as niche and rare as you believe them to be.

SecretSpAD · 09/03/2021 12:00

All job adverts can close early. Now you know and can be better organised next time.

They don't know you exist so why should an employer have to take into consideration your unique circumstances even before you apply for a job? It's ridiculous and absolutely not discriminatory. What message are you giving employers about employing women if you complain that they are doing something that is known to be perfectly reasonable?
Frankly if you can't even manage to apply for a job efficiently and without moaning then you aren't someone I'd want to employ.

titchy · 09/03/2021 12:00

@user643289

Women and people with disabilities?

What about carers?
Emergency workers?
Young people?
Old people?
Non-parents?

The list is endless. No one is more disadvantaged than anyone else.

They received enough applications and closed it.
Accept it and stop making excuses.
Next time submit it ASAP.

Actually people with disabilities are significantly more disadvantaged in the job market than others - don't be so ridiculous in denying that. Hmm
Scarby9 · 09/03/2021 12:00

I may have always been lucky in the past, but I always thought an application closing date / time was the application closing date / time until the last couple of years when I have come across this situation several times.

I'm with you, OP. Unless it is clearly stated that it might close early and therefore could be a first come first served situation, I had always seen virtue in taking time over an application, researching round and finessing it.

I think the fact that the process might be cut short should be very visible on the advert and supporting paperwork.

Eg. Closing date for applications: Midnight 8 March 2021 OR EARLIER IF SUFFICIENT SUITABLE APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED.

Original poster
CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 12:01

that you're not presently working.

I am still working, just not being paid (science) - like most scientists it's pretty hard to stop working even if you are not on a contract.

*Out of curiosity if schools were not re-opening what would you have done then - not applied?!

Ex Partner was off on Friday and Saturday - I would have completed it then.

OP posts:
titchy · 09/03/2021 12:05

OP please do get in touch with them and let them know you were very disappointed to see the deadline had closed early, and that if you had been aware that was a possibility you would of course have ensured your application was sent in early.

And ask if they would still consider your application as they say they are a disability confident employer and you fulfill the criteria under this. It would be a very brave recruiter that refused to accept your application in those circumstances.

dontdisturbmenow · 09/03/2021 12:06

Women and people with disabilities are less likely to be able to fire off a quick application, so closing early puts them at a disadvantage
Talk about looking for an excuse! I applied for a job, my first at manegerial level and a good step up so had to give time and thought to my application when I looked after my 3year old and 5 months old alone as their dad worked FT 2h away.

I desperately wanted that job admire money and more importantly was local, so I got on with it as soon as I read the advert as I knew that closing early is always a possibility.

I worked in it when my baby was sleeping and the eldest watched TV and again after I put them to bed.

The company has done nothing wrong. Why should they care about your inability to find even 1 hour in a period of a week or more when they already got plenty who did manage it, with a number of applicants in all likelihood in as difficult is no more circumstances than yours?

MasterBeth · 09/03/2021 12:11

It’s annoying and frustrating and unfair.

It’s also pretty common practice so, unfortunately, while it makes sense to flag it and question it, it’s a practice that’s likely to affect your future job searches so you need to think of ways to get ahead of the application process.

dontdisturbmenow · 09/03/2021 12:12

Then you may well be missing out on the best applicant
That applies in all circumstances. If it it has remained open I've more say, if only advertise through this other mean, if only it required 4 years of experience rather than 5 as per the specifications.

You hope to get enough of large pool of applicants to ensure that there is plenty of good candidates. It's hard enough to identify the best through short listing and interviewing let alone making assu.prions that there would definitely have been a better one if....

Notavegan · 09/03/2021 12:15

No way this would happen where I work in public sector.

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 09/03/2021 12:16

It’s super annoying when this happens but they have done nothing wrong. Ultimately they are look to hire a great person in an efficient way, the process is oriented around that, not around the wants of every single one of the hundreds of applicants.

I agree with others—fundamentally if it’s a role you REALLY want then you need to make sacrifices, really go for it and get it in ASAP. It shouldn’t take ages to write an application even from scratch if you’re efficient and confident in what you are doing.

megletsecond · 09/03/2021 12:18

jiz a short notice childminder isn't an option. They're full in normal times or shit and too risky to use. I wouldn't leave my dc's with a stranger at no notice. Not everyone has a partner or support either.

Original poster
CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 12:24

Your skills must not be as niche and rare as you believe them to be.

Or, they've not hired the best applicant... we will see, it will be very easy for me to find out who it is.

OP posts:
peak2021 · 09/03/2021 12:29

Unreasonable not to tell you they would close (or possibly close) early. There are people making many more job applications than the OP and their time is valuable as is anyone else's.

OP has been reasonable in contacting HR.

dontdisturbmenow · 09/03/2021 12:33

Or, they've not hired the best applicant..
They will have hired the best if those who bothered to apply early. That will be enough for them.

dontdisturbmenow · 09/03/2021 12:36

There are people making many more job applications than the OP and their time is valuable as is anyone else's
The world doesn't revolve around individuals. It's amazing the number of people who see themselves as so important to unknown entity.

All the organisation cares for is to have a good pool of candidates. They did. They acted within the law. The end.

Racoonworld · 09/03/2021 12:38

Or, they've not hired the best applicant..
Who is the best applicant is subjective, in their view the best applicant for them may be the one who had the initiative and drive to get their application in quickly, and not the one who spent ages on the process and filed to get it in before loads others.

purpledagger · 09/03/2021 12:41

It is frustrating as an applicant, but I don't think it is discriminatory.

I work in HR and we did this once. We had over 100 applicants for a role and closed it early. The recruiting manager pointed out that they would have to sift 100+ applicants anyway which would have affected their ability to do other parts of their role.