Closing Job Application Process Early

[CockatooZoo]

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.

Just email them and ask if they'd consider your application.

Better that then getting nowhere here.

They can close it whenever they want. Unfortunate, yes, but such is life. Next time you'll find a way to be quicker.

Tbf to the OP, I have honestly never heard of a job application closing before deadline. I've heard of (and applied under) rolling applications early on in my career, but if an advert said 'deadline xx of x month', I also have taken it as being open until that date. I also would never be allowed by my HR to close an advert early, regardless of number of applicants - and the last job I advertised had 320 applicants for one role (am public sector, though not NHS). So am surprised that this appears to be such common practice outside my sector, and think it's perfectly reasonable for OP to be pissed off if she also hadn't come across it before. We've all got different experiences and if an advert doesn't state it might close early it seems fair to assume the deadline is the deadline (I also wouldn't judge someone for submitting last minute as a pp said they would. Some people have many more constraints on their time than others, and one person getting it in on deadline might have required more organisation and prioritisation that someone who got it in a week before. It's a silly thing to judge on when you don't have all the facts, in my view).

That said, if they've found a candidate, they've found a candidate and that's not going to be unpicked now. Sorry, OP.

So maybe it's more common in the public sector, but it doesn't change the fact that it's not unlawful, nor discriminatory in any way.

It's a lesson learnt and that's that. Complaining to HR will only show you for being someone who can't accept their lack of judgement or research and feel the need to complain and blame, not the way to sell yourself.

I'm a disabled woman and I don't think its discrimination. Yes disability makes life more challenging but it doesn't mean everything that makes life difficult is discrimination, to suggest it does trivialises actual discrimination. I thought it was common knowlege that job applications close early if there is enough applications so get your application in asap. Maybe you should've prioritised this job application if it meant so much. I don't think contacting HR will help as they may think you weren't efficient in getting your application in. Look at it as a lesson learned for the future.

and think it's perfectly reasonable for OP to be pissed off if she also hadn't come across it before
Noone has said it was unreasonable to be pissed off. I would have been too. What's unreasonable is to turn it around to make it seem discriminatory. Not everything that is unfair, frustrating and upsetting is discriminatory.

You sound like you thought you had the interview and job in the bag. Working in a higher role in another org could put off employers as they would think you'd get bored and /or try to do the person's job who is senior to you.

As others have already pointed out, if it's a role requiring a PhD then you have to act and apply sooner than later. Scientist on fixed term contracts are usually looking out of the next role and put themselves in position to apply immediately for roles.

It's also worth bearing in mind that specialist posts are often created with a person in mind. As all jobs in the public sector have to have open and fair procedures for suitable candidates to apply, jobs applications are sometimes closed early to increase then chances of the chosen candidate being successful. Not fair to everyone but it happens.

It's also worth bearing in mind that specialist posts are often created with a person in mind.

Absolutely know this is true in academia, but didn't realise it was true in public sector too - thanks!

@MyLittleOrangutan

How does everything become discriminatory? They're not required to leave it open to make sure that everyone that either couldn't organise themselves quicker or took ages doing their application gets a chance. I don't think I'd bother even looking at the applicants that sent their application at the last second. I want to hire the most efficient worker, not the one that takes every last second I give them to do every job. Whatever excuse you may create for that.

This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. You have no idea why someone may send their application nearer the deadline - I wasn't actively searching for a new role so I didn't see the advert for my current position until a few days before the deadline. I came across it by chance and it interested me, working patterns suited so I got in touch to ask more questions. Only after that did I start writing an application - all whilst working and looking after a preschooler and a toddler so the application was submitted on the last day before the deadline. Fortunately they did not have your ridiculous attitude because I was offered the job after 2 rounds of interviews. Had they closed early, it definitely would have been my loss but if they are not overwhelmed and forced to amend deadline, an on time application is just that.

OP I understand your frustration - they should have stated they may close early if they receive sufficient applications. When applying for a specialist post in a niche area, you don't expect for this to be the case without prior warning but I also agree with other posters that it is a difficult one to argue. No harm in sending them an email to let them know you were interested - what's the worst that could happen?

Thanks, yes I did send an email - as soon as I had double checked all my documents to make sure there was no mention of early closing.

Haven't had a reply from HR yet, but was told by someone else the position was already offered. It seems really weird that between 11:55pm (when I got sent a reminder to complete the application) and early the next morning that the position was filled.

Unfortunately it sounds as if they had someone in mind or received an outstanding application. I suppose it's better than wasting your time with an interview with a predetermined outcome.

Noone has said it's unreasonable to be pissed off

Loads of posters have said that! Told the
OP that she should have been quicker off the mark, better organised, worked through the night, everyone knows applications can close early, etc.

On discrimination, I agree it's not openly discriminatory. But if you're making it harder to apply for a job - and closing it early without warning does make it harder - you should consider whether that is likely to have a disproportionate effect of people who already have more barriers than most to successfully applying for jobs, which includes people with disabilities and caring responsibilities. I definitely wouldn't be allowed to close a job advert early, on fairness and equity grounds, but other organisations will (and clearly do) judge it differently.

YABU. It would be ridiculous for the company to continue accepting CVs and interviewing when they had identified someone who was a good fit for the job. It would be a complete waste of their time and yours. You say you had all the required skills/experience required but that doesn't necessarily guarantee you an interview. Many others may have similar or better.

As far as childcare or lack of it, that is for you to deal with, and of no interest to the company.

Lesson to be learned: apply early.

Are you sure the deadline wasn't midnight, 5 minutes after the reminder?

I would be annoyed if they did close it early without prior warning. When we interviewed recently (nhs) we did put a cap on the amount of applications-250, regardless of official 'deadline'. But this was made was on the application pack.

I am a woman who would be entitled to a guaranteed interview due to disability and I totally disagree that you’ve been discriminated against. You fucked up and now you’re scrabbling around looking for someone to blame. There is no one but you

It’s their business. They can do whatever they like. I frequently close applications early as we are getting 300+ for a basic admin role.

You don’t think I’m going to sit and read every one do you?

I choose a few good candidates from the first 100 or so applicants and interview them.

In this climate it’s unreasonable to expect businesses to check and balance every application that turns up at the last minute unless it’s for a senior position.

It most certainly sounds like they already had a candidate. It might be that the person was already in the job, and going to retire early, or move, and they changed their mind, hence no interview anyway.

[quote CockatooZoo]@user643289 I can't work through the night due to a disability.[/quote]
Sorry but which disability means that you cannot write after 7pm?

I understand you’re disappointed and wanting to lash out, but even with children and a disability you could have finished and submitted the application if you’d really wanted to. Do it when they’re in bed at night or piecemeal while they’re napping. Your partner can’t be working literally 24/7 for a week straight. I applied for many, many jobs towards the end of my MA while working 80hrs across all seven days with a disability leaving me drowsy from daily morphine. If they’d closed one before I’d had chance to submit I’d have said either it’s bad luck and my fault for not submitting sooner or out of my hands for not having been able to submit sooner. Doesn’t mean they’re wrong to close it.

Next time you’ll know to submit as soon as you can!

@Alienchannell21 definitely not - the advert is still up and I can see the deadline still posted on there. Your thought is exactly what I thought though and why I checked everything.

@RoseLimeade Lash out? No, I am wanting to ensure that going forwards their application is a fair process to all, as fair as it can be.

This thread really demonstrates many people have no idea about disability though (which I should have realised based on previous MN threads)

Next time you’ll know to submit as soon as you can!

As soon as I can was after they had closed it - but you seem to have missed all my posts already explaining that.

Maybe they had an internal candidate lined up but had to go through the motions of advertising so it would seem legal.

if you’d really wanted to.

Comments like this are just disabilist as shit to be fair.

"If you'd really wanted to you'd have been able to type as fast as a fully abled bodied person despite only having one hand"...

I actually do have a way to type as someone who is able however it doesn't work on forms that have to be submitted online, which means word and then copying and pasting everything into the online form.

(That's just an example, I have both hands)

@Bluesername I was wondering if it's an internal candidate.

It's not about who gets the job, it's about the process being as fair as possible - it would have been really easy for them to have just put a note saying "we may close application early".

It’s a shame to miss out on an opportunity but I think it’s reaching somewhat to say this is discriminatory. It’s just a sharp lesson in prioritising.

It's really funny how I am being accused of saying it's discrimination - I can't see anywhere where I have actually said that.