Job interview

[BrilliantBetty]

Applied for a job. It took me a while because they wanted a work history document completed instead of a CV, along with supporting statement. They also had a series of application questions. I spent several hours on this over the course of a working week.

Then prepared for the interview, again this took up several hours. I was v interested in the job and wanted to do well.

Morning off work to prepare for the interview and get there etc. Spent an hour and a half with them.

Then they wanted to do a telephone call the day after to discuss further. Another hour.

Then several emails back and forth which I made sure to answer promptly.

I've now been told they thought I was a great candidate and wanted to make me an offer but have been told they don't have approval to appoint anyone for this role at this time.

So what a waste of time. I applied in good faith that there was a post to be filled.

AIBU to think it is unfair to waste people's time like this

It is shockingly common unfortunately and this does not make it in any form acceptable.

It is a sign of the times though with hiring freezes and budget reviews coming into effect and hoc.

They wouldn’t have done all that for the fun of it, I wouldn’t have thought (unless they were unusually cruel or I’m incredibly naive). It sounds genuine to me. Plus, it sounds like you did amazing in your interview and follow up questions and they are really interested in you, and if anything comes up in future they will keep you in mind. In fact, if you haven’t already, I’d email them back and tell them just that - if anything comes up to please let you know.

It is shit though and I don’t blame you for feeling disheartened.

That's really crappy. Sorry OP.

Could be worse, my partner took a job and three weeks later they decided to pull his role.

Lots of businesses are changing focus, and consequently budgets, at the moment. Many jobs are highly insecure.

I think it would be fine to ask if they had approval to recruit when they started the process. The response to that would tell me if they'd been wasting your time or if they'd been shafted by the ELT during the interview process.