Interview for a role I didn't apply for

[laineylou]

Two weeks ago I applied to a company I was made redundant from some years ago to do my old job. I got a standard email saying thanks but no thanks I wasn't qualified enough.
Two days later I got a call from HR inviting me for an interview. I saiid ok but was surprised as previously rejected. HR said it was for a different role...which having looked at the job spec on their website I think I am really really not qualified for.

Interview is tomorrow pm. What should I do?

I'd go along. Does the job interest you? Employers can be very flexible about specific qualifications for the right person, especially in a small business. Perhaps imagine you have applied for it and think about which of your experiences, strengths etc would make you particularly suitable for it, ask lots of questions, appear positive etc. You never know!

A friend of mine was in exactly this position a year ago, was offered the job, took it and it has worked out really well.

They obviously think it's worth their time to call you in - are you interested in the job they want to interview you for? If so, then give it a go & good luck.

As Beamur says if you're interested go along otherwise do not go.

Go along and see! They have your cv, you worked there before, they must know you fairly well.

It's also possible they plan to tweak the role to you if they actually think the role you applied for is maybe a bit more than one role, say.

Go along, give it a shot.

It's heaps more technical than I have done before and I have been out of the business for a few years.

I am worried about turning up and saying nope can't do that, never done that and I have no idea on that one...basically looking like a twat and wasting all our time.
Quite confused as there are other jobs on their site (more admin based) which again I would be more suited to but would it be daft ringing the HR dept and saying I think they have made a mistake...

Maybe they would be willing to train up the right candidate?

Don't say that!

If you want to, call HR and ask for a quick chat about the spec just to understand the background a bit better as you hadn't applied for that role.

Are you sure you are looking at the right job spec? It seems odd that they would reject you for your old role as not qualified and then invite you for a completely different role, particularly as there seem to be more appropriate jobs available.

They have confirmed job title in an email. Think I ought to call hr dept in the am...

Yes, it seems odd. Good luck with the interview however!

I'd ring HR.

Good luck.

It could may well be the case that as they know you from before you're trusted as opposed to new blood. and if there was training involved they may feel you'd be a better candidate to train up as opposed to a new person who may not learn quickly etc.

How did the interview go?

Thanks for all your advice (and good luck)
I rang and spoke to the guy who was doing the interviewing...who I used to work with so he knew a fair bit about what I did. The company has won back a lot of contracts I used to work on before redundancy so i have a lot background knowledge.
I think it went ok - left it as right we'll need to think out where we could fit you in...
Fingers crossed all

Well done!