So so angry with the way my interview went

[littlelamb]

It was a complete waste of time I had prepared for two weeks, only to get there and be interviewed for 15 minutes, 5 of which were my own questions. There was a panel of four people, who asked one, completelt irrelevant question each. Nothing about my relevant work experience, or anyhting that allowed me to put myself really forward. They all seemed totally disinterested in what I had to say, noone made notes and they just seemed like they had a million better things to do than sit there and listen to me. They just rang to say that, surprise surprise I didn't get the job. In these circumstances is it fair to write a letter expressing my disappointment at the unprofessionalism of the interview? I really feel they totally wasted my time

What was the interview for? Do you think they already had a candidate lined up and were just going through the motions so to speask?

I thought that Schnapps

It was a post for a graduate library trainee, and is a one year only post, so I dont think there would have been internal candidates. I just feel that for such a competitive post the interview should have been much longer and in depth. One of the women on the panel in particular didn't even feign interest in what I was saying. On reflection though, with attitides like that its probably not a team I'd have been happy working in

I totally sympathise with you littlelamb. I had an interview a bit like that some time ago and the interviewer came accross extremely arrogant and neither of them bothered making any notes and I sensed a "can't be bothered" tone...

Really sorry about that. I'm not sure whether a letter is appropriate as it will sound like sour grapes to them although you could perhaps ask for feedback and approach it that way? Hope it all works out.

Yes, I would definintely write a letter! When you go for an interview you expect it to be in-depth, to be asked relevant questions etc.. if you feel let down because of the interview write and complain!!

I totally agree. Ask for feedback. It may take some time but they should reply. So sorry for that bad experience. Maybe it was not meant to be and there is something better waiting for you. I know that probably is not much comfort.

On behalf of librarians everywhere I apologise for your rubbish interview experience littlelamb . If we had the luxury of a keen slave (sorry, I mean graduate trainee) sort of post I'd be CATing you right now.
If you are looking for jobs in this line Miaou and I might be able to tell you which places stink and which don't (she is in public libraries, I am in HE, I think there are more of us on here as well).
Actually I would write. Presumably one of these people was an HR representative who should have additional cause to hang head in shame. Not taking notes these days is BAD practice...because what evidence are they now going to have of what they said to you and what you said in return? To refute your assertion that they were a pack of eejits?
Am so for you. We do person specs and interview templates for ALL our posts, allow at least 30 mins for interview plus luxury tour of premises with coffee, and will always provide honest and constructive feedback to disappointed candidates.

I agree, ask for feedback. You never know, you might need them to emply you another time. I would say "I was really keen to be considered for the post, and I'd be really grateful to know why I didn't get the position, and what I should do to improve my chances of getting a similar position should one arrive in future."

Bad luck though, sounds really off.

And have to say that I went for some drecky interviews for posts of this sort 20 years ago. People looking at ceiling, trimming nails with Stanley knives - big common factors were bushy beards and not making eye contact for duration of interview. Salary for one of those posts was £4k per annum, in London, "because of the chance to work for such a prestigious research institute".
I later found out the happy candidate spent a year in the basement shuffling index cards. By the time she made it to library school she was clinically insane IMO.
Keep at it though because there are some good posts out there. Try the new universities - some of their LRRs are really well run with excellent training programmes.

Right I have composed the following letter, and carbon copied it to the personnel department. Please feel free to tell me what you think of it:

Dear Mr *,

RE: Graduate Library Trainee: post reference

I would like to thank you for your time in interviewing me today, and also express my regret at not being the successful candidate. While I respect that the ultimate decision remains that of yourself and your fellow interviewers, I would like to express my concern and disappointment at the form my interview took. For such a competitive post I had expected the interview to be slightly longer and to be asked questions which were more relevant to the post being offered. I was most disappointed to be asked only four very general questions and felt that the chance was not given for me, or indeed other candidates, if this is the way in which everyone was seen, to more adequately express my great interest in this position or the relevant experience I have in the field. As may be expected, I spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this interview, only to feel ultimately let down by the seeming disinterest of those on the panel and an interview which, including my own questions, lasted barely fifteen minutes. I hope you will not take this letter as the bitter retaliation of an unsuccessful candidate, but rather, as it is intended, feedback from an interviewee which may be used in further recruitment considerations. I would also appreciate any advice you could give me on how to be more successful should a similar opportunity arise in the future. I enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your reply.

I once again extend my thanks for your time,

Yours Sincerely,

Littlelamb

C.C. to ***, Head of Employee Services

It's great. I would leave out the suggestion that you are retaliating bitterly (you are not but don't give them that idea) though.
Can I ask how you know there was a lot of competition for that particular post?
I hope they do you the courtesy of a proper reply. A letter like that from a candidate in my college would cause justifiable concern in HR and in the library and we would follow up such feedback.

i to say this and please take it in the spirit it is intended which is to be helpful..but i think you mean uninterested not disinterested. sorry to be a pedant.

Marina,
I don't know for sure, but this is a position that is usually filled in January, and so to get the opportunity this late in the day is quite unheard of. I really hope I do get a reply. If nothing else, I really felt that there was such an obvious lack of respect. People had presumably gone to a lot of effort to be there ( I had to walk two miles in the rain and get a babysitter for dd) and I felt that I got nothing back for my efforts. If it had been a fair interview and I was rejected then fair enough, but I really feel everyones time was wasted today and I don't find that acceptable.

sorry you had such a rotten interview. there's nothing worse. i did one once i still cringe to think about. multiple post doing ten things at once!

Should it really be uninterestedness? Does disinterest mean something else whispers and I am an english graduate

i think so. uninterested means they weren't interested. disinterested means they were impartial or didn't favour one outcome over another.
just don't get me started on 'lesser' and 'fewer'. worraboreiam. maybe i should change my name!
stick up for yourself regardless! feedback should be a two way street.

I agree that it should not be disinterest but uninterest sounds a bit odd - how about 'lack of interest'
I remember my interviews for graduate traineeships especially the one at Gloucester where I was given a pile of reference books & a list of things to find out! (This was 1977 - presumably now they sit them down in front of a pc)
I didn't get a traineeship, which would have sponsored me at library school, but one of the places (Kent) offered me a job for a year & I worked in several departments at county headquarters and went to most of the training courses that the actual trainees did. I had to get a postgraduate grant for my library school course though - not sure if these exist anymore.
Is the qualification route still the same? - I remember that it took as long to become a librarian as it did to be a doctor 3 yrs uni, 1 yr experience, 1 year at library school, 2 years post qualification till I got my ALA.