Oops.. applied for a job and they accidentally emailed me...

[alltoomuchrightnow]

Applied a few weeks ago online, for a job that I have relevant experience in.
Heard nothing until this email today (have changed names)..

'' Jane Doe
To : [email protected]

Today at 10:53

Hi Susie,
Please see attached the remaining CV's for the (Nameless town) vacancy.
In all honesty, I've had a look through and they're not jumping out at me so I thought I'd send you them all and then you can see what is left to pursue - I wouldn't normally land 53 CV's at your door but feel its best that you see the whole picture at the moment.
Thanks,
Jane Doe
Reply R''

What would you think if you had got sent that?!
I'd feel really awkward if I did get an interview!
Data protection not at risk though as I can't view the other CVs nor email addresses of other applicants.

I think that's quite bad, only saved by not being able to see the email addresses or CV's too clueless to attach them perhaps

I would bet that all the applicants got that email.

Do you want the job? If so, a 'fine' type email would probably make the recruiter feel better. If this has put you off the company, then you can email and ask to withdraw and I wouldn't be able to resist saying that the company no longer jumps out at you

I worked in HR, I was sent the papers for one set of interviews the night before and noticed that they had invited all the candidates to interview at the same time by mistake. Cue frantic phone calls and a rather more spaced-out day that we'd anticipated

If it's a job you would really like, I would ask for this thread to be deleted in case it gets picked up by the media. And if it were me, depending on the kind of role and environment I would probably acknowledge that email in a way that might mark me out as a candidate to see, rather than one they might now avoid due to embarrassment. I don't think what they said was unprofessional or reflects badly on them, it's just a little awkward. As it is, unfortunately your CV doesn't grab them. So I don't think you have much to lose by following up with something like "Thanks for your email. I had already seen the first one and don't want to seem impertinent but as you are clearly a bit underwhelmed by the current pool of CVs (mine included, of course) I wondered if there was something else in particular you were looking for? I'm really keen on working for you and believe I have the skills to be an asset to the team. I do feel my experience in (insert something here) would bring (insert something here) and I feel very aligned to the company's values for example (insert something here). If you do decide to revisit my CV and have any further questions I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these.

Best wishes,

All too much right now"

Great email MrsW.

There's no reason to think all 53 candidates got the message. Maybe Jane had OP's cv on screen and had a brain fart, putting in her email not Susie's.

And jane's email asking to disregard the message is perfectly reasonable.

Definitely email back. Nothing to lose and I would think it makes you much more likely to get an interview.

It may be reasonable but it's also very funny. What a cock up. Anybody who emails a lot makes a mistake of some kind occasionally, but this is quite high up the scale of bad ones.

Could be worse. I went for an interview for a different role in the same organisation I used to work in. They were having an office move and things were a bit chaotic so they sat me at someone's desk.

The first thing I saw when I looked down - and I was not snooping, this was a notebook sheet on the desk - was a page of notes on the interview candidates for the job I was interviewing for. Against my name, it said (paraphrasing slightly as this was several years ago) 'Not confident in this one though cheaper as younger and works for us already. Presentable, clients will like. Not sure she'll be any good.'

Which didn't help my interview performance. And yes, I did complain to HR.

If you do write back, read it out to yourself in a sarcastic voice before you hit send, in case it could be taken that way!

I like MrsWonka's email, the tone is just right. Send that one!

I wouldnt send an email it just looks like you're trying to be a clever dick and point scoring.

A truly professional approach is not to rub anyone's nose in their mistake and wait to see if you are invited for interview.

I completely agree with Mrs Wonka. The key point is surely that you were interested in a job and thought your skills were spot on and are disappointed now to see you didn't stand you out. I'd view this as a great opportunity to get some feedback as to what it is they were looking for that you'd didn't express or jump out in your CV. Best case the follow up and enthusiasm to learn gets you to an interview. Next best, they respond and offer you pointers to improve your CV. Worst case, they don't come back to you and you're no worse off than you are currently. It's someone's simple error that you can use in a polite way to be constructive.

I would personally do what a pp has suggested, email back along the lines of "that's great, thanks." I wouldn't necessarily draw attention to her mistake directly. That could be annoying and tbh if your cv didn't grab her in the first place then a letter doesn't necessarily change that. Showing some discretion can be good.

I agree teeth. My thought was that if the OP ends up having to ibteract with the person in future the last thing to do is shine a spotlight on an error. Kinda ... there but for the grace of God and all that. Every one of us surely hopes if we cock up there isnt someone out there stirring the pot a bit more

I'm not going to point score
I will just email back with a simple thankyou and not mention the email; that would put me in a very bad light
I would like the chance of an interview. I'm a customer of this company and I don't think less of them because of one email..it was just a little odd.