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Original poster

So confused why I didn't get an interview

31 replies

Digdeep79 · 04/09/2018 15:24

Hi
I'm so disappointed at not being offered an interview for an ideal post for me. I don't understand it at all as I genuinely meet all the criteria and even have a Masters in the subject and years of experience. I have asked for feedback (it's within a council) but they said it can take 2 weeks and the lady I spoke to in HR seemed to think I was full of myself for questioning it (I really am so not full of myself but am so interested to know)

It was an interview that I was so sure I'd get that I'd booked the afternoon off work!!

Was I wrong to ask for feedback? I feel really dejected and like giving up!!!

OP posts:
itbemay · 04/09/2018 15:25

You are not wrong to ask for feedback, maybe they had already earmarked an internal candidate, there could be lots of reasons. Don’t give up hope but I would chase for feedback. Flowers

Fatted · 04/09/2018 15:28

I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for feedback. It will help you with future applications. It may simply be that your application was not well enough written and did not go into specific enough detail in relation your skills and experience.

Personally, I think it's very naive of you to think that you were guaranteed an interview and to book the afternoon off!

KIMv · 04/09/2018 15:31

Is it possible that everyone who applied also had a masters but possibly lots more experience? That one in HR sounds like a bit of a wagon so maybe you're better off not working there

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 04/09/2018 15:36

It is absolutely acceptable to request feedback, the response you got tells you all you need to know about their recruitment procedures.
If it’s a council there’s a good chance it was earmarked for an internal candidate from the get go.

TroubledLichen · 04/09/2018 15:37

Internal candidate, you applied after they’d already made their shortlist for interview, someone you know works there and discounted your application for personal reasons, everyone else applying had the comparable qualifications to you but more experience, they think you have too much experience/are over qualified and you’d want more money then they’re willing to pay... could be anything really, don’t beat yourself up about it!

Noqont · 04/09/2018 15:39

Why on earth would you be full of yourself for asking? It's normal to ask for feedback.

KIMv · 04/09/2018 15:39

Oh or it could be one of these where they have to be seen to be advertising the job externally but they already know they'll be choosing internally (they're just not allowed to admit it)

Ginmakesitallok · 04/09/2018 15:40

Did you need a masters and years of experience for the job. I've just shortlisted for a job with us and am not interviewing a couple of people who are way over qualified for the job and wouldn't stay with us 5 minutes

AnnieOH1 · 04/09/2018 15:49

Perhaps there was just such a slew of candidates for the role that they've been very selective about which candidates to interview. Perhaps a couple stood out so much that that's all they're interviewing. Perhaps there was something in your CV they don't like. Perhaps even there's someone there who knows you who doesn't want you both working there.

To be perfectly honest if a candidate called into me demanding to know why they hadn't been invited to interview even if I thought they were stellar I would reject them outright.

justcontemplatingsomething · 04/09/2018 15:54

Definitely make sure you get feedback. It's rare not to get an interview if you genuinely meet all the essential criteria (and spelled that out for them in the application/CV). If there think they have too many after shortlisting then they can shortlist based on the desirable criteria. Did you meet those too?

Gettingbackonmyfeet · 04/09/2018 15:54

It's not unreasonable to ask as long as you were polite and not entitled when asking.

Big difference between " would it be possible for some feedback as to why I was not shortlisted to support my job search" and " why on earth did I not get an interview I was clearly qualified and I want an explanation "

I agree with internal or overqualified,I was being refused interviews for jobs two rungs below my pay grade and I understand why...I actually was intending to stay long term but I accept they couldn't have known that

ShalomJackie · 04/09/2018 16:47

I recently read a cv of an applicant with a Masters who had experience but the CV was littered with typos. As the job required attention to detail (and said so in the job description) the applicant didn't make the shortlist.

Have someone look at yours to see if it as good as it can be.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 04/09/2018 17:16

Would you really, Annie? You don’t think that given that someone has taken the trouble to respond to the job advert and look for feedback as to why it didn’t hit the mark, you might just spare the minute bit of time required to treat them with dignity?
That says a lot about you too.
Interviews are a two way process.

CanYouHearThePeopleSing · 04/09/2018 17:31

I once didn't get interviewed for a job I was convinced I was PERFECT for. It was also for a council. When I asked (nicely) for feedback, they said they were looking for someone with public sector experience. It hadn't said that anywhere on the job spec or advert, and I had only worked in the private sector and a stint being self employed.
It was annoying that they hadn't mentioned it on the ad, but even if they had, I'd probably still have applied on the off chance!

pombal · 04/09/2018 17:37

My money would be on internal candidate and they had to be seen as advertising it externally.

I used to work for the NHS and this happened. We were only allowed to promote internally for a certain amount of positions
After that we had to advertise externally and interview candidates even though we knew full well the post was going to an internal candidate.

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 04/09/2018 17:38

Thanks, I certainly haven't demanded to know why I didn't get an interview, far from it! I just said I was really disappointed and would really appreciate some feedback.

I'll let you know when I find out.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 04/09/2018 17:40

I think it is fine to ask where the gaps in your CV are so you can address them for future applications.

AnnieOH1 · 04/09/2018 19:15

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar - Yes I would if someone called that soon after applying. If they'd left it perhaps a month or 6 weeks (and had no other contact that put them in a positive light) absolutely wouldn't consider them. I read it that the OP had applied and within a fortnight made assumptions that they weren't being considered and hadn't got an interview. So no I wouldn't consider someone like that because I would always be worried about how they would then interact within the business.

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 04/09/2018 19:34

Annie - I responded and asked for feedback when I received an email to say I hadn't been shortlisted. I was not aggressive in anyway, I said I was disappointed and would really appreciate some feedback. I cannot see how this could be viewed as bad?

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 04/09/2018 19:52

The reluctance to provide feedback may just be down to the sheer volume of c.v.'s received. I was hiring for a role and I received 150+ applications (in 48 hours!). No way would I have time (or inclination) to provide feedback on why I didn't shortlist the majority for interview.

If you get to interview and aren't successful then I always provide feedback. But for an unsuccessful c.v./application that doesn't make the interview shortlist, no way.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 04/09/2018 20:09

I don't give feedback for CV applicants that are rejected for an interview. On average 99 people apply for every 1 job so I couldn't invest the time.

Justabouthadituptohere · 04/09/2018 20:12

With council applications there is a real skill to applying. E.g for each question on the application form answering with a competency and talking very much about what YOU did. So no airy fairy answers very detailed competency based answers. Do you think it was that? As practically the masters wouldn’t matter. Once the minimum education was ticked for other candidates

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 04/09/2018 20:17

I am starting to wonder if that's what it is in some way Justabout. The masters however is very relevant as it's in Social Work and this is a very related role. I have read my application over and over and no grammatical errors etc. A few times I have said I've done this or that but not evidenced it. But I have evidenced the majority of things.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 04/09/2018 22:22

dig deep - there must be something wrong with your application letter.

If no-one else offer, you're welcome to send it to me, my role has previously been in health recruitment, but someone more qualified than me may be willing to look over it. It may just be long, or not long enough.too educationally based for social work or not enough.

My nephew was out of work following his degree for years and wafter a few tweaks he got a really good job.

I think its very difficult to put down on paper who you actually are and what you can offer.

Justabouthadituptohere · 05/09/2018 06:46

So the application will be point scored against the answers. Other people may have just got the hang of filling in application forms for council roles - evidencing is crucial.