Invite to interview/reference cock up - how do I respond?

[FTMF30]

I was recently invited to an interview for a job I applied for, which is great.

However, the email exchange inviting me to interview went like this:

Email received inviting me to interview, asking if I'm free on Tuesday.
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I reply saying yes but asking politely what time and approx. how long interview will last.
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I get a response basically saying they're figuring it out () and also asked if I could clarify my references as one of the email addresses I provided is wrong.
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I respond with correct email address but mention that I had ticked the box on the application form stating that I do not wish for my references to be contacted at this stage (i.e. prior to the interview even taking place). The correct email address is the one that I particularly don't want to be contacted as it's my current manager who didn't know I was job hunting. I asked if she had already been contacted.
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I get a weak email apology confirming my manager has been contacted. The excuse was that they didn't know I hadn't wanted this but they were acting on instruction of line manager. Whilst this could be the case, I'm still really annoyed.

How would you respond in a professional manner?

It's also worth mentioning there's been a number of red flags with this application process such as :

• there being an email address to contact if you have questions prior to applying. I sent an email and received no response after a number of days.

- the requirements for the role being rather excessive in comparison to a similar but more senior role advertised at the same place.

• typos in the email exchange.

I just don't know where to go from here. I want to be friendly and approachable but can't shake the fact that it's pretty unprofessional on their part. I can't even find the right words to avoid seeming cold but also being firm in the fact they've made quite a cock up. Why on earth would references be needed before a job offer anyway???

Anyone?

Would you want to work for this company?

I was going to ask the same thing. Red flags all over and that's just the application process

I don't think I'd want to work for this Company, no idea why they would contact for references before an interview, ive never known that before!

As above, withdraw you application and let them know why. If they are "at fault" so early in the process is this really a company you want to be part of? Two posts available, how big is the company; is it struggling?

The question is whether you want to work for this place or not - the way you respond if you want to be considered for the role is really different to how you respond if you don’t.

In my experience, if they can't manage the application procedure properly then walk away. I also have never heard of referees bring contacted prior to interview.

Well I suppose you're all right. I really shouldn't proceed with the application. I'm just really unhappy in my current role and need more money (this job pays a lot more but I suppose I'd be unhappy in this job too).

I think I would like to have the interview at least for practice. There's also the fact that the cat's out the bag with my current manager 🙃.

@Roystonv It's quite a large company. It seems these roles are new roles that have been created.

I have applied for quite a few jobs and have really put the work in to tailor them, so lets hope I'm presented with other options.

If you get invited go to the interview for the practice.
Could you use the fact your current manager now knows to start a conversation about improving your job, do they know you are unhappy (though understand they might not give a rat's arse). Good luck whatever.

I'm going to disagree. I've had the displeasure of dealing with completely useless HR departments in otherwise ok companies before. Yes they've fucked up and I would tell them in no uncertain terms that they must not contact your current manager and that you will supply the email address if offered the job. They might even be passing the buck about who allegedly asked for them to chase the reference.

But id go to the interview and see what the role is like.

Oh. Just noticed you gave them the email address for your current manager knowing they would contact them! Why?!

@JassyRadlett I do at least want an interview, which is why I'm finding it difficult to reply as I'm pretty pissed off that they contacted my current manager.

@Muggedoffa I didn't know they would be contacting my manager at this stage. The application form asks for references and there there is a little note saying something along the lines of "may we contact your referees at this stage of the application?". I ticked "no". When she said one of my referee's email was incorrect, that was for a previous job which I don't mind be contacted at any stage at all. Her pointing out the email was incorrect is what made me suspect she must have already contacted my current manager, which she admitted she did, if that all makes sense.

Depends if you want the job then go ahead (they have already contacted your current employer so nothing to lose there I guess!). HR function being a bit dozy isn’t necessarily a red flag for the whole job/ company Although extremely irritating !!

Aha yes it does make sense! Apologies op

@Muggedoffa No worries :).

I think I will go ahead with the interview at least.

Does anybody have any suggestion on how to reply to the email they've sent apologizing and confirming they have contacted my manager? I just can't seem to find the words without coming across as a bit frosty. I suppose it doesn't matter if I just want the interview and I'm no longer bothered about the job. Still, I want to put my best foot forward to get a clear assessment of how I fare in the interview. I keep typing a response and backspacing!

Hm tough one. I'd either not say anything at all or go with a short and sweet - 'I stated I did not want references being contacted prior to interview/offer. Please ensure you do not contact them again without my permission. Contacting my current manager without my knowledge has put me in a rather awkward position. Best wishes etc'

But they have already apologised...
Maybe leave it.
I'd be seething though op so understand!

I don't think I would mention it at this stage if I was still planning on going to the interview. If I was withdrawing my application, or only using the interview for practice I would mention it as part of the reason for my withdrawal iyswim.

As PP have said though, it might be just one slapdash member of staff in an otherwise good company so I wouldn't write them off just based on this.

@Muggedoffa @blusteryshowers Yes, you're both right. I'll not mention it and see how the interview goes.
I'm very much hoping I get at least one other interview sometime soon so that I have more options. It might just be one member of staff who's the problem but it has put my view of the organisation in a negative light.

Thanks for your replies all.

I do at least want an interview, which is why I'm finding it difficult to reply as I'm pretty pissed off that they contacted my current manager.

Yes in that case I’d ignore until after interview - recruitment may be the dysfunctional bit of an otherwise lovely team. You may get a fre at interview.

But then yes definitely let them know that using the information you provided in a way that you hadn’t consented to was not acceptable and put you in a very challenging position, and you would like an explanation and a copy of their data handling policies.

I would wonder if the interview would be a rubbish experience too. I had one memorable interview where all I was asked was why I had left different jobs (not a lot of jobs, and I'm an old bird, so entirely within the normal range) Just felt like I was defending stuff, and no opportunity to say what I could have brought to the role. So I suspect you could be wasting your time. Sorry.

How did they contact your manager if the email address was wrong?

@TurkeyTrot I gave two references (email addresses). The email address that was wrong was of a previous employer. Them mentioning the email was wrong was what made me think they will have contacted my other reference (current manager) too, which they had.

@SpongeBobJudgeyPants I'm going to the interview tomorrow for more interview experience to prepare me for the road ahead (hopefully more interviews for better jobs), so we'll see. I might have a story to tell.

I bypassed the major cock up and apology like some of you suggested. Let's see how much of a shit show it is tomorrow.

It's quite a nice feeling going to an interview when you're not desparately wanting the job.

Omg. That's an awful breach of your privacy.

We would be mortified if this had happened in our team. We've never got close to it happening though. We wouldn't ever contact referees unless a job offer had been made and provisionally accepted. You know full well what trouble it could cause a candidate. (Unless in education, which seems entirely different)

I think you're approaching it in the right frame of mind tomorrow. Hr might not reflect the rest of the business.

As a side note, if you do get in, do tell someone senior in hr that this happened. I'd want to know if it were my team. They need better controls.

It might be fine FTM, and i hope it is. Good luck, and come and tell us what happens!