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Original poster

How to word reconsider letter?

24 replies

Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 14:16

I was offered the perfect part time job, near home,great hours and term time. I couldn't start on the start date, I explained my husband was extremely ill and I needed two weeks max. They said no they will readvertise the job. Today I saw it advertised any tips for writing a reconsider letter for the job? Any tips much appreciated!!Flowers

OP posts:
HairyScaryMonster · 12/01/2022 14:45

That's the most bonkers thing! They won't have recruited someone else in 2 weeks??

HairyScaryMonster · 12/01/2022 14:45

To be honest my instinct is you've dodged a bullet, inflexible, unreasonable, uncaring.

Hugasauras · 12/01/2022 15:01

So instead of waiting two weeks they decided to go through the whole process again? Confused That's bonkers and I'm not sure I'd want to work there! Some people have 3-month notice periods or more!

girlmom21 · 12/01/2022 15:05

It depends - when did you tell them you couldn't start? Did you wait til the start date?

Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 17:40

Basically 3 days before start date but I had absolutely no choice as husband was so ill.....I had met everyone etc.....I am thinking I have got nothing to lose but not sure how to word it? I don't want to beg but I really want this ideal job....

OP posts:
hopeishere · 12/01/2022 17:57

Are you in a position to start now? How much time has elapsed since you turned it down?

Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 18:03

I can start in 1- 2 weeks time,1 week has elapsed so farFlowers

OP posts:
thinkfast · 12/01/2022 18:05

Was your husband's illness a one off or is he perhaps disabled? If the latter this might be discrimination on their part?

Are you sure you want to work there?

Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 18:22

My husband's surgery was cancelled he was due to have it before Xmas but was still really ill he is having it in a couple of days.....I really want this job , yesFlowers

OP posts:
hopeishere · 12/01/2022 18:40

Can you give us the full timeline? It seems mad on their part to do this!

girlmom21 · 12/01/2022 18:57

@Trinidading3

I can start in 1- 2 weeks time,1 week has elapsed so farFlowers
But originally you told them you needed 2 weeks max. 1 weeks already passed but now you're saying you need up to another two weeks.

When did you know about the surgery, when did you get offered the job and was it supposed to be an immediate start?

Did you tell them at the point of interview about the potential surgery and that you'd need time off?

ChicCroissant · 12/01/2022 19:01

I am wondering when it was first advertised and when you were interviewed, it might have been a while ago.

Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 19:23

Surgery was due on 17th Dec cancelled and happening tomorrow....due to start on 4th Jan......can now start in 1-2 weeks time. Just saw job stating start date Feb or sooner .....any advice on letter to send....

OP posts:
Winniemarysarah · 12/01/2022 19:26

It’s unfair but you can imagine an employer being wary of hiring someone who immediately asks to put their start date back by 2 weeks as they have to take care of a seriously ill partner. They may be thinking that you’re going to be taking lots of time off

Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 19:28

Interviewed 14th Dec due to start 4th Jan...... readvertised today they now say need some for Feb or sooner...Flowers

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 12/01/2022 19:35

Honestly I wouldn't bother. I regularly recruit and if I'd offered you a job to start in the new year - 2 weeks later - and you contacted me on the bank holiday weekend saying you wouldn't be starting for another 2 (now longer) weeks because of an operation you'd already been aware of I would withdraw your offer too.

You've proven yourself to be unreliable. Sorry.

raabbgghhrbb123 · 12/01/2022 19:52

Is the application just a covering letter? if so i wouldn't mention i applied before even if its not anonymous, just sell your skills and abilities again.

Hoppinggreen · 12/01/2022 20:03

I suppose you haven’t got anything to lose but it’s pretty unlikely they will consider you

spongedog · 12/01/2022 20:07

@girlmom21

Honestly I wouldn't bother. I regularly recruit and if I'd offered you a job to start in the new year - 2 weeks later - and you contacted me on the bank holiday weekend saying you wouldn't be starting for another 2 (now longer) weeks because of an operation you'd already been aware of I would withdraw your offer too.

You've proven yourself to be unreliable. Sorry.

I agree with this I'm afraid. Sorry.
wildseas · 12/01/2022 20:14

Is there a closing date on the advert? If not you risk losing it but . . .

I think your best chance here is to wait until you can literally start straight away (ie husband has had his op and is recovered enough to be left) and then write saying:

  • You have seen that they have re-advertised and that you would like to re-apply for the position (attaching all their application stuff)
  • Explain that you had previously been offered the position; that your husband had had to have one-off serious surgery at the worst possible time and so you had been unable to start on time but is now recovered and better.
  • Acknowledge that you have inconvenienced them, apologise.
  • Explain that if you were successful you would be available to start immediately.
Original poster
Trinidading3 · 12/01/2022 21:23

Thanks for advice, will do....do you think I should attached screen shot of surgery dates so that they can see I wasn't messing them about? I am a very optimistic person and really thought my husband would be well recovered as surgery was due on 17th December.....the advert says Feb start date but no actual day mentioned ( e.g 5th 20th etc)
I have had a tour and met everyone and the second interviewer kept telling everyone how lovely I am..... Flowers

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 12/01/2022 21:38

No you shouldn’t attach screenshots, they will think you are a bit nuts.
Look OP, I really think that you have lost this job now unfortunately. Of course it won’t hurt to email but please don’t get your hopes up.
I hope your DHs Op goes well and he recovers quickly

ChicCroissant · 12/01/2022 22:56

If the surgery was due 3 days after the interview, it's not clear why you didn't tell them earlier that you couldn't take the job at that time but waited until January to let them know after the surgery was cancelled. I think that's going to be the issue especially if you now say you still need at least one more week.

Hope your DH's recovery from surgery is going well OP Flowers

lechatnoir · 12/01/2022 23:06

I'm a bit confused -on 17th when surgery didn't go ahead were you then given the new surgery date of 13th Jan and if so why didn't you tell your new employer then rather than waiting until 1st Jan (which is no good to anyone) or were you still expecting/hoping it would happen?

Either way you've nothing to lose by asking but think it's highly unlikely they'll still want you

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