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Original poster

Rejection call

43 replies

Quangoquandry · 16/02/2022 15:43

How common is it to receive a call to let you know you have been rejected from a role? I assumed that generally a rejection is done by email but I have received a call this morning letting me know I was unsuccessful and they would keep me appraised of further opportunities that may arise.
I know nobody can tell me if they were genuine or not, but I got the feeling they did want to hire me and they genuinely may wish to employ me in another role and that's why I was called rather than emailed.

OP posts:
FloBot7 · 20/02/2022 23:17

I've only had rejection calls from the NHS (who also offer feedback there and then if you want it) and agencies. I've never had a rejection from any other type of company.

Original poster
Quangoquandry · 20/02/2022 23:32

@CanorCanelloni

I normally don't hear back when it's a rejection Sad

Did you interview for a civil service job by any chance? Is it common to bring a presentation to the interview?

No, not Civil Service. Presentations are certainly becoming more common in my line of work though, and seem to be very common in middle management positions and upward.

I've gotten to where I am from being in the right place at the right time and the only perceivable person to take on the role, so having to do an interview and presentation was very nerve wracking.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 21/02/2022 00:24

@CJat10

My worst interview experience was seeing a friend walk in as I sat in the waiting area. She rang later and told me she had the job. I received no notification from the interviewers. Civil service!!
I walked out of a band 6 interview this week to find the team leader from a job I had just left a few weeks ago waiting to be interviewed. I was shocked because I knew him well as a colleague and knew he did not have half the essential requirements for the job and most importantly very little Nhs experience. Turned out one of the interview panel had sent his an email advertising / telling him about the job. I would have been gutted if he had got it. neither of us did in the end.
Bunnycat101 · 21/02/2022 07:57

I call for successful and email for unsuccessful with the offer of a call for feedback. I used to call for everyone but actually I think it’s a bit cruel and many people need the time to process the rejection. I stopped doing it after I had a few candidates cry at the immediacy of it. They were much more composed a few days later when we did feedback calls.

Babyroobs · 21/02/2022 08:12

@Bunnycat101

I call for successful and email for unsuccessful with the offer of a call for feedback. I used to call for everyone but actually I think it’s a bit cruel and many people need the time to process the rejection. I stopped doing it after I had a few candidates cry at the immediacy of it. They were much more composed a few days later when we did feedback calls.
Absolutely agree with this.
Original poster
Quangoquandry · 21/02/2022 12:46

@Bunnycat101

I call for successful and email for unsuccessful with the offer of a call for feedback. I used to call for everyone but actually I think it’s a bit cruel and many people need the time to process the rejection. I stopped doing it after I had a few candidates cry at the immediacy of it. They were much more composed a few days later when we did feedback calls.
I'd much rather this was the case in my situation. I was in the office when I got the call so spent the majority of it putting my mask and coat on and going outside so I wasn't able to fully concentrate on what was being said. I emailed in the evening and asked for feedback if possible if there was anything from any of the 3 interview pannel, but omitted that I was in the office and unable to give my full attention during our 2 minute call. Nothing back and this was nearly a week ago so think I need to cut my losses. It's a shame as its an area I am very passionate and highly experienced in but one person has a dislike for me for no real reason so a number of doors are now closed.
OP posts:
NewsABC · 21/02/2022 15:20

It's a shame as its an area I am very passionate and highly experienced in but one person has a dislike for me for no real reason so a number of doors are now closed.

So sorry hear this, you sound competent and passionate and the right opportunity will come your way. It's a gruesome process isn't it? It would be much better if there were more updates as we al just have to hang in there and wait when or if we hear anything after the interview. If you feel like you can share, what is it that you are interested in professionally?

Original poster
Quangoquandry · 21/02/2022 19:08

@NewsABC

It's a shame as its an area I am very passionate and highly experienced in but one person has a dislike for me for no real reason so a number of doors are now closed.

So sorry hear this, you sound competent and passionate and the right opportunity will come your way. It's a gruesome process isn't it? It would be much better if there were more updates as we al just have to hang in there and wait when or if we hear anything after the interview. If you feel like you can share, what is it that you are interested in professionally?

Thank you, I really hope it does as my current role doesn't excite me any longer.
It's so tedious, the interview went so well and I'd discussed my concerns about not having previous experience of one small part of the role prior to the interview and was told not to be put off by that and to then receive the call was really quite demoralising as that small part of the role was cited as being part of the reason. I am confident it was a coverup though and the employers client has vetoed their proposal to hire me.
I am going to take it as far as I can though.
Without giving too much away, it is agriculture.

OP posts:
Teeheehee1579 · 21/02/2022 19:15

I know it doesn’t answer your OP but I have only ever been called to be offered and role and emailed to be rejected. I would absolutely hate to be called with a rejection - I don’t know why this would be company policy for anyone it seems cruel. Email with offer of a call fair enough.

LIZS · 21/02/2022 19:18

Depends how many they interviewed. If just a few then probably more common.

GreenClock · 21/02/2022 19:25

I’d rather be rejected by email or letter than by phone. But I also appreciate how hard it must be to make these calls so I respect the HR/hiring managers who do so.

AlexaShutUp · 21/02/2022 19:32

If someone has taken the time to apply for a role and then attend an interview, quite often with a presentation or something to prepare as well, I think the least I can do to phone them with an outcome and offer them some feedback if they want it. Yes, I'm really busy and no, I don't really have time, but it's just common courtesy imo.

I wouldn't encourage someone to apply for other roles at the organisation if I didn't genuinely mean it though. I wouldn't want to waste their time further or ours.

AlexaShutUp · 21/02/2022 19:34

@Teeheehee1579

I know it doesn’t answer your OP but I have only ever been called to be offered and role and emailed to be rejected. I would absolutely hate to be called with a rejection - I don’t know why this would be company policy for anyone it seems cruel. Email with offer of a call fair enough.
Interesting to know that some people would prefer an email. Would it make any difference if you were told beforehand that you would be called either way?

If I can't get hold of the candidate by phone, then I send an email with an offer of a phone call for feedback, but I would usually try to call first.

AlexaShutUp · 21/02/2022 19:38

@HunterHearstHelmsley

My organisation do rejection calls. I hate having to make them 😭 I think most people expect a call will be good news and you can hear the disappointment.
This can be preempted by explaining at interview that all candidates will get a call with the outcome, successful or otherwise. We always make this clear.
Taswama · 21/02/2022 19:40

Last time I interviewed it was very close. I called both as I wanted to tell the one who didn't get it that it was very close and not to be put off applying again. I looked her up when we had another vacancy in the team a few months later, but she'd already got another job by then.

FloBot7 · 21/02/2022 19:48

Interesting to know that some people would prefer an email. Would it make any difference if you were told beforehand that you would be called either way?

I mentioned up thread that I had only received rejection calls from the NHS. They told me they'd be calling either way and it did make a difference because I didn't assume it was an offer when I saw the number. It was really useful to get their feedback because they took me through each question and what was missing in a lot of detail. They wouldn't have been able to do that in an email as it would turn into an essay. I quickly typed up the feedback myself and have it saved in emails to help in the future.

AlexaShutUp · 21/02/2022 20:43

@FloBot7

Interesting to know that some people would prefer an email. Would it make any difference if you were told beforehand that you would be called either way?

I mentioned up thread that I had only received rejection calls from the NHS. They told me they'd be calling either way and it did make a difference because I didn't assume it was an offer when I saw the number. It was really useful to get their feedback because they took me through each question and what was missing in a lot of detail. They wouldn't have been able to do that in an email as it would turn into an essay. I quickly typed up the feedback myself and have it saved in emails to help in the future.

Thanks, that's helpful.

We always tell candidates at interview that we will call them with the outcome either way, precisely because we don't want them to get their hopes up when they get the call.

I have generally found that people tend to respond really well to these calls. They seem grateful for the constructive feedback and I've never had anyone cry on me yet. I do try to find positive things to say as well as any feedback on stuff they might need to work on.

Trolleedollee · 21/02/2022 20:57

I’ve only had rejection calls twice. Both times were very senior roles and I genuinely believe that it was a very close call and they wanted to express that. All others have been emails. I prefer email.

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