Dismissed from interview - so humiliated

[Littleblackcatandabow]

So I applied for a job which was perfect for me. Very industry specific and I had my interview today.

The role had “part time would be considered” in the description and I applied. In my covering letter I explained that the role was ideal due to extremely specific experience and industry knowledge but is also perfect for me due to being a 5 min walk from home and I can commit to 30 hours a week. (Husband travels one day a week so I need to be around for school!)

In the interview I was told that they were flabbergasted when my CV landed on the desk because of my unusual experience in the industry. The admin manager then goes onto say that it’s a full time role only.

To which I said “oh but the advert said part time would be considered. I am looking for a 4 day week role”

One interviewer - he said they would come up with a solution
2nd interviewer - she said “No thank you. Full time only. It was lovely meeting you though, goodbye” and dismissed me.

I’m just looking for reassurance that this is an unusual experience? I came home and had a little cry. I’m getting on a bit (am 36) and worried I’m unemployable.

I was employed right up until March as I was made redundant.

That totally shit. On reflection I'm sure this is a blessing in disguise.

Sounds like you dodged a bullet there. How incredibly unprofessional of them.

It would have been rude and unnecessary even if they’d specified “full time only” but the fact they said part time would be considered AND you outlined your proposed working hours in the covering letter just makes them look totally ridiculous.

Also at 36 I don’t think you need to worry too much about getting on a bit 😂

Hope you’re ok. It’s them, not you.

They are the arseholes in this situation, not you.
They should be apologizing profusely for wasting your time.

I think it is unusual but if it's any consolation I went for an interview advertised as remote, the more senior of the interviewers denied this but then had disagreement with the other interviewer around much of the nature of the role. Very odd.

Thank you! So much.

My husband also said I dodged a bullet.

I think the chap who interviewed me was a little shocked at the woman dismissing me like that.

The salary was extremely low for the role too but I was willing to take the financial hit to continue working in the industry I love.

Need to dry my eyes and continue the job hunt!

Ooof! I would love an apology 😆 I’ll give it a few days then leave a review on Glassdoor

36 is nothing op when retirement age is 60s up to 70 these days, you’ve got a long working life ahead. Sorry my little rant there as fed up of seeing people saying their working life is over at 40/late 30s! Crazy talk.

What an odd interview, did she mean flabbergasted at your cv in a good way?

I agree with pp; bullet dodged, they sound wholly unprofessional.

I’m getting on a bit (am 36) and worried I’m unemployable. what? You're not thinking rationally.

They wasted your time, sounds like you dodged a bullet. They should have apologised profounsly for wasting your time by creating an in correct job description.

Yes i would. I mean they don't know what they are doing!

Yes that is unusual I would say. I'm sorry you had that experience (and I'm sorry you were made redundant previously as well). It sounds like it hasn't been the funnest year work-wise.

My gut says that whatever was going on there, it is not about you. My guess would be that there's some internal argy-bargy going on between two stakeholders regarding the job/candidate. It sounds like the second interviewer decided to cut short the interview in order to piss all over the first one's chips. They are power-playing with each other and you were the collateral damage.

Try to take some positives from this. You're getting interviews, and people want your industry-specific experience. 'Flabbergasted' is pretty unequivocal language so you must have a lot to offer.

Also sod off with 'getting on a bit' at 36 <<sobs in mid-40s>>

How awful of the interviewer to pretend it was full time only when it wasn’t advertised as such. Any humiliation is on them, not you.

At least you know your CV is impressive and can get you interviews. I agree you’ve dodged a bullet there and a better job will come along.

No I dont think that was very professional at all, I wonder if youd requested 300 hours over 5 days and not 4 if that would have made a difference, my old employer wouldnt employ people of 4 days due to customer needs

Incredibly unprofessional. This reflects badly on them and not you. If they can't even be bothered to be polite for a little while given that you have taken time out of your schedule to come over to their offices, they are really not going to be good employers.

I'd message their HR with the feedback tbh, it sounds ridiculous and potentially discriminatory if the ad said part time and they said different in the interview

Some companies advertise everything as being part time considered when it’s not always possible.

Usually best to wait till you’ve got the job before starting to talk about hours.

Wow, majorly unprofessional of them. I agree you dodged a bullet there & I'd agree with taking it further with HR if they have one, or at least a deserving review for their unprofessionalism

You’re all making me feel so much better!! Thank you!

Flabbergasted = good! There’s only 5 businesses like that in Devon and I worked for one of them for years and I know most of the industry professionals personally.

This does mean though, that I’m likely to be one of their clients in the future (they provide a service to other businesses!) which would be quite funny.

Sorry about calling myself old! I was told I’m an older applicant when applying for another role and took it as negative feedback. 😳

Or maybe it’s best for companies to be honest in their job adverts rather than advertising roles as part time when it’s not possible??

They have a very good HR department actually, so I’ll definitely give feedback.

I think Interviewer 1 may have been from HR.

I did ponder this afterwards, but she mentioned it and I felt like I should be honest since I mentioned it in the covering letter.

😳

I agree. And have changed it at every place I’ve worked.

Not only was it shitty behaviour towards you but undermining a colleague like that in front of an interviewee? Very professional 🤨

I'd complain to the MD and HR as that was really rude in an interview especially when they advertised it could be part time. Just saying thank you and goodbye did not make the person polite.

Ahhh that's happened to me. Applied for a job as an assistant buyer. Job description stated "competitive salary" but nothing else about the compensation. Showed up for the interview, the interviewer asked what my salary expectations were so I stated xyz. She looked at me all shocked and explained that it was an apprentice position paying apprentice wage and ended the interview there and then. It was very embarrassing and it sucked walking back out through the crowded office five minutes after I got there, but, two months later I was offered a brilliant job with a cracking wage.