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Original poster

Dismissed from interview - so humiliated

221 replies

Littleblackcatandabow · 13/07/2022 12:26

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.

OP posts:
cushioncovers · 13/07/2022 13:53

I'd give feedback to HR they were very unprofessional. Sounds like they have internal troubles so you are probably best out of it.

Headabovetheparakeet · 13/07/2022 14:10

I normally roll my eyes when people say that poor behaviour is down to jealousy but in this case, it sounds like she might have felt threatened by you.

If your skills are strong and you applied for a position below your level then it's possible you were actually more experienced than her. I used to work for a large company and I saw weak directors pass over the strongest candidates fir roles in their team because they didn't want to be challenged.

Soggycrisps · 14/07/2022 09:53

I think it's more like feeling threatened rather than jealousy. Like they are worried that you will do a better job than them. Or are pissed off theat they have not been allowed to do a 4 day week so don't want to entertain someone who wants that too.

SeasonFinale · 14/07/2022 10:02

I agree with the poster who says that the manager probably told HR they needed a new (position). HR probably wrote the ad with standard filler words and the manager/interviewer never even saw the ad. Reporting to HR probably won't have any effect whatsoever.

Imightbe · 14/07/2022 10:05

VegetablesAreMyFriends · 13/07/2022 12:43

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.

Absolutely this !

Whitehorsegirl · 14/07/2022 10:15

Incredibly unprofessional and should be reported to HR.

Those who are saying that this could be explained because the ad was put together by the HR team and the manager wanted something else: this is nonsense.

If you are a manager you still need to follow the organisation's overall recruitment policy, not make up your own. If an organisation has decided to offer part-time or job share options for all its roles to be more inclusive/flexible, then that's how it is. An individual manager does not get to rewrite the general policy.

The interview panel was unprofessional, they wasted your time and this should be fed back to the company. The panel represent the organisation while interviewing and their behaviour gave a really poor impression of the company.

TrashPandas · 14/07/2022 11:00

Hmm. I was once conducting an interview when the candidate said she neededat least two days working from home because of childcare responsibilities. At the time the company was completely against WFH and I knew from that moment we were never going to hire her. I carried on with the interview but was that really better than just saying ah I'm sorry, that won't be possible, thanks for coming in? It wasted all our time.

I get that it's different from the OP's situation because our advert DIDN'T say WFH would be possible. But the OP seems to be upset at the interview ending, not at the false advertising.

Original poster
Littleblackcatandabow · 14/07/2022 11:17

Little update from me.

I emailed HR and complained about the misleading job advert and commented that the interview was an unpleasant experience.

I also shared my experience with my friends in the industry as I was so utterly embarrassed by it all - they said “next time we need that particular service, we’ll go elsewhere”

So, the woman who dismissed me reflected so bad on the company she’s actually lost the business some work 😳

OP posts:
Original poster
Littleblackcatandabow · 14/07/2022 11:19

Sorry for any typos / grammar mistakes. My iPhone is struggling with the Mumsnet website!

Thank you everyone for your replies and insight. I feel so much better and less humiliated.

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 14/07/2022 11:28

Well done for feeding back to HR.

Annoyedwithmyself · 14/07/2022 11:30

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 13/07/2022 13:08

This is terrible, and I would go back to HR, but carefully to make your point but not burning your bridges.

Dear HR,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for x role. Unfortunately it turned out to be for full-time only and not suitable for me, so interviewer 2 concluded the interview early, but I would like to confirm that I am still interested in any future appropriate roles.'

Positive approach to sticking the boot in.

I once reluctantly interviewed for a role where I didn't think I had all the specialist skills necessary, but I was assured I was fine and they definitely wanted to see me. They asked a question on a specialist skill and I answered from my limited experience (which was very clear from my CV and application) , and one interviewer turned and rolled her eyes at the other. I wish I'd walked out.

Yes to this type of feedback. Let HR know what happened, but don't burn your bridges if relevant opportunities are limited locally. Is Glassdoor feedback public? If so, I probably wouldn't bother for this reason. I know your time was wasted and it was very rude but if it's such a small industry then I might bite my tongue.

Re being an 'older applicant', were you applying for a graduate level role? It might have been related to the average applicant for that particular job, not across the workforce! 36 is definitely not getting on! I hope not anyway!!

Annoyedwithmyself · 14/07/2022 11:30

Cross post

AllAboutMargot · 14/07/2022 11:37

I closed the door and started to walk away after what I thought was an okay, but uncomfortable, interview.
I'd taken three steps when I heard uproarious laughter and snorting from the room I'd just left!
I didn't get the job 😂

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 14/07/2022 11:50

Onwards and upwards, op! Flowers

TrailOfAbandonedPlanners · 14/07/2022 11:53

that is terrible. But also a very clear indication that you do not want to work there.

I’d email the recruitment people to feedback about the experience. The information that the advert said PT would be considered, but then you were treated like that at interview, suggests they need to figure out what went wrong and make changes to their processes. Presumably they want to be able to hire interesting, experienced people like you in future.

Greyarea12 · 14/07/2022 12:47

Honestly, I think you have also dodged a bullet there. Imagine working for her. I bet she is a nightmare and horrible to work for. I think this is a blessing in disguise.

SIUUU · 14/07/2022 12:56

Good news, you are not past it, you are still very young. The bad news, you might have another 36 years of working left!!

Do not get too downtrodden by this. You have dodged a bullet here and I am surprised by the woman's reaction. Keep on going. You will find the right job for you

saraclara · 14/07/2022 13:11

Only thing I would say is not to say that you are interested in a job as it is close to where you live
You need to focus on what you bring to the com an y and how you benefit them

I totally agree with that. You should never introduce personal elements into a covering letter. It's too open to misinterpretion. For instance:

I'm interested in the job because it's near my house = she's not actually committed to this job and our company. She just wants the job for convenience

I want part time because I have a young child = she's always going to put the child first and probably hasn't got much in the way of a support network if the kid's ill

pantsofshame · 14/07/2022 13:29

I'd consider this a lucky escape. I used to work for a large business that was very keen to advertise itself as progressive/family friendly/flexible but the expectations of those in charge of most of the staff were quite the opposite. I saw quite a few women recruited on the understanding that reduced hours/wfh etc would be fine then treated as uncommitted if they actually asked for it. The few people who were actually permitted to work part time hours on return from maternity were asked to confirm that they would be able to change their non-working day without notice if required so most of them ended up working almost full time hours for part time pay and having to pay for child care 5 days just in case it was needed.

Roselilly36 · 14/07/2022 13:34

That sounds a very unprofessional way for them to behave, they didn’t read your letter properly, and that’s on them. You were honest. No wonder you were upset, I would have been too. Their loss.

P205 · 14/07/2022 13:43

Dear HR,

*Thank you for the opportunity to interview for x role. Unfortunately it turned out to be for full-time only and not suitable for me, so interviewer 2 concluded the interview early, but I would like to confirm that I am still interested in any future appropriate roles.':

No way would I be interested in future roles there!

GreenWasTheColour · 14/07/2022 13:45

This exact thing happened to me too - I'd even rung them up in advance to clarify that part time was an option (very common in that job) In the interview thetly said full time only and went on to be very critical of me and my skills when dismissing me from the interview so it really wrecked my confidence. I remember shaking too much to drive away. I thought I had absolutely fucked it up and that maybe I wasn't as good at my job as I'd thought (contrary to all my previous appraisals).

But! It gave me the push I needed to get out of that career altogether and now I am in a totally different job, earning far more money doing something I love and am successful in and working flexibly with great colleagues. It's been incredible and it's all thanks to that soul-destroying interview.

Oh, and the HR person rang me a few months later inviting me to apply for the same role - the one they'd told me I wasn't good enough for. I took great pleasure in saying no thanks!

Hope it works out similarly for you, OP! When I look back, I'm so glad it was so dreadful and that I didn't get that job!

girlmom21 · 14/07/2022 13:50

I'm glad you've complained. She sounds like a right arsehole.

What was her position?

0blio · 14/07/2022 13:58

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

Good grief! I got my last job at 64 and a friend has just landed a new role at 68 - I think you have plenty more working years ahead of you OP.

Astrabees · 14/07/2022 14:27

Slightly different but in my 6 person office two of us must work full time 9-5 Monday to Friday. The role of the other 4 means that they can flex their hours quite considerably and none of them work full time or fixed hours. Over the years I've advertised the other 9-5 job several times. A few years back the hours were never questioned by any applicant. In the last 3 rounds of recruitment we have made it very clear this is not negotiable but on each and ever appointment the new member of staff has tried it on. The first wanted a later start, the second wanted a shorter lunch break and to go early and the most recent wanted 5 hours off on one working day. I work flat out anyway running the place and any time during the working week which is not covered by two of us simply means I have a lot of extra work. I really wish the people who weren't prepared to take the job on the terms it was offered and accepted wouldn't bother to apply in the first place