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.

@Astrabees does the role actually need to be a 9-5 or are you just set in your ways?

I ask because I recently left a role where I did a bloody good job because they claimed flexibility wasn't possible despite me proving that it was. I also turned down a huge payrise to stay with the same company for the same reason.

Twats!
Why put it in the advert then? Idiots. What a waste of your time.

@Astrabees that sounds stressful! I don’t even bother applying for FT roles because I know I can’t commit

Hi @saraclara upthread I mentioned that I wrote it was near home in my covering letter because the job is in a weird location where they have limited car parking spaces and it stated in the job advert that this has to be a consideration (I.e please use the park and ride)

so it was relevant to this particular job application 😊

@GreenWasTheColour sounds like a very similar experience to me! Loving the happy outcome

Thread update: HR phoned me up and apologised and said they have a fully REMOTE job that’s suitable for me (more pay!) in another office up country. No travel required & I wouldn’t be dealing with the woman who interviewed me. But in the overall company hierarchy I would be more senior than her! If I’m interested I can have an interview via Teams next week 😮

GO FOR THE INTERVIEW!!! That sounds amazing!

HR phoned me up and apologised and said they have a fully REMOTE job that’s suitable for me (more pay!) in another office up country. No travel required & I wouldn’t be dealing with the woman who interviewed me. But in the overall company hierarchy I would be more senior than her! If I’m interested I can have an interview via Teams next week

The interviewer should not have terminated the interview like that. It was rude. But HR told you that you wouldn't be dealing with the woman and you'd be senior to her, so completely undermined their own employee? That is even more unprofessional than the interviewer. What is this company? NoddyPLC or something.

NoddyPLC?
Still go for the interview though.

Thread update: HR phoned me up and apologised and said they have a fully REMOTE job that’s suitable for me (more pay!) in another office up country. No travel required & I wouldn’t be dealing with the woman who interviewed me. But in the overall company hierarchy I would be more senior than her! If I’m interested I can have an interview via Teams next week

Go for it.
Sounds like HR know her well.

Karma!

Yes it is very unprofessional of them - as they were clear in their advert and you were clear in your application. They should not have wasted your time inviting you to an interview. As you said in your update, every job interview is an advertisement for the business.

Let us know when you hear from HR. They should be very grovelly. I would be so embarrassed if anyone in my organisation did this.

Thread update: HR phoned me up and apologised and said they have a fully REMOTE job that’s suitable for me (more pay!) in another office up country. No travel required & I wouldn’t be dealing with the woman who interviewed me. But in the overall company hierarchy I would be more senior than her! If I’m interested I can have an interview via Teams next week 😮

But, is 4 days a week an option? 😁

Sounds like it's a role worth looking at in more detail.

I wouldn't give them a poor review on glassdoor OP. It's close to your home, it's your line of work - they may soften or dragon teeth may leave and you be back in!

They are time waster, good riddance.

She's already been offered a different at job at the company.

That's amazing!!!

As others have said, you've definitely dodged a bullet. Who on earth would speak like that?

Excellent outcome

That's great that you've got an interview for the other position!

I'd be on full alert for red flags though. Partly because the company has already shown itself to be disorganised and unprofessional, and partly because so many people have taken 'fully remote' positions post covid and then suddenly been expected to go in when the company decide thats not how they want to operate after all.

Amazing outcome in the end! Definitely go for that interview.

Sounds like to me that this woman may be known in the company for similar incidents. Why else would they tell you that this role would make you more senior than her?

Haha. Brilliant outcome!
Let us know how you get on.

Good luck with the interview!

You have dodged a bullet there honestly they’re better things are in the universe for you

I wouldn't give them any feedback or write any ingratiating letters about how you'd like to be considered for another role, they don't deserve wasting any more time on them. I'd be giving feedback to family and friends though.

Well done on being offered another role - I'd definitely be interviewing them to make sure they were not massive twats like the other woman though.

Seems highly unprofessional (and lazy) to me to interview someone without having seen and approved the job advert! Is “standard filler” non-HR speak for legal obligations?

The fact that they wouldn't even consider part time indicates to me that it lacks flexibility, I'm guessing they are the sort of employer who couldn't deal with a parent needing time off

Thread update: HR phoned me up and apologised and said they have a fully REMOTE job that’s suitable for me (more pay!) in another office up country. No travel required & I wouldn’t be dealing with the woman who interviewed me. But in the overall company hierarchy I would be more senior than her! If I’m interested I can have an interview via Teams next week

Nice outcome if it suits you and is part-time.

When I read your original post, I thought you were perhaps more experienced than the role's spec and they would worry you would leave and/or gain seniority quickly and be a threat to the interviewer.

Totally unprofessional of them to 'dismiss' you from the interview. As you say, if its a small industry and you will be in contact with them again in some form or another, any humiliation is theirs to bear.