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.

It’s rude and unprofessional and I would write and tell them so even though I’m sure you no longer want to work for them
Something better will come along I’m sure x

Thanks everyone! Such a lovely supportive corner of Mumsnet.

After reading up on Glassdoor I’ve decided to stay away from this company. There’s too many red flags.

Wow, she sounds like a right card! She did you a HUGE favour x

Honestly, it may not feel like it now but this is the best thing to have happened x rubbish boss and low pay…. No good can come from that x

I hope she’s on here and recognises what a beep she is xx

Good Luck xx

Find the name of the managing director (and of the director of the regional HQ if it's a bigger company) and send them a copy of the letter you will send to people who interviewed you.
A "thank you letter" for making you aware before you even started that you would be wasting your time and energy in a company run by such incompetent people.
Knowing how they operate, you wouldn't want the job anyway, but that might shake them up a bit and even possibly make them start thinking.

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 😮

OMG I didn’t read your update before posting - ignore everything I said and go for it . Karma really is a bitch 😂

The other interviewer clearly was spoken to by HR and said he through you were a valuable asset and they needed to employ you. I think maybe consider doing the interview as it does sound like it could be a perfect job for you and keep you hand in / skill set a you are currently unemployed and you can look for further jobs in 12 months etc if it is bad.

I think its relevant actually, where its and employees market I would think someone who lived near by would be more likely to stay because of the convenience and potential boost to work life balance. I live 5 mins drive from work and its something that keeps me there for sure!

Sorry that happened. It'll probably all turn out for the best

But if it's a small field / pool of people, I'd be careful of badmouthing them. It doesn't reflect well on you. Better to maintain a dignified silence

I'd possibly still go for the new interview just to see what it's like but yes lots of red flags. As others have said they should consider it a bonus to find someone experienced who lives close by - they are more likely to stay.

Talented employees who are in demand know they have choices now. Being overly rigid about fulltime means they will lose out. (I know it's not always possible, but if it's hard to recruit businesses should consider it).

I would get In Touch with their head office and complain. Might not do much for u now but u should have a genuine apology for wasting ur time, ur money and bumping ur confidence. If anything it might make them advertise more truthfully in the future so it doesn't happen to anyone else. Good luck with ur job hunt and f them x

Hi, OP i agree, you dodged a bullet there. Imagine working for her!
You are getting interviews so you are definitely competitive.

I've always found that jobs that advertise a 'competitive salary' are paying minimum wage! Not sure what's competitive about it! 😂

Are you not tempted to attend an interview for the remote position and then walk out halfway through? 😉😁

Hi Op, similar thing except third stage they say they are not sure how I'd manage as a single parent as I could only work in the office till 4 daily but then work from home later. Waste of time really. I have a new role now where I'm wfh all the time, and I definitely put in very long hours. This current place turned out much better for me.

Bullet dodged there...

I was going to say that if you have niche experience then surely they would be better off with your experience for 4 days a week than no experience for 5 - it is incredibly short sighted. However, I read your update. I would definitely go for the interview, just sounds like the interviewer was shite.

That's a great outcome OP. Hope you get it. First thing I thought was Interviewer 2 was thinking 'Oh shit she knows more than I do' and was just looking for an excuse to make you go away. I'm much older and probably much more cynical than you.

Just came to say that after a few months of searching and failing in so many job applications and interviews (despite 10+ years of experience and generally being a good interview candidate), I recently landed the perfect job and I know there was a reason for all the rejections! They even hired me at 7 months pregnant and are being so flexible. So the right job is out there for you and this definitely doesn't sound like it would have been a good place to work if they don't even know their own job description.

They may have advertised “part time” considered for two reasons

1. Not to rule out a truly outstanding candidate, but would have to genuinely tick every box.
2. present themselves for board / shareholders / senior management that they were open to considering returners to work, parents with school pick up responsibilities, those needing reduced hours due to ill health - but had no intention of accepting part time

Sounds as if she was worried about the competition tbh. Women in those roles are still few and far between. I’d be tempted to write to the company (above her pay grade, assuming that she isn’t the CEO) and ask why they advertised for a role, specifying the possibility of part time, if they were not prepared to consider it anyway.
Light the fuse and watch the sparks

Disappointing to hear all these statements with misogynistic undertones about the women must have felt threatened or similar. Women can be impolite and handle things incorrectly without it being some sort of powerplay.

Wtaf

FGS - you assume she was worried about having a female colleague?!

Op, are you re entering the workplace after an extended period caring for children?

Personally I'd still go for the new interview and make your own opinion of the company, rather than relying on Glassdoor.

Very shoddy and unprofessional of them. HR often seems to stand for Human Remains ime.