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.

Oooops@Littleblackcatandabow just seen your 16:01 update - good call.

Loving the update 😂HR obviously are aware of this lady on some level!
I once had a gutting experience applying for a job that said they would consider part time and flexible working and being new to needing part time work I decided at the end to let them know what part time hours I was looking for. Such a big mistake. It was a total dream job for a me and such a great step up and the interview was going amazingly but their faces fell so visibly when I talked about part time hours (and no job offer) I vowed never to bring it up again until I was actually offered the job! I’m not sure that necessarily the best tactic but I really felt like I’d burned my bridges for no reason!

Gosh 36, not old. I got my highest paying job at 55.
Personally I find female interviewers more difficult. I am nearly 6ft and marmite. One even asked if my bag was fake, cheeky mare. However I am an expert in my field and my new female boss is lovely.
I would 'glassdoor' around disappointed and getting their requirements agreed before shortlisting. You are worth more.

Love the update - good luck.

Can you find the description referring to part time and screen grab it and email them with a complaint for wasting your time (and potential indirect discrimination)

What @Hollyhocksarenotmessy has put is excellent.

It's certainly a positive message to send.

Wow! What a waste of your time. I like your update and the decision not to work for them in the end. They don’t sound professional.

This has happened to me at nearly all my important interviews: university, professional exam interview. I've got in/ passed all of them. I think some people are just unintentionally funny. Maybe it was that?!

You’re definitely not too old, I have had those thoughts and feelings too, but after not having worked for several years and being a few years older than you and retraining in a competitive field that I love I have found, took about a year with bits a pieces in between. Try not to despair, it was definitely their mistake not yours, something better will come up and you’ll be glad this worked out this way. Yeah really unprofessional on their part.

I have had 3 big promotions in my 50s. You’re not ‘getting on a bit’ at 36, you’re barely getting started!

Im sure neither of you were being laughed at! Interviewing multiple applicants a long old process and in my experience the panel will quite often have a laugh and a joke between candidates. Obv I've not been on every panel ever but IME it's never been at the candidate. Not even one who was, frankly scary. He used an example of bullying a junior colleague as a competency!

I’ve been dismissed from an interview. It was for a medical advertising role. I’m a scientist with lots of experience in pharma.

they asked me lots of things about creativity. How do I display creativity? And I Just went blank. They asked about my clothes… well I was wearing a navy next suit so no creativity there.

they told me right away I wasn’t creative enough for advertising! That really stung! Went on tube and went shopping in London afterwards to soften the pain!

Actually, being located very close to the work place is a selling point particularly if there are limited parking spaces. It is definitely worth mentioning. I interview a lot and the candidates home location being close is a benefit to the employer especially with the increased petroleum costs.

Don't be disheartened. I struggled with jobs and respect in jobs until at the age of 42 I landed my ideal job where the pay and respect both boosted my confidence. It's never too late. Keep trying. Good luck

Sounds like she felt threatened by your experience and was made to interview you. Definitely dodged a bullet. Imagine working with someone like that

I'd be putting in a formal comment to the company's HR or Whieverbus responsible for recruitment would be in order. Totally wasted your valuable time!!

This is terrible behaviour by the prospective employer and if it’s written into an advert that part time will be considered and you don’t get the role purely on asking for 30 hours, you have a legal case as it’s discrimination.

Now, nobody would want a job working for someone who treated you in that way but I would ask them to confirm that you have been rejected based on your expectation that you could work 30 hrs a week based on their ad, rather than your actual competence and ability for the role and depending on how strongly you feel, you may have a case for compensation.

good luck, believe me this is old school behaviour and many employers are flexible and would be delighted with 30 hours a week from someone super competent.

36 is getting on a bit?

I am 36 and I think I am young

That’s awfull. Sounds like she was threatened by your experience, skills and knowledge tbh. Any exscuse to kick you out.

Sounds like you dodged a massive bullet.

Id highlight to their HE team, despite their endeavours to find the right candidate for the role, she sabotaged your interview and you were dismissed from it before you had the opportunity to present yourself. Extremely unprofessional, and that you WILL be leaving a review of your experience on glassdoor.

Maybe the interviewer was older than 36 and you unknowingly said something ageist.

they do sound awful though - you certainly dodged a bullet

Um. They rang her a couple of hours after and apologised. They offered her an interview for another job, remote working, the hours she wanted at higher pay.

But she's thinking of not doing the interview because she's read bad things from previous employees.

You could always try reading the ops updates. Just press 'see all' at the end of the opening post.

You are not old nor unemployable, but update your cv with some fake part time work that you are flung currently, I did this after 5 years of not working and having children, I could not get a job for over a year, so I changed my cv saying that I'm currently working for my sisters dancing school (with her knowledge) I didn't say she was my sister (obviously) but it worked. Within 2 weeks I'd had 2 reply and 1 Job offer. It doesn't matter if you say you're working 2 days a week, but computers throw out anyone that is not currently employed. Don't worry about getting into trouble for claiming out of work benefits, just tell them you desperately want to work and drastic measures were necessary, so you lied. Good luck, although you don't need it. Jenny.

Absolutely do not do this if you work in a sector which is subject to safer recruitment policies

Just want to say that I have interviewed people in the past for openings in our team and I would never ever would consider dismissed someone that way. Even if they secretly prefer someone full time I would be professional and finish the interview and consider all candidates based on their merits and experience and not availability.
I am also 36 And I consider I am absolutely employable.
you had a shitty experience, keep going, the right one will come.

you can also send a professiona letter to them explaining your dissapointment