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Original poster

Job given to internal candidate?

64 replies

PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:00

Is there a way I can find out if this happened?

Applied for a job a couple of weeks before deadline. I was very well qualified for it and it was not widely advertised so I don't think there would have been loads of applicants. I didn't even get an interview and I'm a bit surprised!

Obviously there could have been several candidates better qualified but I doubt it. I'm now wondering if they already had an internal candidate in mind and maybe interviewed one person who wasn't much competition. Can that be how it works? Would I ever be able to find it out? I'm really gutted to be honest and would love to understand what went wrong. What can I do? (It was in a private school, not a teaching role).

OP posts:
Iudncuewbccgrcb · 04/05/2025 10:04

Do you know for certain the interviews have definitely happened already?

With all the changes with private schools currently it might be the budgets are being reviewed and they may have put a hold on recruitment.

Or of you are overqualified for the role perhaps they felt you would be too expensive to employ and wanted someone at the beginning of the payscale for now.

Hoppinggreen · 04/05/2025 10:06

I think you should just forget it and carry on looking for a job.
How would it help you to know?

BobbyBiscuits · 04/05/2025 10:12

There's no harm asking for feedback, but I don't think it's worth trying to catch them out for having an unfair recruitment process. Just focus on applying for more jobs.

Original poster
PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:15

Thanks for replying.

The interviews are next week so I would have thought they'd be in touch by now (closing date was 9am on 30th). The start date is 4th June which is a very tight turnaround on notice period. I had already handed my notice in, leaving at half term. I'm not desperate for a job as DH is the breadwinner, but this was really quite perfect!

I don't think it's pay as I'm on a very low wage currently. The job was only advertised at Easter so I would have thought they would know budgets by then but perhaps it's more disorganised than it looks.

I think I would just feel better if I had a reason because I'm wondering if it's because I'm old, or if my current job didn't give me a good reference as they don't want me to leave! Is it possible to ask for a reason from HR? I don't have a direct contact for the manager involved.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 04/05/2025 10:18

They wouldn't have seen references so it can't be that.
Do they know your age? It shouldn't be on your CV.
You could ask HR why you were not shortlisted for an interview but they are not obliged to answer, it's likely they will just say no or simply 'you didn't score as highly as other candidates' or similar. If you are really keen to know, I would send a very, very polite email asking to help you with any future job applications or skill development.

Namechanged4obviousreasons · 04/05/2025 10:19

You can ask for feedback from your application but they may not help or it might not give the information you require. You say you’ve already handed in your notice, so could this be a bit of a red flag to them? Most people only hand in their notice when they have another job lined up. Unless reasons are explained for doing this, I’d be thinking you’re not on good terms with your previous employer.

Hoppinggreen · 04/05/2025 10:24

They won't be able to tell you much if anything, especially that you were too old!
Its a shame OP and feedback is always helpful but they are under no obligation to provide it and probably won't be helpful anyway

overwork · 04/05/2025 10:26

I advertised a job recently. I closed it early as I received 100’s of applicants. It’s not particularly well paid nor overly exciting, I was gobsmacked at all the applicants. Many of them were AI written I believe. It meant that when shortlisting I could only offer interviews to the absolute best candidates, some of whom are far too qualified for it.

Mayflyoff · 04/05/2025 10:28

Not advertising widely is a string sign that they already had an internal applicant in mind. Some organisations have a policy of advertising all posts as some sort of fairness, but then do it lightly to get around their own policy when it suits them.

B1indEye · 04/05/2025 10:29

Years ago I applied for a non teaching job at a private school for which I was perfectly qualified, I didn't get an interview either and I assumed that there were other people with the same qualifications and experience and they made choices based on whatever criteria they identified, thats life

What kind of job would get references before decided to offer an interview, I e never heard of that, does that really happen?
,

rwalker · 04/05/2025 10:29

Your best off just asking for feedback on your interview
it’s not all a experience
personalities and how you fit with the team also sometimes they want someone who they can develop and train rather than experienced

Original poster
PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:33

BobbyBiscuits · 04/05/2025 10:12

There's no harm asking for feedback, but I don't think it's worth trying to catch them out for having an unfair recruitment process. Just focus on applying for more jobs.

I'm not trying to catch them out but I would like to know. Are they obliged to tell me? It would actually make me feel better, because it's knocked my confidence a bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:35

Regarding references before interview, it was a tickbox on the form to give permission for this so no idea if they did or not (they had plenty of time).

OP posts:
VivX · 04/05/2025 10:35

You could ask but I would not expect to give feedback on people who had not been shortlisted (not been longlisted if it was a 2 round process).

The standard reason is that there were other candidates who fit the role requirements or person specification better.

Original poster
PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:36

rwalker · 04/05/2025 10:29

Your best off just asking for feedback on your interview
it’s not all a experience
personalities and how you fit with the team also sometimes they want someone who they can develop and train rather than experienced

I didn't get an interview, that's the point. Post interview I could understand but didn't understand not even being interviewed.

OP posts:
FabuIous · 04/05/2025 10:38

To what degree was it not widely advertised?

My immediate thought would be that they had, say, four better experienced candidates apply that they selected to interview. Even if you are very well suited to the job, there may be others with more.

Hoppinggreen · 04/05/2025 10:41

PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:36

I didn't get an interview, that's the point. Post interview I could understand but didn't understand not even being interviewed.

Show quote history

They don't have to tell you anything
I appreciate its disappointing but there really is no point dwelling on it now

knitpicker · 04/05/2025 10:44

Did you hand in your notice in your current role before even being invited to interview? Surely that was a bit rash?

CassieAusten · 04/05/2025 10:46

B1indEye · 04/05/2025 10:29

Years ago I applied for a non teaching job at a private school for which I was perfectly qualified, I didn't get an interview either and I assumed that there were other people with the same qualifications and experience and they made choices based on whatever criteria they identified, thats life

What kind of job would get references before decided to offer an interview, I e never heard of that, does that really happen?
,

Schools do. It is standard to get references before interviews for those you shortlist - it is required for safeguarding.

EleanorReally · 04/05/2025 10:47

i have had a couple recently, i thought being in nhs, and job being advertised in nhs, i would be a shoe in, at least for an interview, was not to be.
plus they never responded to my request for information, which is a red flag i think

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 04/05/2025 10:49

Private school, non-teaching jobs are massively in demand, as the discount on schools fees can very easily be worth more than the salary itself. I doubt it didn’t have many applicants.

PersephoneSmith · 04/05/2025 10:52

Maybe you are just not as good as you think you are OP.
Last year I was ‘invited to apply’ for a job in my field. Told how wonderful they thought I was and how I would be the perfect fit and the application process was just a formality.
They got 400 applications and I didn’t even get an interview.
I was actually furious, still am. Nothing I can do about it obviously but I will never ever have any dealings with the company again.

ItsFineReally · 04/05/2025 10:52

I think it's worth asking if there was something which prevented you from getting an interview. Worst that happens is they don't respond and you're not in any different place than you are now.

I once applied for something and didn't get through to interview. I felt I should have and contacted the hiring manager directly. The initial assessment of applications was either outsourced or filtered through some form of automated process and the hiring manager not only agreed that my experience warranted an interview, but commented that my approach in contacting them demonstrated the kind of tenacity that would be required in the role.

B1indEye · 04/05/2025 10:53

CassieAusten · 04/05/2025 10:46

Schools do. It is standard to get references before interviews for those you shortlist - it is required for safeguarding.

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Maybe I've misread it but the OP want offered an interview, are you saying they take up references for everyone who applies or they use references as a decision making tool?

BobbyBiscuits · 04/05/2025 10:58

PrincessOfPreschool · 04/05/2025 10:33

I'm not trying to catch them out but I would like to know. Are they obliged to tell me? It would actually make me feel better, because it's knocked my confidence a bit.

Show quote history

I'm not sure if they are obliged to tell you exactly how many candidates they interviewed or who was appointed the job. It wasn't like you got to the last stage and prepared a big presentation then didn't hear back. I honestly think you'd be better off just moving on. If they did employ an internal candidate, what would/could you do about it anyway? Other than attempt to take them to a tribunal which could take years.