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[BackToWork]

I recently applied for a local job which I am very well qualified and experienced for but did not even get an interview. I feel that it was one of those jobs that are advertised (because legally they have to be) with a person already in mind for the position. Is there any way I can check to find out if the person who got the job has a better CV than me? If not, then having to advertise jobs by law is a waste of time as it still doesn't stop nepotism.

Backtowork there's no law that says jobs must be advertised, although lots of organisations have internal policies saying all vacancies must be advertised.

What the law does say is that discrimination in recruitment is illegal. So if you feel you have been discriminated against because of your gender or religion, for example, then you can challenge the decision.

Do you feel you have suffered discrimination? Having a candidate already in mind and advertising only to meet a policy requirement is not illegal in itself, it would only be illegal if in the process, they had discriminated against someone in a protected group.

BackToWork - yes very disappointing for you. i suppose you could phone and ask why you were not shortlisted and interviewed

could be that there were
Many applicants and they were selecting a small number of candidates

Frankly it is unrealistic to expect to see the other candidate CV. privacy for that candidate would prevent it happening.what would the point be?

more productive to try get some feedback why they didn't select you
ask about your CV
Their specific requirements
ask for constructive feedback

Agree with scottishmummy. Try and get something positive out of this by asking for some constructive feedback. You don't mention why you are of the opinion that there was someone earmarked for the job, but getting some good feedback about how you matched up to their requirements regardless of that should be valuable for the future.

Thanks for your replies. The reason why I thought that it was a 'non job vacancy' is that it was only advertised in a local paper yet it was a professional job in a specialised field. It was on a similar level to a school teacher with a subject specialism, so not a job that would have a huge amount of qualified, experienced people in a small area. Not bothered that I didn't get the job, but expected to get an interview. Usually see simliar jobs in other areas advertised in the national professional journal and also I've had interviews for other jobs where my CV has been far less relevant.