Help I didn't even get an interview

[meaningofnight]

Just applied for a job in my field. Would have been sideways move for me. Slightly more money but less prestige. I fancied a change (been with my current employer for 10 years - but in a several roles in that time). Really felt I ticked all boxes (they wanted a manager, someone with experience in a heritage organisation, someone who can communicate well, someone who can organise exhibitions). Not only do I have experience of all that but in the past year I have had a book published and organised a successful touring exhibition as a freelancer, as well as the day job. Just get a letter saying I have not even got an interview.
Would it count against me that I have been at one organisation for most of my working life?

Could you approach the HR department and ask them for feedback on your application, explaining you were disappointed not to get an interview and want to improve your application for the next role you go for?

Good luck with the job hunting btw!

Thank you Blondie. I did think I might do that but felt a bit shy. I definitely will now.

Are you overqualified for the job? I would also seek some feedback about your application.

I wonder if they already had someone lined up and just had to go through the motions of advertising it if you see what i mean ...often seems to happen unfortunately. They may have just ranomly picked a few candidates that ticked the boxes for interview knowing full-well they were going to give it to an internal candidate? definitely ask for feedback!

Definitely phone for feedback - I did this recently after applying for a job that was basically my old job before I took time out to have my DS and failing to get an interview.

HR gave me a very vague answer about there not being enough info in the additional information part (they expect about 2 sides apparently ) but I know this is bullshit rubbish as ex-colleagues told me how applicants were scored according to experience and qualifications and I would have scored very high.

Reading between the lines , one of the shortlisters didn't read my form properly.

Anyway by phoning HR, as well as getting feedback they were also able to tell me about one of the posts being readvertised and invited me to re-apply.

Funnily enough that time I not only got offered an interview but was also offered the job!

So what I'm basically trying to say (in a long-wided way!) is phone them -you have nothing to lose but possibly everything to gain