advice after job rejection

[mozzamo]

Hi, looking for a bit of advice. I applied for a part time job in an area I'm really interested in a few weeks ago and I thought was perfect for, in terms of skills and experience. I was delighted when I passed the various stages and got a date for interview. I prepared well in advance and felt quite confident on the day. I was there in good time but I was kept waiting half an hour after my time slot - I was able to see the candidates who were in before and after me - this really put me off. Anyway, interview itself was v. formal with lots of set questions (competency based) but I felt I did well and only stumbled over one question. Almost 2 weeks later and they finally told me I hadn't got the job but had been placed on a reserve list. This the second time I have applied for this job and the second time I've done an interview and been placed on a reserve list.
Am v. disappointed and annoyed. Want to request some feedback but also want to complain about 1: being kept waiting before interview and 2: having to wait 2 weeks for a decision.
Don't know whether to complain as worried I might sound 'whingey'.
Anyone else had similar situation?

I would definitely not complain about either being kept waiting or having to wait two weeks for a decision (unless you were told you would definitely be told by a date before then), particularly if you are looking for some detailed feedback from the interview.

If the delay was not even mentioned or apologised for, that is pretty poor form but interviews can run late for all kinds of reasons. Interviewers may be called away for emergencies, unexpected conference calls, previous interviewees may turn up late or refuse to stop talking - all kinds of things. I'm not sure why seeing the candidates before or after you is relevant to anything, presumably even if you had gone in for interview on time you would have seen them anyway?

Two weeks is quite a long time to wait for an answer but the company may have had a sign-off process to go through, they may have offered the position to someone who asked for a weekend to think it over, they might have been super-cautious and not contacted people on the reserve list until they had a signed contract from the new employee, etc.

I think you run the risk of sounding whingey and if you think it is likely that you might apply for another position in this company, then I would let these incidents slide. On the other hand, you may decide that this is indicative of the company culture and that perhaps it is not somewhere you would be happy after all!

Thanks for your reply, you're probably right that I shouldn't complain - when I got the rejection letter my reaction was more hurt than anything else. Getting feedback will be useful whereas complaining won't work in my favour in the future.