Rejection letter despite exceeding advertised job criterion information

happenstance

I have just received a “…regret to inform you that you have not been shortlisted for interview…” letter from a semi-state organisation. The advertised post(s) in low/middle management in Community Development are the first externally advertised vacancies with this organisation for at least 8 years. I meet all of the essential and desirable criterion advertised: third level (BSc Hons, MA, H Dip & professional qualifications) 10+ years of experience in the area & extensive continuous professional development in the last 5 years).

In recent weeks I have heard that internal staff has been creating a furore since the post was advertised externally. They have threatened to involve their individual unions and to force a strike unless the vacancies are limited to internal staff only. I also know on sound authority that none of the said staff has availed of professional development. Indeed only one possible candidate has a primary degree in an unrelated area. My question basically is what should I do now? Can I request amended shortlist criteria under Freedom of Information? Can I ask for clarification re: the number of external candidates to be interviewed (if any) ? What should I do next? Solicitor or straight to National HR Director of the organisation?:mad:


Advice appreciated.

Stephen

Wow, talk about civil servants living up to their stereotype :rolleyes:

rediguana

That must be sickening. I have no useful advice for you but, as a perennial job-hunter myself, I freak out at advertised jobs where the position is already filled.

Fight your case. Good luck.

SerialComplaint

Is it possible that the reason you weren't short-listed is because there were other, better qualified/experienced applicants who were short-listed?

SoupyNorman

The whole 'obliged to advertise vacancies internally' is taken to another level in state/semi-state unionised companies. Nepotisim, length of service over merit exist and even in this age thats what will win over your qualifications and eagerness for the position.

There may be a leg to stand on in regards to your arguement but TBH the harder you put the squeeze on them the less likely it is they will hire you. Leave it be, move on. I was within a whisker of landing a super role with a semi-state body in the last 6 months. I Made it through 3 rounds of apptitude tests, preliminary interviews and final group work, presentation and direct interview. In my heart I Thought I had it.....got the "REGRET TO INFORM YOU...." Cut me bad but jeez am i glad i didnt get it as the job I landed is better by miles!!!

happenstance

SerialComplaint wrote:

Is it possible that the reason you weren't short-listed is because there were other, better qualified/experienced applicants who were short-listed?

In honesty I do not mind being overlooked provided the jobs go to the best candidates i.e on merit rather than a unionised culture of self entitlement or "seniority".

These individuals have access to myriad courses of external training/continuous development. Most seem to wallow in complacency and conceit.

parsi

bravestarr082 wrote:

The whole 'obliged to advertise vacancies internally' is taken to another level in state/semi-state unionised companies. Nepotisim, length of service over merit exist and even in this age thats what will win over your qualifications and eagerness for the position.

care to provide some concrete examples ?

parsi

OP - was this with a County Council ? Many years ago I got the impression that their jobs were advertised externally purely as a formality.

I also got the same impression from banks/financial services organisations which had strong unionisation.

the_syco

parsi wrote:

OP - was this with a County Council ? Many years ago I got the impression that their jobs were advertised externally purely as a formality.

Aye, by law, they must advertise all the jobs to Joe Public. The thing is, though, that if someone has been there 4 years, and is going for that promotion, they must still advertise that a job opedning is there, even if they have someone in mind for it, me thinks.

BostonB

bravestarr082 wrote:

The whole 'obliged to advertise vacancies internally' is taken to another level in state/semi-state unionised companies. Nepotisim, length of service over merit exist and even in this age thats what will win over your qualifications and eagerness for the position.....

I've seen the exact same thing in private non unionised companies. Jobs are advertised, but most people know exactly who is going to get it. Its not always best to give a job to the most highly qualified and experienced. Sometimes people who are overqualified get bored and move on faster. So sometimes it can work out better if you pick someone who can grow into a role, and will stay longer to gain experience. Also people who are already with a company a good length of time, are more likely to stay longer than someone new.

amtc

you can ask for feedback...but why go the legal route...what would it do for you?

maybe your cv - despite your qualification - isn't great?

Our man in Havana

There is nothing to stop them advertising a job externally to Joe Public and then binning all the CV s received externally and then proceed to hire the internal candidate. As said county councils do this all the time.

Eoin

parsi wrote:

care to provide some concrete examples ?

How is s/he supposed to do that? Trust me, it does exist.

happenstance

amtc wrote:

you can ask for feedback...but why go the legal route...what would it do for you?

maybe your cv - despite your qualification - isn't great?

As I'm a qualified Guidance Counsellor / Career specialist I doubt that my cv is inadequate.

happenstance

Bond-007 wrote:

There is nothing to stop them advertising a job externally to Joe Public and then binning all the CV s received externally and then proceed to hire the internal candidate. As said county councils do this all the time.

These posts are not with a County Council; they are with the national training authority. To return to my original question - can I request information of the amended shortlist criteria and specific detail relating to the number of external candidates to be interviewed?

Our man in Havana

I doubt they would entertain such a request.

Dudess

OP, maybe they consider you OVER-qualified?

Ginger

the_syco wrote:

Aye, by law, they must advertise all the jobs to Joe Public. The thing is, though, that if someone has been there 4 years, and is going for that promotion, they must still advertise that a job opedning is there, even if they have someone in mind for it, me thinks.

Depends on the job, if its a new position as in just created, its advertised internally and if not filled it goes external.. They dont have to advertise externally for all jobs.

Having just left public sector to go work in private sector, i was through the mill with job interviews, including one where I would be one of the few people qualified to go for a position but couldnt because it was newly created position and also i wasnt working in the organisation for 2 years.

Dont think you can request a shortlist of candidates, but you can ask what you failed on.. Or feedback on your interview if you got that far

Kali

amtc wrote:

you can ask for feedback...but why go the legal route...what would it do for you?

maybe your cv - despite your qualification - isn't great?

Exactly... or maybe they didn't hire you because you're the sort of person who looks to avenge every little rejection in their life... personality does play a part too not just experience. Seriously.. a solicitor? come on.

It's only a job, if you're that good go get another one... personally unless you have a more serious reason for being overlooked due to a physical disability/race/social upbringing etc. for which there may be a just excuse for legal action I just don't see the point, I mean do you think taking further action will get you the post?

Any company will choose internally if at all possible, even if they're a worse candidate on paper (and again a better CV doesn't mean you are more suitable)...
a) no recruitment fees.
b) no lengthy induction periods (especially apt in the civil service).
c) lower salaries.
d) no waiting for notice periods.

happenstance

Kali wrote:

Exactly... or maybe they didn't hire you because you're the sort of person who looks to avenge every little rejection in their life... personality does play a part too not just experience. Seriously.. a solicitor? come on.

It's only a job, if you're that good go get another one... personally unless you have a more serious reason for being overlooked due to a physical disability/race/social upbringing etc. for which there may be a just excuse for legal action I just don't see the point, I mean do you think taking further action will get you the post?

Kali wrote:

Perhaps I am being discriminated against because i'm British - from the Northern of Ireland. This might be an angle to test Equality legislation and to highlight "closed" recruitment and selection procedures. Thanks for that.:)

BostonB

I think you're reaching now.

AARRRGH

Kind of a funny topic.

I interview people. I was interviewing for a particular technical role. The applicant was Russian, had a PhD, and loads of experience.

He was by far the most qualified for the position.

However, his personality would not have worked in my team, and his interview did not impress me enough to "give him a chance".

People often think being "best qualified" for a role is the most important or only factor that should matter; in reality, it's one of the lower priorities.

happenstance: I would not hire you based on your posts in this topic. The fact that you even considered talking to a solicitor or that there is some kind of anti-British thing going on makes me think you could be an outrageously difficult employee.

Eoin

happenstance wrote:

As I'm a qualified Guidance Counsellor / Career specialist I doubt that my cv is inadequate.

Seriously? And you're here on the interweb asking strangers if you should sue because you're British?

copacetic

happenstance wrote:

As I'm a qualified Guidance Counsellor / Career specialist I doubt that my cv is inadequate.

if an ounce of the smirking "I'm better than everyone else" attitude you clearly have came across on your application they probably just refused you based on the personality disorder you seem to have. You seem to think the position was below you anyway so why the fuss on the old interweb?

miju

happenstance wrote:

Perhaps I am being discriminated against because i'm British - from the Northern of Ireland. This might be an angle to test Equality legislation and to highlight "closed" recruitment and selection procedures. Thanks for that.:)

i presume you are taking the piss here with that

Wishbone Ash

Kali wrote:

Any company will choose internally if at all possible, even if they're a worse candidate on paper (and again a better CV doesn't mean you are more suitable)...
a) no recruitment fees.
b) no lengthy induction periods (especially apt in the civil service).
c) lower salaries.
d) no waiting for notice periods.

....and most importantly - the internal candidate may have been in the position in an 'acting' role for some time and has proven to be very satisfactory.

happenstance wrote:

Perhaps I am being discriminated against because i'm British - from the Northern of Ireland. This might be an angle to test Equality legislation and to highlight "closed" recruitment and selection procedures. Thanks for that.

And you claim to be a qualified Career Guidance Counsellor!

*shakes head*