Getting a 'I regret to ...' letter before interview

icebergiceberg

Has anybody ever had the experience of getting a 'I regret to inform you but your recent ... has been unsuccessful ' before your scheduled interview date from an organisation previously known as a VEC?

aunt aggie

Im guessing someone has if you're posting the question. Very unprofessional of the VEC/ETB if its true. Did this happen recently? To someone you know directly?

seavill

Do you mean your recent interview or your recent application?

whiteandlight

icebergiceberg wrote: »

Has anybody ever had the experience of getting a 'I regret to inform you but your recent ... has been unsuccessful ' before your scheduled interview date from an organisation previously known as a VEC?

Does that ... have the word 'interview' or 'application'? Big difference between the two

icebergiceberg

aunt aggie wrote: »

Im guessing someone has if you're posting the question. Very unprofessional of the VEC/ETB if its true. Did this happen recently? To someone you know directly?

Many, many moons ago such a letter arrived a few days before the interview. It would have involved a lot of travel to get to it and it would have included an overnight stay for a 9 am interview or something like that. So it would have been an expensive interview. I did not go and I regret never taking action over it. I should have taken very serious action over it. What action, I don't know. But it was wrong what happened and I feel someone should have been accountable for it.

It leaves a bitter taste for everything about the 'VEC' and it stirs strong memories of cronyism.

Does this happen today?

seavill

I actually don't get what you are saying at all.

You got a rejection letter about an interview before you had the interview or you had a rejection letter for your application. You havnt clarified your opening post at all.
Without the clarification your 2nd post is even more confusing. For me anyway

spurious

Exactly how long ago did this happen?

icebergiceberg

seavill wrote: »

I actually don't get what you are saying at all.

You got a rejection letter about an interview before you had the interview or you had a rejection letter for your application. You havnt clarified your opening post at all.
Without the clarification your 2nd post is even more confusing. For me anyway

A few days before my interview for a job I got a letter from the VEC saying they regretted to inform me that my application was unsuccessful. Perhaps it also said something like 'Thank you for attending the interview ... but we rergret ...'.

I can not remember when exactly this happened but it would have been early 80s.

This, I think , is a standard letter given out to people who were unsuccessful after doing an interview for a job. I would have done many interviews and I would have received similar letters but I never received a letter thanking me for attending an interview before the actual interview itself.

The salient point I am making is that the VEC made a mistake and I wonder is such a thing happening today.

seavill

So at some stage in the 80s someone posted a letter by mistake that ' May' have had a typo in it.
Most likely they had 2 stock letters written up and sent you the wrong one. Anyway you want to know did this once off mistake happen since?

Where dies cronyism come into it?

TheDriver

Its not cronyism, that's when best candidate doesn't get the job. The situation above sounds like wrong letter....

icebergiceberg

seavill wrote: »

So at some stage in the 80s someone posted a letter by mistake that ' May' have had a typo in it.
Most likely they had 2 stock letters written up and sent you the wrong one. Anyway you want to know did this once off mistake happen since?

Where dies cronyism come into it?

I can not remember when exactly this happened but it would have been early 80s.

What 'typo' are you talking about? I said nothing about a typo. Do you not grasp what I am saying at all? Let's review, shall we?

1. Invited to attend an interview (ie For a job. With the VEC)
Ok so far?
2. Get a letter thanking me for attending but regret to say am unsuccessful.
3. This letter received before the interview itself.

Now. This is the next bit.

There are many who say that they go to interview for jobs with the VEC (ETB) and they feel that the job is in fact gone beforehand. That is exactly how I felt when I received that letter ie that the job had already been sorted out and thus the charge of cronyism.

However, if the 1-2-3 stage , as described above, is clear I am more interested, indeed ONLY interested in finding out to what extent this scenario (ie getting the aforementioned letter) happens today. Does it happen? How have people felt? What have they done? Do people feel this situation is actionable?

seavill

Ok so your tone towards me really does nothing to help the point you are trying to make.

Typo was probably the wrong word as explained better, they have 2 regret letters, one for application not successful, one for interview not successful, it would seem to me, and the other poster that responded above that you got the wrong letter.

There are jobs in every school type around the country that are already gone it is not unique to VEC schools, take for example permanent posts recently, the majority of those are going to someone that is in the school a particular amount of time, so the job is already gone, but legally the school has to still go through the process of interviews first. It's not their fault thats the law. I'm sure every principal in the country has better things to be doing than sitting at sham interviews. However attending these can still lead to other jobs, hours, etc. within the school if something cropped up and they had made a panel form the interview.

With 1-2-3 clarified in my opinion, I would suggest that a wrong letter can go out every now and then especially with the volumes of applications that schools get nowadays for even 7 hour jobs.

I don't see it as actionable, as explained, they legally have to interview, they may have made a mistake with which letter was sent out to you, you have no proof otherwise, it happend over 30 years ago.

Also just to clarify where some of the mixup came, you mentioned that "perhaps" the letter said whatever, I took this as you couldn't remember and you were guessing it may have said X.

TheDriver

I wouldn't say jobs are gone but if someone has already shown great promise by working in that school then they have the best chance. However they don't always get it. Remember that hours etc through subbing is what allows you make a name for yourself. That's not cronyism, that's a favorite in a race. Cronyism is giving my child the job unless a selection board that I have stepped away from deems them the best candidate

icebergiceberg

seavill wrote: »

Ok so your tone towards me really does nothing to help the point you are trying to make.

Typo was probably the wrong word as explained better, they have 2 regret letters, one for application not successful, one for interview not successful, it would seem to me, and the other poster that responded above that you got the wrong letter.

There are jobs in every school type around the country that are already gone it is not unique to VEC schools, take for example permanent posts recently, the majority of those are going to someone that is in the school a particular amount of time, so the job is already gone, but legally the school has to still go through the process of interviews first. It's not their fault thats the law. I'm sure every principal in the country has better things to be doing than sitting at sham interviews. However attending these can still lead to other jobs, hours, etc. within the school if something cropped up and they had made a panel form the interview.

With 1-2-3 clarified in my opinion, I would suggest that a wrong letter can go out every now and then especially with the volumes of applications that schools get nowadays for even 7 hour jobs.

I don't see it as actionable, as explained, they legally have to interview, they may have made a mistake with which letter was sent out to you, you have no proof otherwise, it happend over 30 years ago.

Also just to clarify where some of the mixup came, you mentioned that "perhaps" the letter said whatever, I took this as you couldn't remember and you were guessing it may have said X.

Thank you.

Another particularly galling aspect of this pathetic situation is the amount of expense involved in getting to interviews. Monies could have already have been spent on booking hotel/B&B etc. And then for a letter like that to arrive.
I wonder would VECs recompense travel/accommodation etc under those circumstances? Most of all I wonder has this scenario happened anyone else?
I doubt if that situation is actionable myself but it would be nice to make people pay for what I believe is cynicism.

spurious

This 'cronyism in VECs' nonsense is as tiresome as the 'easier for men to get jobs' rot.

icebergiceberg

spurious wrote: »

This 'cronyism in VECs' nonsense is as tiresome as the 'easier for men to get jobs' rot.

spurious !!!

The focus of this thread (as I requested above) is the experiences of anyone who may have received a letter similar to the aforementioned and what they actually did about it.

Cronyism - a vibrant, live and enduring malady in the VEC is not my main concern.

Thank you.

seavill

In fairness you brought up the word, there was no mention of it until your second post which you linked to your point about the letter, you can't blame people for discussing what you questioned yourself. You have it linked to the reason for your letter you can't have it both ways

icebergiceberg

seavill wrote: »

In fairness you brought up the word, there was no mention of it until your second post which you linked to your point about the letter, you can't blame people for discussing what you questioned yourself. You have it linked to the reason for your letter you can't have it both ways

I am not interested in discussing cronyism and have stated this very, very clearly indeed.
In fact I don't know how clearer I could have been.

I am sure if you or spurious or whoever wish to discuss that, then please feel free to start a new thread or check out previous ones and make a contribution there.

To repeat, yet again to the point of ad nauseum if you wish to discuss cronyism then please don't make a contribution to this thread-start your own and then maybe even I will join in myself. Wouldn't that be a treat!

But thanks seavill for your contribution. I have one eye on Brazil and England and Italy. And I am getting tired.

So, unless you have anything to say about the thread title ...

Pinkycharm

i guess it still happens... as in the job I am in now, I was sent a letter saying I was unsuccessful and then 3 days later sent a letter saying that I was successful. I rang and asked and they said that they had sent me the wrong letter first by accident.

I think the ETBs are a lot different now than what they were before though. In saying that, I do know people who have been on their panels 6 + years for Maths and Science and have never got a full time contract, just keep getting casual hours or maternity leaves and still havent got their own hours. Two of them are always interviewing and doing courses to upskill with both subjects.

I think they should give people a break after being on a panel 4+ years especially if subbing on contract regularly and should be given a few of their own hours in a school within the catchment.

seavill

icebergiceberg wrote: »

I am not interested in discussing cronyism and have stated this very, very clearly indeed.
In fact I don't know how clearer I could have been.

I am sure if you or spurious or whoever wish to discuss that, then please feel free to start a new thread or check out previous ones and make a contribution there.

To repeat, yet again to the point of ad nauseum if you wish to discuss cronyism then please don't make a contribution to this thread-start your own and then maybe even I will join in myself. Wouldn't that be a treat!

But thanks seavill for your contribution. I have one eye on Brazil and England and Italy. And I am getting tired.

So, unless you have anything to say about the thread title ...

Well no it wouldn't in all honesty but anyway

So we are now working on the theory that the case you refer to was not cronyism it was an incorrect letter which was sent to you.

You are asking does this happen regularly? The two cases mentioned here tonight are the first two I have head of.

Are you looking to discuss jobs that are most likely already gone and interviews for the sake of them or is it only how often people get wrong letters you are looking to talk about?

icebergiceberg

Pinkycharm wrote: »

i guess it still happens... as in the job I am in now, I was sent a letter saying I was unsuccessful and then 3 days later sent a letter saying that I was successful. I rang and asked and they said that they had sent me the wrong letter first by accident.

I think the ETBs are a lot different now than what they were before though. In saying that, I do know people who have been on their panels 6 + years for Maths and Science and have never got a full time contract, just keep getting casual hours or maternity leaves and still havent got their own hours. Two of them are always interviewing and doing courses to upskill with both subjects.

I think they should give people a break after being on a panel 4+ years especially if subbing on contract regularly and should be given a few of their own hours in a school within the catchment.

I am sure you were glad to get the second letter. I simply think it is not good enough that this kind of thing can happen. You could have made a life changing and wrong decision immediately when you got the first letter and all because of a mistake.

I wonder has the opposite occurred? First a congratulatory letter quickly followed by 'we are sorry but you didn't get the job after all' one.

evolving_doors

MOD WARNING:

Hey there folks... it's ultimately up to the OP whether to answer or clarify if they feel the need. If not then let the thread run its course...

I've deleted the spat and will continue to do so ..

Feel free to use the ignore function (just click on the username on the left).

Or the report function ...

seavill

Just to explain to the OP those questions I posed were genuine based on some confusion, I had been posting from my phone all evening while at other things, and your 2nd post threw off my line of thinking all along, following a read back over the thread on the computer its a lot clearer now.
As I said originally those questions were genuine I wasn't trying to troll as you referred to. I may have been in many interesting exchanges here but have yet to be accused of trolling.

As I said the two cases mentioned here by you and one other poster are the only two cases I have head of that happening, I would imagine it happens every so often now more so than before with the amount of people applying for every job currently.

However the flip side of that is I can also see how it can easily happen.

Do you think youseulf there is a lot people can do about it if they receive a letter by mistake - I couldn't see what you could do a mistake is a mistake, however as you pointed out the consequences could be serious at times, but still can't see what actions could be taken about it

Pinkycharm

seavill wrote: »

Just to explain to the OP those questions I posed were genuine based on some confusion, I had been posting from my phone all evening while at other things, and your 2nd post threw off my line of thinking all along, following a read back over the thread on the computer its a lot clearer now.
As I said originally those questions were genuine I wasn't trying to troll as you referred to. I may have been in many interesting exchanges here but have yet to be accused of trolling.

As I said the two cases mentioned here by you and one other poster are the only two cases I have head of that happening, I would imagine it happens every so often now more so than before with the amount of people applying for every job currently.

However the flip side of that is I can also see how it can easily happen.

Do you think youseulf there is a lot people can do about it if they receive a letter by mistake - I couldn't see what you could do a mistake is a mistake, however as you pointed out the consequences could be serious at times, but still can't see what actions could be taken about it

I don't think there is much anyone can do. In my case, I was applying for so many jobs at the time, I didnt really think about the rejection letter, I just threw it in the pile but it just confused me because I came home to the successful letter after doing a brilliant interview for another school. That's the only reason that made me call them back, and I thought they had sent me that letter in error.

implausible

I once applied for a job and when I rang up trying to clarify interview days, they informed me that the job was gone, even though the interviews could not possibly have taken place in the timeframe. It's the system that's at fault. A school might be delighted with the teacher they have in situ and yet are obliged to advertise the position. Some get as far as holding the interviews and in this case, even that didn't happen. Another interview I did, I knew for a fact that the job was gone, but I did get second on the panel and the position I hold today.

It's not cronyism, simply a school trying to hold onto the person they have.

If it happened in the 80's I'd have let it go by now.

2mature

I had a job interview for post in ETB in Cork last week. My interview was Thursday at 15.00. I had a regret to inform you letter i my door at Friday at 08.00 ....
very efficient or something else....

Crazyteacher

All they had to do was add your name to the template letter and pop it in an envelope. If they had it in the post by 5, nothing wrong there. Where you the last one interviewed?

2mature

They didnt say to be honest. Ah yes definitely not saying it was gone before I interviewed , just putting it out there as a personal experence

TheDriver

That sounds efficient, you were probably the last in the day and they made last post.......all easy with mail merge..

Crazyteacher

I think that sounds ok , I'd be more concerned if you received a rejection before you were interviewed

icebergiceberg

Crazyteacher wrote: »

I think that sounds ok , I'd be more concerned if you received a rejection before you were interviewed

what would you do if you received such a letter?

TheDriver

icebergiceberg wrote: »

what would you do if you received such a letter?

icebergiceberg: Can I clarify what you hope to achieve because this incident happened in the early 80s which is about 30 years ago. Whoever made the error is probably retired by now and files are well gone I would think. Its a long time to be mulling over this error??

icebergiceberg

TheDriver wrote: »

icebergiceberg: Can I clarify what you hope to achieve because this incident happened in the early 80s which is about 30 years ago. Whoever made the error is probably retired by now and files are well gone I would think. Its a long time to be mulling over this error??

clarification? Sure. Previous poster expressed concern if someone received such a letter as discussed above. I queried what same poster would do if he/she received such a letter.

So to answer your specific question what i hope to achieve: to generate some discussion around this from people who may have experienced this or who would like to discuss this situation. If people have no experience of this or have no interest in this, then please ignore.

thank you TheDriver

spurious

Gone as far as we sensibly can with this one I think. Thread closed.