The first interview was way back in November, and I didn't really do much to prepare properly for the position. I used it as a learning curve, and was a little disappointed but pushed on because I assumed I'd get heaps more interviews as the months went on. I was wrong.
The second interview was last month, and I was one of 12 people being interviewed. Thankfully not at the same time. Though I did get the dud appointment time of 6.30pm, after 11 people had already been interviewed. And they didn't interview me for very long. I thought it went well, but found out about 2 weeks later (well I clearly knew before then) that I was unsuccessful through an email attachment that was very 'for the masses'. I put that behind me, as I realised that I definitely didn't want to work for an unprofessional organisation. Moving right along...
This week I had a couple of missed calls and an email (after 5pm) requesting an interview. I called up the next day and set an interview time for the day after in the afternoon. Later that same day I received a call saying that they'd liked the person they interviewed that day and therefore the position has been filled. And my interview was cancelled. Shattered. Now I was being rejected before they'd even had the chance to meet me. Isn't the whole point of interviews to create a short-list and then meet all the potential candidates and then decide? The worst bit is it was the perfect job for me. An entry level position in a sport organisation. I'm still getting over this one, but am realising that it wasn't meant to be.
Over the last few months I have received the same rejection letter with slight variations. Sometimes I'd rather that they just said, "um, actually no thanks, you sound crap!". It would be refreshing at least!
Through my many rejection letters, and seeing how companies deal with potential employees I sort of feel as if I need to try and move into HR to teach people how to write a rejection letter, and how to let people down. Or maybe I should just send them all emails. With the following tips:
- DO SEND A LETTER. It is so much better when companies actually take the small amount of time it takes to send out a letter. It will make us both feel better.
- Don't tell me that "on this occasion [I] have been unsuccessful". EVERY single rejection letter I have received has said this. Get creative!
- Don't tell me that my application "was of a high standard". I bet you didn't even read it so you wouldn't really know if it was or not. Plus, I bet you get heaps of shite applications, so maybe you should say something more constructive like - work on your spelling/self. lol
- If 400 people applied for the position, tell me! Knock me down with statistics!
- Do not wait 3 weeks after the application deadline to tell me I've been unsuccessful. Because I clearly know that. If you've ruled me out from the start, then just send me a rejection email asap.
- Do not attach a rejection letter file to the email you send me. This has happened to me twice. Both times there has been no subject/body, just the attachment. I don't even want to open the attachment, because I know what is coming. This is the worst way to do it for sure. I took a lot of time an effort to apply for this position, the least you can do is say Dear Rebecca, Ctrl+V. It's really not that hard. And it's so much nicer.
- Do not say that you "were impressed with [my] qualifications and experience to date". It's quite clear you weren't, otherwise you would have interviewed me!!!!
- Don't say you'll keep my details on file when you're never going to use them again
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