Rant: ever get passed up for a job that you were the best candidate for?

[DWW]

I just got off the phone with HR for the perfect job that I applied to (entry-level admin work w/ kickass pay). I had properly followed up on the phone and called back, really courteous and still got dogged even for an -interview-. Apparently interviews already happened (in between the two calls I made a week apart). I mean at least let me make it to the first round...

Sure it happens all the time but here is the kicker: when I asked, they said "you can count the applicants on less than two hands". I know I had more things going for me than the other applicants...(perfect 4.0 college GPA, met and exceeded the job requirements as posted, had an -outstanding- reference from my last boss, who is, incidentally THEIR boss, had all my certifications current)

It leaves me thinking that they already had it planned who was going to work there for them :frown:
Ah so unfair but what can you do?

Remember kids: its not what you know, but who you blow!

 

[BlueWeasel]

I had an interview with TVA to work as a structural engineer at the Browns Ferry (near Athens, AL)nuclear plant. It basically came down to me and another guy based on what the HR told me.

I had no idea of the creditials of the other guy, but it was just a job that I felt I was the best candidate.

In the end, I think it came down to me being a Mississippi State graduate who'd be working in "Roll Tide" territory, and the other guy happened to be a Alabama graduate. :|

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: DWW
Remember kids: its not what you know, but who you blow!

So very true...

 

[pulse8]

If you never interviewed, how do you know you were the best candidate?

 

[Orsorum]

The market is cruel sometimes, but many times a position choice is arbitrary. I dated a girl in high school who idolized this teacher she'd done job-shadowing work for; she often complained that this woman had applied for a job in our school district (a much more highly regarded district than she was currently in), and that she'd gotten passed over because there was some sort of conspiracy against her or something.

Brought it up with my mom once, a woman who's been teaching for forty years and who's hired countless teachers, administrators, etc., and she almost laughed - countless times, choices have to be made between equally qualified applicants, and sometimes it often comes down to the flip of a coin. Very rarely does it come down to a conspiracy.

Never assume something when you don't know the full story, unless you know who the other applicants are and their experience, education etc.

Cheers!
Nate

 

[Fritzo]

Yep, then I had to help the person that got the job do it because they didn't know what they were doing. THEN I had to watch that person get the "Good Job!" pats on the back from afar...ahhh, office life

 

[DWW]

Originally posted by: pulse8
If you never interviewed, how do you know you were the best candidate?

Trust me on this... I live in a small city of 15,000 and there are probably next to none in IT, majority of it is retirement and the others are just lots of crazies/crack addicts on wellfare. I had many more things going for me than I posted but wanted to remain somewhat anonymous

Just trust me... I know the current team in there and if it is any reflection its totally fixed.

 

[vi edit]

Yep, but both times I ended up getting hired because the person that beat me out either quit or was fired.

Made more money than the initial time around too.

 

[DWW]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
The market is cruel sometimes, but many times a position choice is arbitrary. I dated a girl in high school who idolized this teacher she'd done job-shadowing work for; she often complained that this woman had applied for a job in our school district (a much more highly regarded district than she was currently in), and that she'd gotten passed over because there was some sort of conspiracy against her or something.

Brought it up with my mom once, a woman who's been teaching for forty years and who's hired countless teachers, administrators, etc., and she almost laughed - countless times, choices have to be made between equally qualified applicants, and sometimes it often comes down to the flip of a coin. Very rarely does it come down to a conspiracy.

Never assume something when you don't know the full story, unless you know who the other applicants are and their experience, education etc.

Cheers!
Nate

I know what you are saying--believe me, but you just have to trust me on this one. Something was fishy from the start. Because its a gov office they (legally?) have to make it available to all.... it wasn't even posted in the paper. The one stoner in IT I know is a total bum and is high 24/7 at work. How did he get the job? His father is a "whos who". One of the other guys is total paper cert style and doesn't know much--I've talked to him before and questioned him about the setup and basically got a "uhhh thats xxxx job not mine" and didn't take an interest in the place. There are some more other, obvious, things but I want to remain anonymous because they, being in IT, might surf ATOT all day

 

[DWW]

The job begins in July and less than 12 people applied. Being the slow place it is (they were watching TV when I talked to them in HR) I'm sure they had nothing else to do. So what was the rush that wouldn't let me even get an interview, a call or a letter (as is custom for this place to do--send a letter if you aren't needed). I had to call them myself to finally beat it out of them.

 

[slycat]

on the other hand..there's people like me...
i applied for some work at a law firm and after 2weeks, 2 interviews, got hired.

later the hr guy told me they had 94 resumes.

 

[Raj]

My friend who was working for an IT company was hiring two MCSE positions, they got 300 resumes.

job market's tough these days. too many overqualified people without work.

not ur fault.

 

[thomsbrain]

i've been having trouble finding work as a street bum. i'm super qualified: psychopathic, dirty, unpredictable, alcoholic, and a 4-time felon, but every place i apply says i'm unfit for the job and suggests working for the government instead.

 

[Yax]

I'm over qualified to work for the DMV and I don't even know what they do in that office.