No-one got the job

[GuinnessMK]

Saw a job advertised, filled in the application form, must have passed that, did two online aptitude / reasoning tests, passed them and invited to interview, along with 8 (?) other candidates (read the visitors signing in book ).

Just had an email, 5 weeks after the interview, informing me that I didn't get the position. Fair enough. But the email said that they didn't hire anyone.

For some reason this has hit me harder than having someone else beat me to a position.

Seems slightly weird, given the state of the jobs market, the number of candidates and the selection process itself?

[Gargamel]

Happens sometimes.

Budget for the headcount disappears or as happens here sometimes, if you seem to be managing without the person in place for a while, then your boss might decide you didn't really need them in the first place.



Appreciate it is frustrating and annoying.

[N Dentressangle]

Maybe they didn't interview anyone they thought was suitable?

It's a lot easier and cheaper not to appoint and to re-advertise than it is to deal with the fallout from the appointment of the wrong candidate.

[mondeoman]

All of the above: it happens sometimes.

[rog007]

Not uncommon at all. But from a learning experience for the future; have you asked for specific feedback?
Good luck!

[TIGA84]

Happens almost daily with one of my clients, the amount of roles that are shortlisted and interviewed without offer is extremely high. I have one role that has been released 6 times without hire. I gave up after 3 goes.....

Honestly, don't fret over it.

[rj1986]

happened to me twice in 6 months.
One was after they said they would sort out the contracts and get back to me.

[Huntsman]

I went to an all day assessment for a job, lots of tests and interviews plus a presentation, four candidates, they have run the day twice and not offered anyone the job. I think it must be relatively common.

[andy-xr]

Employers being too scared to take a risk, I saw a thing on LinkedIn that Starbucks had a guy in over 16 times before making him an offer

[98elise]

Happened to me once. 3 roles, 6 of us got through to the second round. The second round was a presentation, and I've got to be one of the few people that actually likes doing them!

After the presentation they even took the time to go for a coffee with me, and explained how the 3rd round was a formality of meeting the boss to see if your face would fit.

None of us got through to the 3rd round!

I put that down to poor advertising/recruitment. If they are getting candidates and the best 6 don't fit, then they are pitching it wrong.

Edited by 98elise on Friday 10th May 08:55

[mikR]

That's the problem when HR think "they are the company"

[djt100]

Company going through the motions only to promote / reorganize internally, I've seen this first hand at an old company.

[mondeoman]

Or sales don't meet expectations, job gets put on hold.

[WhereamI]

Hmm, all the fault of the company, HR gone mad, sales fallen off,...

The possibility that nobody they interviewed was what they wanted is most likely.

As an employer this is the one time you have the freedom to just make an offer to someone you aren't sure of, try them for a month or two then get rid if it doesn't work out. But that would be a real bd thing to do to the person who has left another job for the new role. Better to not offer if you aren't reasonably sure.

[b16a2_VTi]

Happened to me recently.

[GuinnessMK]

Ok, time for a bit of an update / more detail.

Firstly, I'm not trying to blame anyone. I realise that if my performance on the day, or my experience isn't right, I'm not going to get the job. It just seemed strange to me that after such a selection process, no-one was offered the job.

Anyway, they have now re-advertised the position. I know it's not a case of the order not coming (they have an XX year long programme which is centrally funded), and I know it's not a case of internal re-organisation or internal promotion (I have a mate who works in the exact department, in the exact same role who pointed me in the direction of the job in the first place). He and I have VERY similar qualifications, but I never mentioned him in the application process, preferring to be appointed on my own merit!?

Turns out my own merit wasn't enough!!

Anyway, time to let it lie and keep looking.

[Countdown]

WhereamI said:

The possibility that nobody they interviewed was what they wanted is most likely.

As an employer this is the one time you have the freedom to just make an offer to someone you aren't sure of, try them for a month or two then get rid if it doesn't work out. But that would be a real bd thing to do to the person who has left another job for the new role. Better to not offer if you aren't reasonably sure.

That is spot on and especially if it's a relatively senior role.

A senior role is, by definition, more important and better paid. If the appointee turns out to be rubbish they will have a bigger impact on the organisation and also less likely to move on.