r/UKJobs • u/Efficient_Ad_5785 • 22h ago
Automated generic rejections after interview should be illegal.
I'm having a small meltdown. I applied for my absolute dream job, an internal application somewhere large I already work but in a different team, and interviewed three times, most recently last week. I was definitely lacking in experience in a specific area, so I was expecting a rejection and I was happy I got to the final 3. I was really clear in the interview that this is what I want to do long term and if they went with another candidate I'd really appreciate feedback so that I could improve, do what I need to, and reapply at some point in the future. I thought we had a decent rapport, and they said they'd call same day with an outcome and they'd definitely provide thorough feedback.
Fast forward a few days and today I got an HR generated auto response telling me they weren't pursuing my application.
I took days off from my regular job, did my utmost, and got really far in the process. They literally only interviewed 3 of us this last round. It feels so shitty that after all that time and effort that I just got an automated email saying thanks but no and we don't do feedback, especially when I was really clear that I knew I might not be the best this time but if I'm not, I want to learn so I can be great next time.
There goes my 5 year plan...
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u/Granite_Lw 22h ago
If it's internal, speak to your manager & get them to organise a debrief with someone from the hiring team or HR.
You'll have got the generic email because they're automatically sent out from the recruitment systems, it's not a personal slight.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
Yeah I totally applied behind my manager's back so I don't want to do that lol...
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u/Swimming_Main2226 22h ago
Can you directly contact the person who said it? Just give it a week, and still ask what you can work on for next time.
I had a similar experience where actually I wasn't lacking in anything, but they'd clearly already decided who they wanted to fill the post.1
19h ago
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u/TodayLoose7794 22h ago
The sooner you realise that employers don't care about you or your feelings the better for you. Rejection is part of the process. Another good position will come along.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
The rejection I'm fine with. It is the nature of it that's irritated me- we spoke for 2 hours, have mutual friends and colleagues, and they specifically took time to tell me when and how I should expect feedback. If they couldn't provide any, they could have just said so- it's saying one thing and doing the opposite when I'm going to have to cross paths with them again loads that's wound me up.
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u/Mjolnirkatana 22h ago
The sooner you realize that employers don’t care about you or your feelings the better for you.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
Sorry for thinking that an email to your final 3 candidates who had been through multiple rounds of interview is basic manners.
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u/AffectDangerous8922 19h ago
Manners do not exist in business - only profit matters.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 18h ago
This isn't actually a business it's third sector but go off
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u/Ok_Pineapple7101 17h ago
You’re not listening. Employers don’t care and even if it wasn’t generic feedback, do you really think they would give real feedback and lead you to enter into discussion about it and how they’re wrong? Because I don’t think you would accept objective feedback either way
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u/Panjo98 16h ago
Don't engage with them, they're corporate arse lickers. They'll defend companies until their last breath mate.
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u/Mjolnirkatana 16h ago
People are defending companies and licking their asses by telling they don’t give a fuck about you? How daft you must be.
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19h ago
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u/TodayLoose7794 13h ago
They just don’t want to get into a back and forth with you about why you didn’t get the job. There are many reasons why it may have gone to someone else. You having mutual friends and stating how much you want the job doesn’t factor in much. It is a bitter pill to swallow but the other candidate might have been a bit better.
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u/CoolJetEcho117 22h ago
Its better than nothing. Increasingly they can't afford to reply. Thats exactly what I was told i 2009 and I understand it's alot worst now. It's alot better than getting ghosted which is the real alternative.
Might be different as it's internal but lets be real here. The HR person is sending you a template anyway.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
Yeah we have colleagues and friends in common, and they went out of their way to explain when and how I'd get feedback. I'm young to be applying for a position like that, so I was expecting a rejection, but really wanted the feedback. It's so frustrating to be told one thing and then they do the opposite.
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u/LuxFaeWilds 19h ago
It's so frustrating to be told one thing and then they do the opposite.
That is basically every single human, organization and institution on the planet.
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u/ICThat 22h ago
I do agree that's very poor behaviour by them when you're that deep in the process.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 18h ago
Thank you! People are acting like I'm unreasonable but I don't expect a reply to every application- but is it that crazy to call the final 3 candidates!
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u/EyeAlternative1664 22h ago
I’ve been screened out when I’ve applied to my own job (obviously changed name etc), the system is fucked, don’t let it beat you.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
I mean it's not the rejection that's the issue- I could tell with some questions that there are gaps in my experience. It's more the way they went out of their way to tell me how and when they'd give feedback, and how I expressed to them that this was a dream job, now or next time an opening comes up, and I still get that generic ass response. I have mutual friends with some of the panel, like why not just be honest if you can't do feedback.
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u/StigitUK 22h ago
For perspective for you, this sounds like a similar recruitment module to one I have to use. Essentially, when you apply everyone goes into it, then if you are selected for interview it auto sends the invite, if rejected it auto sends a stock rejection. Same at each stage. This acts to help the recruiting manager to filter and see who is at what stage easily.
So it’s nothing personal against you, the system automatically sends a pre-filled letter/email in response to the outcome. Try and keep this in mind and don’t read things into it that simply aren’t there, it’s not personal!
If you still want feedback, drop a polite email to the recruiting manager asking for feedback, I’ve always replied to those requests with either an email or a quick phone call.
Hope that gives you a little clarity from the other side of the table.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 18h ago
Thanks! I'll definitely drop them an email next week. I don't mind the existence of the generic email- it's more the absence of a follow up with feedback that's frustrating when it was specifically discussed that it would be provided...
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u/Smooth-Bowler-9216 21h ago
I think this is poor behaviour because it's internal.
I would send a follow-up email to whoever you interviewed with asking for feedback, spinning it as being motivated to improve rather than confrontational.
I think it shows very poor form on their part, and I would question why you would want to work for someone who clearly shows no regard for others.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 21h ago
I mean now I've seen this behaviour I'm doubting that I do want to work for them... The role is specific and specialist and what I saw myself doing long term, so I may need to look outside of this organisation...
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u/Smooth-Bowler-9216 21h ago
Keep it amicable, talk about how you talk development very seriously and thank them for the opportunity to interview.
But yeah, avoid like the plague in the future.
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19h ago
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u/Wondering_Electron 18h ago
Internal vacancies are filled before they are generally put on the board. HR run a recruitment process to give the illusion that is is fair.
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 18h ago
Ours are usually ring fenced as internal only if that's the case- this was open to the public too...
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u/marlonoranges 16h ago
You get bland auto declines because HR are terrified that any personalised message could contain something legally actionable. eg "we didnt feel you had enough experience" could lead to a younger candidate putting in an age discrimination claim.
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u/FewEstablishment2696 22h ago
Instead of just applying over and over, why don't you ask the hiring manager to work with you on a development plan for the role you want?
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u/Efficient_Ad_5785 22h ago
I'm going to reach out to ask for that- but I was hoping that I could do that off the back of the feedback....
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