Are you sure you want to reject me?
February 1, 2016 4:28 PM Subscribe
Should I contact the person who interviewed me for a job about a form rejection letter I received?
A friend is trying to help me out of a bad job situation and to that end, gave my resume to an acquaintance of hers that has a position open. My resume switched hands on Friday 1/22. On Monday 1/25 I applied to the position through the (large) company's career website. On Friday 1/29 I had an interview with the friend's acquaintance.
This morning I sent a follow up thank you email to the interviewer. I received an out of office auto response, saying they should be back in the office tomorrow. After I sent that, I noticed I had an email from Sunday 1/31 which was a form rejection from the careers website saying they had candidates whose qualifications better match the position.
I'm really hoping the interviewer sends a response to my email from this morning so I know either way, but if she doesn't, should I contact her and see if I am still being considered (since my resume essentially went around the normal HR path)?
Some details on the job: The title is "Financial Analyst II" but the duties really reflect a bookkeeper much more than an analyst (i.e. tracking expenses and income to be sure they are in line with the budget, but not using models to predict anything). The career site posting says a degree in accounting or finance is required, but when I interviewed, I was told that the last person in the position did not have the degree and the interviewer felt the degree did not matter as long as the person is able to learn (I have a BA in English).
I feel like it's pretty gauche to confirm a rejection, but I wanted to pose the question to others to see if the circumstances make it acceptable.
A friend is trying to help me out of a bad job situation and to that end, gave my resume to an acquaintance of hers that has a position open. My resume switched hands on Friday 1/22. On Monday 1/25 I applied to the position through the (large) company's career website. On Friday 1/29 I had an interview with the friend's acquaintance.
This morning I sent a follow up thank you email to the interviewer. I received an out of office auto response, saying they should be back in the office tomorrow. After I sent that, I noticed I had an email from Sunday 1/31 which was a form rejection from the careers website saying they had candidates whose qualifications better match the position.
I'm really hoping the interviewer sends a response to my email from this morning so I know either way, but if she doesn't, should I contact her and see if I am still being considered (since my resume essentially went around the normal HR path)?
Some details on the job: The title is "Financial Analyst II" but the duties really reflect a bookkeeper much more than an analyst (i.e. tracking expenses and income to be sure they are in line with the budget, but not using models to predict anything). The career site posting says a degree in accounting or finance is required, but when I interviewed, I was told that the last person in the position did not have the degree and the interviewer felt the degree did not matter as long as the person is able to learn (I have a BA in English).
I feel like it's pretty gauche to confirm a rejection, but I wanted to pose the question to others to see if the circumstances make it acceptable.
Response by poster: My hope is that the interviewer is still considering me and that maybe she needs to do something with hr to have me be officially in the candidate pool.
posted by WeekendJen at 4:50 PM on February 1, 2016
posted by WeekendJen at 4:50 PM on February 1, 2016
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure why you think the email was an error, or what asking to confirm it would achieve.
posted by ottereroticist at 5:00 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by ottereroticist at 5:00 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
In your shoes, if I hadn't gotten an interview I'd be tempted to reach out. But you had the interview. If the interviewer wants to offer you the job, they'll make HR correct it. Otherwise, well, it seems like you didn't get the job.
posted by Apoch at 5:02 PM on February 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by Apoch at 5:02 PM on February 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
No, I don't think you should follow up. I can't quite tell if your question is indicating that you think that perhaps you were automatically rejected for not meeting the qualifications, but I don't think this is the case. Companies understand that no candidate will fit their descriptions to a T, and some of them are written by people who aren't intimately familiar with the position.
Yes, some systems will reject your application/resume because it doesn't contain the right words or meet the criteria to whittle down a huge pool of candidates, unfortunately, but since you had an interview this was not why you were rejected. Regardless of whether you're asking because of that or something else, I would move on to pursuing other jobs.
Is your acquaintance someone who was worked with you before that can speak strongly to why you'd make a good candidate? Are they well-acquainted with the hiring manager for this position? If not, their recommendation likely doesn't carry much weight with the hiring manager, and there's not a reason for them to give you a personalized rejection letter because of your acquaintance's recommendation. They likely just can't reply directly to everyone and their HR department probably prefers them to use a form letter anyway.
I'm sorry that you received it, though, and hope you're able to land a job better than your current situation! Good luck—job searching is exhausting but it sounds like it's worth it!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:04 PM on February 1, 2016
Yes, some systems will reject your application/resume because it doesn't contain the right words or meet the criteria to whittle down a huge pool of candidates, unfortunately, but since you had an interview this was not why you were rejected. Regardless of whether you're asking because of that or something else, I would move on to pursuing other jobs.
Is your acquaintance someone who was worked with you before that can speak strongly to why you'd make a good candidate? Are they well-acquainted with the hiring manager for this position? If not, their recommendation likely doesn't carry much weight with the hiring manager, and there's not a reason for them to give you a personalized rejection letter because of your acquaintance's recommendation. They likely just can't reply directly to everyone and their HR department probably prefers them to use a form letter anyway.
I'm sorry that you received it, though, and hope you're able to land a job better than your current situation! Good luck—job searching is exhausting but it sounds like it's worth it!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:04 PM on February 1, 2016
If the interviewer wants to keep you in the pool, they will, but I would not good your breath and would keep looking elsewhere. I would definitely not contact them again about it.
posted by Candleman at 5:05 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Candleman at 5:05 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I once got a rejection letter followed by an offer. And a couple "thanks but you're not qualified" letters followed by interviews. It happens but it's not common.
It sounds like they may have already almost selected someone but interviewed you anyway. Give the interviewer time to respond, but also let your friend know what happened. There's probably not much you can do except send a note thanking them for considering you.
posted by zennie at 5:18 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
It sounds like they may have already almost selected someone but interviewed you anyway. Give the interviewer time to respond, but also let your friend know what happened. There's probably not much you can do except send a note thanking them for considering you.
posted by zennie at 5:18 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
No.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2016
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2016
No.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:42 PM on February 1, 2016
posted by humboldt32 at 5:42 PM on February 1, 2016
There is a very small chance that the rejection came from someone else, who was going through the application inbox and who didn't know you'd had the interview. This can happen when more than one recruiter works on a requisition, or when the hiring manager goes outside protocol to interview (as often happens when the hiring manager does a courtesy interview for a friend of a friend.) It's not likely, but it's possible. In any case there's no reason to contact them about it. If they want to follow up with you about the interview you had, they will.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:46 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:46 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
My guess is that you're right and that you were auto-rejected by the website while still being considered through another channel (the interviewer). Still, I wouldn't follow up right away. After a few weeks, if you haven't heard anything, you could contact the interviewer and reiterate your interest and ask about a timeframe. Worst case scenario, it's a little awkward for them to remind you that you were rejected. Best case, they are still considering you.
Either way, I'd take the advice that Allison from Ask a Manager always gives -- assume you won't get the job and continue actively searching, instead of getting excited about this one job.
posted by chickenmagazine at 5:49 PM on February 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
Either way, I'd take the advice that Allison from Ask a Manager always gives -- assume you won't get the job and continue actively searching, instead of getting excited about this one job.
posted by chickenmagazine at 5:49 PM on February 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
No.
HR systems are disorganized enough that maybe the email was incorrect and you're still under consideration. BUT there's no benefit to you in questioning them. If you're still being considered by the real people you talked to, the fact that a computer sent you a form rejection won't change their minds (they probably don't even know it happened), you'll hear from them in due course. If you're not being considered by those real people, having to manually confirm the computerized rejection they sent will make them very irritated and get you nothing.
posted by aimedwander at 6:28 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
HR systems are disorganized enough that maybe the email was incorrect and you're still under consideration. BUT there's no benefit to you in questioning them. If you're still being considered by the real people you talked to, the fact that a computer sent you a form rejection won't change their minds (they probably don't even know it happened), you'll hear from them in due course. If you're not being considered by those real people, having to manually confirm the computerized rejection they sent will make them very irritated and get you nothing.
posted by aimedwander at 6:28 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
Just as a data point, I've gotten lots of form-letter rejections and just-plain-conveniently-forgetting-you-exist rejections, even, after interviews. It's rotten, but even a lot of people who actually work in HR don't actually like to be the bearers of bad news. This is going to be doubly true if the interviewer is acquainted with your friend and doesn't want there to be any associated drama. Given that there's a friend involved, I'd avoid annoying anybody.
posted by Sequence at 6:31 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Sequence at 6:31 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you do really want to explore the possibility that you are still being considered (although to me it sounds unlikely), you can write an e-mail to the interviewer thanking them for the interview. Let them know that you thought it was an awesome position and are hoping they can give you feedback on how you can improve your interview next time if you get another chance.
Then if it was a mistake, they have the head's up, otherwise you may get some useful information out of it.
posted by cacao at 6:38 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Then if it was a mistake, they have the head's up, otherwise you may get some useful information out of it.
posted by cacao at 6:38 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
If I am given a resume by someone, I still send it to HR to be processed, since the resume has to be in the system at some point since that's how we track candidates, keep resumes on file for future jobs, etc. If this employer is of any size they likely have a similar process.
One thing I just noticed as I referenced something in your question - sounds like you provided both a hard copy resume which was delivered in person by your acquaintance, and then you also followed up with an application on the website? This might possibly explain the form letter - it's within reason that someone in HR reviewed the resume and 'filed' it, generating the automated letter, without knowing it was already in the hands of the manager. Not saying what you did was a bad thing, but it can lead to crossed wires and confusion occasionally.
Now, having said all that? You give no mention in your question as to how qualified you really are for the position. Not to suggest you aren't, but... are you? At least from my perspective, I don't give any special consideration to who you know; I care if you're qualified to do the job. I know this is not the case in a lot of scenarios / places where the 'who you know' attitude is prevalent, but I don't really take into account that you're good friends with Betty Bookkeeper. The only reason that matters is that if you are actually the best candidate for the job, and I bring you on as a result, I make sure Betty receives the internal referral bonus.
Short answer: No, don't follow up. You've made contact three times already, if I'm correct about your two-path resume. Let them digest, and if they want to continue pursuing you, I promise you they will. Don't assume you'll get special consideration due to your acquaintance though.
Good luck with your search in any case!
posted by SquidLips at 7:55 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
One thing I just noticed as I referenced something in your question - sounds like you provided both a hard copy resume which was delivered in person by your acquaintance, and then you also followed up with an application on the website? This might possibly explain the form letter - it's within reason that someone in HR reviewed the resume and 'filed' it, generating the automated letter, without knowing it was already in the hands of the manager. Not saying what you did was a bad thing, but it can lead to crossed wires and confusion occasionally.
Now, having said all that? You give no mention in your question as to how qualified you really are for the position. Not to suggest you aren't, but... are you? At least from my perspective, I don't give any special consideration to who you know; I care if you're qualified to do the job. I know this is not the case in a lot of scenarios / places where the 'who you know' attitude is prevalent, but I don't really take into account that you're good friends with Betty Bookkeeper. The only reason that matters is that if you are actually the best candidate for the job, and I bring you on as a result, I make sure Betty receives the internal referral bonus.
Short answer: No, don't follow up. You've made contact three times already, if I'm correct about your two-path resume. Let them digest, and if they want to continue pursuing you, I promise you they will. Don't assume you'll get special consideration due to your acquaintance though.
Good luck with your search in any case!
posted by SquidLips at 7:55 PM on February 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I once hired someone who had contacted me directly after hearing about the position via a friend. We interviewed and liked him and then he got a form rejection from HR because he didn't tick some box in the job description, which had been 90% written by HR (it was a union job). We ended up offering him the job anyway. It happens
You've had the interview and followed up appropriately with the interviewer--just wait to hear back. If they are interested in hiring you they will follow up, and in the meantime continue your job search.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 8:07 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
You've had the interview and followed up appropriately with the interviewer--just wait to hear back. If they are interested in hiring you they will follow up, and in the meantime continue your job search.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 8:07 PM on February 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Absolutely not.
I've been in a situation where HR accidentally sent a rejection to a candidate who was still in contention for a job (and to whom I ultimately offered the job). I found out when I spoke to the candidate again.
In the end, if this an error, you will find out from someone at the organization, not because you follow up with them.
Assume that no means no.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:58 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've been in a situation where HR accidentally sent a rejection to a candidate who was still in contention for a job (and to whom I ultimately offered the job). I found out when I spoke to the candidate again.
In the end, if this an error, you will find out from someone at the organization, not because you follow up with them.
Assume that no means no.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:58 PM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
By all means ask for feedback on your interview (basically WHY WAS I REJECTED??!! but framed in a more positive way). This might be useful for next time and, if you interview with the same company again, they will remember you as someone who wanted to learn from their rejection. But asking if you are still in with a change when you have already been told that, no, you are not makes you sound pushy and unable to deal with rejection. If they want to change their mind, they will do so whether or not you ask about it.
posted by intensitymultiply at 4:54 AM on February 2, 2016
posted by intensitymultiply at 4:54 AM on February 2, 2016
I would follow up with a second note to the interviewer saying that you had not previously seen the rejection letter. Reiterate your thanks for his/her time, and ask to be kept in mind for any future positions that might be a good fit.
If you were really rejected, it's a fine response. If you were not, the interviewer will know about the autoresponse.
But I would definitely not ask for feedback on the interview. That strikes me as incredibly unprofessional. The company is trying to hire; they are not your employment agent.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:32 AM on February 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you were really rejected, it's a fine response. If you were not, the interviewer will know about the autoresponse.
But I would definitely not ask for feedback on the interview. That strikes me as incredibly unprofessional. The company is trying to hire; they are not your employment agent.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:32 AM on February 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
No to emailing.
Interviewer is probably a different person from whatever staffing service peon is processing online applications and sending out auto-rejection letters. They're probably doing a basic word search to match the resume to the posting.
Sounds like you got to skip the automated system line and go straight to an interview, good for you. You sent a thank-you, good. Now wait. Like any job interview, assume you probably didn't get the job unless you actually hear back with an offer. But emailing the interviewer about that rejection letter will only make you look desperate and hurt any chance you still have.
posted by lizbunny at 11:20 AM on February 2, 2016
Interviewer is probably a different person from whatever staffing service peon is processing online applications and sending out auto-rejection letters. They're probably doing a basic word search to match the resume to the posting.
Sounds like you got to skip the automated system line and go straight to an interview, good for you. You sent a thank-you, good. Now wait. Like any job interview, assume you probably didn't get the job unless you actually hear back with an offer. But emailing the interviewer about that rejection letter will only make you look desperate and hurt any chance you still have.
posted by lizbunny at 11:20 AM on February 2, 2016
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