Insulted, should I complain?

[slam]

Hi Everyone,

 

I came accross this website when I first learned I was to be interviewed for a Network Support Officer position at a local high school. After the interview and the rejection that followed, I genuinely believe that the job had already been given to some one else.

 

The interview:

 

On paper it was to last 20 minutes, we were 10 minutes late starting

A few informal question - asked me how I would deal with a user who couldn't login to their system (first line support question)

No technical quiz

No overview of what the job entailed

The people interviewing had no understanding of network terminology, they looked baffed when I started talking about stacked switches, LAG groups, NAT polices, routing etc

Cut my question time short at the end

Phoned me up to say I never got the job, saying I wasn't qualified to look after server's or network even though I hold an HND, MCSE and CCA and being doing 1st/2nd/3rd line for a world-wide organisation for 3 years.

 

I just feel they have completely taken the mickey. The salary was fairly decent so how they can judge a person's suitability in 20 minutes with no technical questions I'll never know.

 

Is it worthwhile making a formal complaint or am I potentially making a big deal out of nothing?

 

Thanks

[Midget]

most likely they already had someone lined up for the job and were just following procedures so they can cover themselves

[Butuz]

I would chalk it down to experience.

 

What good is a formal complaint going to do you? You don't actually want to work there do you? Judging by what happened on interview I think you had a lucky escape!

Butuz

[localzuk]

You could write a letter to the governors stating that you do not believe the school is following fair recruiting policies, or the LEA. But it will probably lead to nothing, as it's up to the school who they hire...

[pete]

Chalk it down to experience and consider yourself lucky you're not working there.

 

For my interview (NM position) the level of questions were: "what's the difference between a bitmap and a vector?" and "if you see a kid hide their browser when you walk past, what would you do?". The "technical" test consisted of putting a nic back to dhcp from a invalid static ip.

 

Needless to say the questions at technical interviews these days are considerably more involved and the practical tests are downright evil (it's not so much whether you fix it, it's how you go about trying to fix it).

[PiqueABoo]

I genuinely believe that the job had already been given to some one else

 

Public sector paying lip service to rules - happens all the time, has happened to me and yes I was very annoyed too (but as above, definitely happy not to be working for people like that).

 

When I were a smallish lad I recall my mother (in education again) pointlessly travelled a long way to get burnt by that. She conditionally accepted offers for subsequent interviews i.e. "..provided there is no internal candidate".

[visioN]

you ain't got it, you ain't going to get it, move on and don't waste your time because a complaint will amount to nothing

[FN-GM]

To be honest even if you was right there is nothing you can do to prove it.

[AngryTechnician]

No point at all in complaining to the school, or the governors in all likelihood. My current school has gotten away with far worse than this even with evidence stacked against them, and in most cases the governors were complicit. I think it's rare to find a governing body that actually provides effective oversight.

 

Complaining to the LEA might get the head a rap on the knuckles at best, and even if it does you have nothing to gain from it.

[torledo]

Hi Everyone,

 

I just feel they have completely taken the mickey. The salary was fairly decent so how they can judge a person's suitability in 20 minutes with no technical questions I'll never know.

 

Is it worthwhile making a formal complaint or am I potentially making a big deal out of nothing?

 

Thanks

 

Think of it as a lucky escape. And have the belief that if your as good as you say you are that you'll find something much better.

[duncane]

While I agree that it won't change the outcome, part of me thinks that we (collectively) shouldn't accept this behaviour, and simply remain silent.

 

At least if you put it on record, and they pull that stunt on someone else later, then it would be two people voices, rather than just one. It builds up a pattern, and ultimately becomes impossible to deny.

 

Perhaps I'm just in an idealistic mood today.

[dalsoth]

Move on. It's hard to not get annoyed despite knowing how futile it is to do so. Get that out of your system for a few days and this will all be a memory.

 

You can't change how the world is, you can only change your perception of it.

 

Good luck with any future jobs.

[featured_spectre]

Ask them for a detailed debrief on why you didnt get the job. Its your legal right, if it is not detailed enough, ask for a formal debrief. Make sure that you have a copy of your letter to them. If they dont give a satisfactory answer, THEN write a complaint to the LEA stating why you feel it was a bad decision. If the LEA gets involved then they will have to give out the right answers!

[slam]

Everyone one knows how hard it is to get an interview never mind a job in IT. After reading these forums and trying to prepare myself for the interview, I thought it would be a fantastic oppurtunity to work amongst a decent group of individuals like yourselves. There seems to be a greater deal of spirit and community on these forums compared to most. I actually had a feeling that the interview was just a process they had to go through and the job was already decided - been there done that already from past experience.

 

But I think everyone should be disgusted by this, it's our tax money that funds the education system and on that note, every candidate should have a fair and equal oppurtunity of employment. I've worked too damn hard over the last 6 years for a computer illiterate to tell me I'm not qualified to do the job I do on a daily basis. They made a mockery out of me and the interview process, I'm not the first and I won't be the last to be treated in an unprofessional manner but that gives no comfort.

 

At least if I put a letter in, it may help others in future. As Duncane said, we shouldn't remain silent. They may also realise they can't treat people like idiots.

 

Nephilim, I did receive a quick debrief over the phone. I was told that I was beaten by better skilled and certified individuals and that I should look into IT certifcation. When I asked what IT certification the interviewer recommended, it was clear he didn't know what professional IT certification was out there and recommended Microsoft. I don't even think they looked over my CV.

 

Sorry for the rant. I'm just disappointed that I was never a serious candidate in the first place and was taken for a ride.

[witch]

Firstly - I think you should complain - if noone ever does, nothing will ever change. Address it to the governors, listing VERY CAREFULLY your points - governors HAVE to be shown all correspondence and as has been said, a pattern may emerge.

There are serious rules to follow about recruitment - you have to be very careful about what you turn someone down for: eg if it is only a 'desirable' skill then they can't reject you just because you don't have it.

As a governor, I know that we do try very hard to keep track of things like this - it isn't easy.

I bet they had the perfect guy all lined up. Their mistake was not conducting a reasonable interview.

It won't get you anywhere but if none of us ever complain, then nothing will change, ever.

So, worth a go, I think

[GrumbleDook]

I'm of the same opinion as Duncane ... name and shame via the LA as well as asking what the appeals process is of the school. You may not want to follow it up but make sure the school has a process in place that is clear and open. If they try and fob you off then definitely follow it up even harder.

[PEO]

had a job interview once. on paper the job was completely diffrent/poor;y described to what they wanted. In the end I cam second, but I would not have taken he job had it been offered to me as it had limitations in moving further. It was a technician job for a local college to look after the IT department and not the whole school. the college already had a managed service profided by fijitsui people, who looked like tey just sat on a comfortable couch playing with laptops. not my cup of tea.

[dwhyte85]

As much as I agree with name & shame and fight the power... I do think in some situations it's better just to get on with it, i've been to a few roles where i've felt it's been done just to make up the numbers, to complain would have been a waste of my time, time that if i was unemployed would be better suited finding a job or if in a job better used to find another.

 

What frustrates me most is it costs in terms of travelling & mental prep. before an interview - it's really unfair to do it.

 

Grumbledook & Duncane are right, but don't go ape over it, a well worded letter to the right people can be far more productive than 6 telephone calls to the wrong people.

[K.C.Leblanc]

Did the adverts happen to be really tiny or perhaps advertising in a free sheet 15 miles away with a deadline of the next day?

[apoth0r]

It's very easy to say x + y = z

but in reality it's not always as simple as saying I have these certifications, i have this experience. Not once has anyone mentioned interview technique, come across as a shy or nervous person and you're already struggling, you don't know what other candidates were there and they could have been more deserving. Fair enough in your view you didn't get a good go at it but you have to make the most of it when you're there.

You didn't get a job, i'm sure there are many others on here who don't have the qualifications you have and get turned down at least twice a week, with those certs I'm surprised you haven't been snapped up already, there is definately plenty out there......

[srochford]

It's very easy to say x + y = z

but in reality it's not always as simple as saying I have these certifications, i have this experience. Not once has anyone mentioned interview technique, come across as a shy or nervous person and you're already struggling, you don't know what other candidates were there and they could have been more deserving.

 

I think this is important; it may well be that the school had an internal candidate that they thought was perfect but they brought in a couple of outsiders for comparison.

 

The original poster says that the panel looked baffled when (s)he started talking about NAT policies, LAG groups etc - it's perfectly possible that this is why they didn't get the job! If what the panel was looking for was someone who wouldn't baffle them but could explain very technical stuff in a way that management can understand then using very technical language won't help.

 

As others have said, you should certainly ask for a full debrief and try to get them to tell you something about what they feel you did wrong (ie why they picked another candidate)

 

It's easy to come out of an interview thinking you did really well but in reality you're just not what the panel want (irrespective of whether there's an internal candidate)

[dalsoth]

It's very easy to say x + y = z

but in reality it's not always as simple as saying I have these certifications, i have this experience. Not once has anyone mentioned interview technique, come across as a shy or nervous person and you're already struggling, you don't know what other candidates were there and they could have been more deserving. Fair enough in your view you didn't get a good go at it but you have to make the most of it when you're there.

You didn't get a job, i'm sure there are many others on here who don't have the qualifications you have and get turned down at least twice a week, with those certs I'm surprised you haven't been snapped up already, there is definately plenty out there......

 

I agree with the above. If they were genuine about the interview and then get a letter from the LEA or an investigation because you were unhappy, guess what they are going to think when they see your name crop up anywhere else... Troublemaker!

 

While it may be honourable to report something like this in the hope someone else does not face this problem again, it could just be that they saw something about you they did not like or perhaps realised you would not fit in well with the current staff. Who knows. I just think that for a job application, it is not worth upsetting people without real proof as the guys involved may move on and sour your name elsewhere in future because of it.

[bossman]

It is much like anything else in education at the moment, everything conducted behind closed doors by people who want to control the system. Anything questioned will be given the same lip service as your interview and they will skirt around the issue no matter what anyone else tells you.

 

It is a little like the BSF whereupon the consultation procedures are a legality so they have to go through with it even though the BSF committee know exactly what each school is going to get, they have to be seen to have completed the procedure legally and fairly.

 

Chalk this one down to experience and learn from it.

[mattx]

It's all about growing up and being British.

[bulletproofbaba]

Feel sorry for you slam, unfortunately I dont think complaining will get you anywhere!, although I would DEF complain about it!, it sounds like the job has been filled internally and for formality sake they advertised it externally. It is a shame really as the person probably has been working at the school for a long time and so knows a few contacts. Def ask for interview feedback and debrief, and then whilst you are looking for another job, complain about this and take it higher, people like this should not get away with things like this. Good luck dude !!