Didn't get the job I applied for

Antony12 · Post by **Antony12** » 11 Mar 2014, 08:29

I'm not sure if this is the right place to write, I've never posted before.

I applied for a job that was advertised. Passed all the online tests, attended my interview which I thought went well. Was really relaxed and had a good talk with the interviewer. There were 10 jobs going for 17 people (some people failed to turn up for interviews)

For the last year I've been full time delivering leaflets and I usually spend 6 hours a day delivering these items in towns and villages in ALL weathers. Wind, rain, hail, snow, blizzards and of course the summer (my favorite)

So I was reasonably confident I had the skills to be a postman, after all I was stopped by a postman who recommended i applied for the job as in his words 'you're pretty much doing what we do so I don't see why you wouldn't get a job'

As I said the interview went well. I had all the answers already in my head and delivered them confidently and the interviewee at the end was talking to me as if he was ready to offer me a job. I was told I'd probably have to wait over a week to hear back from them. But it took 2 days and I was told I passed the interview but they couldn't offer me the job as there were stronger candidates. (10 jobs, 17 people) I am completely baffled by this. I'm not sure what else I can do if I'm not suitable for it why have they placed me on a waiting list? I'm 23 years old and this was a step in the right direction for a new career.

Whilst I was waiting to be interviewed I got talking to two other candidates who were both 55+ on job seekers allowance.

I'm not sure what I'm hoping for by posting but this has knocked me back so could anybody let me know what they think of my situation. I don't want to come across as an idiot who complains for not getting a job but I'm so confused. Thankyou

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Mar 2014, 08:35

Its typical of Royal Mail. I was the nearly exactly the same, got a casual position for Christmas and applied for a permanent position but got kncoked back. About 3 months later the called and offered me a permanent part time contract. Now been here 10 years.

In essence its not you its the way Royal Mail do things. Just hold on for a few months and you'll probably be offered a position as its cheaper than Royal Mail going through the whole process again.

By the way make sure you registered on the Royal Mail recruitment website so that it can alert you for other positions in your area.

Post by **aposter** » 11 Mar 2014, 08:57

Could be a couple of reasons thinking off the top of my head,

55+ less likely to look for another job than a 23 yo, especially if it was a woeful p/t contract.

Distance from delivery office, if you lived furthest away would be a negative.

Antony12 · Post by **Antony12** » 11 Mar 2014, 10:06

To drive to the sorting office would take me 10 minutes and the areas the postman/woman were required were all within a 10 minute drive and one area being the area I live - Not sure if that goes against me. The problems started when I applied for the full time job but apparently I only applied for the part time. Even though people weren't attending interviews they couldn't switch me over to interview for the full time. I'm absolutely gutted, it just seems so strange that with my experience and having 'met the standard required to pass the interview' there were 10 higher scoring candidates out of 16 other people. I just hope I do get a call although the chances of it being conveniently where I live are slim but as I say that might have been what went against me. Thank you for the replies

DavidFS · Post by **DavidFS** » 21 Mar 2014, 15:41

Going from what other people have posted. I wouldn't take the refusal personal. The recruitment process with all the security checks can be time-consuming. Reading between the lines I would say very few people get the first job that they applied for. I would keep applying for any new vacancies if I were you.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 21 Mar 2014, 17:06

Antony12 wrote:To drive to the sorting office would take me 10 minutes and the areas the postman/woman were required were all within a 10 minute drive and one area being the area I live - Not sure if that goes against me. The problems started when I applied for the full time job but apparently I only applied for the part time. Even though people weren't attending interviews they couldn't switch me over to interview for the full time. I'm absolutely gutted, it just seems so strange that with my experience and having 'met the standard required to pass the interview' there were 10 higher scoring candidates out of 16 other people. I just hope I do get a call although the chances of it being conveniently where I live are slim but as I say that might have been what went against me. Thank you for the replies

I know that, all other things being equal as they often are in the mind of a Delivery Office Manager, distance from delivery office is likely to be significant which is why I tell friends asking about working for Royal mail to ONLY apply for vacancies at the NEAREST Delivery Office, so yes 2if you lived furthest away would be a negative".
Also apply no matter how few part time hours it is as there is likely to be some overtime and a full time round is always an eventual possibility.

Clh · Post by **Clh** » 19 Aug 2016, 18:08

I'm just like you. To be fair I probably do live furthest away. You said to keep applying but focus on nearest office. HOWEVER the email says you can apply again in 6 months...do I need to wait?

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