Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: October on November 24, 2006, 07:03:57 AM
-
I rang today and am not being offered an interview because I do not have relevant experience. I have complained to the council and to the Disability Rights Commission, because this is illegal behaviour on behalf of my local authority. I have 15 years' worth relevant experience, and should have been offered an interview as standard equal opportunities practice.
However, I am now left rather battered once more, and wondering why? Why do I act as a magnet to this kind of stuff happening all the time? Why when I scrape up the strength to do anything at all does life decide to kick me down again? The only lesson I am learning is to stay down, and stop trying. God help me.
Anyway, that is today's news.
-
I'm so sorry October. I have felt that way. "Why do I act as a magnet to this kind of stuff happening all the time? Why when I scrape up the strength to do anything at all does life decide to kick me down again? The only lesson I am learning is to stay down, and stop trying."
And I did stay down and stop trying. I did begin to figure things out while down but now I have to climb out and it is a long
climb. Find a way - anyway to stay in the fray while you figure things out.
My heart and my courage are with you - Gaining Strength
-
Oh October! That is so disappointing for you. How unfortunate. I'm sorry too.
One good thing.....at least you won't be working for an outfit that acts illegally and does not practice standard equal opportunity stuff. This may be a blessing in disguise.
At any rate, it's understandable to feel like your efforts have been thwarted and to feel defeated. I think anyone would feel that way, in your situation. Hopefully, in time, you will regain your desire to try again and it will pay off in a good way.
(((((((October))))))
Keeping you in my prayers.
Sela
-
(((((((((((((((((((October)))))))))))))))))))))))
It's so hard. I'm really sorry.
Job-hunting is one area where it's a huge challenge to go in positive and open and upbeat and still let go of the outcome.
But I think that's the challenge...
(I'd be disappointed and discouraged too. But don't let it last.)
You know about positive self-talk...hope you can get that tape going, after a good cry...
(((((((((October))))))))))
Hops
-
I'm sorry about your bad news, October. It is so unfair. What did they say when you told them you do have relevant experience and should have been scheduled for an interview? Did they give any kind of explanation at all or just blow it off? Do you have recourse?
I truly hope that this happened because something better is coming. They would have been so lucky to have you for an employee. I have seen for myself, though, that it is not always the best person that gets the job. The powers-that-be are not always as smart as you would expect.
Love, Pennyplant
-
October, how maddening! How unfair!
Generally, when a banana peel of this type falls in front of me, I tend to step right on it and slide back down into that wallow I am so accustomed to, poor, unworthy, unlucky, wretched me. However, since it is happening to you this time, I am going to try to apply some creativity and objectivity in hopes it could be helpful.
It could just be one person, who is handling the incoming CVs, and may be either inexperienced, made a mistake, or is too insecure to want you around. It could be that.
It could be that they posted the wrong requirements for the job and while you are hyper qualified for the one they posted, the real position is as a pig pen sweeper and you have virtually no experience doing that.
It could be that they already decided on the applicant and it is really inconvenient that someone better came along.
It could be that the place is a complete hellhole and someone up there is trying to save your neck.
You have a wide range of possible reactions to this, ranging from 'I will crawl back into my little corner where I belong' to 'que sera, sera. Next!' to 'screw that! I'll have their heads' and everything in-between. You can decide how to react. But please don't take this as some sort of validation that you don't belong on Earth! That is not what it means!
Plucky
-
Thanks, all. ((((((((Hugs))))))))
I have had a telephone conversation with the HR department, in which the rather misguided woman I spoke to decided to add insult to injury, rather than attempting mitigation. She told me all the reasons she could scrape together why my application form was not filled in to their satisfaction, including that I did not say that I can travel from one site to another. I told her that this is not an issue to be discussed by phone, and that it needs taking further. I said I have already sent a letter of complaint to the head of HR, and copied it to the Disability Rights Commission. I said that their equal opportunities behaviour is seriously questionable, and that there is no question that I meet all the criteria for this job, in spades. I said I have done jobs ten times harder than this one, and done them well, and that I have run my own company; there is no way that they can make a case for me not meeting the criteria, or for my application form not making this very clear indeed.
Then I spoke with two friends of mine. The first said that these people are incompetent. The second said that I should have lied about having a medical condition, and that the real reason why I did not get an interview is that I stated that I have a mental health condition. But of course if I had lied that would have given them grounds for summary dismissal had they found out later. Probably the truth is a combination of the two, but either way the authority is goiing to have to answer for their behaviour.
The only problem with fighting back like this is that the only way they can make a case is by attacking me; either I am not qualified, or I filled the form in the wrong way, or did not give the right information in the right way. And institutional defensiveness pretty well demands that for the first six months of any battle, that is the position that they will take, and it will take a long time before anyone dares admit that, just maybe, I have a point, and should have been offered an interview.
Either way, I lose.
As for the future, I think this confirms that employment is not the route for me to take, so whatever I do end up doing, this is not the way. This message has been clear enough in past years, and is confirmed again now. And any time I feel like trying again, I can, but I think the outcome will not change. I have to find another path. :?
I was prepared for not necessarily getting the job. I was not prepared for not getting an interview, given the equal opportunities policy at the authority. This is at least a lesson that prejudice can survive any amount of policing and policy making, even in 2006.
-
This is at least a lesson that prejudice can survive any amount of policing and policy making, even in 2006.
Well, as long as humans are running things, this is how things will be! And don't forget incompetents!
October, if employment is not for you, that is a valid conclusion. But please don't let some incompetent drive you there, unless you are going there regardless.
May I suggest just editing out the negative self talk?
Either way, I lose.
to the trash can.
Did you not say that ue to your disability, you have to be offered an interview in any case? If that is true, I would just start there and demand the interview on those grounds. That shoudl hardly take 6 months. And perhaps your next career is going to be 'activist for the disabled'!
Hugs from Plucky
-
Hi October,
Practical me thinks a bit more cynically about rules and policies and human nature.
I think in your shoes I would not mention mental disability. I would just interview and try to get a job based on work experience.
After you've had the job a month or so, and come to know who's a trustworthy colleague, then you can explain the issue as simply as you like.
I think employers are just people and react with fear and ignorance and disorganization. The institutions are only that. People in large boxes.
But I think deciding whatever is right for you, as long as you do it in fairness to yourself, is right.
(((((((((((((((((October))))))))))))))))))
Hops
-
Since I am job hunting as well, one of the things I have noticed on job applications is that none of them ask about disabiliities or date of birth. (I don't think they are allowed to due to Federal law.) I'm not certain which country you are from, October, and yet I know that in the States you have a right to an interview. Here, the American Disabilities Act can be enforced.
Bones
-
((((((((((October))))))))))))))
Having been on both sides of the recruitment process, I can relate to your disappointment.
I currently work in Recruitment for a blue chip company in the UK. Both sides are frustrating and sometimes it is very hard to tell who would be good and who wouldn't. Sometimes their CV doesn't reflect well, or any number of things really, and they come back to us.
One thing I noticed from your post was this:-
The only problem with fighting back like this is that the only way they can make a case is by attacking me; either I am not qualified, or I filled the form in the wrong way, or did not give the right information in the right way. And institutional defensiveness pretty well demands that for the first six months of any battle, that is the position that they will take, and it will take a long time before anyone dares admit that, just maybe, I have a point, and should have been offered an interview.
If you filled in the form the wrong way, then an approach might be, "In what way was it wrong, please can you advise me so I know for next time?", "If you can advise me how to fill it in correctly, would it be possible that you can offer me an interview?"
Without knowing all the ins and outs, it could be that your application was received late and they were already at the final interviewing stage, or that they have already issued an offer which is waiting to be accepted. There are so many things it could be.
If they have rejected you based on a mental illness, it would be exceedingly hard to prove. It depends on if you were expected to fill in an additional health form, or if you submitted this information on your own. Here's my advice (not that you've asked for it, so I'm only giving this because I work in Recruitment, but if you don't want my advice, please bypass this), I would advise that you don't tell them you have a mental illness unless you have to (something like maybe at a final interview, then acknowledge but let them know that it isn't an issue, well medicated etc. Employers just need to be reassured that you won't be off long term sick, or have a lot of sickness). All companies are looking for the best person for the job opening they have. To get there you have to show them that you're the best person. Positive, positive, positive all the way. Things like "can do" attitude, hardworking, good verbal and written communication skills, computer packages you have, are all good buzzwords and you would be amazed how many CV's I see without this....
Other things can be simple like printing on different paper (like buff paper), or good quality paper, things that seem insignificant can be a biggie in all those CV's the hiring manager has to go through.
And on a personal note, before I moved to this company, I went to an interview, about 3 years ago now. I really wanted this job but lost out.... I came a close 2nd apparently. I was gutted.... however if I had got it, I wouldn't be where I am now. I got a bigger and better job in the end.
Bones - A lot of companies don't ask about disabilities or date of birth because of discrimination. Here in the UK the Age Discrimination Laws have just been introduced (from 1st December).... I don't know how it is in the states and if you have a right to an interview though.
October hon, I liked this:-
As for the future, I think this confirms that employment is not the route for me to take, so whatever I do end up doing, this is not the way. This message has been clear enough in past years, and is confirmed again now. And any time I feel like trying again, I can, but I think the outcome will not change. I have to find another path.
Maybe another path is down the employment route, but reacting differently. Maybe if you were in the council offices and someone rang you and said they had sent a letter of complaint to HR and the disabilities council, how would you react? I think I would feel that this person was a complainer and I would maybe feel I made the right choice in the beginning.
Bigger and better things lie ahead October.... I can feel it for you. Have you ever thought about working for the mental health? Can your experience be utilised there? I think you would be great.
Take care
H&H xx
-
"Bones - A lot of companies don't ask about disabilities or date of birth because of discrimination. Here in the UK the Age Discrimination Laws have just been introduced (from 1st December).... I don't know how it is in the states and if you have a right to an interview though."
Hi, H&H!
Here in the states, we do have a right to an interview. Several years ago, when I used to work at Gallaudet, there was a job opening in my office and a somewhat difficult individual applied. She was otherwise qualified but my then-boss attempted to deny her an interview (because she had a reputation of being difficult). The lawyers got involved and it got ugly. She was granted an interview. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on which way you look at it, she was not hired.
Bones