• Replies 2 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 984 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Had a job interview. Advice on this situation please

NAS62726

I applied for a job for which I did not meet the essential criteria in one area. There was a requirement to speak Irish as I would be working with a population in which there are a high concentration of Irish speakers. However I applied anyway as there’s not many Irish speakers and so this specification is often relaxed.

 

I was given an interview and it went well I thought but I got a call back saying that I did very well, was employable but HR would not have accepted someone with my level of Irish competency and I did not demonstrate my Irish ability during the interview.

 

The manager said that they might readvertise and if they readvertise the language requirements are removed as it can be demonstrated that no suitable candidates who met all the essential requirements could be found.

 

Now the post has been readvertised with the language requirements removed.

 

However, I have twice worked for this council despite not meeting the language requirements. A few workers don’t meet the criteria. Both times I have been the only applicant. On both occasions the manager has easily demonstrated that there were no suitable candidates who did and I was able to be taken on.

 

So I know what the manager is saying isn’t 100% correct. I do wonder if it's just the excuse given for rejection. 

 

However, despite all this it’s my dream job. So would you reapply for the position now that the language requirements have been removed?

 

I don’t want to make a fool of myself by reapplying straight after a clear rejection.

  • If they have changed the job requirements, they may be obliged to re-advertise due to fair policy. For example if someone did not apply before because of the language requirement but would have if it hadn't been there, it might be seen unfair to give the job to someone who did not meet that original requirement.

    Re-apply and good luck.

  • You are certainly not making a fool of yourself.

    You certainly could email and ask to consider you since they dropped the language requirement.

    As far as I recall from my research about my own situation a few years ago, they blatantly discriminated against you. Since they dropped the language requirement, they should automatically reconsider you. And it is unclear how they would defend re-advertising it if they already interviewed you and could have waived the requirement at that stage. They could argue they want some more applications, from more candidates,  but they didn't tell you any way in which you don't meet the requirements other than language. So it is unclear why they want more candidates if they have you ... They have disability equality duty.

    Did they tell you are 'employable'? What do they mean by this?

    There was a court case like this, if I recall a few years ago, about re advertising a position to avoid employing a disabled candidate. I don't remember how it ended. 

    It is a very tricky situation. Try talking to ACAS or any other source of HR and legal advice.

    Generally, it is very difficult to get tangible material advantage by claiming discrimination if you have not been employed. The gain is likely to be small and it will make them to black list you, if they have not done it already. 

    This is why we need some new real action for autistic people on employment front. This hypocrisy about being 'employable' but not with us.