How to respond to hiring manager unexpectedly acting dismissive

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Last Monday, I sent out an application using an online form. I sent the files the morning and received a call out of the blue the same day in the evening, which took me by complete surprise.

The problem is, the person responsible (Bob for simplicity sake) called at the worst possible time: ten minutes before my driving lessons (which I can't just postpone), a minute before I was about to board a crowded train.

I was a bit nervous and I asked if I could call him back the next day, as he called at around 5pm, when most people are usually done with work, so I didn't think he would be available later. I simply told him I was on the move and right now is not the best time, I didn't mention my driving lessons. In hindsight, I regret not telling him that, because I think in his eyes, I didn't seem to have him high enough on my priority list, which of course wasn't true.

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead, who again told me Bob would call back. About two hours later, I got a rejection email, telling me how after more careful review of the application material, they deem me unfit for the position.

As you might imagine, I was a bit ticked off after being lead on for an entire day. I don't know what the first call was supposed to be about, but surely if they squeezed in time in their apparently very busy schedule to call me on the same day, I would assume they already had me locked in their shortlist, one that they apparently threw me out of the moment I didn't have time to accommodate them immediately.

Obviously, those are just assumptions. I want to write an email to him, clarifying that:

• I really absolutely did not have time to talk to them at that moment, mentioning the driving lesson, and that I would've loved to talk to them, but I simply couldn't.


• I find the interaction very unprofessional overall, having me try contacting them over and over again for a whole day. If they really deemed me unfit after reviewing the application they already had, they shouldn't have called me in the first place. If possible, I want to find out the real reason.

Note: I'm not hoping to save the situation, I just want to get some closure. If they really boot me off simply because I didn't give them the time of day when it suited them, not caring about my own obligations, I'm not interested in their position anyway.

How should I go about this? Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? If I should write back, are those points justified?

applications

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edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  35
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  " Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
  – Joe Strazzere
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
  – Fattie
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  18
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
  – Seth R
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  17
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
  – Bilkokuya
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
  – J.Doe
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
14
down vote

favorite

1

Last Monday, I sent out an application using an online form. I sent the files the morning and received a call out of the blue the same day in the evening, which took me by complete surprise.

The problem is, the person responsible (Bob for simplicity sake) called at the worst possible time: ten minutes before my driving lessons (which I can't just postpone), a minute before I was about to board a crowded train.

I was a bit nervous and I asked if I could call him back the next day, as he called at around 5pm, when most people are usually done with work, so I didn't think he would be available later. I simply told him I was on the move and right now is not the best time, I didn't mention my driving lessons. In hindsight, I regret not telling him that, because I think in his eyes, I didn't seem to have him high enough on my priority list, which of course wasn't true.

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead, who again told me Bob would call back. About two hours later, I got a rejection email, telling me how after more careful review of the application material, they deem me unfit for the position.

As you might imagine, I was a bit ticked off after being lead on for an entire day. I don't know what the first call was supposed to be about, but surely if they squeezed in time in their apparently very busy schedule to call me on the same day, I would assume they already had me locked in their shortlist, one that they apparently threw me out of the moment I didn't have time to accommodate them immediately.

Obviously, those are just assumptions. I want to write an email to him, clarifying that:

• I really absolutely did not have time to talk to them at that moment, mentioning the driving lesson, and that I would've loved to talk to them, but I simply couldn't.


• I find the interaction very unprofessional overall, having me try contacting them over and over again for a whole day. If they really deemed me unfit after reviewing the application they already had, they shouldn't have called me in the first place. If possible, I want to find out the real reason.

Note: I'm not hoping to save the situation, I just want to get some closure. If they really boot me off simply because I didn't give them the time of day when it suited them, not caring about my own obligations, I'm not interested in their position anyway.

How should I go about this? Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? If I should write back, are those points justified?

applications

share|improve this question

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  35
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  " Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
  – Joe Strazzere
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
  – Fattie
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  18
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
  – Seth R
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  17
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
  – Bilkokuya
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
  – J.Doe
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

up vote
14
down vote

favorite

1

up vote
14
down vote

favorite

1

1

Last Monday, I sent out an application using an online form. I sent the files the morning and received a call out of the blue the same day in the evening, which took me by complete surprise.

The problem is, the person responsible (Bob for simplicity sake) called at the worst possible time: ten minutes before my driving lessons (which I can't just postpone), a minute before I was about to board a crowded train.

I was a bit nervous and I asked if I could call him back the next day, as he called at around 5pm, when most people are usually done with work, so I didn't think he would be available later. I simply told him I was on the move and right now is not the best time, I didn't mention my driving lessons. In hindsight, I regret not telling him that, because I think in his eyes, I didn't seem to have him high enough on my priority list, which of course wasn't true.

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead, who again told me Bob would call back. About two hours later, I got a rejection email, telling me how after more careful review of the application material, they deem me unfit for the position.

As you might imagine, I was a bit ticked off after being lead on for an entire day. I don't know what the first call was supposed to be about, but surely if they squeezed in time in their apparently very busy schedule to call me on the same day, I would assume they already had me locked in their shortlist, one that they apparently threw me out of the moment I didn't have time to accommodate them immediately.

Obviously, those are just assumptions. I want to write an email to him, clarifying that:

• I really absolutely did not have time to talk to them at that moment, mentioning the driving lesson, and that I would've loved to talk to them, but I simply couldn't.


• I find the interaction very unprofessional overall, having me try contacting them over and over again for a whole day. If they really deemed me unfit after reviewing the application they already had, they shouldn't have called me in the first place. If possible, I want to find out the real reason.

Note: I'm not hoping to save the situation, I just want to get some closure. If they really boot me off simply because I didn't give them the time of day when it suited them, not caring about my own obligations, I'm not interested in their position anyway.

How should I go about this? Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? If I should write back, are those points justified?

applications

share|improve this question

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Last Monday, I sent out an application using an online form. I sent the files the morning and received a call out of the blue the same day in the evening, which took me by complete surprise.

The problem is, the person responsible (Bob for simplicity sake) called at the worst possible time: ten minutes before my driving lessons (which I can't just postpone), a minute before I was about to board a crowded train.

I was a bit nervous and I asked if I could call him back the next day, as he called at around 5pm, when most people are usually done with work, so I didn't think he would be available later. I simply told him I was on the move and right now is not the best time, I didn't mention my driving lessons. In hindsight, I regret not telling him that, because I think in his eyes, I didn't seem to have him high enough on my priority list, which of course wasn't true.

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead, who again told me Bob would call back. About two hours later, I got a rejection email, telling me how after more careful review of the application material, they deem me unfit for the position.

As you might imagine, I was a bit ticked off after being lead on for an entire day. I don't know what the first call was supposed to be about, but surely if they squeezed in time in their apparently very busy schedule to call me on the same day, I would assume they already had me locked in their shortlist, one that they apparently threw me out of the moment I didn't have time to accommodate them immediately.

Obviously, those are just assumptions. I want to write an email to him, clarifying that:

• I really absolutely did not have time to talk to them at that moment, mentioning the driving lesson, and that I would've loved to talk to them, but I simply couldn't.


• I find the interaction very unprofessional overall, having me try contacting them over and over again for a whole day. If they really deemed me unfit after reviewing the application they already had, they shouldn't have called me in the first place. If possible, I want to find out the real reason.

Note: I'm not hoping to save the situation, I just want to get some closure. If they really boot me off simply because I didn't give them the time of day when it suited them, not caring about my own obligations, I'm not interested in their position anyway.

How should I go about this? Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? If I should write back, are those points justified?

applications

applications

share|improve this question

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

edited 18 mins ago

eclipz905

1032

1032

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

asked 6 hours ago

noClue

18014

18014

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

noClue is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  35
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  " Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
  – Joe Strazzere
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
  – Fattie
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  18
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
  – Seth R
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  17
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
  – Bilkokuya
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
  – J.Doe
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 3 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  35
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  " Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
  – Joe Strazzere
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
  – Fattie
  5 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  18
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
  – Seth R
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  17
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
  – Bilkokuya
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
  – J.Doe
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

35

35

" Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago

" Should I bother writing back to them or should I just let it go? " - let it go. There is nothing to be gained here. You can't argue yourself into a job offer.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago

2

2

Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
– Fattie
5 hours ago

Welcome new user. This is totally normal. You never, ever, ever get a second chance in such a business opportunity. (Whether it's a contract opp., sales, or what have you.) Unfortunately, things like "driving lessons" mean nothing compared to grabbing business opportunities. You only get 10, 15 calls like this in a lifetime. Always be mentally prepared at any time to blow off things like a $50 driving lesson, date, or the like.
– Fattie
5 hours ago

18

18

If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
– Seth R
3 hours ago

If you weren't in a good place to take a call, why did you even answer? Situations like this are why voicemail was invented. If they are actually interested in you, they'll leave a message.
– Seth R
3 hours ago

17

17

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
– Bilkokuya
2 hours ago

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if calling their colleague 4 times in 24 hours was the real reason for rejection.
– Bilkokuya
2 hours ago

3

3

There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
– J.Doe
1 hour ago

There is a million reasons why the call might needed to off been at that moment. maybe you were just shy of the shortlist and someone dropped out so they wanted to know if you could interview immediately. Maybe they needed to give the shortlist to hr tomorrow and you got unlucky with timings. I would like to add that you shouldn't assume a call means anything, it wont help you in your job search. often a call is just a call.
– J.Doe
1 hour ago

 | 
show 3 more comments

5 Answers
5

active

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up vote
60
down vote

I just want to get some closure

Don't do it by contacting him again, you're wasting your time. Generally venting your frustrations is not a good move and will ensure you've burned this bridge, and it's a small world.

Your mistake was not scheduling a specific slot for the next day. This is what you should take away from this. What if he did call tomorrow at an unspecified time and you were unavailable again?

A short call doesn't mean you're on the shortlist, it's standard practice for many places. And don't, for a moment, think you should justify yourself to someone who called out of the blue. There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

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  Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
  – Kilisi
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  "There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  @rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
  – Myles
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
  – phresnel
  2 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
  – rath
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

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show 2 more comments

up vote
26
down vote

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about not being available for the first call. Unless you had previously agreed to be available at that time - it's unreasonable for anybody to expect you to be significantly less busy than they are. A company that is willing to reject you because you weren't instantly available isn't a company I'd have high hopes for in general.

However, I do not believe this was the reason you were rejected

---

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead

Simply put, you acted impatiently and annoyed their colleague.

Calling once to reschedule would be appropriate, and perfectly normal. However, you made 4 calls within 24 hours - each of which was recieved by somebody not directly related to the hiring process.

Importantly, after you called the second time - which is arguably already impatient and unprofessional (but still within understandable bounds); the colleague gave you a specific instruction - to wait for their call back.

Instead of listening to their colleague and trusting them, you called back twice more, interupting that person's work.

Any interaction between you and a potential employer should be a positive one. Unfortunately in this case, the colleague you phoned has likely had a word with the hiring manager and told them how you've acted - raising big red flags about how you would behave in the team, and how suitable you are as a candidate.

---

I want to be clear, that this isn't an attack on you. Everybody allows worries and emotions to get the better of them at some point or another. But it's important to recognise the impact of your actions - so you can improve your behaviour for future applications.

In this specific case, there is nothing more you can do. As you've likely built a reputation for being impatient - any further correspondance to fix the damage, has a real risk of actually adding to it. Instead, I'd suggest just moving on and learning for future.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

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  Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
  – blurry
  44 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

In addition to Raths excellent answer I just want to add an observation from experience.

You don't have to justify anything, you did nothing wrong, yet you still missed an opportunity.

You need to put it behind you but look at what happened as you chalk it up to experience.

Opportunities can switch on and switch off in the blink of an eye in many facets of life. If you really want something, you catch the next train, don't show up to driver training, jog home, whatever it takes.

You can't relive the moment, but you can learn from it.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
  – Yakk
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
  – Neil Slater
  58 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I'm going to jump in because apparently my view is in the minority (although my overall advice is the same).

I don't think you did anything wrong, and suspect you dodged a bullet (although it does depend on your industry and experience level). If your first experience with the company starts with them contacting you outside of normal business hours and expecting you to immediately be available, then it bodes badly for what working with them will be like. When I interview candidates I try my best to respect their time just as I would if they were my employees, so getting an answer of "I'd be happy to chat but I'm right in the middle of something right now - can we try again tomorrow?" seems like a perfectly fine answer to me, and I'd just follow up the next day.

Of course, we don't know for sure that they rejected you because of that first phone call, although from the facts you presented it seems likely. Were that the case though, that's on them, not you. I think their behavior suggests that they expected you to be available at anytime that is convenient for them, and seem to be approaching this from the perspective of "I have the job, I have the power, and you need to jump through my hoops". In case it isn't clear, I don't consider that to be a reasonable way for a company to approach finding candidates, and I would be very nervous about accepting a job from a company that approaches hiring with that perspective.

1. Did you lose an opportunity because you didn't drop what you were doing and take the call? Possibly.
   


2. Is that a bad thing? Probably not
   


3. What can you do about it? Nothing
   

Regardless of how it happened, the opportunity is now lost. I think that's probably a good thing, but either way it is gone. Arguing never helps your cause. I've actually had candidates try to argue with me after they were rejected, as well as seen them try to argue with others when I wasn't the primary hire-er. I never appreciate it, I have never seen it work out for the candidate, and it is the quickest way into the "Never hire this person ever" pile. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but that's the only option you have.

Things like this are inevitable (I've been cut once or twice myself for reasons that I thought were unreasonable) but it's just how life goes, and you simply continue the job hunt.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

I think they simply wanted to check if you're one of those people who send out tens (or even hundreds) of resumes and then wait if somebody responds, or if you did some research and you're really interested to work for this specific company.

By trying to reschedule the call for no obvious reason, it most likely seemed to them like you belong to the former group and they obviously aren't interested in you anymore.

As for actual advice, you should learn from this experience, there's nothing better you can do.

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

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Check out our Code of Conduct.

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5 Answers
5

active

oldest

votes

5 Answers
5

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
60
down vote

I just want to get some closure

Don't do it by contacting him again, you're wasting your time. Generally venting your frustrations is not a good move and will ensure you've burned this bridge, and it's a small world.

Your mistake was not scheduling a specific slot for the next day. This is what you should take away from this. What if he did call tomorrow at an unspecified time and you were unavailable again?

A short call doesn't mean you're on the shortlist, it's standard practice for many places. And don't, for a moment, think you should justify yourself to someone who called out of the blue. There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
  – Kilisi
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
  – Myles
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
  – phresnel
  2 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
  – rath
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 2 more comments

up vote
60
down vote

I just want to get some closure

Don't do it by contacting him again, you're wasting your time. Generally venting your frustrations is not a good move and will ensure you've burned this bridge, and it's a small world.

Your mistake was not scheduling a specific slot for the next day. This is what you should take away from this. What if he did call tomorrow at an unspecified time and you were unavailable again?

A short call doesn't mean you're on the shortlist, it's standard practice for many places. And don't, for a moment, think you should justify yourself to someone who called out of the blue. There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
  – Kilisi
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
  – Myles
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
  – phresnel
  2 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
  – rath
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 2 more comments

up vote
60
down vote

up vote
60
down vote

I just want to get some closure

Don't do it by contacting him again, you're wasting your time. Generally venting your frustrations is not a good move and will ensure you've burned this bridge, and it's a small world.

Your mistake was not scheduling a specific slot for the next day. This is what you should take away from this. What if he did call tomorrow at an unspecified time and you were unavailable again?

A short call doesn't mean you're on the shortlist, it's standard practice for many places. And don't, for a moment, think you should justify yourself to someone who called out of the blue. There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

I just want to get some closure

Don't do it by contacting him again, you're wasting your time. Generally venting your frustrations is not a good move and will ensure you've burned this bridge, and it's a small world.

Your mistake was not scheduling a specific slot for the next day. This is what you should take away from this. What if he did call tomorrow at an unspecified time and you were unavailable again?

A short call doesn't mean you're on the shortlist, it's standard practice for many places. And don't, for a moment, think you should justify yourself to someone who called out of the blue. There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

answered 6 hours ago

rath

15.2k94880

15.2k94880

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
  – Kilisi
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
  – Myles
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
  – phresnel
  2 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
  – rath
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 2 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
  – Kilisi
  6 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
  – Myles
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  9
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
  – phresnel
  2 hours ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
  – rath
  2 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
– Kilisi
6 hours ago

Yep, your last paragraph is totally correct
– Kilisi
6 hours ago

9

9

"There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
– Fattie
4 hours ago

"There are perfectly valid reasons why one cannot take a call at any given moment and none of them require explanation." There are no "reasons" whatsoever in life. The OP had a decision to either say "Sure, what do you need ..." and talk to the guy for ten minutes (which would have meant wasting a $50 driving lesson), or, take the driving lesson. The OP decided on the driving lesson. That's all there is to it. (The person calling would have no interest at all in anything the OP is or isn't doing, or any "reasons", if the OP chooses not to talk, that's the end of it.)
– Fattie
4 hours ago

@rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
– Myles
2 hours ago

@rath While your last paragraph is totally correct, not being able to take a call at a moments notice wouldn't be the most trivial thing that has ever knocked an applicant out of the running. We don't know if the OP is in a hot industry and when dealing with a mountain of basically equivalent applications often it's very minor details that differentiate them.
– Myles
2 hours ago

9

9

@Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
– phresnel
2 hours ago

@Fattie: I can imagine some real reasons. E.g. communiting in a car on a road where it's forbidden or insane to stop. Of course there would be the decision to not take the call in the first place. But then again, we live in a world of reason - cause and effect. "Decision" might just be a virtual concept that solely exists in our heads.
– phresnel
2 hours ago

@Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
– rath
2 hours ago

@Myles Absolutely. It's obvious the OP is junior in his industry, so easy come easy go as far as job applications are concerned.
– rath
2 hours ago

 | 
show 2 more comments

up vote
26
down vote

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about not being available for the first call. Unless you had previously agreed to be available at that time - it's unreasonable for anybody to expect you to be significantly less busy than they are. A company that is willing to reject you because you weren't instantly available isn't a company I'd have high hopes for in general.

However, I do not believe this was the reason you were rejected

---

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead

Simply put, you acted impatiently and annoyed their colleague.

Calling once to reschedule would be appropriate, and perfectly normal. However, you made 4 calls within 24 hours - each of which was recieved by somebody not directly related to the hiring process.

Importantly, after you called the second time - which is arguably already impatient and unprofessional (but still within understandable bounds); the colleague gave you a specific instruction - to wait for their call back.

Instead of listening to their colleague and trusting them, you called back twice more, interupting that person's work.

Any interaction between you and a potential employer should be a positive one. Unfortunately in this case, the colleague you phoned has likely had a word with the hiring manager and told them how you've acted - raising big red flags about how you would behave in the team, and how suitable you are as a candidate.

---

I want to be clear, that this isn't an attack on you. Everybody allows worries and emotions to get the better of them at some point or another. But it's important to recognise the impact of your actions - so you can improve your behaviour for future applications.

In this specific case, there is nothing more you can do. As you've likely built a reputation for being impatient - any further correspondance to fix the damage, has a real risk of actually adding to it. Instead, I'd suggest just moving on and learning for future.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
  – blurry
  44 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
26
down vote

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about not being available for the first call. Unless you had previously agreed to be available at that time - it's unreasonable for anybody to expect you to be significantly less busy than they are. A company that is willing to reject you because you weren't instantly available isn't a company I'd have high hopes for in general.

However, I do not believe this was the reason you were rejected

---

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead

Simply put, you acted impatiently and annoyed their colleague.

Calling once to reschedule would be appropriate, and perfectly normal. However, you made 4 calls within 24 hours - each of which was recieved by somebody not directly related to the hiring process.

Importantly, after you called the second time - which is arguably already impatient and unprofessional (but still within understandable bounds); the colleague gave you a specific instruction - to wait for their call back.

Instead of listening to their colleague and trusting them, you called back twice more, interupting that person's work.

Any interaction between you and a potential employer should be a positive one. Unfortunately in this case, the colleague you phoned has likely had a word with the hiring manager and told them how you've acted - raising big red flags about how you would behave in the team, and how suitable you are as a candidate.

---

I want to be clear, that this isn't an attack on you. Everybody allows worries and emotions to get the better of them at some point or another. But it's important to recognise the impact of your actions - so you can improve your behaviour for future applications.

In this specific case, there is nothing more you can do. As you've likely built a reputation for being impatient - any further correspondance to fix the damage, has a real risk of actually adding to it. Instead, I'd suggest just moving on and learning for future.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
  – blurry
  44 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
26
down vote

up vote
26
down vote

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about not being available for the first call. Unless you had previously agreed to be available at that time - it's unreasonable for anybody to expect you to be significantly less busy than they are. A company that is willing to reject you because you weren't instantly available isn't a company I'd have high hopes for in general.

However, I do not believe this was the reason you were rejected

---

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead

Simply put, you acted impatiently and annoyed their colleague.

Calling once to reschedule would be appropriate, and perfectly normal. However, you made 4 calls within 24 hours - each of which was recieved by somebody not directly related to the hiring process.

Importantly, after you called the second time - which is arguably already impatient and unprofessional (but still within understandable bounds); the colleague gave you a specific instruction - to wait for their call back.

Instead of listening to their colleague and trusting them, you called back twice more, interupting that person's work.

Any interaction between you and a potential employer should be a positive one. Unfortunately in this case, the colleague you phoned has likely had a word with the hiring manager and told them how you've acted - raising big red flags about how you would behave in the team, and how suitable you are as a candidate.

---

I want to be clear, that this isn't an attack on you. Everybody allows worries and emotions to get the better of them at some point or another. But it's important to recognise the impact of your actions - so you can improve your behaviour for future applications.

In this specific case, there is nothing more you can do. As you've likely built a reputation for being impatient - any further correspondance to fix the damage, has a real risk of actually adding to it. Instead, I'd suggest just moving on and learning for future.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about not being available for the first call. Unless you had previously agreed to be available at that time - it's unreasonable for anybody to expect you to be significantly less busy than they are. A company that is willing to reject you because you weren't instantly available isn't a company I'd have high hopes for in general.

However, I do not believe this was the reason you were rejected

---

I tried calling him the next day three times: once in the early morning, once after lunch break and once in the evening, but every time it was his colleague who picked up the phone, telling me he was in a meeting or in a call. The second time was when he told me that Bob would call back approximately around 2.30pm, telling me Bob was very busy, but he never did.

I tried once again today in the morning, and got the colleague again instead

Simply put, you acted impatiently and annoyed their colleague.

Calling once to reschedule would be appropriate, and perfectly normal. However, you made 4 calls within 24 hours - each of which was recieved by somebody not directly related to the hiring process.

Importantly, after you called the second time - which is arguably already impatient and unprofessional (but still within understandable bounds); the colleague gave you a specific instruction - to wait for their call back.

Instead of listening to their colleague and trusting them, you called back twice more, interupting that person's work.

Any interaction between you and a potential employer should be a positive one. Unfortunately in this case, the colleague you phoned has likely had a word with the hiring manager and told them how you've acted - raising big red flags about how you would behave in the team, and how suitable you are as a candidate.

---

I want to be clear, that this isn't an attack on you. Everybody allows worries and emotions to get the better of them at some point or another. But it's important to recognise the impact of your actions - so you can improve your behaviour for future applications.

In this specific case, there is nothing more you can do. As you've likely built a reputation for being impatient - any further correspondance to fix the damage, has a real risk of actually adding to it. Instead, I'd suggest just moving on and learning for future.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

answered 2 hours ago

Bilkokuya

1,3741414

1,3741414

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
  – blurry
  44 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
  – blurry
  44 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
– blurry
44 mins ago

Personally, I don't think the last two paragraphs are necessary. I think it'd be worth adding that calling four times in 24 hours makes you look desperate, and someone desperate for the job probably isn't worth having.
– blurry
44 mins ago

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

In addition to Raths excellent answer I just want to add an observation from experience.

You don't have to justify anything, you did nothing wrong, yet you still missed an opportunity.

You need to put it behind you but look at what happened as you chalk it up to experience.

Opportunities can switch on and switch off in the blink of an eye in many facets of life. If you really want something, you catch the next train, don't show up to driver training, jog home, whatever it takes.

You can't relive the moment, but you can learn from it.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
  – Yakk
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
  – Neil Slater
  58 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

In addition to Raths excellent answer I just want to add an observation from experience.

You don't have to justify anything, you did nothing wrong, yet you still missed an opportunity.

You need to put it behind you but look at what happened as you chalk it up to experience.

Opportunities can switch on and switch off in the blink of an eye in many facets of life. If you really want something, you catch the next train, don't show up to driver training, jog home, whatever it takes.

You can't relive the moment, but you can learn from it.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
  – Yakk
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
  – Neil Slater
  58 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
11
down vote

up vote
11
down vote

In addition to Raths excellent answer I just want to add an observation from experience.

You don't have to justify anything, you did nothing wrong, yet you still missed an opportunity.

You need to put it behind you but look at what happened as you chalk it up to experience.

Opportunities can switch on and switch off in the blink of an eye in many facets of life. If you really want something, you catch the next train, don't show up to driver training, jog home, whatever it takes.

You can't relive the moment, but you can learn from it.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

In addition to Raths excellent answer I just want to add an observation from experience.

You don't have to justify anything, you did nothing wrong, yet you still missed an opportunity.

You need to put it behind you but look at what happened as you chalk it up to experience.

Opportunities can switch on and switch off in the blink of an eye in many facets of life. If you really want something, you catch the next train, don't show up to driver training, jog home, whatever it takes.

You can't relive the moment, but you can learn from it.

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

answered 6 hours ago

Kilisi

105k58234412

105k58234412

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
  – Yakk
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
  – Neil Slater
  58 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
  – Fattie
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
  – Yakk
  1 hour ago
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
  – Neil Slater
  58 mins ago
  
  

  
  
  
  

This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
– Fattie
4 hours ago

This is totally astute, and every sentence is correct.
– Fattie
4 hours ago

2

2

You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
– Yakk
1 hour ago

You seem to be assuming that taking the call would have made any difference in the results, other than causing the OP to miss a drivers lesson/train. Can you make that explicit, and add evicence why?
– Yakk
1 hour ago

Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
– Neil Slater
58 mins ago

Agreed with Yakk, the cost/benefit analysis in this answer seems skewed to this job opportunity being great fit for OP, and a successful hire guaranteed if only he skipped his prior appointment. Working in IT, you will get 100s of recruitment calls in your life, and there is no reason to expect a call at an awkward moment to somehow be a better opportunity that the other dozen at more convenient times. Whilst there is good reason in my opinion, to see a red flag in Bob's behaviour that would make this "opportunity" not for everyone. Or to see fault with OP's follow-ups as per Bilkokuya's A.
– Neil Slater
58 mins ago

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I'm going to jump in because apparently my view is in the minority (although my overall advice is the same).

I don't think you did anything wrong, and suspect you dodged a bullet (although it does depend on your industry and experience level). If your first experience with the company starts with them contacting you outside of normal business hours and expecting you to immediately be available, then it bodes badly for what working with them will be like. When I interview candidates I try my best to respect their time just as I would if they were my employees, so getting an answer of "I'd be happy to chat but I'm right in the middle of something right now - can we try again tomorrow?" seems like a perfectly fine answer to me, and I'd just follow up the next day.

Of course, we don't know for sure that they rejected you because of that first phone call, although from the facts you presented it seems likely. Were that the case though, that's on them, not you. I think their behavior suggests that they expected you to be available at anytime that is convenient for them, and seem to be approaching this from the perspective of "I have the job, I have the power, and you need to jump through my hoops". In case it isn't clear, I don't consider that to be a reasonable way for a company to approach finding candidates, and I would be very nervous about accepting a job from a company that approaches hiring with that perspective.

1. Did you lose an opportunity because you didn't drop what you were doing and take the call? Possibly.
   


2. Is that a bad thing? Probably not
   


3. What can you do about it? Nothing
   

Regardless of how it happened, the opportunity is now lost. I think that's probably a good thing, but either way it is gone. Arguing never helps your cause. I've actually had candidates try to argue with me after they were rejected, as well as seen them try to argue with others when I wasn't the primary hire-er. I never appreciate it, I have never seen it work out for the candidate, and it is the quickest way into the "Never hire this person ever" pile. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but that's the only option you have.

Things like this are inevitable (I've been cut once or twice myself for reasons that I thought were unreasonable) but it's just how life goes, and you simply continue the job hunt.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I'm going to jump in because apparently my view is in the minority (although my overall advice is the same).

I don't think you did anything wrong, and suspect you dodged a bullet (although it does depend on your industry and experience level). If your first experience with the company starts with them contacting you outside of normal business hours and expecting you to immediately be available, then it bodes badly for what working with them will be like. When I interview candidates I try my best to respect their time just as I would if they were my employees, so getting an answer of "I'd be happy to chat but I'm right in the middle of something right now - can we try again tomorrow?" seems like a perfectly fine answer to me, and I'd just follow up the next day.

Of course, we don't know for sure that they rejected you because of that first phone call, although from the facts you presented it seems likely. Were that the case though, that's on them, not you. I think their behavior suggests that they expected you to be available at anytime that is convenient for them, and seem to be approaching this from the perspective of "I have the job, I have the power, and you need to jump through my hoops". In case it isn't clear, I don't consider that to be a reasonable way for a company to approach finding candidates, and I would be very nervous about accepting a job from a company that approaches hiring with that perspective.

1. Did you lose an opportunity because you didn't drop what you were doing and take the call? Possibly.
   


2. Is that a bad thing? Probably not
   


3. What can you do about it? Nothing
   

Regardless of how it happened, the opportunity is now lost. I think that's probably a good thing, but either way it is gone. Arguing never helps your cause. I've actually had candidates try to argue with me after they were rejected, as well as seen them try to argue with others when I wasn't the primary hire-er. I never appreciate it, I have never seen it work out for the candidate, and it is the quickest way into the "Never hire this person ever" pile. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but that's the only option you have.

Things like this are inevitable (I've been cut once or twice myself for reasons that I thought were unreasonable) but it's just how life goes, and you simply continue the job hunt.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

up vote
7
down vote

I'm going to jump in because apparently my view is in the minority (although my overall advice is the same).

I don't think you did anything wrong, and suspect you dodged a bullet (although it does depend on your industry and experience level). If your first experience with the company starts with them contacting you outside of normal business hours and expecting you to immediately be available, then it bodes badly for what working with them will be like. When I interview candidates I try my best to respect their time just as I would if they were my employees, so getting an answer of "I'd be happy to chat but I'm right in the middle of something right now - can we try again tomorrow?" seems like a perfectly fine answer to me, and I'd just follow up the next day.

Of course, we don't know for sure that they rejected you because of that first phone call, although from the facts you presented it seems likely. Were that the case though, that's on them, not you. I think their behavior suggests that they expected you to be available at anytime that is convenient for them, and seem to be approaching this from the perspective of "I have the job, I have the power, and you need to jump through my hoops". In case it isn't clear, I don't consider that to be a reasonable way for a company to approach finding candidates, and I would be very nervous about accepting a job from a company that approaches hiring with that perspective.

1. Did you lose an opportunity because you didn't drop what you were doing and take the call? Possibly.
   


2. Is that a bad thing? Probably not
   


3. What can you do about it? Nothing
   

Regardless of how it happened, the opportunity is now lost. I think that's probably a good thing, but either way it is gone. Arguing never helps your cause. I've actually had candidates try to argue with me after they were rejected, as well as seen them try to argue with others when I wasn't the primary hire-er. I never appreciate it, I have never seen it work out for the candidate, and it is the quickest way into the "Never hire this person ever" pile. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but that's the only option you have.

Things like this are inevitable (I've been cut once or twice myself for reasons that I thought were unreasonable) but it's just how life goes, and you simply continue the job hunt.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

I'm going to jump in because apparently my view is in the minority (although my overall advice is the same).

I don't think you did anything wrong, and suspect you dodged a bullet (although it does depend on your industry and experience level). If your first experience with the company starts with them contacting you outside of normal business hours and expecting you to immediately be available, then it bodes badly for what working with them will be like. When I interview candidates I try my best to respect their time just as I would if they were my employees, so getting an answer of "I'd be happy to chat but I'm right in the middle of something right now - can we try again tomorrow?" seems like a perfectly fine answer to me, and I'd just follow up the next day.

Of course, we don't know for sure that they rejected you because of that first phone call, although from the facts you presented it seems likely. Were that the case though, that's on them, not you. I think their behavior suggests that they expected you to be available at anytime that is convenient for them, and seem to be approaching this from the perspective of "I have the job, I have the power, and you need to jump through my hoops". In case it isn't clear, I don't consider that to be a reasonable way for a company to approach finding candidates, and I would be very nervous about accepting a job from a company that approaches hiring with that perspective.

1. Did you lose an opportunity because you didn't drop what you were doing and take the call? Possibly.
   


2. Is that a bad thing? Probably not
   


3. What can you do about it? Nothing
   

Regardless of how it happened, the opportunity is now lost. I think that's probably a good thing, but either way it is gone. Arguing never helps your cause. I've actually had candidates try to argue with me after they were rejected, as well as seen them try to argue with others when I wasn't the primary hire-er. I never appreciate it, I have never seen it work out for the candidate, and it is the quickest way into the "Never hire this person ever" pile. Letting go can be hard sometimes, but that's the only option you have.

Things like this are inevitable (I've been cut once or twice myself for reasons that I thought were unreasonable) but it's just how life goes, and you simply continue the job hunt.

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

answered 2 hours ago

Conor Mancone

2,1255929

2,1255929

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

I think they simply wanted to check if you're one of those people who send out tens (or even hundreds) of resumes and then wait if somebody responds, or if you did some research and you're really interested to work for this specific company.

By trying to reschedule the call for no obvious reason, it most likely seemed to them like you belong to the former group and they obviously aren't interested in you anymore.

As for actual advice, you should learn from this experience, there's nothing better you can do.

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

I think they simply wanted to check if you're one of those people who send out tens (or even hundreds) of resumes and then wait if somebody responds, or if you did some research and you're really interested to work for this specific company.

By trying to reschedule the call for no obvious reason, it most likely seemed to them like you belong to the former group and they obviously aren't interested in you anymore.

As for actual advice, you should learn from this experience, there's nothing better you can do.

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

up vote
4
down vote

I think they simply wanted to check if you're one of those people who send out tens (or even hundreds) of resumes and then wait if somebody responds, or if you did some research and you're really interested to work for this specific company.

By trying to reschedule the call for no obvious reason, it most likely seemed to them like you belong to the former group and they obviously aren't interested in you anymore.

As for actual advice, you should learn from this experience, there's nothing better you can do.

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

I think they simply wanted to check if you're one of those people who send out tens (or even hundreds) of resumes and then wait if somebody responds, or if you did some research and you're really interested to work for this specific company.

By trying to reschedule the call for no obvious reason, it most likely seemed to them like you belong to the former group and they obviously aren't interested in you anymore.

As for actual advice, you should learn from this experience, there's nothing better you can do.

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 3 hours ago

edited 3 hours ago

edited 3 hours ago

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

answered 6 hours ago

Simon

493

493

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

New contributor

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Simon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

noClue is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

 

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