Very disappointing recruitment…
Very disappointing recruitment experience — 2 months wasted
Honestly, I’m really disappointed with how this whole recruitment process was handled. It took around 2 months from the interview stage, and throughout the process I was given the impression that I had been successful and that the only thing left was the usual checks. I was told these checks could take around 45 days.
Because I was told I had got the role, I genuinely believed everything was going ahead and made decisions based on that. I even turned down another job opportunity because I thought this position was secure.
After waiting for around 2 months, I was eventually told that they couldn’t proceed because of one negative reference from a previous employer. I had already explained the situation surrounding that reference and provided evidence and information to explain what had happened. I also had other positive references, but unfortunately it seems that this one reference was enough for the client to withdraw the application.
What has made the whole situation even more frustrating is the communication. There were long periods where I heard nothing and I had to keep chasing for updates. At one point I was told that they were still discussing the situation, and I waited weeks before contacting them again. More recently, my recruiter told me he would get back to me, but when I didn’t hear anything, I had to chase again myself.
I completely understand that companies need to carry out reference and security checks and that a client can ultimately decide not to proceed. What I find difficult to accept is being left waiting for so long after being told I had been successful, especially when I had already made decisions based on believing the job was going ahead.
This whole experience has put me in a very difficult position. I’ve now been out of work for around 2 months, and the uncertainty and lack of communication have had a really negative impact on me personally.
I’m not writing this because I expect them to give me the job. I just feel the process could have been handled much better, with more honest communication and consideration for the candidate. If there was a possibility that the application could be withdrawn because of the references, I feel that should have been made much clearer much earlier in the process.
I hope they take this feedback seriously, because behind every application there is a real person making decisions about their work and their future. Three months is a long time to be left waiting, especially when you believe you have already secured the job.








