... its good to talk ...

There were quite a few jobs going in Richmond Council. I confess to the Parking Section. So I applied. I filled in a detailed application form - CVs not accepted. and spent at least 2 hours spelling out why I could do every requirement on the person specification - candidates who do not will not be interviewed.

The details said that if you have not been invited for an interview within 4 weeks of the closing date you should consider that they you have not been short listed.

Four weeks passed.

Then a few days. Then realising I am an older worker I emailed the council's personnel department

I recently applied for the positions of Parking Appeals Officer and Senior Parking Appeals Officer. Your References EOS/288 and EOS/289.

I clear exceed the person specifications in the Parking Appeals Officer and all except required knowledge of the Road Traffic Act for the senior position.

I am assuming therefore that I was not short listed as I am over 55. I realise at present it is not illegal to discriminate on age, but it certainly is against government policy and appears to be against your equality procedures.

Is there a mechanism for making a formal complaint? I am assuming it is a waste of time for other posts with the council.

After sending the email I was phoned up almost immediately and offered an interview.

The interview lasted about 2 hours, although I was told it should only last an hour. I am not aware of making any mistakes in the interview. I covered most points quite well.

I was told as I left that they would be interviewing for another week or so. Then they would make a decision. To save money the council would not inform me if I was not successful. I have not been informed I was successful - so I have been unsuccessful

Are these organisations not able to use email????????????




In a way Richmond has given me less grief than Surrey Council, where 7 applications, where I matched the job profile extremely well resulted in no interview and a local university where they did not short list me for one of three research posts looking at improving opportunities for excluded students - an area I have 20+ years experience.