Weird email after second interview

RiskManager · Apr 5, 2017

Because I use one at work, I know that most healthcare facilities now use a HR software package that automates and tracks recruitment, application, initial screening, interviewing, background checks, review by the hiring manager and HR, and sending out offers or rejections. I suspect the hiring manager checked the little box that said 'decline applicant' and the software did the rest, sending out the 'thanks but no thanks' email and closing down the application file. Most places now do this because it saves a lot of time and staff resources, it removes bias from the recruitment process and allows HR departments to keep up with the flood of applicants. At the large healthcare systems where I have worked, it was not unusual for HR to get dozens of resumes or applications every working day. Most of them never even passed the automated screening to be forwarded to the hiring manager. As a hiring manager and department head, I can tell you that a lot of people send in resumes or applications for any position, regardless if they are qualified or not. At least with the automated screening, the resumes that make it to my desk at least meet the minimum requirements I specified for the position.

Your email was probably not sent in error. They most likely hired a candidate that for whatever reason, they felt would meet their needs better. Don't take it personally. Focus your efforts on finding the next suitable position.

Kay_Ray · Apr 5, 2017

Thanks for responding. I guess I'll just settle for another offer that I have at a local community hospital

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2017

It stinks. I've been there! I actually received a phone rejection once, which sounds like it's better - it's not. More professional, yes, but I was very excited and then I had to not show my disappointment in my voice. (I'd had multiple interviews for this job, also).

amoLucia · Apr 5, 2017

I know you're disappointed, but if you'd like to be nice - send a followup note to say to them 'thank you again for their time and courtesies, and altho you are disappointed, you hope that perhaps something in the future might open up and you could be considered after another application.

Nsg is a small world and sometimes you just can't figure it out, but you can make yourself stick out to be gracious.You might get pleasantly surprised some time down the road.

Good luck.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2017

very impressed with my new grad RN portfolio.

Maybe not so much.

PD82 · Apr 5, 2017

I would contact the recruiter you have been in touch with for the first 2 interviews. You can word it as a follow up email- "thank you again for the opportunity, I am looking forward to hearing from you regarding the position", or word it flat out asking about the email you received and confirmation that your no longer being considered. You should get your answer.

The reason I say to contact them is because I had a interview once that seemed to go very well and was told by the hiring mgr that I would hear something Monday (it was a Thursday) and the next day I got a automated rejection email. Like you, I was pretty surprised but figured I was not chosen and accepted a alternate position elsewhere. Well, guess what? I got a call Monday, like I was told, offering me the position I really wanted. The automated email was sent in error. It happens.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 6, 2017

I know you're disappointed, but if you'd like to be nice - send a followup note to say to them 'thank you again for their time and courtesies, and altho you are disappointed, you hope that perhaps something in the future might open up and you could be considered after another application.
Nsg is a small world and sometimes you just can't figure it out, but you can make yourself stick out to be gracious.You might get pleasantly surprised some time down the road.
Good luck.

If you are really interested in working for that hospital some day in the future, I would definitely do this. It's the classy thing to do and can make a good impression.

Also, if the deal with the other person (the one they hired) falls through -- or if another member of their staff resigns, you might be the first person they call to fill the suddenly-vacant position. I just did that recently. -- 2 days after I had made my selection and notified HR to send out the rejection notices, someone changed their mind about coming. Rather than start over, I simply offered the person to someone who had been rejected just a couple of days previously.

FrickFrackRN · Apr 6, 2017

I received an automated HR letter after my last interview stating I did not get the job, but I did! That through me through one heck of an emotional rollercoaster

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2017

Honestly, take it at face value: you were rejected for the position. A personal touch would have been nice, especially since you interviewed twice and shadowed. But sometimes, all the manager does is tell HR, "Sorry, but No" to your application, HR plugs it into the computer, the computer takes over, and you get the impersonal rejection. It's not ideal, but it is what it is

I agree with the idea of sending a follow-up Thank You note. It puts you in a good light--yes, you got rejected, but you handled it with professionalism and grace. That can make an impression.

But it appears you have another job offer...take that and, if you still want to go there after a year or two, try again at this facility.

Best of luck at your new job!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2017

I received an automated HR letter after my last interview stating I did not get the job, but I did! That through me through one heck of an emotional rollercoaster

Had that happen to me too.

I remember when, after receiving an automated rejection email, the manager called me. I figured they were calling to tell me in person, so I briefly mentioned my disappointment, then immediately thanked them for having had the opportunity to interview in the first place. They were rather confused when I said that because they were calling to offer me a job. They wanted to hire me but they had to create a new job posting for me. But in order to do that, they had to reject me from the first one.

That being said, what happened to you and I and PD82 is the exception and not the rule. Generally, a rejection email means you were rejected. You could always drop a note and ask though...and the Thank You note is a great way to remind them of your existence without nagging them with "why not me?"

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2017

I would contact the recruiter you have been in touch with for the first 2 interviews. You can word it as a follow up email- "thank you again for the opportunity, I am looking forward to hearing from you regarding the position", or word it flat out asking about the email you received and confirmation that your no longer being considered. You should get your answer.
The reason I say to contact them is because I had a interview once that seemed to go very well and was told by the hiring mgr that I would hear something Monday (it was a Thursday) and the next day I got a automated rejection email. Like you, I was pretty surprised but figured I was not chosen and accepted a alternate position elsewhere. Well, guess what? I got a call Monday, like I was told, offering me the position I really wanted. The automated email was sent in error. It happens.

This exact situation happened to me as well. Got the rejection email, then 2 hours later the phone call offering me the position. They (still) have no idea how I got a rejection email.