Hey fellow Redditors,
I recently encountered a perplexing situation during a job application process and thought I'd share it here to gather your insights and perhaps, some advice.
I applied for a position that aligns perfectly with my skills and experience. Interestingly, it was a junior role, while I carry a senior-level expertise. I applied anyway, seeking stability and a break from the freelancing world. However, my journey with the application took a strange turn when I was informed that I wouldn’t be moving forward to the next round. The HR representative cited a lack of experience in a particular area as the reason, which baffled me since not only does my CV highlight substantial experience in that area, but we also discussed it in-depth during the interview, to which she responded positively.
When I sought clarity on this apparent discrepancy, the HR rep pivoted to a completely different reason: a supposed lack of experience with handling larger clients and conducting meetings. Again, this was contrary to the information provided in both my cover letter and during our conversation, where I detailed my experience in organizing, structuring, and leading such meetings as a freelancer.
While I respect their decision, I can't shake the feeling that there might be an undisclosed reason for the rejection. This brings me to ponder: are employers legally allowed to reject an application without providing a clear or truthful reason, even when the applicant seems to be a strong fit for the role?
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this!