Interview no-show

It’s not often that I post personal stuff here, but I’m getting the impression that I’ve been discriminated against, although I don’t think I’ll find out until at least tomorrow (insha Allah).

Yesterday, out of the blue, a company to which I must have sent my CV after seeing their advert as a result of an email circular I’d signed up for, called me on my mobile. I’d forgotten that I’d sent my CV to them, but we arranged for me to visit them on Thursday for an interview. I said Thursday, because of some cash-flow problems I thought I’d have arising from the renewal of my web hosting contract this week (£82). Anyway, this morning, I got up and cycled in the pouring rain to the job in Raynes Park I did yesterday – only to be told that I wasn’t needed, and apparently my agency hadn’t got the message through.

Anyway, later on in the morning, I called that company back and asked them to re-arrange the interview, as I was now free (i.e. unemployed) for today, and might not be free on Thursday, as jobs come up day by day. They agreed, and we set the time for 4pm this afternoon.

Just before I went, I sent them a fax explaining that, for religious reasons, I was unable to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. This was to forestall any embarrassment or offence which might be caused by my refusing a handshake when it’s offered. I set off some time after 2pm, which is more than enough time. I got to the office just before 4, and knocked on the door.

And there was nobody there. There was no sign of life at the office whatsoever, and the door was locked. I tried calling them again, but nobody answered. I hung around for about 20 minutes, asking the guy at reception if he knew why they might not be there. He didn’t, although he did say they’d been in, as they’d got their mail. I called their number and left a message, asking them to call me back if they wanted to arrange another interview.

I then headed for the Apple Centre in Regent Street, where they have free internet access, to check if they’d sent me an email. They hadn’t. So what happened? I’m pretty sure I didn’t mis-hear or forget that they said 2pm rather than 4pm – I’m pretty sure it was indeed 4pm. It seems that either someone didn’t pass on a message, or they got funny when I sent them that fax (which, by the way, did not say which religion, although they could probably guess). Still, I’m going to call them again tomorrow insha Allah, to see if I can re-arrange that interview. If it does turn out to be discrimination, I intend to name the company.