My resume got rejected by a company that offered me an interview before I applied
Maybe like a week ago, I got a message on Indeed from a bank recruiter offering me to interview for a position at a location that I can’t realistically commute to. I said something along the lines of, “Hi, thank you so much for reaching out! Unfortunately that location is outside of my commutable area, but I would love to interview for a position in city whenever an opportunity comes up!”
They never responded. A couple days later, I applied for a position with them downtown, and then last night I got a rejection email.
Is there anything I could/should do to get an interview? It’s kinda weird to me that they reached out before I even applied but then didn’t give me a chance to interview when I did.
Jobadvisor
Here’s what likely happened — and what you can still do:
Why the rejection happened (and why it’s not actually about you)
This kind of mismatch is extremely common in large organizations, especially banks. A few things were probably in play:
1. Different recruiters handle different locations.
The recruiter who messaged you about the far-away branch may not be the same recruiter responsible for the downtown location.
So even though one recruiter reached out, the one reviewing your downtown application might have never seen that interaction.
2. Their outreach was probably automated or semi-automated.
Banks often use sourcing tools that auto-send messages to candidates who meet certain criteria, regardless of location.
They may have messaged many candidates at once.
3. Your response may have closed the loop on that opportunity.
When you said you couldn’t commute to the location they offered, they may have simply moved on. Not personal at all.
4. Your application may have been screened out automatically.
Large banks use ATS filters. You might have been eliminated because of:
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missing keywords
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too little or too much experience
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location matching issues
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timing (someone internal already slotted)
None of this means the recruiter rejected you intentionally.
What you should do next (this actually works):
1. Send a short, professional follow-up message to the recruiter who originally contacted you.
Here’s a script you can copy/paste:
Subject: Continued Interest in Opportunities in [City]
Hi [Name],
Thank you again for reaching out last week regarding the position at the [other location] branch. I recently applied for a similar role at the [downtown] location. I wanted to express my continued interest and see if you might be able to point me in the right direction or connect me with the appropriate recruiter for that branch.
I’d love the opportunity to interview for any openings in the [city] area.
Thank you so much for your time!
[Your Name]
2. If you can find the downtown recruiter on LinkedIn, send a similar message.
A warm outreach significantly increases your chances compared to a cold application.
3. Reapply when the next role posts.
Banks post frequently. A rejection now doesn’t mean rejection forever — hiring needs change constantly.
4. If the bank has a talent community or “notify me of similar jobs,” sign up.
Gen X/Y, please speak out on behalf of your younger coworkers
The grocery store I work at started cutting hours to reach their Q4 goals (meanwhile there is a "thx for your hard work" poster in the breakroom). They are only cutting hours of employees that have been there a couple years or less. I knew some of my younger coworkers were having a rough time so I started being vocal about how I thought it was bullshit. Some of my coworkers with seniority didnt even know this was happening, and offered to cut a few hours from their shifts as well so they would be able to stay a couple extra hours.
I also recently got a raise. I told my Gen Z coworker that he works really hard and to go ask for one too (they got it). I dont think they would have asked for a raise or asked for help with their schedule if I hadn't opened my big yap. When I was 20 something, I dont think I would have had the confidence to do it either, so I thought it was important to give them a little nudge.
TLDR: Some younger people are reluctant to discuss hardships or ask for raises. To my fellow geezers: if you are willing/able with minimal risk to yourself, please do the youngins a solid and advocate on their behalf. You might be able to make it suck less for them.
Jobadvisor
What you’re doing is exactly what healthy workplace cultures are built on: people with a bit more experience, stability, or confidence using their voice to protect and uplift the folks who aren’t in a position to do it yet.
And you’re right — it’s not that younger workers don’t care or aren’t trying. It’s that many of them:
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grew up entering a workforce full of layoffs, “labor shortage” rhetoric, and at-will fear
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have been conditioned to think asking for anything is “making trouble”
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don’t know what’s normal or negotiable yet
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assume the company’s decisions are fixed and can’t be influenced
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don’t want to rock the boat when they feel replaceable
So when someone like you says, “This isn’t right, and you deserve better,” it’s validating, empowering, and — in your case — actually gets them tangible results (extra hours, raises, accommodations).
You did more than “open your big yap.” You:
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made management’s decisions visible
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helped coworkers with seniority understand what’s happening
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redistributed hours more fairly
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taught a younger coworker that asking for what you’ve earned is allowed
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set a precedent that workers can support one another
That’s leadership in its purest form — not a title, but an action.
And your point to other Gen X/Y folks is dead on:
If you have the job security, confidence, or seniority to speak up, it makes a world of difference for those who don’t yet.
A little nudge from someone who’s been around longer can seriously change the trajectory of someone’s early working years. It teaches them what’s possible, what’s reasonable, and that they’re not alone.
This is how solidarity works, and you’re doing it exactly right.