Not being interviewed for a job I've created?

dizzyrascal

Hi
I could do with some help please. I have had my current role for over 5 years. It started out as a reception role but has developed into a much bigger role and my job description has kept pace with my new skills. During the past few years I have worked on some longer term projects which I have developed and they have become about 50% of my job. I love this part of my role so I was delighted when my department found the money to fund a new job which is essentially developing this part of my job into a full time role. Especially as the new role will mean an increase of 2 grades, approx £5,000 increase on my salary, which is what I have been hoping for.
Here's the problem. I submitted my application, which I was assured was excellent, matched every skill etc, great personal statement and so on. My colleagues had already assumed that I would be the obvious choice for the job, I have made no secret of the fact that I am ambitious and want to take on more responsibility during the last 5 years but, it seems I have not been selected for interview.
Apart from being very upset, it would appear, at this stage anyway, that I have lost half my job (which is in my job description)
I don't know what to do next. The interviews are very soon so my questions is, is it worth trying to talk to HR before the interviews take place and what angle should I take? I don't want to be threatening but I am very angry at the moment. Even if HR agree that I should be interviewed, can they make my department head do it.

dseventy

Sorry but there is no obligation to interview you for the post.

I would approach your line manager and explain the situation, how you feel and what the new job means for your role.

D70

DCFC79

I agree with dseventy, yes you may have been told your application etc was excellent but theose who said so dont have no control over who is selected for interview.

Definitely approach your manager and explain how you enjoy it etc etc.

dizzyrascal

Unfortunately I think my line manager might be the problem. She does not encourage career progression in her staff. I don't quite understand her but she does seem to resent my being better qualified than her.
Also, if half my job is to go to the new role that puts me back to being a receptionist which would be a waste of my MSc in computing and obviously a change in my contract. As I have stated, my job description does contain the parts of the role that will go to the new job. So where do I stand in terms of employment.

DCFC79

dizzyrascal wrote: »

Unfortunately I think my line manager might be the problem. She does not encourage career progression in her staff. I don't quite understand her but she does seem to resent my being better qualified than her.
Also, if half my job is to go to the new role that puts me back to being a receptionist which would be a waste of my MSc in computing and obviously a change in my contract. As I have stated, my job description does contain the parts of the role that will go to the new job. So where do I stand in terms of employment.

Why dont you wait and see what happens when the new employee starts, maybe a new job is called for.

t0rt0ise

You need to be looking for a new job and saying in applications how you've progressed in this role and are now ready for more.

dizzyrascal

Thanks for the advice. My view is that it would be impossible to continue in what will be left of my role as it would have the effect of going back to where I was 5 years ago so I think the only thing to do is to move on elsewhere as quickly as poss. Also I would not be comfortable working with a new person who would need training to do what I did (presumably by me) but would get paid more and be on a higher grade.

blossomhill_2

What a shame for you however I think it is overly optomistic to think you would be considered for a 2 grade leap, esp in the cuurent job climate, most people are lucky to step up one, and it seems that other applicants may have had a better CV than you.

Another possibility is that even if you matched skills on the application, you didn't sell yourself hard enough due to thinking it was already in the bag, I have seen this happen, and as frustrating as it was for me (worse for the staff), had to overlook the person I knew could do the job well, in favour of the person who could take me to tribunal if I didn't give them a demonstrably fair chance

If the work is only 50% of your job, you have only been able to demonstrate limited experience of the work, whereas somone else may have applied who has 100% experience of doing the skills. Being ambitious/newly qualified is not the same as being experienced, and unless you have been age-discriminated for being too young (which with an MSc I doubt) the employer may have chosen experience/proven track record over ambition. Which would be terribly disappointing for you I am afraid.

You do need to talk to HR about how your JD will be changed when the 50% is subtracted, and how you are going to work well with the new person, especially if you will be expected to show them the ropes - maybe a special bonus for training them up?

getmore4less

if your current job disapears that could be a redundancy situation.

You may be justified in saying the role that is left is not a suitable alternative

CapJ

I suggest right now applying for other jobs before your responsibilities disappear. That way you can present to intereviewers as a sideways move. (In parallel to any discussions with HR).

In the meantime talk to HR urgently as other posters suggest. Since it is roles and not people that are made redundant it is difficult to see how they could proceed!

TrickyWicky

dizzyrascal wrote: »

Unfortunately I think my line manager might be the problem. She does not encourage career progression in her staff. I don't quite understand her but she does seem to resent my being better qualified than her.

I've been there in my last job. Needless to say the boss hated me as I had far more experience than him and had far more knowledge about a lot of things than he did. Sh*t got stirred for me on a regular basis and my colleagues were encouraged to do the same.

If you're line manager is like that then you're wasting your time. You won't be going up the chain anywhere so start looking for another job. Line managers HATE people with more experience than them, they're seen as a threat. My last one tried everything to make me look stupid and get me the sack. I survived all of it and made him start to look like the idiot but left due to a legal spat higher up the monkey chain of command.