Didn't get the job, but still work there as a volunteer!

maryroberts

Just found out that I did not get the admin job I was interviewed for, at a place where I've been volunteering for a few months. I am gutted because I was led to believe that I had a really good chance of getting it, & felt that the interview went well.

Obviously someone else was better than me & more suited to the position, but I feel so awkward to go back there next week as a volunteer, doing the same job. I will work with the newly appointed person and I'm sure will feel resentful that I could have had that paid job!

OH thinks I should not bother going back, but I can't just leave them in the lurch! I do actually enjoy the work, it's a respected organisation and I will need a reference from them as I apply for other jobs. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice please?

dandelionclock30

I would show them you were not bothered at all by being gracious and in a good mood etc. Welcome the new person warmly and dont mention it to anyone etc that you are upset about not getting it.
Meanwhile apply like crazy for all other jobs you are interested in and other voluntary positions. I would sort myself something elce out and move on and not give them another thought.
Sometimes other people just are that bit more experienced or more suited. I would'nt take it to heart but would look to broaden my experience elcewhere.

duchy

You've put the effort in -there's no point in blowing an excellent reference for an average one by going in next week with attitude -or not showing up......anyway who is to say the new person is going to work out-or doesn't start because they were also offered something better-or something else comes up you want to apply for within the organization. And who will be right there on the spot if any of these happen ?

Be a grown up about it and show them what they are missing out on -If you just quit they'll just think they made the right decision in not employing you anyway. Flouncing out is not a sensible idea.

In the meantime you've gained some good experience and valuable interview practice ......and they are valuable to help you find a job that offers what you want.

dizzyrascal

As you already work there you should ask them to put some time aside for you to have a chat with the chair of the interview team and say that you would like some feedback on how you performed/where you can improve.
It is a reasonable request and you can show them how disappointed you are and how much you want to work there by improving your interview technique. They owe you this much, so go for it.
It might simply come down to being slightly pipped to the post on a small thing so don't be disappointed if they say this. It does happen all the time.
Also, it is harder to do internal interviews. You might perform much better at a different organisation

maryroberts

Thanks for the advice. OH agrees he was daft to say I shouldn't go back! I will certainly ask for feedback but the person who interviewed me is on holiday next week. There was a 2nd interviewer but they are not from the same office.

dizzyrascal

I would ask the person you feel most comfortable speaking too.
It shows initiative on your part and an informal chat should show them how keen you really are.

DebtClearer

Maybe the organisation didn't see the point in paying you for something you already willingly do for free? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate but ultimately they are running a business so good willed people like you are a dream to them. I would suggest getting out of there ASAP as I'd imagine that job was your most likely chance of a food in the door.

TrickyWicky

DebtClearer wrote: »

Maybe the organisation didn't see the point in paying you for something you already willingly do for free? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate but ultimately they are running a business so good willed people like you are a dream to them.

Sadly thats all too true these days.

zzzLazyDaisy

DebtClearer wrote: »

Maybe the organisation didn't see the point in paying you for something you already willingly do for free? .

I used to work as a solicitor in a legal advice centre connected with the CAB. The exact opposite was true there - we used to come under considerable pressure to favour volunteers who applied for paid jobs over external applicants, because they knew the culture and ethos of the organisation. But, where I was involved in interviewing, we appointed from outside on every occasion bar one - because they were genuinely the best person for the job.

OP, look after your own interests. You are gaining valuable experience in volunteering and you have a good reference, this will make you more attractive to a potential employer than someone who has been unemployed for a long time and has nothing to show for it.

You should ask for feedback, and this will probably be expected. It won't be a bad thing to wait until the manager is back from leave as you will have had chance to get used to the idea of working with the new person, and the first feelings of upset will have worn off, so you it will be easier for you to be professional about it (not saying you wouldn't be anyway).

Good luck!

Dx

MissSarah1972

DebtClearer wrote: »

Maybe the organisation didn't see the point in paying you for something you already willingly do for free? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate but ultimately they are running a business so good willed people like you are a dream to them. I would suggest getting out of there ASAP as I'd imagine that job was your most likely chance of a food in the door.

I agree with the above - if there is a job for two people but they can get one for free, work it out.

maryroberts

DebtClearer wrote: »

Maybe the organisation didn't see the point in paying you for something you already willingly do for free? I'm just playing Devil's Advocate but ultimately they are running a business so good willed people like you are a dream to them. I would suggest getting out of there ASAP as I'd imagine that job was your most likely chance of a food in the door.

Thanks - that's something I had not even considered and may well be true! There were only internal candidates interviewed and I'm hoping the one who got the job is from another office, not the same one! The position was for much more responsibility but if I did get the job, they would still have needed to replace me with a new volunteer = time & hassle interviewing etc.

I've been volunteering for 3 days a week recently, increased from 2 days because they were desperate and I thought it would improve my job chances! But I've e-mailed them to say I can now only do 2 days, I think it's true they tend to take advantage a bit. Hopefully I will get paid employment soon anyway.