Failure to be shortlisted

James_N

I work for a major employer. Recently the job of head of section was advertised. It has previously been temporarily filled on a suspiciously chummy internal move - however I did force a selection by raising complaints and was interviewed and told that I "performed excellently". I did not get the temp job but can see they had already determined it should go elsewhere, since they are grooming a management poodle.

While I had been sent abroad in June, they advertised and closed the applications for the same position - but now made perm - while I was still away. I did not know about it until my return. I complained, and was allowed to submit an application.

I have just been told I have not even been shortlisted.

I am excellently qualified and experienced and have far better judgement than the person filling the job, who has caused so many problems in the last year. I am better qualified, with very important skills and experience that is lacking in him. I fit the description better than him in several areas.

Can I make any legal move against failure to even consider me for the job?

bristol_pilot

James_N wrote: »

Can I make any legal move against failure to even consider me for the job?

No. It's pretty clear that they want the other person and not you. There will be other opportunities, but not if you upset the management by making a fuss on this occasion. It's really only in the public sector that there are rules about being fair in advertising all posts etc.

CFC

James_N wrote: »

I am excellently qualified and experienced and have far better judgement than the person filling the job, who has caused so many problems in the last year. I am better qualified, with very important skills and experience that is lacking in him. I fit the description better than him in several areas.

quote]

The important thing missing here is the tag 'in my opinion'. Unfortunately the employer is not of the same opinion as yourself.

You have no leg to stand or even hop on unless you believe that age/sex/race/disability etc has had a hand in the refusal to offer you the role, and even then you would have to prove it.

Ask for feedback as to why you have not been shortlisted, learn from it and move on. The ideal is to really want to know why, because if people think you're a bit noisy they may not want to expend the effort in really giving you feedback that you may not care for and fob you off with a superficial reason instead. For your own advancement you need to know why your personality, face or skills don't fit.

James_N

CFC wrote: »

James_N wrote: »

Ask for feedback as to why you have not been shortlisted, learn from it and move on. The ideal is to really want to know why, because if people think you're a bit noisy they may not want to expend the effort in really giving you feedback that you may not care for and fob you off with a superficial reason instead. For your own advancement you need to know why your personality, face or skills don't fit.

Thanks for this reply, which does help to get the thing in perspective. As for further opportunities HERE - there won't be any. I'll be spending a lot of time now researching other jobs. I'll use any productive feedback from this episode to further my escape plan!

DIRTY_CASH

James_N wrote: »

CFC wrote: »

Thanks for this reply, which does help to get the thing in perspective. As for further opportunities HERE - there won't be any. I'll be spending a lot of time now researching other jobs. I'll use any productive feedback from this episode to further my escape plan!

Before you rush off - I am in the SAME boat. :mad:

Promoted over by some numpty who didn't even know the job he was promoted into and STILL can't grasp the basics of running a team or performing to standard HOWEVER he is older, male and um stroppy to say the least. Maybe its me being to nice that pushed me out of the picture but I am not going to worry myself over this. I am going to sit back and watch how he progresses. If your pal does not do well they may well come knocking on your door. You may want to think nah stuff'em but don't walk out of a good job because someone has overlooked your talents!
However if the job is pants go and good luck to you!:j

CFC

James_N wrote: »

CFC wrote: »

Thanks for this reply, which does help to get the thing in perspective. As for further opportunities HERE - there won't be any. I'll be spending a lot of time now researching other jobs. I'll use any productive feedback from this episode to further my escape plan!

Good idea. Not everyone fits into the company culture, cultures are different everywhere you go. Some are really focussed on one thing, others on another. I couldn't work anywhere the culture was very relaxed and laissez-faire or where top performance wasn't expected, because my personality wouldn't fit in, and I also would not be happy there.

Sometimes it's you, and sometimes it's simply an outlook difference, and sometimes it's both.

DIRTY_CASH

Sorry its my half arsed attitude at the moment!

Good luck whatever happens!:beer:

LondonDiva

Would echo those suggesting asking for feedback.

I've just closed an ad for a job, we received 43 applications and on first reading only shortlisted one. We then persevered and 'longlisted' 6, even though there were about 7 people already doing the job.

The application forms were a disgrace, poor grammar, spelling, getting the job title wrong, not reading the blomming job ad or description.

It's amazign the ways people shoot themselves in the foot. I found the people already doing the job / who could do it most dissappointing, they gave about 3-4 lines worth of supportign information:rolleyes: because we could 'obviously' see just how fab they truly were.

Savvy_Sue

LondonDiva wrote: »

It's amazign the ways people shoot themselves in the foot. I found the people already doing the job / who could do it most dissappointing, they gave about 3-4 lines worth of supportign information:rolleyes: because we could 'obviously' see just how fab they truly were.

Yup, I think internal applicants often don't realise that their application will be measured against all the others, possibly 'blind', ie without the shortlisters knowing names. So, even if you can see they're an internal applicant from their most recent employment, you may not be able to work out who it is. And even if you can, and know the person is better than their application makes them appear, you've got to go by what's on the form, not by what you might know. Can be a hard lesson to learn! Especially if the job goes to an external applicant who turns out to be not as good as they looked on paper!

James_N

LondonDiva wrote: »

Would echo those suggesting asking for feedback.


The application forms were a disgrace, poor grammar, spelling, getting the job title wrong, not reading the blomming job ad or description.

Whatever else lost me the job, it wasn't spelling, grammar or presentation skills that let me down: I have taught this kind of thing myself. I never send in badly presented materials when it REALLY MATTERS, whatever shortcut habits I get up to online or on the txt.

James_N

In connection with the above, I have learned the personnel office have been trying to phone me to give reasons - I am currently out a lot.
Can I / Should I insist on a written response?

BTW - the "mess" has already started. The appointee has taken holiday - and left a mess of things undone - would I be a complete !!!!!!! if I let them grow into a crisis and DID NOT cover for his lack of management skills?