Not offered internal job I have spent six years preparing for.

SJE89

I work for a Local Authority and have done since 2019, in a role that I am aware took them an incredibly long time to recruit for, after many failed processes, being unable to find the right candidate, and I came along and seemed to answer their prayers as a council they were in the process of building new, and buying old housing stock for rent, for many different purposes.
My role is specialised in Housing Management, and they struggled to find someone who satisfied all the criteria.

3 years later, in 2022, we were continuing to expand and a new housing scheme was opening, and I applied for the manager post. 
I was unsuccessful and it was given to a manager who was working in a higher up role.
I was devastated and started to look for other jobs as I felt I was not valued enough and had put in my dues and then some, so time for a fresh start.

I applied for a role I had wanted for years with the company I worked for prior to the LA, and was offered the role.
Upon telling my manager I was told how gutted they were and a couple of days later, I was asked if there was anything that could be done to get me to stay.
I was then offered a handsome pay rise, which I accepted.

Now, 2 and a half years later, our team continues to grow and another scheme is opening. So I took the feedback from last time and followed it to the letter.
I work in the office where the interviews were taking place today ad my colleague was given the list of interviewees and came and spoke to me about it as she hadn't been aware I had applied. (no one was).
On the list was me, someone else I didn't know, a colleague of mine in the same team and same level, and someone else from within the council who is the IT manager.
Also, surprisingly our head of service showed up this morning to be on the panel, and wasn't on the panel list that went out with the emails to invite interviewees. Something that my colleague who also applied commented on. 

I was second to interview, the IT manager was third and my colleague was last.
While my colleague was waiting we had a chat, and she said "why has she gone for it?" we both agreed it didn't make much sense, and also seems unfair that those in good, well paid jobs keep coming and poaching development opportunities from us already in the team, looking for ways to grow, and they keep getting snatched away.

I was invited back in around 3:30 this afternoon and my colleague saw this as a positive sign. And I did too, I won't lie. Only to be told I wasn't successful, and it was offered to someone else with years worth of experience.
Well I know who that was.

I can't tell you how awful I felt while I had to sit there and be told this while my manager asked "Would you like some feedback now, or to digest it and we can discuss it in your 121."
I just had to leave or I might have said something regrettable.
But there it goes, another opportunity for me to get where I need to be, all because someone with more experience, fancies a step down to chill out for the last few years of employment before they retire. 

I feel like it is either being based solely on factors out of our control, or the sudden appearance of the HOS was a way to influence decisions.
Either way I took my feedback from last time, and it made no difference.
I know people say "you can do no wrong in an interview and still not get the job, if that makes you feel any better." well how can it?

I don't know what to do, I feel trapped and betrayed and now I will be expected to show this person the ropes...

Brie

Not quite sure what to say other then I'm sorry you are disappointed.  And also well done for trying again.  

I guess it's a case of giving yourself a bit of time to decide what the next step for you is going to be.  Certainly don't rush into making any decisions.  

elsien

Do you know for sure who it was offered to or are you speculating? How do you know it didn’t go to the person who you’re not familiar with and who may indeed have more experience?

While appreciating how upset you are, betrayed is a strong word because you weren’t made any promises.
You must be valued for them to have offered you the pay rise to keep you, but perhaps you are more valued in your current role than in the one you are applying for. 

In which case it may simply be time for you to move on.

lincroft1710

Management often know who they want for a position and the interview process is just a formality to satisfy internal policy.


Or perhaps you didn't display the qualities the interviewers were looking for (or thought they should be looking for). Who knows?


Don't dwell on it. 75% of the people interviewed were going to be disappointed.  If you enjoy your job and the pay is OK just continue with it. If not, then think about moving on

swingaloo

Looking back on your previous posts it seems that you have always had some dissatisfaction with the job, salary, management etc. Life is too short to be somewhere you dont want to be so perhaps start to look at other employers rather than stay where you are and letting resentment build.

Marcon

SJE89 said:

But there it goes, another opportunity for me to get where I need to be, all because someone with more experience, fancies a step down to chill out for the last few years of employment before they retire. 


I don't know what to do, I feel trapped and betrayed and now I will be expected to show this person the ropes...

So someone with more experience has been offered the job. Why is that such a major surprise? Why is it a 'betrayal'? 

It's a very bitter pill to swallow, but nothing you've said sounds at odds with normal business life.

HampshireH

I found the tone of your posts quite interesting 
There is a real bitterness that comes about when talking about people who may be more qualified / experienced.

Why shouldn't a manager in another area bring their years of managerial experience to the table to grow a new team

Why do you assume they want to kick back by stepping down? Anything could be going on in their life, or they may want a career change like you want a management position 

A new housing scheme is a great opportunity not just for those looking up. Side moves can be great career moves and really elevate someone's career progression

If these opportunities come up so infrequently in this place of employment look elsewhere. There are lots of local authority roles or housing association roles out there. Alternatively look to side step get more strings to your bow.

TELLIT01

It's always disappointing when you don't get a job when you believe you are the perfect candidate.  The reality is that the recruitment panel clearly weren't working on the same criteria as the OP.  Many organisations, for better or worse, actively seek people for management roles who aren't experts in the area they are going to manage.  The reasoning being that 'management' is a generic role and there will be those further down the tree who have specific skills for particular roles. 

It's not a view I agree with.  I always believed it better to have a manager who at least had a broad understanding ot area of work.

The OP only has the same options as they had on the previous occasion they were disappointed.  That is either suck it up and get on with it, or find another job.  Only, this time don't be swayed by any financial incentive to stay.  Personal opinion again, but if you were worthy of the pay increase before you handed your notice in why didn't it happen?

Finally, as the OP believed they were the perfect person for the job and the interview was just a formality, did they come across that way at interview?

k12479

HampshireH said:

I found the tone of your posts quite interesting.

Me too. The emphasis on experience and time but no mention of skills stands out to me.

Jemma01

Move forward, find another job and get your promotion that way. I worked in an awful company that despite my management putting me through for promotion twice over 2.5 year, both got declined. I just got another job in a much better company with the best management I could dream of. Years later, I ended up going solo as I needed more money to buy a house, but that's another life.