OT: Need advice about bad job-related situation

[aprilfoolwed]

I have worked for a company (higher education) for over 6 years part-time. A job was posted a month ago which literally includes my current job (different hours), and I was very interested in moving into the new position.

I talked with my direct supervisor, and told him I was interested in the position. I then emailed HR with my resume and a letter of interest. I got a reply that I was added to the list of candidates for the job. The job was posted for a certain amount of time, with interviews to be held after the posting period.

The job was pulled down May 6th. I did not hear anything, but I know they move very slowly in hiring decisions.

Today, I received an email from the department head welcoming someone else to the position. I was never even granted an interview!

I immediately emailed him and asked why I wasn't considered for the position, and he asked why I didn't apply. I forwarded him my application (send to HR) and their reply that I was included in the pool of applicants. He writes back that he doesn't know what happened, but that the interview process did go on and they offered the position to someone else.

Of course, this happens at 5:00 on friday, so I can't even call HR at this point. But I will be first thing Monday morning. I am just livid. It sounds to me that HR didn't include my resume! I lost out on this job because someone else didn't do theirs!

There is a union involved, although I don't pay union dues, but I know the union watches closely over the positions.

Any advice here?

 

[vicki_c]

I don't believe HR sends every application/resume received to the hiring managers (nor do they have to). That is part of their job, to screen out applicants. It sounds like they (HR) did not believe that you were qualified for the position, or that they felt they had sufficient applicants with higher qualifications. So it's more that they WERE doing their job, not that they weren't (of course not knowing the particulars of your qualifications or anything else).

Not what you want to hear, I'm sure, but I'm guessing that's the case.

I think if your manager wanted you as an applicant, he should have made sure that HR was aware of that, and they would have forwarded your application or if they felt you weren't qualified, discussed that with him. Perhaps he was overruled by the department head.

It is also possible that he is not being entirely honest with you - he may know the reasoning, but be trying to avoid a confrontation with you.

 

[rockundergirl]

I have to agree that's what it sounds like. :-(
Jobs aren't allowed to just say " we don't want you in this position because of xyz anymore.. so they fib, things get "lost" etc... What skills or degrees did the person they hired have that you didn't?

 

[dtauer]

I don't believe HR sends every application/resume received to the hiring managers (nor do they have to). That is part of their job, to screen out applicants. It sounds like they (HR) did not believe that you were qualified for the position, or that they felt they had sufficient applicants with higher qualifications. So it's more that they WERE doing their job, not that they weren't (of course not knowing the particulars of your qualifications or anything else).

As unfair as it may seem, this is often the case. When we have openings in my area I am part of the hiring process. Often I'll get very upset calls and emails about being "missed" and there must be some sort of mistake. I'm amazed each time we make a decision of how many others are upset because they are "perfect" for the position and they didn't even get an interview. Ideally all applicants would be notified of the decision before the announcement is made, but sadly that does not always happen.

I'm not trying to sound harsh, obviously I know nothing about your qualifications or your employer. However, unless I specifically go ask the HR department for someone's information, many are screened out and I never see them.

It's probably worth a discussion as it may help you in the future figure out how the process may work better for you. Just be sure to use it as a learning experience, you probably don't want to be confrontational with those that will be reviewing your application for the next opening you are interested in.

 

[amylynne01]

Jobs aren't allowed to just say " we don't want you in this position because of xyz anymore.. so they fib, things get "lost" etc...?

If a business is routinely lying to its employees about lost paperwork, that becomes a bigger issue. Employers are absolutely within their rights to say "you were not the best applicant for this position". It has no bearing on an employee's standing in their current position.

 

[MomToOne]

I admit I work in the Corporate world, but all that "being included in the pool of candidates" means is that your resume would be forwarded to the hiring manager. But they then pick from those resumes who they want to interview. And pretty much as long as they don't discriminate based on a protected class (race, religion, etc.) they can pick and choose who they want to interview based on whatever criteria they want. HR doesn't really know why someone was or wasn't selected for an interview. Is there any chance someone else was screening resumes for the hiring manager in this case? That often happens too. I've screened numerous resumes for people that would be my peer, and admittedly I brought my own biases towards what I wanted to see on the resume, etc. - the hiring person just didn't have the time, and ended up never knowing anything about the people I eliminated.

I would first clarify the process with your HR group, and then maybe see if you can talk to whoever it was that decided NOT to forward you or interview you and talk to them. But approach it from the standpoint of "I thought I was well qualified, and would like to know what holes you felt there was in my experience or resume so that I can work on it for the future".

 

[starry_solo]

One additional piece of advice. Since you don't pay union dues, the union isn't going to care that you weren't chosen for the position. Assuming they could file a grievance would probably result in you being black-balled.

 

[beansmom]

One additional piece of advice. Since you don't pay union dues, the union isn't going to care that you weren't chosen for the position. Assuming they could file a grievance would probably result in you being black-balled.

that's what i was going to say. It's rather unfair for someone not to pay dues but expect the union to go in there and fight for them and, frankly, they won't. Yes, they may make a dog and pony show but they would work much harder for you if you were a member.

If it's against your ethics to be a union member, then using them when you need them should be against your ethics as well.

(Sorry, I was union for over 20yrs and paid my dues so I have slanted views on this.)

Every company has the right to hire whomever they wish. I think this is just one of those 'unfair' things that happens.

Good luck with it and let us know what the outcome is.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

A little more info -

Hiring manager did not get my resume. When I asked him why I wasn't granted an interview, he said because I didn't apply. I forwarded him my application - and HR's reply - and he never saw my resume.

Qualifications - I currently hold this position and have stellar reviews! It's the SAME POSITION with different hours.

Our contract and procedures manual state that I have a right to see my files - which I will be doing on Monday.

I really think this is a case of the HR manager not doing her job. She did not include my resume in the pile (for whatever reason - I am assuming negligence) - and I was not interviewed because of it.

I currently work 5 hours a week, which is why I was not a union member. I have no benefits and work few hours, so it didn't seem worth the $. In hindsight....

Person who was hired worked in the duplicating office and only has a high school education.

I currently hold the position, have 6 years in-job experience in said position, college degree, and 5 years prior experience in the field. I am over-qualified - always have been - but I have held the part-time job for 6+ years and had nothing but excellent reviews.

I am going to contact HR Monday morning and also put a call into the union rep. I know I am not a member of the union, but they were very concerned about the position when I was dealing with a maternity leave 5 years ago (and I wasn't a member then either). I just think it's really a terrible practice for HR to be able to just "lose" resumes and not include people when they said they will.

I am not sure how far I want to take this. I may fight - hard - because I feel that they are very wrong. I may just quit my job - because I am clearly not valued as an employee. I need to see how thing play out when I talk with HR on Monday.

 

[LilyWDW]

There is NO evidence that HR lost your information. All there is evidence of is that they decided not to forward it to the person doing the hiring. That is it. That is the JOB of someone in HR. The person hiring almost NEVER sees all the resumes, especially with the sheer number of people looking and applying for jobs in the current market.

It honestly seems like you are looking for a "reason" to be upset. People get passed up for jobs all the time. Call HR if you want to, but you are only going to get yourself in hot water if you go into it with the attitude you are showing here. To be blunt, you are jumping to conclusions and you really need to stop now or you will be burning bridges. If you want to ask why your resume was not forwarded, that is one thing... but blaming them for "not doing their job" is way out of line.

 

[NYEmomma]

All the companies both DH & I have ever held, corporate policy has been that internal applicants are guaranteed interviews for positions, provided they have the required qualifications for the open job. I had assumed, up until now, that this was standard procedure of all companies... so initially when I read your post my first thoughts were a) HR mistake, or b) someone in HR doesn't like you.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the companies I've been with in the past are the exception to the rule & you actually were screened out by HR for one reason or another.

I'll be interested to hear what HR tells you when you speak to them on Monday.

Having worked in HR in the past, I can say that it isn't out of the realm of possibility to have your resume "accidentally misplaced" if there's someone in there that isn't a fan of you.

At the end of the day though, whether it was an accident, vengeance or screening, it unfortunately doesn't matter. The position's been filled & there's not really anything that you can do. Still sucks though.

 

[vicki_c]

There definitely is not a policy at my large (Fortune 500) company that internal applicants must be granted interviews. Allowed to submit their resume or application, I think that is all. But that's it - allowed to submit - really no different than anyone else.

 

[crashbb]

There definitely is not a policy at my large (Fortune 500) company that internal applicants must be granted interviews. Allowed to submit their resume or application, I think that is all. But that's it - allowed to submit - really no different than anyone else.

Same with my company (unless it is a specific "internal hire" or "internal hire preferred").

Now, the percentage who are offered an interview may be slightly higher than for those outside the company (partly because there is often some screening by supervisors/co-workers), but there is no guarantee.

I agree with many PPs - there is no evidence that this was caused by someone in HR not doing their job. No problem with asking HR about the application, but going in with the attitude displayed here is, in my opinion, a REALLY bad idea.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

and as it happens in my previous company, the minute you told your direct supervisor you were interested in a change, he may have called HR and said "NO".

sad but true. It happens all the time....

and lots of times, they already have the person they ARE going to hire before they even place the ad. Again, sad but true. It happens all the time.

 

[Allison]

You are making a lot of assumptions and showing a lot of attitude. Could that have something to do with you not being considered?

What do you expect the union to do? Take the job away from the person who accepted it?

What is your end goal? Think carefully.

 

[Tink-aholic]

At the end of the day though, whether it was an accident, vengeance or screening, it unfortunately doesn't matter. The position's been filled & there's not really anything that you can do. Still sucks though.

This is what I have been thinking during the entire thread. What is there to fight "- hard -" for? The job has been taken.

Whether it is seen as unfair or not (which I do not), there is nothing that can be done except possibly guarantee yourself never getting promoted and probably fired.

Take a deep breath, relax, and start next week off fresh by putting this behind you.

Good luck.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When I worked in the Federal Court System at the Administrative Headquarters there was a rule that any person currently in the agency who applied for a new position had to receive an interview.

 

[Melmac]

I am sorry you didn't even get a chance at an interview for the job. I would hope they wouldn't lie to you about not receiving your application.

Is the job that you applied for unionized? Do you know if the person that got the job was in the same union? If so, that could be the reason you didn't get it, regardless of your qualifications. I also work at a higher education institute and if a job opens up in one of the unions, members of that union get first dibs at interviews and they usually higher within the union. Since you are not in the union, you weren't even considered.

Also, my union local would do nothing to help you if you are not in the union. They could have been interested in your job to see if it could be absorbed by the union or making sure that you are not doing union work.

Also, Grumpy's Gal has a good point: many jobs that are posted have a certain person in mind when the job description was written and they only have "token" interviews for other candidates.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

When I worked in the Federal Court System at the Administrative Headquarters there was a rule that any person currently in the agency who applied for a new position had to receive an interview.

And there is at my place of employment too. Which is why I am so upset. Had I been granted an interview and they went with someone else, I'd be upset, but they would have at least jumped through the right hoops. They didn't. I should have been granted an interview, and the collective bargaining agreement says that they will have to tell me why I was not granted an interview. It will be very interesting to see what they will say - I have a stellar record at my job - both in performance and attendance - for over 6 years. They certainly can't say I am not qualified.

I think there is something very unfair happening in HR (and I don't think it's that someone doesn't like me - they don't even know me.). Either someone is just not doing their job (bu losing things) or there is some sort of favoritism going on.

I will report back on Monday after I speak with HR. They must provide an explanation of why i was not granted an interview (according to the bargaining agreement).

I am not a militant person. I have been working in this part-time job for 6 years with the intention of moving into a job with more hours in the future. I did everything correctly here, and was completely passed over. From my conversation with the department head, they did not know I applied for the job.

I don't know what I want out of this. I am angry that there is a lost opportunity now. i still have my current position, but it's going to be rather awkward working there at this point. I don't want to burn any bridges, and I am not really faulting the department head. I want HR to take some responsibility here. I have now lost out on my earning potential (plus benefits) that this position would have given me - a position that I would have very likely been given had I been granted an interview.

This is such a frustrating situation, and I know that there isn't much I can do. This was a big blow to me. I obviously am not screaming at my supervisor about this, but I did let them know I am upset and will be pursuing this further.

 

[allison443]

And there is at my place of employment too. Which is why I am so upset. Had I been granted an interview and they went with someone else, I'd be upset, but they would have at least jumped through the right hoops. They didn't. I should have been granted an interview, and the collective bargaining agreement says that they will have to tell me why I was not granted an interview. It will be very interesting to see what they will say - I have a stellar record at my job - both in performance and attendance - for over 6 years. They certainly can't say I am not qualified.

I think there is something very unfair happening in HR (and I don't think it's that someone doesn't like me - they don't even know me.). Either someone is just not doing their job (bu losing things) or there is some sort of favoritism going on.

I will report back on Monday after I speak with HR. They must provide an explanation of why i was not granted an interview (according to the bargaining agreement).

I am not a militant person. I have been working in this part-time job for 6 years with the intention of moving into a job with more hours in the future. I did everything correctly here, and was completely passed over. From my conversation with the department head, they did not know I applied for the job.

I don't know what I want out of this. I am angry that there is a lost opportunity now. i still have my current position, but it's going to be rather awkward working there at this point. I don't want to burn any bridges, and I am not really faulting the department head. I want HR to take some responsibility here. I have now lost out on my earning potential (plus benefits) that this position would have given me - a position that I would have very likely been given had I been granted an interview.

This is such a frustrating situation, and I know that there isn't much I can do. This was a big blow to me. I obviously am not screaming at my supervisor about this, but I did let them know I am upset and will be pursuing this further.

First of all, I can definitely understand why you are upset. But actually I think it is good that you have the weekend to think about it.

The bolded part sounds like you think they should compensate you financially or something. I don't think that approach will get you very far.

I think how you handle the situation will definitely have an affect on your future at this company. If you are overqualified for your current job, and you're ready for something with more hours, why don't you try to get a better paying or higher level job at the same company? I would keep that in mind when dealing with HR over this issue.

Good luck!