OT: Need advice about bad job-related situation

[si-am]

If you're interested in keeping the position you have now, I'd let it go. People send out resumes all the time and never get called for interviews for one reason or another. It happens.

 

[bumbershoot]

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 bet the starting pay for the position is way lower than you would have expected, so it might be for the best that you didn't get it, no matter why HR didn't forward your application.

 

[smokeyblue]

I understand where you are coming from. My employer has a policy that internal canidates automatically are granted interviews if they apply in time. It is such a joke, the jobs are already filled. I had a system analyst interview a few weeks ago that lasted 15 minutes, and she literally asked me two questions, thats not counting the umpteen times she asked if I had any questions as a time filler. I've had interviews for secretary positions that have lasted hours! It's so obnoxious because I take interviewing seriously and prepared for the interview when I really had no chance at all.

I've posted for so many positions trying to advance myself and it's always the same. I've just realized there are two truths in this matter: life is not fair, and being advisarial will get me nowhere. I'll just keep trying and if I get something great, and if I don't I still have a job and benefits that can't be beat.

 

[Allison]

I'm glad I don't have to interview internal candidates just because they work for my organization. That really seems like it could be a huge waste of time for everyone involved.

I will happily interview an internal candidate who is qualified and have filled several positions that way but I also have people apply who have no qualifications for the the position. Interviewing them would use up my time and give the person being interviewed false expectations.

Anyway, OP, I hope you think about this carefully over the weekend.

 

[tomthebarncat]

There is dignity in silence, you now have a better idea of the organizational culture of the company you work for. I would not say anything but would take a look at what I have to offer the company and then decide if I was a good fit for continued employment.

 

[swilshire]

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

Not true in my company. If there are a certain number of applications, a selection board is created to narrow the field and send three or four top applicants to the selecting official. If fewer than that number apply (it may be ten but I'm not certain) all applicants go to the selecting official. He or she normally interviews the ones in the final package, but it's not always required. I've been on boards where the selecting official made it clear that he wanted a certain applicant in the final package and it was made to happen.

Sheila

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree with the previous poster who said to simply ask the hiring manager what skills/talents you lack that would have prevented you from being offered the job. IMO, if you do anything else it's going to backfire on you.

FACT: You told your manager you wanted to apply for the job.
FACT: You sent your resume to HR and got a reply saying you'll be considered.

Now, presumably your manager had SOME say in the hiring decision. He KNEW you wanted the job. If he was at ALL interested in you getting the job he would have noticed he never got your application.

Going to HR gets you nowhere. For the sake of argument let's say someone in HR tells you "Oh, yes, I forgot to forward your application. Sorry." Now what? Someone has already been hired. The company isn't going to create another position. The company isn't going to fire the new person and hire you.

Again, IMO, at this point you have to let it go.

 

[LovableGluttons]

OP, have you considered that replacing you might be difficult?

Finding someone willing to work for so few hours a week might be more difficult than filling this other position that you are interested in.

From the days I worked as a manager and interviewed, I was pretty upfront with internal candidates. I felt it important to our future working relationship for me to tell them why they would not be considered a candidate early on, just in case they possessed a qualification I didn't know about that might swing it the other way.

I'm a nurse, have been for many years, so my workplace might be much different than yours.

I tolerate a certain amount of abuse from an employer, how much depends on the pay and normal atmosphere of the work environment. Once the abuse outweighs the benefits, I'm gone. Life is short, I'm simply exchanging a set number of hours of my time for monetary compensation. It's a balancing act.

I hope the weekend you'll be able to catch your breath and figure out a way to get some resolution to this that eases your mind.

If you find out you were deliberately not interviewed and your manager did not feel you were worthy of an explanation, head for the hills. That's a sure sign they don't give a hoot about you and you are not valuable to them.

If you are valuable to them, they'll show you somehow.

Dissing you on a position might just be the way they're letting you know they don't really care for you no matter what your work history with them has been.


Evaluations don't really mean much to me, just a way for a department to justify salary increases, which are usually miniscule anyway even for a stellar evaluation. I take pride in being a great nurse because my patients, their families, and my employer deserve that. It's my professional obligation.

Finding an employer who is a great match for the kind of worker you are can be the biggest challenge of them all.

Please post here once you find out what happened.

 

[drinkme]

That really stinks!

According to your company's hiring rules, you were entitled to an interview. It seems that someone in HR screwed up. The HR head needs to know this.

Since someone else has already been hired, there's really nothing you can do. However, I would still look into all of it.

And just because you don't pay dues, the union may still have to represent you. Look into it. I don't know enough about unions, but I do know from my experience years ago working for the Fed Gov't that their employee union does cover the employees regardless if they pay dues or not (I don't remember all of the specifics of the union, but I had to go to the union once over an employee verbally abusing me and my supervisor doing nothing about it).

If the HR employee was neglectful in filing your application, he/she needs to be called up on it. That should never happen, and I bet it won't happen again.

On another note, I always say things happen for a reason. Maybe a better position will come along. Keep your spirits up.

 

[Bob NC]

You work FIVE HOURS a week for this company for SIX years, you DIDN'T join the union, and you don't think you're getting treated properly?

That's a good one.

 

[kellyg403]

Is it possible that because you do work only 5 hours per week, they think that is all you are interested in working? Or possibly there is something on your internal application that caused them to think this? I know that I applied for a position, did not update it completely as I thought. I had left a particular area for number of hours willing to work, should have put any for this particular position. I did not pass the initial processing of applicants who qualified. I called HR and did find out that I had done that, they were very nice and explained everything there was missing. I also had understood they were, in effect, the first line of defense as it were...sorting thru the apps so that the hiring person had interviews only with those who qualified for the position.

My organization does not require us to have interviews simply because we are already employees, but then again, we are not union so that may be a difference.

OP, I hope that you are able to straighten things out with HR and find out what may have been the problem and why no interview was granted.

Kelly

 

[sajetto]

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.

.

Life isn't fair. I'm saying this as someone who is going through this EXACT same thing right now so I completely understand how you're feeling. I was more than qualified for a position posted in the same sector I work in and had many of the "higher ups" putting plug ins for me. What you call "favoritism" is politics and anyone who things it doesn't occur in their field is dreaming. Although I had many administrators giving me glowing reviews what really matter was that the "cheif dog" had other political favors he had promised to fill. He is retiring in December and has been "moving" many people in our department in order to fill all these favors. It isn't fair, but it is the way things are. Honestly, I think that if you continue to pursue this you'll ruin any shot you may have to move up in the future. That is, if you're even still thinking of working for the same company.

 

[undertheradar]

You honestly intend to contact HR due to your not getting the position? You work 5 whole hours a week there and you want answers? I would drop it. What does your manager say about this? Did your manager know that you wanted to change to the other position? As for expecting the union to get involved, you are not a member so they have no vested interest in your complaint.

 

[Witch Mountain]

Honestly, I think you need to calm down before you even think of walking into HR. If you talk the them the way you're talking here, you will NEVER, and I mean NEVER be considered for anything else as long as you work there.

Five hours a week is 12 percent of the work week. In just five hours, how many people who would have impact on your situation actually see you while you're working? Know what you do?

In my previous career, we had an adage 'the most productive employees get the most hours.' Were you hired to just work so few hours, or is that just what it turned into?

As others have said, your tone speaks for you. If you went after the boss with steam coming out of your ears, it may be the reason why your application was 'lost.'

 

[NHdisneylover]

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.

I googled and found numerous articles that explain in PA the collective bargaining agreement applies ONLY to union members and not to at will employees at the same workplace. I think you have no leg at all to stand on there.

Personally, I think if you go in and make a stink about this you may find yourself with NO hours at the job. As others have said, you told the manger you were applying, if he wanted you he would have followed up when he did not see your resume (and honestly if he wanted you he probably would have asked you about it even with out you saying a word).

I hate to say this, but my first thought on reading the OP was that if they are creating a position with more hours which includes what you are doing now, is it possible that they are looking to get rid of you and your position and that is why they rolled what you are doing into another job? I hope not, but I wonder if once the new person is trained and on the job if you could find yourself without work.

 

[Imzadi]

I hate to say this, but my first thought on reading the OP was that if they are creating a position with more hours which includes what you are doing now, is it possible that they are looking to get rid of you and your position and that is why they rolled what you are doing into another job? I hope not, but I wonder if once the new person is trained and on the job if you could find yourself without work.

I was thinking the same thing. especially when the OP said it's the SAME job with more hours. maybe the questions to ask are: Why wouldn't they automatically think of you? You're automatically trained for it. It sounds like they are taking your position, expanding the hours to have then next person do more work, possibly take on more responsibilities, not just more hours.

Do you know if it is a union position? As someone else said, they may have to hire someone else already in the union.

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.

You work FIVE HOURS a week for this company for SIX years, you DIDN'T join the union, and you don't think you're getting treated properly?

That's a good one.

Yes, OP, how to put this kindly, You work FIVE HOURS a week for the company for SIX years, you DIDN'T join the union, and state you are well over-qualified for the position.

As people who don't know you, but going by your own description, it doesn't sound like you have shown to be very upwardly mobile or ambitious for the last 6 years. You aren't even currently working to your qualifications.

While you say, you had the intention of moving into a job with more hours in the future, for the past 6 years, you hadn't shown any initiative of your own to your current employer. Truthfully, had this position not shown up, how much farther into the future would you have waited? You haven't been working up to your earning potential for 6 years.


This sounded like a great, dream "part-time" job - for both parties. I hadn't even known that a 5 hour job could be called a part-time job and I've worked several types of jobs for extra money. But, that's what it sounds like it is: something for someone to make extra money, especially someone over-qualified, by your own self-description.

For the past 6 years, the situation had suited both parties well. Yet, now that they are expanding the hours, possibly expanding the responsibilities, maybe they decided to hire someone, who turned out to less "qualified" with only a high school education, yet perhaps has proven to be really hungry to learn, hungry to grow beyond the duplicating office. Perhaps she's always shown great initiative, drive and ambition in her position during all her time. Perhaps, she's already in the union, already had planned on growing at this company.

When it comes to choosing between two people:

Someone hungry, ambitious, a proven go getter, with lesser education

Or:

Someone so over-qualified, which I have to ask, and perhaps they are, why haven't you gone to work somewhere else to the level of your existing over-qualifications and earning potential? Some place that challenges you, where you can really contribute to your level in the past 6 years? I have to wonder if you haven't shown you are just complacent at the current job, in spite of stellar reviews, and does the necessary. Perhaps they wonder if your overall priorities aren't for your child or elsewhere?

I personally would pick the person hungry to learn, hungry to grow. Someone's whose priorities are the job. Qualifications are so much more than education and current on the job experience.

You really might not have been given the job had you been granted an interview. You don't know that.

Sometimes life smacks us right in our complacency. Maybe it's time for you to look for a job you ARE fitfully qualified for?

 

[cm8]

I was thinking the same thing. especially when the OP said it's the SAME job with more hours. maybe the questions to ask are: Why wouldn't they automatically think of you? You're automatically trained for it. It sounds like they are taking your position, expanding the hours to have then next person do more work, possibly take on more responsibilities, not just more hours.

Do you know if it is a union position? As someone else said, they may have to hire someone else already in the union.







Yes, OP, how to put this kindly, You work FIVE HOURS a week for the company for SIX years, you DIDN'T join the union, and state you are well over-qualified for the position.

As people who don't know you, but going by your own description, it doesn't sound like you have shown to be very upwardly mobile or ambitious for the last 6 years. You aren't even currently working to your qualifications.

While you say, you had the intention of moving into a job with more hours in the future, for the past 6 years, you hadn't shown any initiative of your own to your current employer. Truthfully, had this position not shown up, how much farther into the future would you have waited? You haven't been working up to your earning potential for 6 years.


This sounded like a great, dream "part-time" job - for both parties. I hadn't even known that a 5 hour job could be called a part-time job and I've worked several types of jobs for extra money. But, that's what it sounds like it is: something for someone to make extra money, especially someone over-qualified, by your own self-description.

For the past 6 years, the situation had suited both parties well. Yet, now that they are expanding the hours, possibly expanding the responsibilities, maybe they decided to hire someone, who turned out to less "qualified" with only a high school education, yet perhaps has proven to be really hungry to learn, hungry to grow beyond the duplicating office. Perhaps she's always shown great initiative, drive and ambition in her position during all her time. Perhaps, she's already in the union, already had planned on growing at this company.

When it comes to choosing between two people:

Someone hungry, ambitious, a proven go getter, with lesser education

Or:

Someone so over-qualified, which I have to ask, and perhaps they are, why haven't you gone to work somewhere else to the level of your existing over-qualifications and earning potential? Some place that challenges you, where you can really contribute to your level in the past 6 years? I have to wonder if you haven't shown you are just complacent at the current job, in spite of stellar reviews, and does the necessary. Perhaps they wonder if your overall priorities aren't for your child or elsewhere?

I personally would pick the person hungry to learn, hungry to grow. Someone's whose priorities are the job. Qualifications are so much more than education and current on the job experience.

You really might not have been given the job had you been granted an interview. You don't know that.

Sometimes life smacks us right in our complacency. Maybe it's time for you to look for a job you ARE fitfully qualified for?

 

[NMAmy]

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.

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).

As a longtime union member, the way I've always understood collective bargaining agreements is that it only pertains to union members. Since you're not part of the collective bargaining unit (the union), I don't think you can demand any rights referred to in that agreement.

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.

I'm not sure where you're going with this line of reasoning. Are you planning on suing over this? Because I don't think you have a leg to stand on.

I work in higher education and I've been on many hiring committees. This is how it works at my place of business. A position is posted and applicants apply online. A search committee is chosen. The committee can see every application but before applications are reviewed, a rubric is developed which lists each qualification from the position posting. If those qualifications are not mentioned anywhere in the application or if more applicants have better qualifications, the applicant is not moved forward for an interview.

OP--I don't think you're going to gain anything by fighting "hard" for this if you plan to continue working at the same place. Talk with your manager, talk with HR, but go in with the attitude that what you want to take away from this situation is how to move ahead within the company in the future. Please don't go in with a chip on your shoulder about what you're entitled to and accuse others of not doing their jobs.

 

[NaLisa]

Based on the age of OP's youngest child, it's possible that she worked part-time while being a full-time SAHP. Maybe now that youngest is heading off to kindergarten, OP is ready to take on more hours and more responsibility.

If that's the case, did you convey that to your supervisor and HR?

 

[Ceila]

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?

Just following "the rule..."

OP, I know you are upset. I think most people would have been, too. But most people also take time to calm down and look at the situation rationally, without emotion, which is what you need to do now.

Having worked in HR for many years in my "before kids" life, I can only speak from my experience. If you want to approach HR, my suggestion would be to leave the union stuff at the door, since you aren't even a member, and to go in with that will get you laughed at, at best. And, to go in assuming that they were negligent won't get you too far, either.

My advice is to to HR with the assumption that procedures were followed, and ask what skills you could work on in order to be considered for this type of position in the future. You are far more likely to discover what really happened if you go in politely and graciously, instead of with guns blazing. Good luck.