Realwomen.co.nz

A managers position within our company was advertised internally and I applied. I emailed my interest, which was accepted and a date set for the interview. I arrived at the interview on time with my cv, draft business plan, draft management structure, and draft budget in hand.
Within the first 2 minutes I was told that the position had been given to another employee that had applied and was on the management ladder for the future, he had loads of qualifications, and had attended specific training and management courses etc etc etc. I was instantly disappointed and dejected and expressed my disappointment. The company still wanted me to be a part of JAs induction, (and I am sure he is a very nice young man) but I was hurt at that time. I told JG that I would need to digest this information before I made any further decisions. After leaving I jumped straight back into my other roles, Mum, office admin person etc etc and thought about what I had experienced. These are my conclusions. 1/ I anticipated a interview and responded accordingly with preparing for the meeting throughout the weekend with all my paperwork. 2/ I did not get a interview, I was told someone else had got the job. 3/ I accept that this young man has more qualifications than me, and also in their minds more suitable for the job, but they do not know my qualifications and did not even bother to ask to read anything I had bought to the so called interview.
I am angry that this company treated me like this, I expected to have a interview and what I got was a fob off in my mind, but they still want me around to help, what a laugh. I have the emails from the company director accepting my application of interest for this position and also stating I was to get a interview. Thats what I wanted, job or no job I felt they were unprofessional, inappropiate and wrong with the way they treated me. I am wanting to contact a employment lawyer to find out my rights in this matter. I am wanting to make a point of the way I was treated for future applicants as I was also told that they were unsure how long JA would stay and they would like me to apply for the position again when he leaves. What a slap in the face. What are your thoughts? Also thank you for allowing me to share, it helps to say how you feel even if it may go no further than this...

Ouch Trishaa that is awful. If this were a government department then you would probably be in a position to complain about process, not sure about private sector but it wouldn't hurt to check that out.
The worst thing about these situations is that awful feeling of wondering what they are seeing when they look at you or think about you, which is not what you had thought. I speaka from experience!! That, what is their opinion of me that they would do something like this? Well, the thing is, it isn't really personal, people are dreadful at following proper procedures, especially when they have no reason to. They just want what they want with minimum of fuss, without thinking about the bigger picture at all or the impact.
It's up to you what to do next, whether to hand in your notice or hang in there, or take action if there is a pathway available. But whichever you choose to do, the best way to do so is to choose it and be happy with your choice. So don't choose until you feel calmer. The immediate desire I know is to make the Gesture, but as whatever you do you have to live with it, make it on your terms

By the way, I am really impressed that you did the preparation work for your interview, had you turned up to an interview with me with a budget, business plan and structure all drafted I would be putting a new contract under your nose right there and then!

I would talk to my union first because (speaking from experience) employment lawyers are very expensive creatures. The other thing to remember is that it would be very difficult to stay on in the company once you initiated proceedings against them - maybe that doesn't matter to you however. That's a rotten thing to do to you but as Maryanne said, maybe they think they are being pragmatic by doing it the way they have. Tossers!

Hi Trishaaa. Yes that was awful and very unfair and i am sorry to hear how badly yuou were treated. I actually suspect they had made up their minds well before seeing you.

Having been on/seen both sides of this dilemma, I am going to say be very careful about taking action. Yes you deserve fairness. But you won't get it by taking legal action. The temporary feeling of respect you will get if you involve a lawyer will be overshadowed afterwards. That's because NZ is a small place and, no matter whether you win and there is a non-disclosure clause, people still tell each other "on the quiet". I know this from experience (even though officialy they cannot). So other businesses could be warned off from employing you. Sometimes it is done just by following the strict letter of the law, rather than being nasty.

So I would suggest not taking legal action, unless your feeling of outrage is just too strong to bear. What I would suggest is going to the person in charge and explaining how you feel about the interview (or lack of it), and asking for management training and consideration. Suss it out after that. I would also consider looking for a place that will value you more. And in the meantime, continue doing your work properly and even being kind to this young male upstart! After all, it is not his fault.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I am in the no legal action camp.

Of course we feel hurt and disappointed when we are rejected but its adult life and a classic ‘treat those two imposters just the same’ situation.

I suggest show good grace, dignity, maturity and professionalism and genuinely support the person (‘young man’ sounds rather patronising) who has been given the job.

Step back and look at things realistically, the world has moved on. A friend of mine kept getting passed over for top jobs so he had to analyse the situation objectively, on doing that he realised he needed an MBA to compete at that level, so he chose to put in the effort and get one. It made a difference for him, having said that he has just been rejected for a job he went for, but other than some minor disappointment he is able to see that’s the way it is and accept it.

Don’t become one of those bitter passed over internal applicants, you will only make yourself look a unprofessional and a fool.

If you feel the company you are with has let you down and is not meeting your expectations then, after you have calmed down, start looking to move on, but don’t do it in a sense of outrage and bitterness do it sensibly, realistically and professionally.

Post edited by: Staying There, at: 03/01/2008 15:50

I agree with the no legal action. Having been in a similar situation and being passed over for someone with more quals and experience. However, like ST has said, take some time, and let things calm and re-assess the situation. It is never easy when it feels so personal, but I am sure it isn't. The company is just going for what is best for them at the time. Now I don't condone the way they handled it but I can see it from both sides. I basically did what ST's friend did. I stayed with the company I was with and got myself better qualified. Then a year or so later when another opening came up re-applied and got the job. That said, it has to be a choice that suits you. If you're not able to stay with the company because you're not comfortable there, then yes best to move on. NZ is a small place and most companies can and will be ruthless to stay in the game. Little or no competition also means that they can basically do what they like in some instances, is it right? Most likely not, but it is reality. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I was wondering Trishaa what you decided to do in the end?