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AIBU?

Awful situation - someone I manage going for the same promotion?

210 replies

icecreaminapot · 24/01/2020 20:07

I have applied for a job (not in my current place) that would represent a step-up for me, but would be a natural progression. I spoke to my boss first, who was supportive.

Today, someone I manage has told me they also applied. We have both been short-listed. The issue is this person is not qualified or experienced enough for the role. Yes, I know, they are entitled to apply for any job they want, but the only way they would meet the criteria is if they lied about what they have done in the current post. They are struggling in their current role, never mind trying to step up. I have had to support them massively and refer them to my boss to try and improve matters. They are in no way ready for the next step up, but to get short-listed they must have taken credit for things I or others in our team have actually done. No doubt about it.

My worry is that in doing this they have probably cast doubt on my application. I feel like we have both been shortlisted so the recruiters can work out who's lying! What do I do? If anyone ha experience of this would love to hear it, especially from recruiters.

I've been vague for obvious reasons, but ours is a niche industry so I know that this is a problem and our applications will have stood out like a sore thumb.

OP posts:

Am I being unreasonable?

483 votes. Final results.

POLL
You are being unreasonable
58%
You are NOT being unreasonable
42%
TerribleCustomerCervix · 24/01/2020 20:10

If the other person is as unqualified as you say they are, I’d like to think that will come across quite plainly during a competently conducted interview.

Surely your cv will indicate that you have a more senior position than them anyway?

3luckystars · 24/01/2020 20:14

Forget you even know.
Do your best to get the job and dont let anything distract you now.
Dont even think about it, just work your ass off for the interview, say nothing and do not even glance sideways. Good luck.

Obligatorync · 24/01/2020 20:20

I think you're being unreasonable and the idea they'd interview you both just to see what's going on doesn't seem rational.
Forget about them. Go for your own interview and make sure you shine....without mentioning your colleague.

Obligatorync · 24/01/2020 20:21

Also, awkward as it feels, this isn't an unusual situation...it will all come out in the wash.

fatoneatthegym · 24/01/2020 20:25

They haven't necessarily lied in the application. They might have got through on personality and willingness to go on training courses. If this is a niche industry then someone might know them already through networking and think they cold be a good personality fit for the organisation. Being more qualified or experienced doesn't always get you the job.

Guacamole · 24/01/2020 20:26

Their application and shortlisting is nothing to do with you and isn’t your problem. Are you really being honest here, is the real reason you’re afraid to go up against them? Because if they get it over you that’s not going to look great.

All you can do is focus on yourself and try to put your best self forwards.

Twisique · 24/01/2020 20:32

It might be cheaper to employ them than you?

icecreaminapot · 24/01/2020 20:32

I wish people would just take things at face value - it's a very specific role they're going for and they're not capable for it. They have failed all their targets at our place, despite huge input from me.

It's not a networking type of industry - either they have the right skills/experience or not. They don't. I know the process well - our applications will contradict each other's. No doubt.

Yes, I'll focus on my own performance, but what about references???

OP posts:
LisaSimpsonsbff · 24/01/2020 20:33

My worry is that in doing this they have probably cast doubt on my application. I feel like we have both been shortlisted so the recruiters can work out who's lying!

This is madly paranoid. No one wastes time interviewing two people who work in a different organisation to you just so you can figure out their office politics. No one cares about anyone else's office politics.

icecreaminapot · 24/01/2020 20:33

Not cheaper- set salary for the role.

OP posts:
Elouera · 24/01/2020 20:33

I had a vaguely similar thing to yourself, but we were at the same company. Am I correct they you have both gone for a role at another company? How do you know she/he has gone for the same job?

I was senior to 1 women, and we both applied for the role above myself (I got the job). I found out afterwards that the team thought I was the best fit, but there weren't enough discounting features to not interview the more junior lady. I dont work in HR, but was shown a screening tool to cut out non-suitable applicants, but it was based on the job advert. If the advert is broad in terms of essential criteria or just nice to haves, then they may end up interviewing alot of people that really arent suitable. I was told that if someone believes they have the correct experience and skills, but dont get an interview, they can claim discrimination. No idea how true this is, but we always had to keep any screening tools used when filtering out potential staff.

I'm sure you will shine in the interview, and also your more senior experience, will show.

Traffy · 24/01/2020 20:35

Not sure you describe an 'awful situation' - actually just a common one, that you're going for a job that others are too.

How suitable or qualifed anyone else may or may not be is none of your business, you can only do your best at interview and go from there. Best of luck.

fatoneatthegym · 24/01/2020 20:35

Who would be responsible for giving this person a reference?

LisaSimpsonsbff · 24/01/2020 20:36

Yes, I'll focus on my own performance, but what about references???

Have they asked you for a reference? If so, keep it completely factual, and make sure you can verify everything you say with a source - so don't say their performance has been poor, but you can say that they have missed targets if those targets are quantifiable. Alternatively - and this is what I would do in this situation - just give a 'X has worked here since X date, as a [job title]'.

TheTruthAboutLove · 24/01/2020 20:37

Regardless of if they’ve lied or not, it’s going to become apparent in an interview.

I’ve interviewed for niche roles before and had people who have quite obviously lied on their CV, as soon as I ask them how they achieved results or how they’d do a certain process that’s where they struggle and you know the skills on the CV either need huge strengthening or that they don’t exist.

I wouldn’t worry at all about it, I would concentrate on your own interview. After all, if your colleague wants to make an idiot of themselves it’s up to them. Or maybe, playing devil’s advocate, the role they are in now doesn’t suit them or their personality and they see this role as a fresh start and they may feel stifled in the current role. References wise, most employers only give dates of employment now due to being scared of being taken to court! But it’s up to you or HR what you write for them if they get that far.

Strongmummy · 24/01/2020 20:37

It’s actually none of your business to be blunt! Focus on your interview and they can focus on theirs. If they’re not qualified enough it will be obvious from the interview or (if they get the job) obvious from the performance

CameronG · 24/01/2020 20:38

You’re wildly overthinking this. Just mind your own business. Do your best. If you don’t get it and your colleague does then give them the reference.

titchy · 24/01/2020 20:38

I'd have thought the fact that you are more senior than her would only serve to emphasise that you do have the required skills. Your current role proves you do - hers doesn't. Hopefully it'll be a competency based interview and she'll fall flat on her face.

How do you know she applied though?

SandyY2K · 24/01/2020 20:38

If they genuinely can't do the job, it will soon come to light if they are offered the role and they won't last long there.

ruby2020 · 24/01/2020 20:39

YABU. I interview people within my speciality - it's not necessarily the person with the most experience who shines, personality and motivation can go a long way, and I've chosen people with this in mind.

Put it out of your mind and focus on YOUR interview.

Berrymuch · 24/01/2020 20:40

A lot of places don't bother with references anymore, and at most it's just to confirm that x worked here from y date until z date. As it's not within the company you are in now, it is literally none of your business. None. Just concentrate on your application and next steps, if you are so sure that they don't have the qualifications etc then there's nought to worry about. If you're concerned that they're lying, that's up to the interviewers to try and decipher; plenty of people (wrongly) do. If they're not succeeding in their current role, perhaps they aren't being supported appropriately, or the work is not to a realistic level for the role. Either way they also want to leave, so perhaps there's more to it.

EarringsandLipstick · 24/01/2020 20:40

OP you are being ridiculous.

If we take what you say at face value as you say to, if she has lied / massaged her CV, it will become clear at interview most likely.

You worry about you, and your own performance. You've a more senior role, you should be able to amply back up your experience.

It's not uncommon for very poor performers to look good on paper. It'd be unusual for them to entirely slip through the net, especially up against a clearly more experienced person.

References are unlikely to matter - they don't sound like they'll get it. But if you keep focusing on this, you'll do yourself no favours.

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PattiPrice · 24/01/2020 20:41

Is it possible this person has experience from a previous company. They must have something that hot them through to the interview stage. Perhaps their attitude is a good hit for the role.

I’d concentrate on yourself and put your best foot forward.

If references are needed, they may not use their current company if things are not going well there.

MuchBetterNow · 24/01/2020 20:41

Calm down eh?

icecreaminapot · 24/01/2020 20:43

I know because they told me - in my line of work references are sought before an interview, though I'm not sure whether or not they have named me as one - it would be expected to.

OP posts:
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