How to word a difficult work email/WWYD

[4pmwinetimebebeh]

I currently work at a college teaching practical skills. I’ve been there 4 years and generally enjoy my job. In the past 6 months I’ve taken on a lot of additional responsibilities and roles, offered to me as ‘career progression’ and ‘role development’ with a view to progressing to the next pay grade/promotion. My manager has been very clear about my career path and I’ve done a good job (by all accounts) with the additional tasks.

After 6 months of this carrot I had an interview for the promotion yesterday and the phone call today. I didn’t get it. Someone external has. I don’t want to be petty but I am absolutely gutted and I feed a fool. The job description of the job I didn’t get is what I’m doing now. I was told I’m a highly respected and valued employee and assured they are going to apply to regrade my role to the higher one anyway within a couple of months. If that’s the case why didn’t I get the job? And also why have I waited 6 months for this job to come up when they could have regraded it!

I don’t want to sound petty and it’s an interview, of course it should go to the best candidate. But I’ve been assured that this was coming, the whole department expected me to get it and the interview went really well.

I feel so embarrassed and also taken advantage of. I want to email and basically say I’m disappointed and don’t want to continue to work at a higher level than I’m being paid for long term.

You mention not being confident.
They know that and frankly are exploiting it. Assuming you wont push back and will carry on.

Personally i would focus on what happens next. As i dont think you will get an honest answer about why you didnt get the job in this scenario.

Id set a deadline for them for re-banding you for the level you are working at. And explain that if that doesnt happen you will be returning to your lesser responsibilities so could they confirm who to do the handover to. Make it quite short-one month. Even if they cant achieve this you should at least see significant movement within a
Month. If they value you they can push it through. If you hear nothing. Two weeks in remind them of the deadline and ask
Who to share the files/document/book the session with
To handover. Polite, firm,
Professional.

Take a list of your points into the meeting and stick to it. Keep emotion out of it where possible. If you want to give them the benefit of the doubt you can say. Obviously not
Getting the role i was working towards
Was disappointing, where do
We go from here? If their response is not
Tangible or
Specific revert to above.

Similar happened to me. I left and found a better job.

Don’t send the email. Write it. Think about it. Consider sending it on Monday.

This happened to me last year, only I’d actually been acting up interim in the role that then went to someone else. Also in FE.

To add insult to injury the new person wasn’t great and I spent months training her on basic shit she should have known to get the job.

I was gutted and angry, but I waited until I was very calm (about a week) and put my concerns about how I’d been treated in an email, followed up with a face to face meeting with my managers. I’ve never been particularly bold in job situations, but I stated clearly that as a promotion wasn’t in the pipeline for the near future I would be looking for another job.

I don’t think they believed me, or probably thought I was so grateful to have my job I would simmer down and shut up. But I promptly applied for very management job they hadn’t given me at a different place… and got it.

Managers were visibly absolutely gutted I was leaving and I realised they’d obviously seen me as a safe pair of hands they could continuously mug off with empty promises.

Think like a man, that’s my advice. Be clear about your strengths and value to them, and look for another job if they don’t appreciate you. Life is too short!

I would chill out for the remainder of the month, don’t go above and beyond on anything, do the bare bones of your job. Have a super relaxing Christmas then apply for new roles, aim for the role that you have being doing but didn’t get.

But you’re going to get it in two months anyway? So this way they get two of you?

I've been in this situation as the interviewer and it sucks. We interviewed someone I line managed for the job she'd been acting up into, and although she did fine in the interview, she left quite a bit unsaid and didn't really sell herself (I think she assumed that since we already knew what she'd achieved she didn't need to explain in much detail). An external candidate came in, did a terrific interview and because of transparency (public sector) we had no choice but to give it to them.
I agree you need a face-to-face meeting to ask your manager about your next steps and calmly state that you won't indefinitely carry out the responsibilities of a more senior role without being remunerated adequately, but don't send stroppy emails or go in all guns blazing.

"considered that the other candidate was better and there is nothing against you?"

I disagree, I don't think the interview as such is the problem, it's deeper than that. You've been doing extra, promises made, now you've had the rug pulled from under your feet. So deal with that, the core issue.

Keep calm and don't do anything rash. Leave it till Tuesday till you do anything. Take all the advice above. Ask for more detailed feedback. Get them to give it verbally the dish the dirt more easily verbally rather than writing.

You must address your issue of the dred of speaking to your manager. Like a pp said this could be a big factor in not getting the job.

I was told I’m a highly respected and valued employee and assured they are going to apply to regrade my role to the higher one anyway within a couple of months. If that’s the case why didn’t I get the job?

Why wouldn't they say you're highly respected if you're doing the job including extras.

What's happened here is that they clearly had the headcount budget to be able to recruit an external candidate in addition to you. As you've observed they now have two of you. This gives them double the talent, but they are demotivating you in the process. They don't appear to be placing much priority on internal staff development.

I would raise the matter with your manager to express your disappointment and to ask for timeframes around your role grade review, I would then give it a couple of months and if you don't think the situation will change, I'd look at other opportunities rather than feeling resentful, which is a natural response.

Don't let it hold you back in your career, it is quite common. A bit like insurance, thy don't reward existing customers' loyalty with the best deal, they just want to attract new people.

Don't burn your bridges. I seen a few people who proved to be good at interviews but crap at practicalities. You could still be in the running. I must admit that I would be looking to only cover the responsibilities that my pay grade equates to.

@daisychain01

I was told I’m a highly respected and valued employee and assured they are going to apply to regrade my role to the higher one anyway within a couple of months. If that’s the case why didn’t I get the job?

Why wouldn't they say you're highly respected if you're doing the job including extras.

What's happened here is that they clearly had the headcount budget to be able to recruit an external candidate in addition to you. As you've observed they now have two of you. This gives them double the talent, but they are demotivating you in the process. They don't appear to be placing much priority on internal staff development.

I would raise the matter with your manager to express your disappointment and to ask for timeframes around your role grade review, I would then give it a couple of months and if you don't think the situation will change, I'd look at other opportunities rather than feeling resentful, which is a natural response.

Don't let it hold you back in your career, it is quite common. A bit like insurance, thy don't reward existing customers' loyalty with the best deal, they just want to attract new people.

Thanks to all your responses, this one @daisychain01 really resonates. I will arrange a meeting with my manager and just explain how I feel and also ask for timeframe for the regrade. If they won’t commit to this I will (calmly and professionally) discuss pulling back on the additional duties.

I’ve been in a similar situation. I had been taking on more responsibility in a way that was way above my job title and description, but I was pleased to do it as I wanted my career to head in that direction. I had the promotion dangled in front of me for several months too, and was essentially told the role was being created for me.

The organisation I worked at had to advertise all roles, even when there was a preference for the candidate, but teams would always get around that by making it internal only. Finally, the role I wanted was created, and it was then advertised both internally and externally. Internal only, there was only one other person who would apply but she was never a real candidate but external was obviously a massive risk for me. I kicked up a fuss, and I’m unashamed of that. I spoke to my manager, I spoke to HR, and I put a complaint in. They insisted it’s procedure but I simply listed all the other vacancies that were advertised internal only.

Eventually they pulled the ad and re-advertised for internal only, and I got the job. I came across difficult but I didn’t care, and still don’t, as my career has progressed massively since then, and that new role was the stepping stone I desperately needed.

I guess the question is what do you want to achieve. If it’s just to express disappointment then go ahead and get it off your chest. But at this stage, when the person has been recruited, there isn’t much you can do.

*I expect the recruitment is 'fair and transparent' so will have been competency based and purely assessed on the interview. So the other candidate could have interviewed better than you did and the hiring manager realty does need to offer them the job.'

Yep I agree with this. This has happened in my work where someone was covering a role on a temporary basis. The job went out to advert externally and the person covering didnt get it. She was quite bitter about but admitted she didn't answer the questions well. It's unfortunate but the person who got the job simply did a better interview. You should never take it for granted that just because you're covering a role that you'll automatically get it despite what your employers might say. I've knoa few people who have been 'promised' a job or that they're next in line for promotion but they've been passed over for someone else.

@Wheresmywoolyjumpers

FWIW I have been on the other side of this as a manager. You really can only go on the interview and some people are just better at them than others - I, for one, am not good at all. It is gutting when you see someone not do as well as you know they can. And I think that when you are already doing a job you can sometimes forget to mention things that are pertinent - because it is just part of what you do. I am sorry you are in this situation. As hard as it is, I think you need to discuss this face to face, as you don't want anything you write to be taken out of context.

I've had similar experiences. As a hiring manager in the public sector most jobs are externally advertised and interviews are scored. If an external candidate scores higher than the interval candidate - even if the internal person is a valued member of your team - you have to appoint the person with the higher score.

I very much doubt there is any game playing here, and it is also likely that the hiring manager hates this situation.

As PP have said, ask for interview feedback and let them know you still want development & progression.

Half the time there is already a hidden agenda that you obviously don't know about.
I went for a different job in the organization I work for a few months ago. It was a sideways move as I wasn't seeing eye to eye with my current team leader and wanted to leave. The interview went well, I had all the right skills , there were 3 jobs ( new team). I was gutted when I didn't get offered the job and my confidence was really knocked, but then a couple of weeks later it became evident why - my current team leader who I was trying to leave behind was going to lead that new team and had always been earmarked for that role which they obviously knew. I'm pretty sure he didn't want me in his new team and nor would I have wanted to move if I'd known he would be leading the team. The point I'm making is that there is always stuff at play that you don't know about. I would just hold fire, keep pushing for what you deserve.

ive been there as well OP
working as nursery supply told about permanent position, I applied after a few weeks I asked how i got on , got told i got like 14 or so points out of 20 i hadnt got clue about points or questions to answer etc
work dried up. last i heard manager was sacked after awful ofsted including safeguarding issues. now its closed down

"I just feel upset that I’ve worked far beyond my remit and my pay grade with the promise of promotion and now I haven’t got it I feel utterly taken advantage of."

So now you have real work experience at the higher level, if they don't budge in a couple of months then start looking elsewhere to get the position and pay that go with the experience.

But now that you have that experience I would keep it up until you either get the grade or leave (both with a fairly limited timeframe) - to say that you "don’t want to continue to work at a higher level than I’m being paid for" smacks a but of working to rule, which isn't going to sit comfortably with HR.

@filka yes that is true. I don’t want to burn any bridges and don’t really want to leave so I think being as professional and gracious as possible is the way to go. Hard when I want to throw my toys out the pram 😂

If you like and trust work
Then you probably were in line for it
But we’re then blown out the water by an unknown external applicant
It’s the nature of the game unfortunately

How you respond now will be very important to how you are perceived. If you have a knee jerk paddy, it will be noted. Hold your chin up and ask for a timeline

And don’t FGS say

* don’t want to continue to work at a higher level than I’m being paid for*

[quote 4pmwinetimebebeh]@Polmuggle I’m sure that the case! I find it hard to articulate as I completely get they were better, you have to be fair in the interview and I obviously didn’t perform as well on the day. I do understand that and don’t begrudge them that.

I just feel upset that I’ve worked far beyond my remit and my pay grade with the promise of promotion and now I haven’t got it I feel utterly taken advantage of. I don’t have confidence they will upgrade my role any time soon and I just want to tell them im not willing to work beyond my scope of practice for no additional recognition or pay long term. It’s just making a fool out of me.[/quote]
I don’t get this
It’s a contradiction

You say you didn’t perform well in the interview
But seem to think because you’ve been doing extra work at work (which many of us do generally), you should have got it anyway?

@Happy1982ish I get what you’re saying. Essentially I’m working at the higher level (I am doing all the tasks on the JD already) due to taking on additional responsibilities with a view to moving into the higher role. I am confused as to why they didn’t offer me the job but then are saying they can upgrade my job to the new one at some point anyway. If I was rubbish at interviews would I just be expected to continue working at the higher lever forever while never actually being awarded a promotion beside someone interviews better? I know I’m being unreasonable a bit as I’m hurt. I also feel embarrassed as, as someone says it was mine for the taking and I feel all my colleagues will think I interviewed terribly or I’m considered incompetent by senior management.

OP in the kindest way possible, you need to get over the hurt and embarrassed stage. Yes it has happened and it's not great, but speak to your manager and find out when the regrading can happen.

Clearly the other person did interview better than you or they wouldn't have got the job. That does not mean they are better, it just means they did a better interview. Your manager clearly does think you can do the job, otherwise she wouldn't be pushing for the regrading.

I'd go in to work with your head held high. Anyone asks you can mention the regrading- if you're allowed to. New person starts - plaster a smile on your face and see what you can learn from them.

Meanwhile write up your CV and look out for other opportunities just in case the regrading doesn't happen.

Thanks @rookiemere you’re completely right

I work in higher education. In my dept if this situation arose HR would let us offer 2 posts - one for you and one for the old external. Would work out the same cost as regrading you without all the admin, if your old post was removed. We would seek to do this to demonstrate your value and success. Can you ask if that is possible seeing as you meet the criteria?