Didn’t get internal role

[CapitanSandy]

I found out I didn’t get an internal role yesterday. I’m gutted. I was told my interview was excellent but there was someone else who scored a few points more.

This was essentially ‘a role extension’ in that I’d still be doing the role in now but would have responsibility for training 2 days a week, taking me to full time hours. I have lots of experience in this so was really shocked not to get it. Without being outing I think a lot of it comes down to money it’s complicated but the role was freelance rather than permanent.

Someone on the interview panel has offered to give me detailed feedback but she’s not back from leave for more than a week.

I’ve put so much info work over the last year while we’ve been short staffed due to budget cuts. I’ve done loads of overtime, working on non working days, covering sickness, attending training in my own time and it’s affected my physical and mental health. It’s already quite an emotionally challenging job anyway. I feel like it’s just expected I’ll pick up the slack now.

This role was the next step for me in terms of progression. I’m at a loss of what to do now.

I’m already looking for other jobs. My motivation is at all low work wise now.

Something about not getting an internal feels embarrassing too.

How did you get over not getting a job you really wanted?

You can tell me to get a grip!

[Remotecontrolatmyside]

I've been there. It really hurts. I lost out to an external candidate which is understandable if they scored more points. What I wish happened though is some proper coaching and support afterwards which never happened. They should want to support staff to move up. Surely any good manager should want that rather than just quick feedback and then ignore the elephant in the room for the rest of eternity. In reality I'm looking for external opportunities now as I don't think I'll ever progress where I am. It's destroyed my confidence.

[Mmmmmmm12]

Be kind to yourself, value yourself and make sure that when you do overtime it is paid in the future or say no if it doesn’t work for you!
A very similar thing happened to me, except the person who got the role & now my line manager has less than 12 month’s management experience vs my 10+ years.
I manage (I hope) to remain professional but I certainly do not go above and beyond now. I keep looking elsewhere and have been for 2 interviews (just not right for me).
Stay strong x

[identifyingasmrblobbytoday]

Was the other candidate also internal?

[DragonbornMum]

Several years ago I interviewed at a company for a "stepping stone" role, being told they encourage their staff to develop their skills and move up through the company.

I was there 3 years, consistently given excellent feedback in my performance reviews, was told I had absolutely earned a pay rise (my boss brought up the subject, but I was going to anyway).

I didn't get the pay rise. Not a penny, not a bonus. I didn't get moved up into a "better" roll. I interviewed for THREE internal jobs at that company. Passed over for all of them. While I was occupied there were multiple complaints about the poor performance of my assistant/replacement.

I got a better job and have never looked back. In my current job I have had a bonus and pay rise pretty much every year.

You don't need to get a grip. You need to get a job that values you.

[Singleandproud]

If its competency based questions all of the extras you do going above and beyond don't count (unless you bring it up in interview).

In my organisation there are jobs going all the time as its a national organisation with lots of remote jobs so everyone is encouraged to apply for everything they think they would enjoy/ be suited to so there are lots of people who don't get internal roles. I applied for two last month, didn't get through the application sift of one but did get the other.

[LostFrog]

This happened to my friend, and they even TOLD her to apply for the job. It sucks OP. Will you have to work closely with the new person?

[CapitanSandy]

Thank you very much for the kind replies really appreciate it especially when I’m not feeling the best. I wasn’t expecting it to hurt quite as much as it does.

I’m not sure if the other candidate was internal or external. Not sure what would be worse.

I think I’ve been quite naive and people pleasing with this being my first paid job. I’m in my 30s but didn’t work previously due to
a disability.

I think that’s it I want to feel valued. I’m the longest standing member of my team and that’s says a lot about turnover given I’ve only been in the role for 3 years! I know it’s not personal but it feels like it.

[CapitanSandy]

It does. Yes I was told to apply too and it’s yours if you want it. Luckily I’ll only have to work with them occasionally.

[RumNotRun]

Snap! I applied for what had been my manager's job (she's left the department), I'm pretty much doing the job already. Everyone told me to go for it, even my big boss. I didn't even get through the sift. Luckily I have had good feedback and offers of support when I redo my competencies, but it's still a bit humiliating that they all had confidence in me but I couldn't even pass the sift.

[Pepperama]

From a managers’ perspective: it can be really hard. You know the internal candidate and what they can bring, and so may encourage them to apply if you value them. But you don’t know who else will apply, both internally and externally. I just had a similar situation. Internal candidate was appoint-able and interviewed well. But there just was a candidate who fit even better, and all the panel agreed. Not more experienced necessarily but the whole approach to the role and ways of thinking about solutions, as well as new connections for us. I really hope that the internal candidate doesn’t feel humiliated or down hearted, as he’s really good and it’s only a matter of time till he gets promoted.

[meringue33]

Sorry this has happened. Pepperama is probably right, it’s not personal. Just hold your head up high and remember you are still great at what you do. In a few weeks it won’t sting so much <flowers>

[CapitanSandy]

Sorry to hear you’ve all experienced this too. It’s a shit position to be in. Definitely makes me feel less alone.

Thank you for sharing the managers side @Pepperama. They did mention the other candidate had a slightly different approach so perhaps that’s what they wanted this time.

I’m tempted to just do the bare minimum now. Would that be wrong?

[ItsNotWhatItsNot]

How would doing your job be wrong? You should never give away your time for free or damage your mental health for a job. Just perform your job and decline anything that does not serve you. ‘I can’t, no.’ do not offer up excuses for declining volunteer work or inconvenient swap. Life is for living, put work in a separate box.

[CapitanSandy]

You’re absolutely right@ItsNotWhatItsNot I need some boundaries around work. I dread to think how much of my ‘real life’ I’ve missed out due to work especially this last year. Maybe this is almost like a wake up call in a way.

[LadyWithLapdog]

I’m sorry, OP. I know it sucks. I applied for an internal role about 6 months ago. I didn’t get it, the other internal candidate did (male, had been there 5 years vs my 1). A couple of months later I was given different things to do. It’s not a change in title or pay, but I like the new stuff I do and, with hindsight, I’d have hated the other one which was more management than projects. I remember however the sense of dejection I felt but it turned out ok for me. Good luck!

[quietheart]

This has happened to me twice, once about 20 years ago and the other 18 months ago. I was told to apply, both different organisations.

The first one went to an external candidate and I was disappointed. However they were excellent at what we did and I really learned so much from them that it helped me secure a better job elsewhere.

Second one went to an internal colleague and I was pissed off because I knew that they had lied about their previous experience at a company that had no longer existed so no reference available. A quick look at LinkedIn proved that they had also lied about the timeline.

It was a blessing in disguise, they have slotted straight in and are doing a good job but are under so much pressure because higher management have moved the goal posts. I would have done a good job too but would have been hostile to some of the stuff being asked of them. The director wanted someone who wouldn’t push back.

In hindsight my employer made the right decision both times but it took me a while to realise it.

[PissedOffNeighbour22]

I recently lost out on an internal temp promotion. Was told to apply and that I was the only one who had the qualifications and experience.

The person who got it only got promoted to my grade a couple of months ago. We haven't seen or heard from him since he started in the role, yet he's supposed to be our manager 🧐.

The person he is covering is coming back to work soon - I've booked leave so that I'm not there to be relied upon and doing the work for free while the promoted person does FA.

[rwalker]

I work for one if the big utilities it happens all the time

recruiting now is to a set format everyone has to be treat the same and marked to a set criteria .
so basically if they turn up on the day make the right noises and score well on the points they get the job

it’s line showing your working out to prove you haven’t discriminated against anyone

[CapitanSandy]

How do you all make and keep boundaries at work?

I’m so used to not saying no now. Or thinking it’s easier for me to do this on a day off because I know it’ll be too busy on my working day to do it. Or doing something as a favour that’s not reciprocated.

God I sound like a doormat!

[quietheart]

Boundaries can be difficult and I think it's something you often learn over time. If this is your first job its quite natural that you would want to please and be useful and want to work as part of a team. However have you ever heard of a willing horse? Sometimes people who are keen can be taken advantage of.

First of all are you in the right job, what is it about the company that means the turnover is high? Do you have supervision? Do you find it hard to say no in other areas of your life?

It depends what type of work that you do. My boundaries start with never looking at my emails outside of work hours, my work phone is switched off every evening. I never do anything for work on a day off. If I ever think oh it would be useful if I could just get that out of the way then I remind myself that something else will replace it.

If you are too busy at work is it because you are given too much to do, or because you take too much on or because you struggle to manage time?

[CapitanSandy]

Thank you @quietheart. I don’t think it’s a job I can do long term. I’ve been looking at other jobs for a while down. I applied for one last year but unfortunately came second.

Yes my role is frontline for charity so we get monthly supervision my line manager is great too.

High turnover is due to overwork, poor pay and lack of progression. The communication from senior leadership is very poor too.


With the busyness to t’s hard to say my role is essentially split in two - 1) service delivery and volunteer management and 2) project work. Day to day demand, being short staffed and intense cases means in reality I don’t have much time for the project side of things during my shift. That’s why I’ll work on a day off just so things get done.

Again because this is my first job I don’t know if this all normal but no one seems particularly happy in the team/ wider org.

I’m going to implement the boundaries you have shared here and remind myself that there’s more to life than work.

[Dontlookow]

Sometimes bringing people from outside can bring a fresh, new “perspective”. Uncoloured by current status quo of work practice and relationship loyalties. They may have brought a lot to the job from that point of view.

HOWEVER if it’s a bit rubbish if you’re expected to apply or it’s suggested you apply. This is a new way of doing things, relatively. Supposedly replacing the “wink and a nod”. It’s very cold 🥶 though. People are treated like movable objects with no feelings.

It’s especially crap when you think you have a lot to offer. But - just maybe - it’s also a sign it’s either no the right job or else not the right company for you. What’s for you won’t pass you by, as the old saying goes.

[dontgobaconmyheart]

Of course it will feel disappointing, that's natural but I think it's important to maintain perspective on how personal it is.

Competencies are important, but ultimately hiring managers will choose who they think is most suitable or what makes most sense to the business. Those reasons aren't always going to be immediately obvious to candidates - things such as how they perceive the team dynamic, skills they personally particularly value, other work experience, what makes more sense for the business and leaves less gaps to fill etc. In a past job I did a great deal of hiring and it's often about a number of things alongside the box ticking of the interview and certainly doesn't mean they didn't think you were capable or that you may not be capable in the future.

If you want to progress at work OP then next steps are chatting to your line manager about where to go from here - are there likely to be any future roles made available, any training you can undertake to prepare yourself to take on the role you are looking at, any extra responsibilities you could take on within your current role and so on.

I would request a meeting to discuss this and outline the issues with workload, raise any concerns you have about how this is managed and that you are currently doing an unpaid day a week which you will no longer be able to provide unless this is renumerated. If you have suggestions as to how processes can be improved then supply those ideas. Making yourself a more valuable member of the wider business and being a person who is demonstrating leadership behaviours will make it more likely that you will be considered for promotion when there is an opportunity again.

If you are planning to leave then make sure what you are leaving to is better and of benefit to you and not just a snap response to the feelings of rejection.

[Dontlookow]

Good advice @dontgobaconmyheart but don’t you think OP deserves sone kind of genuine explanation. People call it feedback or whatever. But really THEY should be offering it to her in a positive sense, not just leave the OP swimming in her own rejection?

Anyway OP I’d be asking for an explanation/ feedback. Put your big girl pants on and Let them squirm a bit. Take anything valuable and reject the rest. Sometimes managers are full of their own crap, observe them during feedback lol, if so that’s a sign to move on.

[Dontlookow]

PS if people aren’t right for a position they shouldn’t really be encouraged to apply for the sake of it. In sone way’s I think it’s quite an inhumane attitude in new-business-methods (admittedly my humble opinion) but perhaps common nowadays ….