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

[icecreaminapot]

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.

Maybe she feels she would be better suited to the new role? Maybe as
she struggles in her present position and thinks the new post may be better for her? Surely any prospective employer would look on experience and seniority as the best fit for their job.Go along and do your interview and dont worry about her !

I can see it feeling weird.

But ignore it. If the job picks them. They pick them. If you are right, they will regret it

If neither of you get it, it's more likely to be down to the fact that they want someone else.

It's quite obvious you are more senior. Just concentrate on you

you sound afraid of your colleague.

and their application has nothing to do with yours. all you can and should do is focus on your own application - anything else the other person does outside work is non of your concern.

This is none of your business you seriously need to get a grip .

I hope they get the job!!!

This is nothing but jealously from your side .

And it’s not a ‘awful’ situation by any means. It’s the type of thing people deal with all the time. A little bit awkward but no big deal.

If you’ve been asked for a reference then why not ask your colleague for a copy of their application so you can make sure your reference supports it. Then you’ll see if there are any lies and can speak directly to your colleague about it

I also think it's none of your business. It's likely that the other candidate is just as unimpressed by you as you are with them. You're not doing yourself any favours by getting worked up by this.

Then you’ll see if there are any lies and can speak directly to your colleague about it

But that’s totally overstepping the mark. The colleague wouldn’t be required to share the application with the OP anyway.

Clear your mind of this colleague, particularly at interview. Do not slip in any remarks about them. If you say 'I know X has applied, they're very poor and miss all their targets ' you are going to look bitter. It won't be a good look for an interview. Negativity about anything will mark you down.

Forget X, be positive and enthusiastic about the new organisation, about the role, about yourself and your.achievements and experience.

I see your point Op, but you don't usually know who you are up against. Some of the other candidates may have also "embellished" their suitability. Focus on selling yourself is all you can do. Dont take anything for granted, sell the hell of out of yourself at the interview.

This actually happened to my DW a couple of years ago. She is quite quiet and finds it hard to blow her own trumpet. She went for a job against a junior colleague who worked in her team. The colleague got the job. The feedback even pointer to him having more experience in a particular field that is my DW's specialalty and not his. After the initial shock she said that he obviously did a better job of selling himself.

If it's a competency based interview just be very clear (use the STAR method to frame your answers and use I statements ...I assessed, I responded, I used my influence to...) about what you've achieved. Ignoring colleagues bluster. ...a decent interviewer/manager will manage this and if they're not then you shouldn't want to work for them anyway....

I know it must be frustrating but I would just concentrate on your own upcoming interview. If you get the new job it's all good and if you don't at least you won't have to carry the other employee. It will soon become apparent if they aren't up to the new role.

I can understand why you are angry. She is not good at her current role, despite continued input and support from you, while also lying on an application about her achievements and experiences.

All you can do is prepare really well for the interview. Think of things in your replies that aid you answer but also things she may not or could not know.

I knew someone who did something similar with their LinkedIn profile. What they said they did was to grades above the work they were actually doing. They never secured a role as, even though they interviewed well, they couldn't give strong or detailed examples of what they had done in their answers.

I can see why you would be concerned OP. Some people are chancers but I imagine it will become glaringly obvious at interview. You have to proceed as if you don’t know they are going for the interview and make sure your knowledge and experience shines through. Good luck op.

Do not talk down the other person during the interview process. It will not look good on you.

Highlight your achievements positively and the truth will come out in the end.

It always does.

I can understand why you are angry. She is not good at her current role, despite continued input and support from you

Which begs the question...why is she still working there?

I can see why it feels awkward but think you must forget you know this information, otherwise you risk trying to prove you are better than them rather than that you are best for the role...and messing up your interview in the process.

Almost all the CVs and LinkedIn profile of people I know describe their boss’s role, not their own.

I really think you're overthinking this. Two suggestions, one forget about him or her and prepare yourself properly. Use him her as eg of under performance if they're the best eg u have.

Two, consider objectively why the person got the interview, I think you implied you were on board. Theres clearly some learning points there and also why , if so ineffective r they still there? Is that down to you not being decisive enough, not being able to mentor or are there other reasons. If it's you, then dont use them as your under perf example.

It's a common enough situation,frequently on boards you'll have people claiming credit for same work. It's down to interviewers to sort out. But truthfully, maybe he or she is just great st interviewing, some people are better at interviewing than others. Get some trg if that's your real fear.

Am also slightly surprised u told ur boss you were going for it. They're prob not going to check refs until they're considering offering u position.

I dont work in HR,

Clearly. I have for nearly 20 years. (Eek!)

but was shown a screening tool to cut out non-suitable applicants, but it was based on the job advert.

Given the advert is how you tell potential candidates what skills and experience you are looking for, and they apply on that basis, what else would you use?!

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.

This is true.

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,

Probably less likely than I am to win the lottery.

but we always had to keep any screening tools used when filtering out potential staff.

Good idea, in case they ask to see theirs (which they are entitled to do) just in case there is a challenge regarding discrimination, but also to be able to provide constructive feedback, surely?!

Its so frustrating talking on mumsnet about work. No one gets it. You're given a hard time. There's useful advice here about seeming professional.

You sound insecure. Like you feel you're so unsure of your own merit that this person can derail you.

Be confident. Talk about the things you know they require, give details and examples. Trust your own experience. Convince yourself you are right for the job and tell them why. Forget about someone else lying to get an interview. I think you are catastrophising that their existence on the candidate list undermines your own chances.

Definitely play up how much support you give to your team but no naming names (or roles if possible).

The panel aren't going to care about drama between you and this other person.

Picture yourself in your new role and be very positive. You can do it. Good luck.

Remember: you aren't going to lose the role to a worse candidate. Your mission is to be the best candidate.

yabu,
just do the best you can

Seriously it has nothing to do with you. If you're better suited for the job then you'll get it. Reasons they might prefer the other person are some experience they've had outside your company, personality suited better to culture, budget - they're probably cheaper than you, and might have some professional qualifications that you don't. If none of that applies then you should have it in the bag!

Awkward, so act like you do not know this person is also going for the job.

It will only be awkward if they get it and you don't, and even then, they'd be gone, so it wouldn't be awkward and you could employ somebody else.

If you get it and they don't that's what you hope for.

If somebody else gets it... things continue.

I worked for a place and they always thought the worst of anything I'd none, gave every thing I said or did the MOST negative interpretation possible, they tutted, sighed, froze me out and yet held me to a higher account than people who'd been there for donkey's years and weren't being scrutinised. I was a wreck by the time they fired me. They truly seemed to believe I was shit. I'm doing very well where I am now, it's a tougher job but they are all so supportive and friendly and there are notes and there's training. I know if my OLD manager heard what I'm doing now she'd make a sneery face as if to say ''heaven help those people'' (customers/clients)

You're focusing too much on this other person and not enough on your own application.You don't know what they have said. They might not be claiming that they led projects but that they worked alongside them and are studying/training to have more skills in that area.

If you're obviously more experienced then that will come across in interview. Don't jeopardise that by being oddly obsessed with this other person's application. If you fail or pass this interview, it's on you. It's not on the other person.

Some companies prefer to employ people with less experience because they can be taught their company's processes and standards. Recruitment isn't just about who had the highest position previously. If it was, there'd be no need for interviews.