Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

NHS job question

40 replies

StressyMcStressFace · 06/05/2023 07:56

I work in a band 2 admin role. Recently a band 3 position in my office was advertised and I applied for the job and was invited for interview. This.was for a role I knew a lot about had loads of relevant experience and quite frankly was perfect for me.

At the same time I was aware that another woman in my building who does a completely different admin role had also applied for the job and was also to be interviewed.

at the interview I felt I did really well. In fact probably one of the best interviews I have done particularly as I knew so much about the job. However about a month ago I found out I was unsuccessful. I was placed as first reserve and found out from my manager that there were only 2 points between me and the successful candidate. I was gutted obviously but accepted that that was the harsh reality.

None of us knew who been successful as background checks .had to be completed until yesterday when it was announced that the other woman from the building has got the job.

Some of us do wonder how she was successful as she has no reason to be so clued in to the role unless she was coached but that's another story.

She is due to start in couple of weeks and here is my aibu. Part of her role will be to take some of my work which I I know for a fact she has no experience in and has never used the computer programme. (And also I am completely on top of my work and do not need any of it to be taken from me but anyway). Managers don't know how it's done either and have never used the computer programme that's needed for it. Therefore I think I will most likely be asked to train new girl how to do her new job! The job I was rejected for!!

I'm still gutted that I didn't get the job and my judgement may be a bit clouded as a result so that's why I need a bit of clarification please

YABU you were not good enough to pass the interview and should suck it up and train the new girl
YANBU that is at best very very cheeky and at worst against policy for a lower band to train a higher band.

sorry its so long and hope it all makes sense thanks

OP posts:

gentlemum · 06/05/2023 09:27

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 06/05/2023 09:19

Ex-NHS HR Director here. You couldn’t be more wrong.

this comment proves just how out of touch NHS HR directors are, all of the internal interviews in our department are a fore gone conclusion before the interview happens.

Totally agree! They also all believe that the points based system is fail proof.. all managers have to do is decide to give someone 0.5 or 1 point more here and there to bump up the score to beat someone else.

Didimum · 06/05/2023 09:27

Yes I think it’s reasonable for a lower band to help train a higher one. Success in being right for a position isn’t simply down to knowing a computer programme. My husband entered the NHS as a band 9 and was unfamiliar with all NHS processes and programmes, and had to receive knowledge, training and help from many people in bands below him.

dfkdfc · 06/05/2023 09:31

LadyLolaRuben · 06/05/2023 08:49

NHS Director here with lots of nhs and interview experience.

Firstly I'm sorry you didn't get the job and its frustrating there was only 2 points difference. I disagree with previous poster and HR director saying fixed interviews dont take place, of course they do, I've witnessed them but they're not very often.

Yes a 3 person interview panel is common and its an odd number so the third person breaks the deadlock when the other 2 panelists don't agree.

You'll never know if your interview was fixed, but my gut feeling is that it wasn't. It does seem to have been based on points and on what was said at interview. All you can do is take it at face value and decide if its now time to move onto something else as many of us would. If they value you, they would acknowledge how you're feeling and offer you incentives such as development opportunities etc.

In terms of handing over to the new post holder, thats a reasonable request although not a nice task due to the circumstances. I wouldn't kick up a fuss about it, stay classy and professional. Such behaviour will get you noticed in a good way. However, the situation needs managing by your management team. Ask them what are the plans for handover - who is expected to it, when and how. Get them to make it clear what is expected of you. Explain its not an ideal situation and you want it clean cut and over as fast as possible so its not drawn out. This way you know whats expected of you and can brace yourself for it.

Im sure you will but, be bright and breezy with the successful candidate, the last thing you want is that they report back that you're coming across as resentful, it will just cause bad feeling.

If I were you I would take this as the cue to move onto your next job. I've lost count of how many people end up better off after feeling forced to look elsewhere x

I also have lots of NHS interview experience and completely agree with all of this.

Yes I expect my B2's to train any band in a task they are trained to do. As has been previously said, just remain professional. I'm sure your manager will be sensitive to the situation and may talk to you beforehand perhaps, or ask someone else.

Sorry you have been through this, I have seen this from both sides of the fence and it is a very difficult thing to do or have done to you, but there are no guarantees when applying for internal posts.

Greenqueen40 · 06/05/2023 09:33

@OnceAgainWithFeeling Ex NHS Director, don't be so utterly ridiculous, of course managers have people preferred for jobs before interview!

Againstmachine · 06/05/2023 09:42

Greenqueen40 · 06/05/2023 09:33

@OnceAgainWithFeeling Ex NHS Director, don't be so utterly ridiculous, of course managers have people preferred for jobs before interview!

It just goes to show how out of touch those are at the top of NHS.

Curious0yster · 06/05/2023 09:44

I’m sorry you didn’t get the job, but I don’t think there is anything dodgy going on.

I got my current NHS job as an external candidate over three internal candidates - one of whom is actually best friends with the manager. There has never been any drama about it and we all work very well together.

Willmafrockfit · 06/05/2023 09:47

no, i agree, it is wrong for a band 2 to train a band 3 - regardless of the interview
stick to your guns

Willmafrockfit · 06/05/2023 09:54

who trained you though op?

Tallisker · 06/05/2023 10:40

Managers just massage the points ever so slightly so the candidate they want comes out on top. And discuss how to justify it if someone asks. That what happened when I worked for the NHS and interviewed people. I'd be looking for a new job elsewhere, your managers don't rate you.

Babycakes6 · 06/05/2023 10:42

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 06/05/2023 09:19

Ex-NHS HR Director here. You couldn’t be more wrong.

this comment proves just how out of touch NHS HR directors are, all of the internal interviews in our department are a fore gone conclusion before the interview happens.

So true!! Time for the government to stop this, totally corrupt!!

Original poster

StressyMcStressFace · 06/05/2023 11:50

Willmafrockfit · 06/05/2023 09:54

who trained you though op?

I was trained by another B2 in the same role and a B4 manager both of whom have since left

OP posts:

SnoopyTwirl · 06/05/2023 12:00

Most NHS admin jobs already have a person ear marked for the job. The interviews are just a tick box exercise.

Wingedharpy · 06/05/2023 12:08

If I've read your OP correctly @StressyMcStressFace , you haven't yet been asked to do anything for the new post holder but you are assuming that you will be?
The NHS can only function with good team work.
Read your job description - I suspect there will be some sort of sentence that says you will do x, y or z to contribute to the smooth running of the service.
If you are asked to train this person, use the opportunity to your advantage to demonstrate what a true professional you are.
Please don't be the mouldy, sulky bad apple that makes the whole department a miserable place to work.

VoiceOfCommonSense · 06/05/2023 12:34

Well said 😎

Willmafrockfit · 06/05/2023 18:06

agree that they can and do massage the figures
but we dont know if they did that in your case op
is the person already a band 3?

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread