To be devastated I didn't get the job

[Ronalling]

I'll give a little context, I started at the company I'm at in 2021 (new company so no one is from before 2019, hardly anyone before 2021). I work in the entertainment/creative industries, I don't want to say exact title as could be outing with the other info, but think of the performing arts.
The company are restructuring due to faster than expected growth and wanting to focus on a different market, a new role was made, advertised only internally. I interviewed in June/July, we were told we would hear nearer the time and other things had to be sorted first. It is a middle management role, sort of joining the creative side with the company as a whole, lots of time spent on meetings and admin and making sure others are doing their jobs but still some creative input and studio time. The internal job advert was vague, no time of experience noted, just you had to already be in a certain role. I'm 35, have been doing that job at other companies for 10 years, then for as long as anyone else at this company. I have a degree that is related too.
On Thursday it was announced that a 24/25 year old, who only got the job that was required experience wise last summer, has the job and has known since August!! She is very likable and has climbed the ranks in this company, one of the originals etc. In her first few months she caused waves due to the success of one of her pieces of work. All the normal things were said, she is a breath of fresh air, brings a new level of creativity etc. Honestly I didn't get the hype, she is just very likable and dare I say pretty privilege. After this she was given the opportunity to work with other teams and none of the rest of us were. It has basically gone from me being her boss in 2021, being equals in 2022, to her being my boss now!! They are also paying for her management course (though I think they were going to do this for whoever got it).
I'm so frustrated, I don't understand what she has that I don't, she is 10 years younger, no degree, barely any experience and will be making £80,000+ a year which is substantially more than me!!
It is also unlikely she will leave the job anytime soon and there are no other obvious progression paths at this company so basically I will have to leave if I want to progress.
I guess AIBU to be upset and think it is really unfair that someone who is so much less experienced/qualified has gotten the job over me?? Should I complain to someone??

She has clearly been successful in her projects there and impressed them with the work she has already done at the company. That is in reality more important than a degree or more years of experience. Sounds like she got the job on merit.

A criteria, not the sole criteria.

I’ve been the younger, less experienced and dare I say pretty person promoted over both men and women who were more experienced than me. But I was simply the better candidate as I was better at the job. I am pretty sure my colleagues would have thought it unfair, that they were more deserving and I must have fluttered my eyebrows, but I knew I was good at my job and better than them. I was more dedicated, had a better work ethic and my output was better than most at my level. Promotion was the next natural step, so I spent a year making noise about why I was ready (for example, arranging meetings with management to talk about my development and whether I am performing as I should, etc). Knowing the others who didn’t get the promotion, I highly doubt they were so proactive.

For all we know, the more junior colleague was the same so she was more ready for the role than OP.

A good employee will be asking themselves “what can I do to improve” rather than “why is she so special”. Has there been criticism at your appraisals, things you need to work on? I would be looking to improve what you are doing, focus on yourself then look for another job.

Doing the job for 1 year vs 10 surely makes a difference???

Not necessarily, she has got some experience and has impressed them. One year doing brilliantly is more relevant than ten years of less impressive work - not that your work isn’t good but clearly has not made the same impression. Quality not quantity!

I'm sorry you're disappointing OP but it's common in my place to reward outstanding workers with quick progression. We want to retain and develop the strongest talent and don't at all care about age. Complaining would make you look really childish so I'd either suck it up if you like the actual work or look around. Also, it's a young company so you'll absolutely have other routes to progression. When I joined my place five years ago, there with three levels and now there are five.

I think that she probably got the role on merit and was always a shoe-in for it because she’d impressed people and they wanted to retain her.

Pretty privilege is definitely a thing, but I’m not sure that it applies here based on what you’ve said about this woman.

Your problem now is that there is nowhere for you to go within your company. Focus on that, rather than on her. Start putting out feelers for new jobs elsewhere tomorrow.

You can be annoyed and upset at not getting the job role however there was a process followed and you don’t know how well the other candidates interviewed.

Bringing up that someone is younger and attractive sound petty and in my opinion so damaging to women. How dare she be good at her job, likeable, young and attractive.

Best thing to do is work well with the promoted women as it only reflects badly on you if you aren’t seen as supportive to her in her new role and if anything else ever comes up this will be remembered.

One of the biggest mistakes people make, especially when applying for an internal vacancy, is making the assumption that 'time served' makes a difference.
In my experience this also impacts how they perform at interview.

Sorry OP that really sucks. Having seen people do exactly this, while the less visible workhorses do the majority of the work, I agree it seems really unfair. The worst part is, these people often don't actually want or can't handle the responsibility and amount of work they are expected to do. They like the sound of the title without realising they will need to work really really hard and they won't be getting as much praise and adulation as they want because this is just what is expected of he role. Whereas the more experienced members, who are used to the volume of work and responsibility that comes along with it are actually the better choice because they just get on and do it without posturing. I wouod definitely have a talk to the relevant people about where your career path is going.

My dd recently left a job where she was constantly pushed down into menial work and denied progression- she's just been offered a job at about 8ph higher with people who seem to value her much more highly. So do look around.

no time of experience noted, just you had to already be in a certain role.

That's because you're aren't supposed to specify a certain number of years experience in job adverts - it could be considered age discrimination.

It's enough to just ask for experience.

I haven’t read all the replies, but the creative industries are notorious for this. Promotions never seem ‘fair’ or in the right order of things.

Years ago I had this happen to me twice - colleagues who were younger (and I was young then!), inexperienced but likeable, outgoing and full of ideas promoted above me. I thought my experience, hard work, commitment and talent meant more than it did, to be brutally honest.

Is she good at selling herself? Good at getting the ear of higher ups and pitching her own projects? These things count in the creative fields far more than anything else.

Chin up. Maybe time to look for opportunities elsewhere?

I second the person who said arrange meetings with management to talk about development. Some of this might be you not promoting youself. "I brought in the project singlehandedly on time and below budget".
I processed 50 documents to a high standard with no errors whilst dealing with queries.

etc
Ditto agree don't be jealous and do work well with the newly promoted person, this is basic professionalism.

The main issue I think is that you've been waiting for people to notice what a good worker you are without promoting yourself and you feel that she is queue jumping and cheating. Actually, the lesson to be learned is to shout about your achievements and be more proactive about moving forwards until they have to notice you

I think I would start looking for a new job if you really feel that you are better for the position that she got. You need to feel your work is valued and if you have ways to improve, go on courses and learn new skills that are up to date.

As above, it is something of a numbers game. If you wait for internal promotion you are effectively only applying to one employer.

Update your CV and Linkedin profile.
Get in touch with any contacts you have elsewhere and let them know that you’re open to new opportunities.
Enquire about the management course - could you self-fund?
Are there employment agencies or head-hunters in your field?

Any way, take this as a sign to become proactive in addressing your career progression.

Complain? No. That just looks like you're sulking and bitter (which you are, but it's not a good look professionally!). Definitely ask for feedback on your application/interview and what could have been done differently though.

I've worked for an organisation where a new role was created. They knew who they were going to give it to before the advert went out, never mind at interview stage. I suspect that may be the case here.

Attempting a detached summary here:

OP was the winning candidate's boss in 2021, the same year OP joined this company. So the 25-year-old has been at this outfit at least as long as OP, and possibly since they launched in 2019.

The winning candidate hasn't got a degree, so has probably gained 7 years' work experience, not significantly different from OP's 10 years.

She delivered a very successful project with an innovative approach: she's creative, courageous, "a breath of fresh air", and profitable. She's also popular, energetic, and has good networking skills.

It isn't hard to see why they hired her.

@Ronalling, I'm afraid your own account of yourself boils down to knowing how things are done. You said the contested position relates to a new branch of the business; doesn't it make sense that Ms Creatively Courageous And Well Liked would be a promising leader where new ideas and the ability to attract new revenue streams are at a premium?

YANBU to be bitterly disappointed. As it goes, though, you'd be best advised to dial down the 'bitter' side of that, and apply yourself to a review of both your performance and your aspirations. If that role is what you truly want next, should you be maximising your creative opportunities, coming up with smart ideas at every turn, and shining up your industry profile?

If, on the other hand, you'd prefer a more predictable and hierarchical scene where 'seniority' counts in years, then look at moving to a more established and less hungry setup. (It's still worth polishing your network, though; it always is.)

Devaluing a colleague for being different from you does you no favours, not even to yourself. Better luck next time!

Often it's simply a case of "the face fits". Not always physically but there's a LOT to be said for relationships and people getting advancements based on contacts and relationships rather than expertise and knowledge.

Life isn't fair. I have a degree, over 10 years experience and earning £40k and that was a fairly recent promotion. I wish I was on £80k but I'm not.

We ALL wish we were on £80k getting every promotion possible. I think you'll feel better when you stop comparing.

Ask for feedback and about your options at the company. Don't make it about the person who actually got the promotion.

It is possible she was the best person for the job or it could be that she wiggled her way in. We've recently expanded and after manager had hired her favourites then the rest were given to the best candidates.

Doing the job for 1 year vs 10 surely makes a difference???

What I’ve realised after twenty years of work is that some people are naturally suited to progress quickly in a workplace. The kind of person who tends towards seeing the strategic side of things, rather then the practical day to day. The kind who just naturally seems to get ‘corporate speak’ so sounds intelligent in meetings. Often they’re people-persons who can hack days of non stop meetings.

I’m the opposite of this. I’m much more suited to the day to day doing of the work, not the overseeing and management of the work. Which is why in my forties I’m now managed by 30-somethings!

I assume you’re American, but I’m also an accountant (Big 4), ten years post graduating and a Director leading a team of people with average service of 15+ years, some doing it longer than than I’ve been alive.

It doesn’t mean they’re better than me at what I do. In a lot of cases, far from it. I bring in more revenue, have better client service scores and am a technical expert on more areas than they are. They might have seen more, but I’m more capable
of drawing on my network and other people’s experiences and learning from others than they are.

And I have no family connections to the industry, from a working class background and work at a large firm with fair progression processes.

Time served does not mean better.

Same but I haven't managed to get out yet plus although the person who the job being excellent at interview she is actually really crap at the job!

You might think it’s acceptable to talk about another woman in those terms but some of us don’t. By all means be disappointed in the recruitment team and process but sneering at a woman because she happens to be young and pretty is most certainly misogynistic. Funny how you talk about evidence when the op quoted has provided none herself to prove the job was given on age and looks.

I do wonder sometimes how employers work these things out. We've had a succession of ghastly morons chosen to be managers who either self combust with stress leave, are cometely toxic and cause others to leave or just never manage to do the job. I haven't gone for any of those jobs because I'm near retirement and don't need the extra stress.

That sounds really annoying OP, I'd be upset in your shoes too.

Replace 'managers' with 'ministers' and you've aptly described our government! You're not a backbench Tory, by any chance??