To take a job someone else wanted more?

[purplecale]

To be clear, it’s not even a permanent job.

I'm currently in a graduate program where we complete four rotations before applying for a permanent role. We're now in the third rotation, which is typically when people aim to secure their preferred team.

For this rotation, I was placed in Team A, a highly competitive spot with only one opening. Another person in my program also wanted this spot and had been working hard to secure it, including taking on extra work and ingratiating themselves with the team. I wanted Team A but not as much as the other person, it seems.

Since getting the position, I've received several snide remarks suggesting that it's unfair I was chosen over the other person. While they can still rotate into Team A during the final rotation, it means they'll miss out on one of their other top choices as HR gave them a low choice for this rotation.

HR place you in a team based on your individual preferences, whether you had a top choice in previous rotations, and in discussion with team managers who receive individual’s CVs.

Thank you all. It’s hard to back yourself when you’re quite new to corporate world.

OP, I say this entirely kindly, but toughen up. Look into confidence building, find a workshop, a counsellor, a career coach, a mentor, whatever. But do not let imposter syndrome creep into your career (any more than it naturally does for all of us).

You got the rotation because "HR place you in a team based on your individual preferences, whether you had a top choice in previous rotations, and in discussion with team managers who receive individual’s CVs." The concerned party who is keeping their distance may well be a bit upset, disappointed, maybe even peeved. By being civil and staying quiet, they are just dealing with it in a professional and dignified manner.

I am mid late?! thirties and I work in a corporate environment, it took me years to recognise and own the fact that I was actually getting somewhere through my own effort and competence. Happily, I see younger women now who seem to have imbibed this self-confidence in their twenties, and my younger sister is a stone-cold boss in pay negotiation. You need to take a deep breath and tell yourself that you work hard and deserve this rotation and these opportunities. Good luck!

Point taken 😁

The latest comment I received was that “it’s so unfair on [other person] because they’d worked so much to get that seat and you hadn’t even helped out with the team”

Take it. If this was men, they wouldn't doubt themselves nor give away what they have earnt! @purplecale

You need to stop allowing this kind of bollocks to take hold.

’I didn’t make the decision, and if, in spite of their hard work Mary didn’t get the place maybe they’re not suited to it. I’m really enjoying my turn in the team and don’t appreciate you undermining me or my work’.

Start advocating for yourself now and it’ll be easier when you’re more experienced.

I'd imagine most roles in any job with even a small amount of desirability would have plenty of others who also wished for the role. That's the way it works. There's one opening and they chose you. Someone feels jealous.
Just do the best you can in your team and be helpful and open with your colleagues.
You deserve it as that's who they picked.

OP - I'm guessing it's something like a trainee solicitor and you've been allocated the seat in a niche department?

Assuming it's something you're genuinely interested in then it's fair game. If you are pretty sure you aren't interested in it other than a more fun six months than doing a dull seat then it potentially feels as if the other person isn't entirely wrong to feel a bit disgruntled.

If it's not a trainee solicitor situation then ignore all of this!!

Taylor Swift has the job I want and I want it more than she does. I’ve just shaken it off though now.

You weren’t responsible for allocating the posts, so you’ve got nothing to feel guilty about. Next time someone makes a comment, tell them to take it up with management.

I wonder if the management in this team didn’t want the other person… and asked for you. (Still not your problem).