Didn't get the job but doing it anyway

[OhBobbins]

My manager went on maternity leave earlier this year. I applied for the temporary cover role but was unsuccessful. In the end the person who got the job couldn't take it. I wasn't offered the job following this, nor did I receive any feedback as to why I wasn't successful. I have been doing lots of my managers tasks for the last year, all the while being told it's unhelpful to think of it as 'doing two jobs'. The manager has now returned and has been unofficially given a different role (in my opinion, because I've kept everything running alone) so I'm still doing all of the tasks I picked up.

Recently a senior manager, who held the interviews, commented that I've 'been doing the job of a lead for a year now and was doing a great job'. I didn't say anything at the time as I was thrown by the comment. Now that I've had time to think on it I am quite upset by this. I obviously felt it was unfair before but gritted my teeth, but now that it's a more permanent arrangement it's even more frustrating. The temporary role would have come with lots of benefits I was denied and then I was expected to pick up the extra work anyway which has been incredibly stressful (but I've managed, haven't complained and haven't had any time off sick).

It would have been a substantial pay increase as well as being able to use the temporary job title on my CV. If this comes up again I would like to raise how upsetting it is in a calm, professional way and ask for more of an explanation. How would you word this of you were in this situation?

We are going through a lot of business changes with redundancies on the cards so it's not a good time to rock the boat (which is why I haven't said anything so far) but I also don't want to be seen as a doormat and not cause a fuss (probably too late for that now!). I have a feeling any explanation I'm given won't make me feel any better but at least I'll have challenged it.

AIBU to ask why I didn't get the role after almost a year, and AIBU to feel frustrated about it all even though I'm sure this is a common situation in workplaces.

Thank you

I can't believe you're just accepted doing with no pay. Why would you fo that?

I would email the senior manager who commented and copy in your HR person.

Hi Chris,
I’ve been thinking about the comment you made the other day about me ‘doing the job of a lead for a year now and doing a great job’. I was pleased that my contribution while Susan was on maternity leave has been noticed. During this time I have (list deliverables and outcomes in terms of how you have benefited the business / department / team etc).

I also see that Susan has moved into a different role on her return. With this change, I would like to explore formalising my stepping into her previous role.

I understand there are ongoing business changes, and I see this as an opportunity to align my role more formally with the evolving team structure.

I would appreciate the opportunity of a conversation to discuss this as I’m keen to progress within the team and build on the experiences of the past year.

omg! you need to say something- stand up for yourself!! if they dont offer you the job and an increase then step back and stop doing the extra work.

Then start looking for something else asap

your manager / the organisation’s job is to balance competing interests: minimum cost of wages and long term stable workforce.

if there are already redundancies on the horizon, they may consider there is no budget to promote you but that it will mean that you are attractive to keep in the workforce.

You need to decide whether this role at this pay level works for you. The easiest way forward is to get a better job and use that as leverage to make them keep you. And to consider whether you wouldn’t rather do the other role.

this really explains why you are more likely to get pay rises when you move jobs rather than internal promotions.

good luck

I always ask chat gpt questions like this! Chat gpt on this occasion says....

Here’s a way you could word it if you want to raise this calmly and professionally, while making sure your contributions are acknowledged and putting the focus on fairness and clarity:

Example wording for a conversation or email:

"I wanted to follow up on something that’s been on my mind. Over the last year I’ve taken on many of the responsibilities that were part of the [temporary lead/cover] role, and I’ve done my best to keep things running smoothly during that time. I know it’s been acknowledged that I’ve effectively been doing the job, and while I appreciate that recognition, it has been difficult not having the title, pay, or development opportunities that came with the formal role. It has also been stressful at times to balance the additional responsibilities without the support or clarity I might have had if I’d been officially in post.

At the time I wasn’t given feedback on why I wasn’t selected for the temporary role, and I would really value that now. It would help me understand what I need to do differently to be considered for future opportunities. I’d also like to discuss whether there’s scope to formally recognise the level of work I’ve been doing, whether that’s through title, responsibilities, or pay. I enjoy the role and want to keep contributing, but it’s important to me that my efforts are fairly acknowledged and that I can see a path for progression."

This is excellent and much more assertive and clear than the Chatgpt version another poster shared. This is really clear on your impact and exactly what outcome you're looking for.

This is perfect OP - say this. I think forget about saying you’re upset or anything negative. Just fully position it as a kind of known thing - you’ve been doing her role, she’s come back to a different role, time to formalise it! Like it’s a no brainer. Don’t get distracted with how you were hurt / how you’re exhausted etc. Think about what you really want and go for that - what you really want is the enhanced title and the pay to match.

That’s your goal, it doesn’t matter why they didn’t choose you before or why it’s been so badly organised thus far. Now is your time to capitalise on the situation and get what you want.

@SoScarletItWas 's email is spot on.

If they don't agree after discussion or then push for a formal salary review. Take the money even if you don't get the job title.

Don't wait for someone else to mention it - grab the chance and you mention it. What have you got to loose ?

Do it ! Do it today! Use Scarlett's example

We are all with you. You can do this!

Its funny I worked for a well known charity and they advertised internally for a new position. I say new it was really everyone was doing this job but the powers that be decided they just wanted just two staff to do the job and it would be a senior role and extra cash so as I could do this job standing on my head applied and also some one who was very friendly with the managers and had only be in the job 5 mins applied also. Oh course the person got the job and I asked for feed back and they said I didn't interview well. The people that were interviewing me had
Known and worked along side me for years. I was really pissed off as My line manager had groomed this other person for the job. I'd seen that with my own eyes and pulled my line manager about it.anyway long story short I'm retired now and the job as gone back to how it was in the first place and both of the senior staff were made redundant. Have to laugh.

Also - start applying for other jobs - you know you can do the senior role and you know you're worth it. Why stay somewhere that doesn't value you?

At least get the title, even if they can’t afford a pay increase at the moment, then update your CV with the new title and start looking for a new job……The title is the most important thing at the moment I think

There’s never a good time to ‘rock the boat’ - that’s what they count on.

Firstly, I’d take your CV and I’d update it to reflect your new role & skill set. ChatGPT can help you with this (remove your personal info). Upload your CV, and the JD you had at the time for the temporary role and put in a command such as - ‘I am the (insert job title you want) and here’s a copy of my latest JD which is in addition to my current tasks. Create an update to my CV which reflects my new merged role.’ This will get you started.

Then, schedule in a meeting with the manager that can make a difference. Take a copy of your JD, and the other JD and mark up the items you are doing - and importantly have evidence of your success in that role. Have examples for each of the items so you can show you’ve achieved it. And then, let them know (politely) that you would therefore like to formally request that your role is reviewed and an increase applied to reflect your new and additional responsibilities which you have competently completed over the last year. Follow the meeting up with a brief email clarifying your request, and sign off politely. The key thing here is to emphasise how you’ve enjoyed the opportunities that have come so far, and you’re excited about what’s next. Don’t go into it pissed off - you’ll get nowhere. If they turn you down again, on email, ask them to specify development areas which you can work on and also ask for support in achieving that.

It’s ok to advocate for yourself, and the worst they can say is no. If they’re going to make you redundant - then that’s on the cards whether or not you ask for it.

If the conversation goes left, share your CV with some industry / profession specific recruiters and get looking.

I don’t understand. You didn’t get the job but you just did it anyway? For free?

Of course they will just let that carry on, why wouldn’t they?

Why did you choose to do this?

Thank you everyone for your advice. It's definitely something that has happened gradually. Initially I was very firm about not doing anything extra (because I didn't get the maternity cover role), but as the months have gone on more and more has been asked of me and sold as a 'development opportunity' (not using those exact words, but very much implied) which I've stupidly fallen for.

I will use the examples given and have a conversation about this next week. If unsuccessful I will ask HR where I stand.

Really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I do feel daft for getting to this point, but I genuinely thought it was temporary. Now I realise that since they're getting everything they need for no extra cost there's no end in sight for me.

Job title doesn't pay the bills!

It's also very easy to explain in an interview that OP covered boss's role when she was on maternity leave and explain what the title was, and that having stepped up for the 9 months etc. she's no applying for a similar role.

I completely agreed with @JustMyView13 apart from waiting to look at the market til you have had the conversations internally.

look around at what might be available, network a bit and get your chin front of done people with a request for advice

why not get an idea of what else is out there. No need to explain the circumstances other than you have learned a lot and are ready for new opportunities. Because you are ready, aren’t you? You are just deciding whether that will be inside or outside your current organisation.

Yep this ^

SoScarletItWas email is spot on.

If they will not pay the going rate pretend to be graceful to get the title and a small pay rise and push your CV out asap. You want the responsibility of the role recognised by the company.

Otherwise right now you are loose on title /loose on pay.

And for future jobs be mindful of getting an "acting" authority if you are covering or part covering a more senior role. And go looking for a quarter end or monthly "uplift" / "bonus" for the extra responsibilty

The otherwise empty title can help with the next job after the new one which is looking for 3-5 year at the manager level.

Such that the OPs last role with her current employer is factual on her CV. The CV title puts her into the pool for that interview.

Hey, it happens. As you said in your OP, not an uncommon situation in many companies. They’ll take a mile!

All you can do now is use it as the basis of a discussion about your future. No point wishing for the famous MN Time Machine where you can refuse to pick up the extra stuff.

I will say you might have to be prepared to look outside. They’re currently getting more of you than they’re paying for and you might need to force their hand.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Anyone can say that they did a job / covered someone’s role, you need the title to prove it and show that you did the job well enough to gain the title ! 🤷‍♀️

You don't need a job title.

The vast majority of interviewers can tell if someone just had a fancy job title or actually did the work.

You need to demonstrate that you did the job and possess the skills required.

It happens all the time. Any decent interviewer will be able to ask the right questions to figure out if it's truth, lies or embellished.

In most industries, it can also be checked too.

I don’t know what industry your are in but in my profession you certainly need a title