AIBU to feel overlooked for promotion in a close-knit workplace?

[Areino]

Hi, I’m unsure how to feel about this and would love some input.

I work in a fairly niche corner of the creative industries, while the company I work for is now a global brand name, it only launched about 5 years ago and within the company there has been a massive push for internal progression.

The current head of my department is very young, mid-late 20s, progressed internally after starting in a more junior position in the early days. She’s very good at the job no issues with her, I respect her.

However she has handed in her notice, and there isn’t a clear internal successor for the role. While at any other company there would be an argument that I don’t have enough experience, I have more experience by quite a lot than the current position holder had when she started so I thought I would be in with a chance.

Last night I met for drinks with colleagues and a reliable source (a very close friend of the current department head and someone who isn’t known for gossiping) effectively told me it is futile to even bother as the mindset of management is if they promote internally it will be someone who has been with the company since debut or they will parachute someone in from elsewhere. He is not applying for the same reason.

Obviously I don’t know if this is true, so I will apply regardless, but if it is true, it feels incredibly unfair.

I do feel there have been several unfair choices, from the current head of department getting her role and just happening to have worked with most of the panel since she turned 18. To another colleague who has been able to leave and come back multiple times, purely because he is best friends with and has known the current head for 6/7 years.

AIBU to think this is all incredibly unfair? What’s the best channel for handling it, when management above us are all friends with the people involved. I know this is always a risk with a relatively new company, people who were there at inception will always feel closer to each other, but considering the general brand identity is focused around progressive, inclusive choices …. It does feel hypocritical.

Honestly I would just focus on yourself. Apply for the role, you certainly won't get it if you don't, and see what happens. I expect this person will have miraculously applied in the end as well.

You haven’t applied yet, so you don’t know if you’ll be overlooked. You also don’t know what the management team are looking for. When someone leaves it’s often an opportunity for a rethink about what the role needs to be moving forward. You may have more experience than the current post holder but you don’t know if the management want a like for like replacement.

If I were you, I’d apply and use it all as an opportunity to show your interest in growth and development. Don’t be offended or put off if they do bring in an external hire, the new person could be someone for you to learn from too.

This isn’t about being fair, it’s nothing to do with you personally, it’s all about what the business needs.

Apply or don't. That's your choice.

Ignore the gossip, and get your name in the running if that's what you want.

But if the workplace is that shoddy, I'd polish your CV and look elsewhere.

You shouldn't base your decision not apply than because of what a male competitor told you over a drink!

Apply or don't but you need to make this decision for you and fpr better reasons than hearsay or gossip.

You're catastrophising by the sound of it.

Apply or don't.

And just like anyone else who applies you'll either get the job or you won't 🤷‍♂️

But there's no point in entertaining all those it's not faiiiir type thoughts as they'll knock your confidence.

I bet you anything your source is actually applying.

Totally agree.

Classic clearing of the path.

Agree. He doesn't want you to apply as he wants the job & thinks he'll have a better chance if you're not in the running.

If you don't apply you won't get it. If you do apply and don't get it, it's because someone was better than you. There's no mystery or dark science in recruitment, the best person gets the job.

Could the colleague be putting you off applying because they don’t want any competition as they are applying?

You can't stop nepotism or favouritism so you just have to ignore it. Do the best you can and apply for the role.

You can only control your own behaviour and how well you do your job. Dwelling on the fact some seem to have it easier won't help.

totally agree!