Please Read - sudden not-quite-job-interview Panic!!

[xkcdfangirl]

I recently applied for a job with my current employer - slightly more senior but in a different department, a new post that is being created to start a new function within my employers. My skills and experience seemed, in my view, to fit perfectly for the job description and person description, and I wrote a really good job application which I put a lot of effort into - and then I wasn't even selected for interview. I was devastated and couldn't understand why they would do this because there is no way I'm underqualified.

HR sent an impersonal email last week saying it is not policy to give feedback to people not selected for interview so no further communication would be entered into. Then I got a personal email from the Head of Dept of the other department offering me a one-to-one meeting to discuss my application. I don't quite know what to expect or what to ask - I don't know if this is supposed to be explaining-to-me-that-I've-got-the-wrong-end-of-the-stick, or could be my opportunity to find out what more I need to do to be considered if the post needs filling again in the future. I'm not sure how to approach the meeting and am terrified I'll go all bridget-jonesy and look like such an idiot he'll congratulate himself on a good decision made.

I'm looking for advice as to how to play it for the meeting. Should I treat it like an interview, or be more casual? Can you suggest some intelligent, incisive questions I should ask? Should I be asserting my skills and trying to get him to change his mind and offer me a proper interview, or should I be more humble and seeking some sort of mentorship (i.e. effectively acknowledging I don't have what it takes yet, which I don't actually believe) instead?

Could you not ask for more details on what the meeting is about? It doesn't seem unreasonable to ask. Perhaps ask the Head's PA, saying you'd like to prepare for the meeting, so could they give you more information on what is planned to be discussed?

As for how to conduct yourself - particularly if finding more out prior to it isn't possible - I'd be mentally prepared for an interview, but conduct it more like a conversation. So, be ready to drop in key phrases about my suitability as I try and fish for what the meeting is about. As for incisive questions: assuming this is a feedback on why you weren't shortlisted. Could you ask if he/she thinks there are specific gaps in your cv that you could work on as you're very eager to progress. Is there training or extra studying/qualifications?

(bump) no unfortunately it's not going to be possible to ask for more details without sounding weird I think.

I'm also wondering whether to dash to the shops this evening to get some posher "interview" clothing a step up from my normal office wear - or would that look weird?

Obviously difficult to judge without seeing it, but I would go to the smart end of what I wear every day rather than buying a new outfit. Besides anything else, you don't want to look like you're expecting an interview if it isn't, IYSWIM.