post interview counselling- what do i say to the one who didn't get the job?

[tissy]

middle grade doctors job interviewed today, three candidates. One from another hospital, good candidate, but very likely to disappear back to Hungary within a couple of months; we needed someone who can stay at least a year, so he didn't get the job.

Then we had to chose between the other two- both currently work for us at a junior level. Both perfectly able to do the job. Both well liked by all colleagues, patients and other staff. Both are facing returning to India if they don't get a job before Christmas. One has worked for us for 4 years, and tbh, probably thought the job was his. We gave it to the one who has worked with us for a year, as he performed far better at the interview, and has far more potential, had a plan for his life even though he has been disappointed in his career aspirations so far.

I know we made the right decision, but feel gutted for the other chap. There is an outside chance that another job will come up in the next few months, but it's not very likely in the current climate. The kind HR lady volunteered to break the news to all 3, but I have to work with the one who didn't get the job tomorrow morning!

What do I say to the poor chap that isn't patronising, but is encouraging? I'm sure he'll feel that he's been kicked in the balls; I doubt he'll get another job in the UK now. His wife is back in India, 36 wks pregnant with their second child, and a husband facing unemployment....

someone help me!

I think if you are honest (well, honest in a rosy way iyswim) then it should be OK. You know - "it was a really hard decision, but..." etc. And if it isn't OK, you have another reason for thinking you made the right decision!

but anyway surely there is work for doctors in India, albeit at a lower rate of pay?

whoa.
and theres me worrying about bottles...

i can only say that you should be honest. say that you are truly sorry and you know it meant a lot to him. your sincerity will show.

if he asks for more, then honesty again; say that the other just performed better at interview.

if hes missed out because of something lacking in his approach, then he deserves to know what it is to have a chance of doing better if theres a next time...

dont envy you.

oh - and dont have the weight of it all on your shoulders - you are not the reason his life is not going well right now. sounds trite, but you need to give yourself a break too.

thanks for your replies.

The government has really screwed up this time, firstly the reorganisation of medical training, which means fewer "standalone" jobs for overseas doctors to get if they don't get a training rotation, and secondly this ruling that we have to consider EU doctors before other nationalities. FGS! Many European doctors have very limited English, and have qualifications we know next to nothing about. Indian/ Pakistani doctors are mostly schooled and trained in English and many have qualifications from the British Royal Colleges. They have propped up the NHS for many years, and we repay them like this?

sorry, SP typed a long reply to you, and it got lost in the ether.

It's not as easy as that for most of them, unfortunately.

Aw what a tough one. Try not to feel too bad - its not your fault he didn't get the job.
Have you had to do this kind of thing before? If not, try not to fall in to the trap of giving him false hope re. another job coming up. Best to be honest and up front now.

yes, wasn't going to tell him about the possible other job, it's only a vague plan, and the hospital seems to be putting the brakes on any spending at the moment, though we are being pushed to meet ever more unrealistic targets. Rather hoping someone will impregnate one of our registrars, so that maternity cover would be required, but even if the dee were done tonight that wouldn't be soon enough for the poor chap.

You need to be careful to be sympathetic, but not say too much. I made the mistake of being too nice to an unsuccesful candidate and he got very upset and felt he had been discriminated against (I suspect I gave the impression that I would have picked him, but the other interviewers veto'd it, which was not what happened, although it was a majority decision IYSWIM). If you are very clear in your head why the decision was made and stick with that it is much easier. I don't envy you though - it's hard enough when it's just a pay rise that's been lost.

Tissy it's so hard particularly when you know what's at stake for the candidate but you quite rightly haven't and mustn't let that affect recruitment.

Be honest in your reply about the reasons for his lack of success at the interview. Be specific as possible, try and explain what it was in the interview that let him down, which questions he didn't give full enough answers to/couldn't demonstrate the right experience in, or whatever. Also encourage him by telling him what areas in the interview he performed well in and can build on for the future, and by emphasising the contribution he has made in the department while he has been there.

And also listen to what nooka said. You can give extensive and contructive feedback and thank him for his contribution so far without being oversympathetic and giving the impression you would have given him the job if it were up to you.