Trainee feeling betrayed by manager

[stripycats]

I am training on the job for a professional role (don't want to be more specific than that for obvious reasons) and have been at my organisation for a couple of years in an unqualified post before deciding to qualify. My line manager has always been so supportive, praising my work and encouraging me to qualify. She has been more of a mentor really and her comments really increased my confidence and made me think I could do it.

As a trainee I am still part of her team but no longer report directly to her and don't really have as much to do with her, though she is still kept informed of how I'm doing. The training has gone well overall, though obviously there have been challenges. I'm also not the only trainee in the department and there are a couple of others who are slightly ahead of me in the process.

So the time has come to talk about renewing contracts and people being made permanent, or not, and the manager above my line manager has basically said there is unlikely to be an opening for me anytime soon. I was obviously so disappointed and in the course of the conversation she basically admitted that my line manager doesn't feel I'd be the one to keep if there are not posts for all the trainees, which it seems there won't be.

I'm so upset and feel so let down, as if she has led me along to do this just to drop me. I'm debating whether to speak to her about it and see if there is anything I can do to improve, but feedback from my course leader is really positive. What does anyone think? This has come out of the blue as I really thought I finally had a career plan ahead of me and now it's been ripped away by someone I trusted.

[Hoppinggreen]

I am sorry but it sounds like the other Trainees are better at their jobs, or at least "further ahead in the process" than you and if places are limited then they will pick the best.
Your Manager obviously felt that you could do the training and it sound slike you can but not as well as others so she hasnt stabbed you in the back she is looking at it in a purely professional way and you need to try and do the same.
What are your options if you arent kept on?

[Mrsttcno1]

I agree with previous poster, she hasn’t ripped anything away from you and I think you are maybe just too close to the situation to see it clearly. She encouraged you and praised you and it sounds like you’ve gotten on well with the training, but the reality is that there are people ahead of you in the training and it has now become obvious there isn’t space for everyone to be kept on. At that point, they have to choose the best people for the posts available and on this occasion that isn’t you. I understand that is upsetting for you but she hasn’t done anything wrong at all here. If I was you I would ask for feedback/any room for improvement, there will be other opportunities and other jobs to come in the future and so how you handle not getting this one will be important going forward.

[stripycats]

Thanks both, I suppose you are right but what I can't get over is why she didn't speak to me first. It feels like she has been speaking behind my back to those higher up when she could have given me a heads up or even some pointers as to what I need to improve on. I just feel so stupid as I really thought I was set here as the majority of trainees are kept on now I won't be. I can look to apply elsewhere but this just feels like the right fit for me and I don't want to leave.

[LordSnot]

You no longer report to her or have much to do with her so it would be inappropriate for her to talk to you in advance about business decisions.

I don't think you should see this as a betrayal because there are two separate relationships here - your friendship /personal connection with this woman and your business relationship. It sounds like she likes you personally and has really tried to help you along, but when it comes to business she has to look at performance and not likeability.

One day you might have to promote someone you personally dislike or fire someone you really like. It's not nice but it's also not a personal betrayal.

[Mrsttcno1]

@stripycats

Thanks both, I suppose you are right but what I can't get over is why she didn't speak to me first. It feels like she has been speaking behind my back to those higher up when she could have given me a heads up or even some pointers as to what I need to improve on. I just feel so stupid as I really thought I was set here as the majority of trainees are kept on now I won't be. I can look to apply elsewhere but this just feels like the right fit for me and I don't want to leave.

Politely OP, it’s business. She’s not your best friend, she’s a manager at the end of the day. She put you forward for an opportunity because she felt you were capable and that’s a good thing, but as it turned out there isn’t space for everyone and so only the best candidates get taken forward. That’s business & that’s life. If there were other trainee’s ahead of you then it’s likely that there were no pointers or specific improvements, it is just simply that there were better candidates than you on this occasion.

Don’t take it personally OP, there will always be other jobs.

[Chewbecca]

Betrayal is the wrong word and you somehow need to take the emotions out of the situation and stick to factual, professional conversations. (I'm not saying this is easy btw!).

Your previous line manager has been encouraging and positive to you - that's great. It is likely to be worth your while speaking to both managers and ask for a list of areas you can work on to improve your prospects. Make sure you understand each item, ask for clarification if needed. Keep it calm and factual!

Are there opportunities elsewhere to use what you've been trained for?

Good luck.

[Firefightress1]

I understand how you feel op that's awful and must totally crush your confidence. Everyone saying it's business I would hope has never been in that position.
Don't sell yourself short, def speak to your manager and ask about the situation.

[Hoppinggreen]

@Firefightress1

I understand how you feel op that's awful and must totally crush your confidence. Everyone saying it's business I would hope has never been in that position.
Don't sell yourself short, def speak to your manager and ask about the situation.

I have been in similar situations and worse and have always behaved with professionalism.
Nobody has said that OP shouldnt be upset but it is likley that this is a Business decision and not about her personally.

[Octavia64]

When I worked in schools this sort of thing was common.

Trainees on placement in the school would be encouraged to apply for teaching positions for September.

The school would "want a good field" so tried to encourage as many people as possible to apply,

The trainees would often be told - oh, you are great, we know you are doing well, we'd love to keep you.

Then it would get to interview, and all well and good if there is only one trainee and they are appointed.

It is very very awkward however if the school either appointed only one of the two trainees or appointed externally,

It is a blow to their confidence as the school have encouraged them to apply but then rejected them. For obvious reasons they then struggle to trust anything their mentor is saying after that and it can really destroy the working relationship.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

[Oblomov24]

Your frustration mustn't be mis-directed at her.
What are your options now? How does it work, re completing your training and thus getting the professional qualification?

[Allwelcone]

Whoa there...do you think the senior manager was putting words into yr previous lm mouth?
I'd speak to her just to check, very professionally once the emotion has gone. Takes courage though.

[AgnesX]

You've made the mistake thinking that your line manager is there to support you unreservedly.

At the end of the day it's her job to make decisions based on what's best for the company.

PS sorry, I know it's not a nice position to be in.

[inabubble3]

You just need to look after yourself now…. Finish the training and look for a qualified role somewhere. Also other trainees might leave opening up other vacancies. Be proefssional and pleasant but these people aren’t your friends x. X