Job went to another internal candidate, how to move on.

[finfitrulesok]

I was the better candidate. The other person has been unreliable. I have more experience, more qualifications, and have a lot more proof of what I have invested and achieved. I am baffled that they chose the other person. I don't want to go back in and face it all. This is such a huge set back and I am gutted at all the time and energy I invested in making sure I was ready for this role. No career progression for me now. Unsure what to do.

This is nowhere near grounds for a claim of constructive dismissal.

@Onelifeonly didn't this make you rethink your interview process though, or consider scrapping them altogether? If interviews are like exams with mark schemes where you have to say specific things to pass, it sounds like they probably aren't fit for purpose, especially if the strongest candidate gets weeded out for something as banal as not giving enough detail in their answers.

are teaching interviews equal ops/ graded? As a social services manager, I once had to interview and then give a job to the less able candidate. This is because of the
equal ops requirement- we had 3 on the panel who had
to score every question - and the poorer candidate was brilliant at interviews.

It was awful and I felt so guilty. I have also lost out on jobs because of the policy - it is supposed to be a transparent, fair way of interviewing but it is so frustrating when you have to ignore your knowledge of the individual.

if this is the case in teaching, it may be the same rationale.

i am so sorry.

Listen you are in the exact position now for MORE interviews. The hardest thing is when you haven’t done one in a while, it’s so cringe but then that first one out of the way, you are off, so just keep going.

Do more interviews now. keep going and don’t back away.

Been there, done that.
Go and ask for feedback. I did and learned why she was chosen over me and it was because she showed mercenary values that I am proud not to possess. If that is what they wanted then I was glad I did not get it and could continue in my role with the humanity that I prized.

Agree with this, it's not unkind but helpful in understanding some of the reasons why it went to someone else.

Not saying you are OP, but a lot of people think they're great to work with but lack self reflection.

We've all known well qualified capable colleagues or bosses who don't quite fit with the team.

Some people being defensive over anonymous advice is telling.

How do you know OP isn't one of those?

You were the preferred candidate for the new job, same as ex colleague was for the previous one.

This. You've got your NPQ so now is the perfect time to find yourself a new school. In the meantime quietly phase out anything that is not specifically part of your current job. No drama, no throwing toys out of the pram. Just phasing it out

Thank you. I am finally getting feedback today.

Good luck @finfitrulesok You sound like a lovely teacher and one that would be an asset to any school. Hopefully you will get some closure today.

Good luck with the feedback!

How did it go?

With teaching I often think it's about how they fit with the vision of the HOD. It has very little to do with actual skill.

How frustrating at this time of year!

Maybe look for a new challenge that starts after Christmas?

Yep, I agree. Interviews these days are all down to scoring. So if you reel off the 'right' answers you're more likely to get the job. Interviewers don't/can't consider other things. They have to act like they don't know you. Look for an even better job elsewhere but don't let it dent your confidence. Brush up on interview techniques and buzz words.

It seems there probably was an agenda. They have approached me with a tailor made role, advertised it for fairness, but had another applicant. This means another interview. I'm not happy. However, now I have made my feelings clear, and they think I have all the skills to plug all the gaps, I feel like the ball is in my court. Next hoop to jump through, then they will be pretty surprised when I don't bite their hand off at the prosect of extra work. Only if the price is right. Otherwise it is a big fat no. A wasteful HR exercise in finding out who you can walk all over. Not me!!

Stick to your guns. Be clear what you will accept. You don't want to be doing more work than you are happy with. Or being worse off than you are now.

You would have thought if they had both these roles available that they would advertise them at the same time, unless they thought that you might not apply for this second one. As you say the price must be right because they appear to have chosen the other candidate so that you'd take this role. Best of luck with your application and negations, ask for information about the responsibilities and renumeration, and time to consider it. Then compare with similar jobs available.

Agree with stepping back and certainly don’t help the new person who got the job.

These sort of behind the scenes machinations are awful and wholly unacceptable. Do they think you are just a tile in their sliding block puzzle?
They should have been open from the start. Did they not clock that being unreasonably rejected for the first post might set up resentments that might make you less inclined to play ball with their plans?
Good luck with whatever you decide.

There was a strong whiff of something like this so its not that surprising, but it is still disappointing to realise they're attempting to play you. As you say, you have the upper hand now. I am interested to know how it plays out, so.hope you will return with an update!

I just remembered this thread after hearing about an odd appointment at school! The expected person didn't get it, and nobody understands...

How did it go, @finfitrulesok? Did you stay,. or find a new job?

Im re-reading this tonight also, and would love an update