Internal promotion, didn't get the job - but they want all of my ideas?

[Unboundcuriosity]

I interviewed for an internal promotion about three weeks ago. I went for the role as a rank outsider, and as expected, I didn’t get it.

However, part of the interview was to give a pitch on how to improve an aspect of our workflow. Knowing I was at a disadvantage, I really worked hard on my pitch and was really proud of the plan I had come up with and the implementation framework I built around the plan.

I am back today after two weeks' leave. I received an email from the lead interviewer asking me to pass over all the details of my pitch, as they were blown away by the detail, the build work, ingenuity, and the work I had done, and they want to implement the changes I suggested.

Um no?

The person who got the job should be implementing their pitch? Right?

And add "I would hope that the additional work required would be reflected in a salary increase" or something along those lines...

This is also a neat answer...

“Oh no, I deleted it when it was rejected. Sorry about that.”

Some companies are real chancers. I was managed out of a job in 2024 and was paid a fairly small amount of money. I did the appropriate handover, and then my CEO said, “could you also write up all your ideas for initiatives for next year.”

Err, no !

Thank you for your interest in my presentation. Unfortunately, you have not been successful in your application on this occasion.

May I take this opportunity to wish you the best of luck with your future search.

Unbound Curiosity

I would tell them sorry, but I have deleted the pitch, but here is a rough outline of my ideas as I remember them.

And then just do that, leaving some crucial aspects out. At least you show yourself willing without giving too much away for no pay.

I do feel for you, OP, having experienced similar, but the pitch was presumably not the only aspect of the job.

Say the pitch was based on your own personal skills and you would not be able to implement it without a change to your current role and commensurate pay rise?

I like this. It also recognises that implementing this pitch wasn’t necessarily the whole of the role applied for so there may have been a legitimate reason it went elsewhere but still values your skill set.

One reason women do less well in the workplace is we don’t put ourselves forward.

I’d reply thanking them for the feedback and saying you would be very happy to discuss taking the proposal forward yourself, or having a formal role in its implementation.
Maybe something like this: Thank you for your email and for the really positive feedback on my presentation. I am genuinely pleased that the proposal was so well received and that you feel it could be valuable to the team.
As a significant amount of work went into developing both the proposal and the implementation framework, I would be very happy to meet and discuss how the ideas could be taken forward, and particularly the role I could play in their development and implementation.

Did you do all the prep in work time and on a work laptop? Most employment contracts would consider your pitch as company owned as you already work there, so don't just say no.
Offer to talk it through with them, maybe they can second you into the team doing the work? You have great leverage here if you approach it wisely.

The problem with the 'sorry, I've deleted it' approach, satisfying though it might be, is that this is an internal role. You never know when the person you're pissing off might pop up as your new department Big Boss.

Why not ask them what is in it for you? If they recognise the value of your plan and you have unique skills/training to implement such an approach it's not unreasonable to negotiate an acting up fee or similar to recognise the additional responsibility. It may also put you in a better position for future promotions.

It’s your IP. You did it alone, in your time. It’s your work not the company’s. You have every right to say no to this request. In fact you should absolutely say no, politely. Buy time by saying, “I will have to check on my personal devices at home where I’ve saved it. I obviously don’t keep my data on company systems. I’ll have a look and see. Best wishes…”

This emphasises quietly that you are aware the data belongs to you so why should you share it. Then don’t follow up unless they revert back to you with some kind of decent follow up.

If the pitch is about existing systems and how they can be improved, do not tell them you have potentially breached your contract by taking company data on to your personal device.

If you did all the work on your own time, it’s your decision regarding sharing it.

However, if it’s going to improve your work flow, would it be worth it to share it?

If sharing, I’d keep records of their request and what I share, so I could show it to future employers.

Why would you cut off your nose to spite your face?

You did something awesome, and that was recognised even if you didn't get the job.

You can now give them the pitch, see it implemented and be able to point at it next time you interview. Or you can say no or it's "been deleted", and let them know that you're petty, which will affect whether or not they want to promote you in the future.

By all means point out that you're too busy if they want help implementing it, but not giving them the pitch itself is just going to hurt you long term.

This. It’s a huge opportunity to negotiate your way into a new role on a temporary or permanent basis. Ask to meet to discuss it further with whoever asked for your pitch detail. Don’t send it yet as you may be able to improve it further once you have had your conversation with them.

"Hi please send over your proposed compensation and will look over your offer when I have the time."

You have to give it over to them. There is no choice. You might even end up training the person who got the role.

Slow walk this. Thank them for praising your pitch but there’s no immediate hurry to answer. They have identified problems and don’t want you to take responsibility for fixing them. Reply in your own sweet time. Word it strongly when you do. Refer to your unsuccessful application and your failure to secure the role. (Don’t internalise these phrases, they’re just useful levers. You did great, and for reasons unknown and possibly stupid you didn’t get the job). It’s definitely worth asking some questions.

“Sorry CF, I deleted it from my files when I received the rejection “! Sorted

Don’t delete for yourself but definitely first poster 💯 nails it. Definitely do that. I’ll go further than saying they’re cfs- they are horrible horrible human beings. You should have gotten that job

(And I’d consider finding a different company to work for)

If it's as fantastic as you are saying, then I would see it as an opportunity to develop and add it to your c v down the line for another promotion or another job altogether. I think saying you deleted it is going to be completely see through and not put you at the front of their minds for the next promotion.

I think you are letting emotions get the better here. This is your current employer, of course they can ask for the details. Here are some next steps to consider if you still think this is not fair.

Did you prep in your own time - if you did ask for time in luie for the time it took you to do the work. If you didn't it was work product anyways.
Ask to be involved in the roll out - it will give you more to talk about at your next interview.
Be glad you made an impression - you may well have moved into the one to watch box.

The resentment is coming through in your posts - don't bring this into work with you, no good can come of it.

“Morethanthis71 · Today 12:13
I’d reply thanking them for the feedback and saying you would be very happy to discuss taking the proposal forward yourself, or having a formal role in its implementation.
Maybe something like this: Thank you for your email and for the really positive feedback on my presentation. I am genuinely pleased that the proposal was so well received and that you feel it could be valuable to the team.
As a significant amount of work went into developing both the proposal and the implementation framework, I would be very happy to meet and discuss how the ideas could be taken forward, and particularly the role I could play in their development and implementation.”

This is perfect. MUCH better than deleting it which will look petty and petulant.