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?

They really are. I've mentioned before on here that I applied for an internal job once. I worked in Department A and a big part of my job I'll just call B. The job was to be based in Department C but would involve setting up procedures for organising B across the whole faculty. I thought the interview went well but I didn't get the job. It went to a woman already working in Department C as a temp. I knew from chatting to her that she had no relevant previous experience whatsoever either for the work she was doing in C or organising B. She seemed like a lovely person and I assume they just wanted to keep her when her temporary role came to an end. Fair enough, but we were both gobsmacked when she was then instructed to come and see me to pick my brains about how to do B. She was very embarrassed about it indeed. I was amused. I'd already decided to leave because it was the final nail in the coffin. Best decision I ever made. I should have left years before.

Give them the pitch then you can use it in your next job application - ‘I was pivotal in designing (this) new framework and overseeing its implementation and the results of this were…’

Try and negotiate some continued involvement in the projects (eg could you spend 1/2 a day secondment a week on the project?) because you are really still interested in the projects and the fact they are interested shows you've got potential but your lack of experience was a barrier.

That means you'll be better positioned next time there's a job like this. They'll get to know you better..You've shown enthusiasm. They will remember it was your idea.

Gatekeeping ideas and information never works in your favour. Being generous does.

In many organisations, transferring company data to a personal device would be a serious breach of the data protection policy and a potential disciplinary...

I hate this so much! Absolutely it’s been deleted. And no you definitely don’t have a copy saved on your personal device for future. I’d start looking elsewhere if possible, it’s clear you’re capable of operating beyond your current pay grade and title. Take this as nothing more than a confidence boost.

I declined to interview (not internal) once when I was asked to pull together a proposal for a new family leave policy. Including all details. I declined and suggested I’d be happy to undertake the task as a paid for consulting project, alternatively I’d remove myself from the process. They were quite surprised but I knew from the ask it wasn’t a good fit for me.

This genuinely made me laugh

I’d just give it to them especially if I’d worked on it in office hours. I’d bring it up in my yearly assessment (and ask for a pay increase maybe)

Op already works for the employer. I think it is possible that she has assigned the copyright to any ideas/inventions etc to her employer under her contract of employment (she needs to check the relevant details in her contract) and it may be that her employer is entitled to the pitch. That still wouldn't t make the current situation seem 'fair' though.

Edited to say that this point was previously covered. Apologies for not reading the whole thread

Definitely give them stuff you aren’t being paid for op.

I know you could see this as being a bit cheeky, but good people with good ideas get noticed.

100% I'd give it to them and offer to be involved as much as your current responsibilities will allow. This is not only something that will position you well in your current position, but great to add onto your achievements if you don't get the recognition you'd like in your current role and are looking to move on.

It's all positive from where I'm sitting - go and make the most of it!

@Unboundcuriosity did you see this post?

A perfect first post should get acknowledgement!

This and start looking for a job where they treat you with respect!

"Happy to share details and discuss further as part of a meeting about increased pay and responsibilities and my career progression".

I agree. That behaviour is outrageous.

You can burn bridges, look petty and damage your reputation if you really want to, but who benefits from that? You said yourself that you were the rank outsider, so the fact that you didn't get the role can't have been too surprising even with a great idea.

Lick your wounds and use it is an opportunity to pitch for a different role/a secondment, or just let it languish in your hard drive. You only gain from one of those options.

This might feel harsh right now, but this is a real opportunity for you. Before you share the docs, it might be useful to speak to the line manager of the new person who has been appointed, include your line manager/or people person as well.

Explain that you really appreciate the reasons due to your experience you weren't chosen but that you would love to walk them through the workflow pitch which you've been asked to share with the new person to implement and understand whether there is a role you can play in it's implementation as part of your progression plans.

Even if they say no, you have reached out and raised your profile (taken credit for your idea) and you can also say that if there are other opportunities to work at this level you'd love to take part.

It's a nice way of ensuring you get the recognition, whilst also giving yourself the opportunities!

Tell them you deleted it.

BUT you’re obviously very good, so how about looking around at other jobs?

I would definitely use something along the lines of:

"i'm so sorry [name] but I deleted the presentation etc when I heard I was unsucccessful for the role. I didn't think I'd have any use for it anymore as your new hire/name if known will obviously be implementing their own ideas! Thank you again for taking the time to interview me. Best of luck with your new hire"

So sorry when I was told I was unsuccessful I assumed I and it wasnt what you were looking for and deleted it, thinking it was no good.

Answer with a question. Ask them how you will be renumerated for the project?

Can’t you be very direct and say you’d love to help the company with this particular process if they can find a way to re-consider your original application.

IME too many women don’t ask for a hat they want and what they truly deserve and fall into the trap of wanting to „help“ to be seen as compliant, „the good girl“. Men get ahead because they ruthlessly ask for what they want.

I would not send them the pitch if there is nothing in it for you @Unboundcuriosity

How very annoying. Not good enough to get the job, but good enough to use your great ideas!

The problem with deleting these days is that there are copies and back ups of everything. I find it really hard to truly get rid of everything nowadays. Would they believe you or give you funny looks?

I've had this once, too, with a company I interviewed with during lockdown. Didn't get the job but they were happy to ask me for a copy of my PowerPoint presentation. Cunts.

Time to update your resume and take this pitch to their biggest competitor. Get the fuck out of that company. They sound awful.

Did you get detailed feedback as to why you didn't get the promotion? I'd ask for this, if not: 'Since you were so impressed with my presentation, perhaps we could have a chat about which aspects of my interview indicated that I was not the best person for the promotion?'

I have been in the position you are in OP. I heard later that I didn't get the job because the manager of the person making the appointment had decided - on the basis of two 20-second conversations - that she didn't like me.

I would go the you deleted it approach, I have done the other option before of sharing it in a similar situation, it just benefits the company and it didn’t benefit me at all, doing the job with none of the raise or title bump, fuck that.

start updating your cv and look to move, it’s often the best way to get a promo