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?

Actually no need, given you have a thread running currently about hunting for a job

You can really tell who here has worked in a corporate environment and who hasn't.

It's a dance. Sometimes you will be asked to do annoying things but there is usually a way to turn something to your advantage with a little finessing.

There's literally no room for grandstanding and 'making a point', that doesn't work for you in the long run.

There are A LOT of suggestions on this thread that would get the OP looking petty and unprofessional, but I think other posts are way too over-optimistic that complying will set the OP up well for the future.

@honeybeetheoneandonly 's post also made me think that the company could be setting the OP up for a very tricky wicket indeed: "If it's successful you won't be mentioned and if it's an absolute disaster your name might come up even though you had no influence whatsoever."

I doubt the person they did hire will thank her for her 'input' but politically would the company back her up if they took offense or if it all went wrong?

Like I said upthread, I'd drag out responding to this request for as long as possible and let the newcomer do her thing...or not...If 'not' there is always the possibility they'll come back to you and in this case the opportunity to benefit will be real.

Interesting - if it was part of your work they would have rights to it, and that would be that.

Since it wasn't part of your work, I don't think they do.

But this might be worth asking askamanager.org about - she's American, and so her knowledge of workplace norms is different but she is also very clear on how to go about getting promotions, raises, new jobs etc. And you might be well advised to think about how this reflects on you in terms of your career development and you can make sure you get credit for it.

100% this. Not only that, but knowing how a lot of companies work she’d also be expected to do the extra work on top of her current workload, for no extra compensation or recognition. I’m also sceptical it would make much difference to getting another position in that team, but that would really depend on the reasons for not being given the role in the first place.

This.

Some of these posters I wonder if they have ever been employed let alone worked in a corporate environment.

And the fact the Op is going to say that deleted? Well, they made the right call

Maybe I’m just cynical, but the most likely would be option 4 - where’s she’s asked to support the employee who got the role, while her current manager still expects her to perform all her current tasks. Once completed successfully, the new employee gets all the plaudits and recognition and she goes back to her old role.

I'm not saying she should simply delete (or say she has) the presentation, but I’d not be offering any extra work without a very clear change to her role/responsibilities (which is unlikely to happen imho).

I can see the frustration, but just because you have good ideas, it doesn’t mean you were a good fit for the full role.

You’ll come off as petty and unhelpful if you don’t share it and it could harm your future prospects, so I’d just play the game.

Absolutely this.
Also make sure the documents have your lock on them so they cannot be altered.
I'm not sure what that is called.

Time to start job hunting at your leisure.

I don't think you should care if they see you as "petty".
They won't think you are a fool whom doesn't know the value of her work.

The employer doesn’t own an employee 24/7 and assuming the OP did the prep for the interview at home in her own time, the employer has no legal rights to her thoughts and ideas.

In OP’s shoes, I’d make it clear that I’d be willing to negotiate a change to my current role in order to implement parts of the pitch that they’re particularly keen on and that I have the expertise in. I certainly wouldn’t willingly just hand it over. Feck that!

Wow - breathtaking chutzpah on their part. Really sorry you didn't get it, even with such a good pitch. 💔

I work for a big multinational, so maybe if you're in a small business don't listen to me.

If you're in a similar environment to mine, though, in this situation I'd probably hand it over if you'd like to be considered for similar roles in future.

Showing willingness to take it on the chin and a collaborative attitude are well seen, in megacorporate culture, at least. I'm involved with leadership mentoring and have observed over the years that this type of approach has good results.

With that said, I'd find a way to involve myself in it if at all possible, or ask if you can shadow the project if that's not an option.

You could for example add that you'd be very willing to help out with [insert something you'd add specific value on here], and that the person who got the role is very welcome to reach out to you if they need any pointers.

I know this isn't what my gut would tell me to do. My gut would tell them where to go in no uncertain terms. 🤬 But this is why I don't invite my gut to career conversations. 😂

This kind of unbreakably positive team player stuff does helps get you build connections and find opportunities in big companies, mostly because it creates a positive impression... but also because often enough the other person mangles your great idea and you get the credit for saving the day at the 11th hour, generally with lots of visibility because "it's now escalated". 😈🤭

How have they asked you - verbally or in writing? I would reply something along the lines of

I am delighted my presentation was so well received and whilst disappointed not to get this job, i do hope this means I am a prime candidate for the next vacancy at this level. In light of the value of my work, can I assume I am in line for an honorarium payment to reflect the hours I invested and you have already apprciated

Depends whether you intend to keep working at this place, and attempt for future internal promotions. They know darn well that a good scheme doesn’t disappear just because you deleted the proposal..

Use this to your advantage. Schedule a meeting with cheeky asker. Tell them you're delighted they are interested in the pitch and have a similar vision for future progress as you. You'd be delighted to work on making it a reality, yadda yadda.

Then ask what new role and salary did they have in mind for you. Not a "please" - an expectation. ( Because OBVIOUSLY that's what they meant.😇)... And wait.

Honestly, this works. I've done it more than once, most recently increasing my salary by c. £20k in one conversation.

I think this nails it.

‘I wiped my backside with the pitch the very next day as it didn’t get me the job.’

Perfect response!

Tell youll give them the details at a price, a very high price..

100% this….arseoles to them x

Oh superb x

I think saying you've deleted the pitch would make you sound pathetic and frankly a bit stupid (which I am sure you are not). Who would delete any of their job application material if they were serious about getting promoted? It's all useful stuff to learn from.

I would respond honestly, and say:

*Thanks for their kind words re your pitch.
*Something along the lines of while you do want to help improve the workflow, you feel uncomfortable handing over your idea for someone else to implement.
*Ask for some feedback about why you weren't successful for the role.
*Ask to be involved in the implementation of your idea alongside the successful candidate as a learning opportunity for yourself.

I'd be tempted to Cc your current line manager and possibly someone from HR into your response to the lead interviewer's email. Surely their request crosses a HR boundary and the lead interviewer should be called out for it.

I think asking them to meet to discuss it would be wise. You can say at the meeting that you’re disappointed you didn’t get the role; especially if they feel this positive about your ideas…
I have to add that if they didn’t respond well to that I would be tempted to look for a new job!

Suggesting deletion is not the perfect response.

It would be a bloody weird response. The Op would have had to have deleted it and then gone further to delete it from her trash.

No one would do that. And if they did… it gives the impression the Op had an epic temper tantrum when she learned she didn’t get the job and deleted it in anger.

Very childish. And I very much doubt that they are all buzzing with excitement about this presentation. Probably vaguely interested one person who asked to have another read. If that

Yes, and apply for soon, preferably.

"no, I sold it to another company as part of a freelance role"...