Well… I’m not going to talk in specifics here, but it’s the first time in a while I’ve felt like blogging, so here goes.
At work this time last year I applied for a job with additional responsibility, meaning some extra work and some extra money. I got the job on a one-year temporary basis, as did the other 2 people who applied for similar positions. I have happily been doing this job since September and feel like I’ve done a good job, a feeling which is supported by my direct line manager in the role.
A couple of weeks back, as expected, the jobs were readvertised. I reapplied, as did the other 2 in the same position. Into the mix a couple of other people applied, although one was more interested in another position. The interviews & presentations were scheduled for Monday of this week. Mine was at 9.45.
Well the long and the short of it is that they decided not to give me the job, but instead to give it to someone who hasn’t done the job before. When I started this entry I think I was more angry with the management than anything, but after reflecting for a few days I now know I was overconfident in the interview and didn’t give it the preparation it deserved – assuming that the fact that I’d done a good job for a year would stand me in good stead.
I was so gutted about not getting it that when they broke the news to me I said I’d think about quitting my job (which is still a possibility) and then walked out and went for a rather long drive.
I did eventually calm down and go back to work for a meeting I had later in the afternoon. I’m a lot calmer now.
But the long and the short of it is I let myself down. Ever wanted to be able to have a day all over again? I have.
Unfortunately, equal ops means that the interviewing panel can’t take into account their experience of working with you when coming to a decision. They have to base their decision on the evidence that is made available to them during the selection process: your CV/covering letter and your interview(s). Given that you have the experience, it’s down to you to make sure that they’re made aware of this via the correct channels (ie, you make a point of telling them that you have “recent experience in a highly relevant area” or whatever).
In my experience, it’s actually harder for people who’re already doing a certain job to do well in the interview for that job, because the interviewing panel tend to actually discriminate /against/ you in order to ensure that HR don’t give them grief about being favourable towards you unfairly (though I’m sure this is a subconscious thing). It’s tough when you don’t get the job, but it is important to do what you’ve done and reflect on it. Next time, you’ll knock ’em dead.
My parting words at the interview for the job I’m in were, “I’ve done this job before, and I know that I enjoy it and that I’m good at it. I can tell you with 100% confidence that that alone puts me ahead of anyone else who walks through that door.” I got the job.
Yeah, I know about equal ops… I wish they’d given me a heads up about that before the interview! The annoying thing was they mentioned that they were looking for someone who “took more initiative” and had “stronger discipline”. I’m not sure how those things came over in the selection process. I feel like they didn’t count my strengths FOR me in it but they did count my weaknesses AGAINST me… annoying eh?
Sorry to hear about the job thing. I don’t really have any advice to offer (not being the working kind myself). It would not have occurred to me to swot up for an interview for a job I was already doing!
It does strike me as bizarre that they chose someone who’d never done the job before over someone who’d been doing the exact job well for a year! However, you were in the unfortunate situation, like you say, that they know your weaknesses, whereas the outsider applicants are in the position to hide any weaknesses they have and focus on their strengths.
Anyway, I really hope you find something else that you enjoy. Best of luck with it all.