I applied to an internal position that I was qualified for and didn't even get an interview.

13 Comments

1. Mtrsprtautoltd@aol.comJune 6,2024 at 12:38AM UTC

   That bites. If this were me I’d start looking for a new job and not tell a single soul.

2. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 1:20AM UTC

   It's not my manager but it is posted internally but not externally so that may be it.

3. Rose BalogunJune 6,2024 at 1:51AM UTC

   Tell me about it. Employers promote people secretly.

4. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 1:53AM UTC

   Time to look externally, you’ve reached your ceiling with this organization. They’re told you three times over they’re not interested in moving you into a new role or supporting your career development. Time to move on, don’t make them repeat this message a 4th time.

5. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 2:01AM UTC

   I'm so sorry. You don't have the internal connections.

   Try and build your reputation and network.

6. AnonymousJune 6,2024 at 2:51AM UTC

   1) Generally, internal-only postings have a strong favorite before they're posted. Doesn't mean it's impossible you could blow them away, but unlikely. 2) I declined to interview some internal candidates who had zero direct experience in my niche field. They applied based on the job title (that I have no control over) rather than the description of duties. I received a call from someone much higher on the org chart asking why I didn't bring a specific internal candidate in for an interview. I explained the duties and responsibilities to the VIP and said if the candidate had relevant experience not on the application, she was welcome to call me and talk about it. The VIP backed off and the candidate didn't reach out to me again.

   There could be many reasons why you were turned down, and if it's a big company, I would advise you to keep trying.

7. Hold on Lee LouJune 6,2024 at 12:52PM UTC

   Take a hard look at your work performance and relationships. Are you doing the minimum on your current position? Do you bring a negative energy to work? Do you speak up in meetings or bring new ideas to your managers?

   Ask your manager for a meeting so you can discuss ways that you can prepare for the next opportunity. Tell them you are motivated to grow in your career with this company, what kind of role you would like next and why you think you're a good candidate. Then ask what you can do at work and on your own time to be considered for such an opportunity. Ask them why they think you weren't even considered for those other job postings and what you can do to stand out better.

   If you go through these steps and find that you're simply being undervalued or that you're sick in a toxic environment, get your resume out into the world and see what other options you have.

8. Barb HansenJune 6,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

   As mentioned by others in the previous comments - sometimes there is already a favored candidate for internal roles but that doesn't mean that you can't find another role at your company.

   Here is what I would do. During my next one-on-one with my manager:

   -- I would talk about what I wanted from my tenure at this company. First, I would figure out what I wanted (a promotion, a raise, a team change, or all).

   -- I would ask my manager what resources are available to the company (formal training, or/and opporunity to cross-train with another team)

   -- I would ask my manager if we could set aside 15 minutes a week (or a month) during my one-on-one to work on my career growth.

   I would check in with HR (or my manager) to see if the company had a formal or informal mentoring program. If yes, excellent, I would jump on that program. If not, I would find someone outside of my department who I admired, and set a meeting with them (topic: would you become my mentor or help me navigate the internal workings of the company in an informal mentor/mentee relationship)

   If I worked for a company that offered internal training opporunities, I would take a few classes. It's a great way to meet people from other departments, and you'll get to know more of the learning/training/HR team.

   -- I would find a few people who work on the teams that I'm interested in transferring to and talk to them about their roles. If you work in an office - invite someone from the other team for a coffee. If you work remote - do the same but via zoom :)

   And finally, if I had a goal for my career and my current employer wasn't the place for that goal, I would start keeping my eyes open for my next role at another firm.

   Good luck. You've got this!

9. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 10:50AM UTC

   Upskill.

10. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 11:12AM UTC

    I found the middle paragraph a bit impolite. Clearly the person has tried and made that attempt three times. It might be just being more flexibility. Doing something even a tiny bit different to normally one would do. Having other people to connect with is a sign of resilliency not dependency. It's not a weakness. I learned that from personal experience.

11. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 11:18AM UTC

    Moving to other organizations increases experience. Just make sure completion of training requirements is something that is completed if there are any. I don't know the details so I can't comment.

12. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

    3 different times and nothing? Have you received any sort of feedback at all? What is the company policy on internal applications? I see some rush to say "there was already a candidate in mind" but three separate times? I think at that point, I would want feedback on why not me. What areas do you need to improve in. What skills are you lacking.

    You aren't leaving us with a whole lot of information here...just that you applied, say you were qualified and not interviewed. What, if any, sort of follow-up have you done?

13. AnonymousJune 7,2024 at 9:09PM UTC

    I think the problem here is you are not putting in the time and work BEFORE an internal role is posted. The reality is if it is an internal only posting, 9/10 times they already know who they are hiring.

    If you know other departments where you would be interested in roles, get to know them before they need anyone. Share that you would be interested in their team if something ever comes up and why. Try to work on projects together. The benefit of being an internal vs an external candidate is that you can get in good with the decision makers.

    The other thing I will say is that make sure you are good in your current role. No other hiring manager within the company is going to want to take on a problem employee or one about to go on a PIP.

    Make sure in general people see you as someone they want to work with and steal away from another team. Be approachable, be helpful. Relook at how you are conducting yourself at work.