Suspicious and unprofessional interview process

Anonymous

September 18,2022 at 4:21PM UTC

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Suspicious and unprofessional interview process

I need your professional perspectives on what just happened to me and what the next steps for me should be.

I have worked at a large well known institution as a paraprofessional for over 5 years and a manager position just opened up in my department. I’ve been performing interim manager duties part-time along with my administrative para duties for a while now (with compensation, no change in title or benefits) and I figured why not apply for the permanent position. I had my current boss and team’s blessings to pursue this. I researched the job posting duties, gathered evidence of fit compared to what I have been doing all along, then proceeded with the application. Specifically highlighting in the resume and application my leadership experience. I wanted to pursue this position to be fairly compensated for the level of work I complete, grow more as a leader with my institution, and support some big initiatives that my background matches.

First Red Flag - The documents I attached to my application became "suddenly missing" when I reviewed the submission. I followed up with HR to advise them and provide them with the materials. They assure me they are now attached, yet I can not verify this. Regardless, the HR Lady and My Boss determine I am an excellent candidate that is qualified to interview. HR Lady sends me a virtual meeting link and I prepare for over a week .

Second Red Flag - On the day of the first interview , I join the meeting. Five minutes go by and no one is there. I instant message one of the interviewers on the panel to ask what is going on. It turns out they are all waiting for me in a different meeting room. HR Lady had sent me the wrong link! She admits to the mistake and sends me the new correct link through instant messenger. I join at a 10 minute disadvantage. Everyone in the session looks irritated. I feel embarrassed and even more anxious, but I still ace the panel interview in spite of this gaff. I make sure to mention my leadership experiences with narrative examples. I move on to the second round a week later with another panel interview and it all goes well. I am the top candidate and it’s looking promising.

Third Red Flag - HR Lady calls me because suddenly they can't find the "evidence" of my leadership capabilities. I send a follow up memo highlighting specific jobs and roles where I demonstrated leadership on projects, processes, and when leading teams. I also share this wrinkle up the chain so everyone is informed once more that I am interested and have the qualifications. My current boss validates the evidence I provided. HR seemed satisfied.

Fourth Red Flag - All of a sudden on a late Friday, HR Lady contacts me with bad new. She tells me I’m in fact NOT qualified for the position due to a “semantic technicality” that she “failed to screen” and that “I shouldn’t even have been interviewed” so I can't be offered the job. Even though I provided clear evidence of the trait in the application, resume, two panel interviews, and a validated memo. Even though 8 independent interviewers found me qualified. Even though I am currently doing the actual job duties!

I am trying hard to process this rationally even though I feel like I have been lead through a game I was never meant to win. I can't prove discrimination, but a string of concurrent HR gaffs suggests an egregious level of incompetence that warrants question.

I shared my experiences up the command chain and with the hiring committee so everyone is informed of what has just happened. There will be an investigatory follow up meeting in the coming week.

I believe in this organization's mission, but this negative experience has me questioning everything.

Quitting wouldn't be a viable option for me at this time, but its something I am considering for the future.

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SLTSeptember 18,2022 at 5:39PM UTC
Wow!! After 4 red flags, something is seriously wrong here! First you are a top candidate then an admitted error???!!!!
I'm angry and it's not even me in this situation.
I see why quitting is not a viable option BUT refreshing the resume, updating any certifications (if needed) and starting to screen for other opportunities is a must.
I believe in you and your opportunity ahead!!!
AnonymousSeptember 18,2022 at 10:42PM UTC
Thank you for the positivity. I'm always updating my certs and learning new skills because the industry I work in is my passion. I guess the bright side in this is that they just gave me an overdue wake up calI - I deserve so much better for what I have to offer and can grow somewhere else. They just unwittingly gave me a round of practice for seeking a better opportunity.
SLTSeptember 19,2022 at 12:39AM UTC
You'll persevere!!!
It's organizations like this that are so blinded (by their own stupidity) that they can't see what's right in front of them!!
Hang in there - it'll work out!!
AnonymousSeptember 18,2022 at 5:46PM UTC
Sorry about your experience. You literally had the rug pulled under from you. I wonder if the position required education you don't possess. Sometimes you may have on the job experience but lack the education credentials.
AnonymousSeptember 18,2022 at 6:31PM UTC
I agree, but I feel they should have been clear with her and given the opportunity to get it
"You have been great, have the experience, blah blah blah. We will offer you the role, but you have ___ months to show progress in your credentials"
Not complete, but progress.
IMO, they blew her off and definitely had the rug pulled out from under her. She deserves clarity. If I didn't receive that, I'd start looking for other organizations.
AnonymousSeptember 18,2022 at 10:26PM UTC
True, but I have a master's degree that is a 100% match to the specific requirements listed in the job's requirements. They snatched the rug and argued about there being a floor at all.
AnonymousSeptember 19,2022 at 12:45AM UTC
These people must not of liked the shirt/outfit you were wearing when you interviewed.
I know my comment was ridiculous but so were their actions!
I once interviewed for a LARGE organization that said "I see you worked for ___,I thought you were smart!!" I kid you not!!
She then said my resume wasn't a good fit. (This was after she was all excited about my credentials).
That NEXT DAY, I was granted an award for my experience! I called the interviewer the next day and told her about the award and told her I am smart!!!!. I didn't want their job, I was being very unprofessional.
Think about Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" about the scene in the dress shop and losing the commission when talking to the clerk. It wasn't the RIGHT thing, it was necessary at the time
Shelly EdwardsSeptember 19,2022 at 2:03PM UTC
This was a very bad experience and seems to fall within the fault of a bad HR person. She failed to do her job effectively on multiple fronts and I hope that when they investigation is finished, you will be reconsidered for this position. I would again reminder her superiors of your qualifications and that you are already doing the job so there shouldn't be an issue with your qualifications. Good luck to you!
AnonymousSeptember 23,2022 at 12:59PM UTC
I think maybe someone realized you were already doing the job without additional compensation, so they are probably counting on you staying and still doing the work.
Deborah MichaliszynSeptember 23,2022 at 1:18PM UTC
It makes me wonder if someone had a friend they wanted to get the job. Anyway, you should speak up, because if those people really want you there, and you proved yourself, HR can't really stand in their way.
Kathy SternerSeptember 23,2022 at 3:24PM UTC
I would ask for the facts regarding the "semantic" comment and find out what that is. It sounds like an excuse for something else she doesn't want to share with you. I am proud of you for having the process reviewed. Something isn't right.
Danna Furnace-GrimesSeptember 24,2022 at 3:35PM UTC
Wow! You are amazing. I am so impressed with you and the organization and level of detail in this post. Not an ounce of emotion in your post, just facts. Truly a top notch professional! To say that your company is missing out if they don’t promote you, would be an understatement.
Please don’t let this stand in your way of growing and succeeding. You are gifted and any director worth their salt would be thrilled to have you on their team.
AnonymousOctober 2,2022 at 3:01AM UTC
I’m sorry you went through this. I feel strongly that this experience will make you even more of the professional you already are - a better Manager and advocate for others. Use this as fuel for your continued greatness.
Your post has got me thinking - reminding me of similar blatant sabotage I dismissed as my fault. It's something how we tend to do that.