You established an impressive track record to prepare for the next step within your existing organization, let others know that you were ready for something bigger, and eventually took a risk and expressed your interest in an expanded role. Today you learned that the new job that had your name all over it is going to someone you consider far less qualified. What now?
When someone else gets “your” job it is only normal to be disappointed, crushed, or even outraged. You might question the motivations of the hiring authority, suspect the successful candidate of using unethical tactics to secure the new position, or blame the decision on organizational politics. If you truly believe the wrong decision has been made, what are your options? Here are a few smart and perhaps not-so-smart approaches to consider:
Option One: Publicly express outrage and challenge the integrity of the hiring official or competence of the search committee. Smart? Never. This is a quick way to turn potential allies into immediate enemies.
Option Two: Use formal processes to challenge the decision. Smart? It depends. If you suspect illegal discrimination, formal mechanisms should be considered. If you simply feel your qualifications are a better match, that’s just your opinion and you aren’t likely to get too far.
Option Three: Ask others to intervene on your behalf. Smart? Not smart. The time for intervening is before the decision is made.
Option Four: Keep quiet and turn bitter. Smart? Come on, who wants to be bitter?
Option Five: Go on the market immediately. Smart? It depends. Few good things come from acting in anger. It might be wise to process what happened before planning your great escape.
Option Six: Do something that makes the hiring official realize that you would have actually been the better choice. Smart? Always. Taking the high road and doing your best to be consistently amazing might just lead to an even better opportunity than the one you wanted.
Have you ever been denied a job you deserved? How did you respond? Did your actions lead to something positive, or did they make things worse?