Unjustly passed over for a job... have you ever been?
 

My fiance recently interviewed for a teaching position. Naturally, I am biased :grin:, but the whole process has me a bit concerned. She was one of three candidates, and it was her second time interviewing at this particular school. She has glowing recommendations, including from other teachers at the school, and substitute taught extensively in area schools this past spring, with many call-backs due to her work ethic.

Cut to the chase: she has yet to receive a rejection letter or call (a third candidate received his rejection letter on Monday), but we have learned that another candidate was offered the job. This candidate is a May graduate with no experience whatsoever (beside student teaching, of course), and she has stated to mutual friends that she is a bit embarrassed as she knows that she is less qualified than the other candidates, and has no idea why she was offered the job.

I hope that there is good cause for her selection; perhaps she has a special endorsement that we're unaware of, or a 2nd concentration that put her a cut-above. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I find myself a bit frustrated, as the "winning" candidate happens to have an influential last name in our town.

Maybe (probably?) I am just being paranoid, but is it not reasonable to make inquiries to the principal and any other interviewers? I would think that a diplomatically-worded conversation might reveal the motives of those doing the hiring without hurting my fiance's chances should any other positions open. I am thinking something along the lines of "Thank you for your time. I am concerned that I may be lacking certain qualifications that your are seeking, and I would like to strengthen my resume and qualifications for future positions that may open. May I ask what qualities set the selected candidate above those of us who were not offered the position?"

Any input? Any other stories that I can pass along to my fiance so she won't feel quite so discouraged?

Thanks!

Is she over qualified?

They might think she will move on quickly. I've been reluctant to hire certain people because they're over qualified. I also believe I'vre been turned down literally hundreds of times for that reason. Ok, maybe dozens of times.

It stinks. Hope she finds a job she loves soon.

You are apparently quite naive about how the world works.

It's not always who you know, but it often is just that.

Organizations like schools, government, unions tend to be very
much of a networked environment prone to cronyism and favoritism.

It is also true that this exists in Private Industry. However, in business we must make a profit. This tends to mean that the best qualified person is hired. There is a network at work in the background in every industry. People know other people, who know other people. They do talk about potential job candidates, but it's mostly off the record because of potential lawsuits.

Steve

I almost didn't get a job because I was over qualified but stated that my over qualifications will benefit my employer and I got hired. I am sorry your fiance has to go thru this it sucks and I see it happen day in and day out. Nepitism (sp) at its best.

Thanks! No, she's not over-qualified (I don't think). In fact, the other "rejectee" has a year of actual teaching under his belt. My fiance has 6 months of subbing (graduated last December). Maybe that's not terribly impressive these days; I don't know. One would think that, all other things being equal, 6 months subbing with nothing but positive accolades would trump no experience at all, however.

As far as fear of moving on goes, that has crossed my mind. She has no intention of leaving the area anytime remotely soon, however, and if that is a genuine concern for the interviewer, they ought to ask the candidate what their long-term goals are. Had they done so, they would have learned that my fiance hopes to find a teaching job locally, and raise a family locally, in the house that we will live in together as a married couple as of next month.

Thanks for your input, BTW. Sorry to hear you've been passed over as well!

I am well aware that this is how the world works, but I'd like to think that the hiring staff of a public school might know better than to engage in favoritism, if that is indeed what has happened. These are public servants, who are accountable to taxpayers. If I demanded an explanation of their hiring rationale, I ought to receive it (as a taxpayer).

Sad part is, I was close friends with the assistant principal in college. He knows I am engaged, but did not know that my fiance was an inteviewee l during the hiring process. I thought about calling, but decided against it, because I did not want to influence their decision for dishonorable reasons. I wanted to avoid an unjust hiring process, so I did not attempt to influence the process. Now I almost wish I had.

May well be, but I am hoping that there's an explanation. Thanks for the kind words!

Sounds like you're getting married soon. Me too! The big day is the 29th for me.

Congrats and I hope your family isn't stressing you out as much as mine is.

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I must concur with softconsult. You are indeed naive.

School districts operate the same way all city/county/state/federal govt's operate.

Accountability does not exist in any of these environments.

Been there.

On a more positive note, I wish you and your future bride happiness.

Hey, congrats to you too! Our day;s August 5th. Bound to be a warm one, but it'll be nice. 2 of my best friends and priests (one Catholic in a nearby town and one Episcopal in WI), so they are going to "co-officiate" things at the Catholic church. Our reception is outdoors at the local state park, and should be wonderful. We've got everything under control (knock on wood), and the priests both agree that during the rehearsal, ONLY the wedding party gets to ask questions... so if either mom gets pesky, she'll have to find a groomsman or bridesmaid to relay the question. But in all honesty, our families have been pretty respectful of our planning and left things to us. We've been lucky!

Anyway, congratulations to you too my friend!

I am intimately familiar with favoritism; I just know that it's dead-wrong and that employers, especially those in the sectors you mention, ought to be accountable for their decisions. To get back on-topic, would it be unreasonable to make inquiries to those doing the hiring?

Oh, and thanks for the kind words!

it is indeed how the world works. and the point about private industry needing to make a profit is a strong point. but in the end it might just be that in many cases people hire folks they think will fit into their staff better, as well. many times it is not that easy to choose between qualified candidates so you end up maybe making a fairly arbitrary decision. people are not easily fitted into a scientific measuring scheme. personalities arent as easy to measure as weight height etc.

she just needs to keep trying. she will find the right job sooner or later.

next time dont hold back on the phone call to your friend. these kindof connections are really strong influencers in hiring decisions.

my first reaction to your title was "yes of course every time someone else got the job!" heh heh.

the biggest hiring thread that i see in my world is the person who is persistant and just keeps asking. an employer will see energy and desire as very very strong qualities.

unless the other candidates father was the guard on the hirer's basketball team in high school! then it wont matter what you do.

tom w

Tell them to relaxe and go home and smoke a beer. congrats to you both!!!!

Tom brought up a new point - persistance. It certainly won't hurt, but in the end, a decison has been made and if it was biased for any reason, it matters not.

I personally feel it's a waste of time to "ask why". You'll only receive a "tap dance" response and more than likely anger whoever you approach.

There are others schools. Time to move on to the next door.

Thanks, Tom. You're very right. My fiance was very proactive about fidning a job, hand-delivering resumes, cover letters, references, etc... while most others have let career services at our local college handle that. She is sharp and as enthusiastic as anyone I have ever known... but, then, I am biased!

Something just right will come along, on that I agree. I told her that I used to wonder why my past relationships always failed, and I often asked, in prayer, what I was doing wrong to deserve repeated romantic failure. When I met her (I was 33 years old) it all made sense. She wouldn't be a part of my life now if I hadn't experienced those past failures! Things happen for a reason. Hopefully she'll learn from this (as will I -- I'll make the call next time!) and something even better will come along.