T.A.P. Q#448 – How Do I React to Betrayal by Potential Employer?

March 1, 2010 by sparktalk

Dear Experts,

A recruiter contacted me to interview for a position. After two phone interviews and one on-site interview with three people, I was told I was the “top-candidate” and the corporate HR department (in Europe) was “approving” the local office to make an offer.

A few weeks pass by with no new news, then the local HR department calls me to reiterate the delay was caused by corporate HR. Two week later I get an email stating they “had” to select an internal candidate and asking if I would be interested in “future” openings.

At this point, I have mixed feelings because this feels dishonest. Do I need to respond to this? Or, should I respond to this other than to acknowledge I received it?

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Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter:

Q#448 Unless you got a formal offer, you have no case. It happens to the best of us. Keep your chin up. (@beneubanks)

Q#448 Just drop it. The opportunity has gone and it’s no longer worth your time or energy. Put it in your past. (@gradversity)

Q#448 Don’t close doors or burn bridges. Things like this happen between corp & branches. Keep options open. You never know. (@DawnBugni)

Q#448 Interview process is 2-way street. Situation raises red flags. I’d keep options open, proceed w/caution. (@keppie_careers)

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Filed Under: T.A.P. Questions
Tagged: C-Twips (Career Tips on Twitter!), candidate, career advice, career expert, career question, CAREEREALISM, HR, job search advice, recruiter

Comments

Corinne Stuart

This is a tough lesson for all job seekers about staying on top of your job search and in touch with hiring authorities. The clue was being told you were the top candidate, feeling you had it in the bag, and sitting back letting the weeks drift by whilst the job floated away. It could be that it was never truly there in the first place. Always ask how many candidates they are interviewing, what the company policy is on hiring internally and whether you are up against an internal candidate. That way you will have an idea of whether the company is engaging in a purely bench marking exercise or whether this is a genuine prospect for you.
Kimberly Roden

That is a bummer for any candidate; however, was there a written job offer in hand? If not, there is no betrayal. I believe the company dropped the ball and probably neglected to follow their internal job posting protocol. If there was an qualified internal candidate and that was their policy, the right thing is to interview the internals first. These things will happen in any organization and if you were that internal candidate, wouldn't you want to have first priority at an open position for which you were qualified?