Dog and Pony Show at Corporate Headquarters!

[ohiosec]

Just wanted to make you all aware of someething that happened to me this week so you may be able to avoid it in the future.



I work for a nationally known company at the corporate headquarters.  The CEO and CFO's secretary got a promotion and her job was posted on the bulletin board.  The last day to apply was this past Tuesday.  I entered my application on Monday (and had to get my boss to sign it before applying).  On Tuesday I got a call from the HR guy asking to meet with me about the job.  I met with him and thought the meeting went well and he told me the next step would be to meet with the CEO and CFO which they planned to do by the end of the week or Monday.  He said he was considering 5 candidates and would choose probably 2 for the interview.  I know two of the other candidates were in my department.  The three of us compared notes and realized that the HR guy talked the job down, i.e. the job isn't very challenging, all eyes will be on you, etc.  My husband said when they do that they usually have someone already picked out.  However, I was 95% certain I was going to get an interview because I am the only CPS in the company and have my legal assistant certificate, etc.  Today (Friday) I got another call from the HR guy.  He told me they had filled the position with an internal candidate.  One of the candidates in my department found out that the secretary who backs up the one who was leaving and sits next to her, got the job.  Now that makes sense, but why waste our time and emotions making us go through a dog and pony show when they knew all along who was going to get the job (hubby was right!)?

Since I found out I have gone through the whole gambit of emotions from relief to disbelief to shock to anger.  I will never answer another posting at my company again - NEVER!  That was the first and last!  I hope to find something else outside the company when the timing is right -- a company that appreciates a CPS!  (None of the HR people in my company knows what a CPS is (can you believe it!!!) so I sent some information to them.)  

[goldenearring]

Hi, ohiosec:

My empathy about your nixed application.  I hope by the time you read this, though, you will be cooled down enough to realize that just because a person has a CPS, a certificate, or even a degree for that matter, it doesn't mean they are the most qualified for a particular position.  I'm not convinced that talking down the job meant that they necessarily knew who would get the job, either.  They may have just wanted to give you a brutally honest view of the job so you would know what you were getting into.  I know that both of these things may be hard to believe, though.  There are other factors such as aptitude, personality fit (temperament), perceived level of career ambition (do you want to be an admin forever, or will you be teeming at the bit for a better opportunity in a year or two), relevant experience, people skills, and the length of time they feel you might stay in the job.  (I know you know that, though.)  It's also possible that the person who did get the job is more qualified, overall, but they didn't know that until they had other applicants to compare.  Isn't it possible that the H.R. guy was right?  Maybe the job is just one of those high-falutin' titles, but no great challenges, jobs.  It could be the best thing that ever happened to you not to get the job, even though it's perfectly normal to feel a little bitter.  Maybe the fact that you hold two certificates indicates too much ambition for this particular job.  You could have been OVERqualified. (I'm just thinking out loud here; bear with me.)  I think we've all been in similar situations.  My personal philosophy on posting "bummers" is:  well, that's o.k., because they must be saving a better job just for ME!  I also think that no opportunity to interview is ever wasted; it's a great chance to brush up your answers and what you know about yourself.  I hope you will post again if a job comes up that you are interested in.  Have you considered raising your visibility in the organization by conducting one of those membership recruiting meetings that IAAP does?  Maybe you could mentor future CPS candidates in your company. That would be a great way to demonstrate your leadership skills and get past this bump in the road.  Best wishes - GE

[deedeeb]

I work for a very large east coast electric utility and this not only happens often, we employees, especially admins, have come to expect it and when someone who would be a good fit and has the background actually GETS the job they posted for, we are all astounded.  It has become an open joke as we all know it will happen, so no one (or very few) will ever post for an internal opening unless it is a real deal location-wise and therefore irresistible.  Even then we all look at the postings on the company intranet and wonder "who do they have lined up for this?"  Recently they went so far as to select an outside candidate and tell the admins who posted for it (who could have stepped right in and gotten to work) that while they were indeed qualified, this outside person was MORE qualified than they.  Then the management instructed the admin who had been filling in (while also doing her regular job in addition to these extra duties for more than 6 months) to train the new person and get her up to speed.  Then management wonders why there is resentment of the new hire?  I feel for the new admin and do all I can for her, but I also understand the rejection the existing person felt.  I'm not saying one is right and the other wrong, but I have become accustomed to it.

[sungoddesslv]

Ohio,



You know, there are some companies whose company policies and procedures require that all jobs be posted, whether or not they already have a qualified candidate.  Some even require that it is posted publicly -- I believe most municipalities are this way.  



Regarding the CPS rating...there are many, many companies and people who are not familiar with this rating.  I think IAAP has done an excellent job of promoting the organization and people are familiar with who IAAP is (not all -- I continue to run across people who have never heard of it).  I know that those who hold the CPS rating have worked and studied hard to obtain it and are proud to have "CPS" after their names. However, keep in mind, there are only 50,000 CPS holders in the world!  There are more than three million secretaries/admin asst just in the U.S.



If you enjoy your job and like your current boss, then don't let this little set-back keep you from being happy at work?  I don't know about your market, but ours is tight.  Pay levels are way down.  It is tough finding a good paying job right now.  It is tough just finding a good job!



Hang in there.

[kknisley]

I hate it when stuff like that happens.  I've always been in awe of CPS holders, almost like they are the goddesses of the typewriter or something.  That's one reason why I decided to go for it.  It's hard to believe that a company as large as yours isn't familiar with the CPS rating.  



Are you a member of the Columbus Chapter of IAAP?  If not, it might be worth checking out.  I'm a member of Heart of Ohio Chapter and we meet during the lunch hour; CC meets in the evening.  I might be able to get some information from Ohio Division sent to your HR office if you want.  



Also, check out Executive Women International (there are several executive secretaries in the membership).  Maybe if you join a professional organization (at company's expense), that might help and you make some great contacts.  Email me at knislek@nationwide.com for more information or just to vent.  



   

[ohiosec]

KKnisley, yes I am a member of the Columbus Chapter of IAAP and I've given my HR Department information on IAAP/CPS.  I think I'll take you up on your offer to e-mail you.  I'm home sick today, but I'll contact you next week.  Thanks for your response!