Yesterday was the day my partner Val was turned down for a job she had really set her heart on. Experience had warned her repeatedly that to invest too much interest and enthusiasm on behalf of her employers could only lead to disappointment. However she ignored those quiet threatening noises and applied anyway. She put aside her cynical thoughts and sceptical attitude towards management and hoped for the best.
She was not even granted an interview. Kiss of Death.
An immediate explanation beyond a few mumbled phrases was not given and an email was sent inviting Val to contact Kiss of Death's secretary (who was on holiday) to set up a meeting. By pushing a personal visit Val was given no reasoning behind the decision making process because Kiss had not had time to prepare for a meeting with her.
One might think that is not so unusual or surprising but it was for a position within the organisation she already works for. At best it translates as a very poor response to a valued worker, particularly bad public relations to a place that claims to be investing in people, and absolutely destructive to a staff morale prone to the odd upheaval.
We await the final appointment to try to witness the hiring process at its best. We expect the appointee to show us why they were picked and another was not. We will try not to take it personally. But, the point is, that it is personal. And it hurts.
