Say you’ve worked for a large organization for some time, and you apply for a promotion. The application is submitted to the central office via e-mail. What acknowledgement do you expect from your employer?
-Do you expect them to acknowledge receipt of your application materials?
-Do you expect them to contact you to schedule interviews?
-Do you expect them to inform you if someone else is selected for the position?
Just curious as to what others expect/receive from their employers.
Few more details.
I’ve worked for the same shop for 30+ years. I’ve always been well above average in all measures of performance, and received a number of promotions, bonuses, recognitions… Have been in management, and currently hold a pretty high-level and very well-paid position.
In February, I applied for 2 higher level management positions. These applications required some time and effort, tons of info, multiple essays, etc. These jobs would have involved no increase in pay. One would involve relocation, and the other a considerably longer commute. Both would involve greater stress, more travel, and longer hours.
The e-mail submission went into a black hole. No “Thank you for expressing interest…” e-mail. No invitation to interview or request for additional info. Personnel decisions move at a glacial pace around here, but yesterday, I decided to check if any info was available on-line. Of the 2 positions, 1 was still listed as “vacant”, and the incumbent in the other was still listed as “Acting”. For the hell of it, I sent a polite e-mail too the personnel guru at HQ - someone who, in the past, has at least responded to my e-mails. I received the terse response, “Selections have been made for both positions.”
Having worked here as long as I have, I expected nothing else. I generally assume that pre-selections have been made before positions such as these are even posted. As high as I’ve risen, for whatever reason I accept that I’m not considered welcome into the innermmost sanctum. But as jaded as I might be, each new indignity still imparts the slightest sting. Especially when management is always on us to do more and better, to extend courtesy to everyone, and to be evermore professional.
My wife foolishly said that, even if I didn’t think I’d be selected for these positions, it was worthwhile to express an interest, in case other opportunities arise. I doubt there is any merit to that.
Just wondering if everyone’s employers are equally respectful of longtime employees expressing interest in advancing their careers.
I’d probably expect a computer generated form letter at submission stating that they got my application after that I’d expect nothing until they contacted me for an interview. If they never contacted me then I’d assume it was a normal corporate blow off. If I got an interview slot I’d expect my boss to at least tell me they were giving it to someone else or if it was in a different department a rejection email.
I expect to be applying for other jobs if I don’t get the promotion. More seriously, yes, I would expect an acknowledgement and an interview. Organisations should almost always interview their own staff.
In your case, you have effectively been told that you’re not getting the job and so should be applying elsewhere.
I actually wouldn’t expect anything, but some acknowledgement of an application.
I did this a few years ago, mainly just to do something different, but technically it should have been a promotion. They gave me the new position but decided I was just being loaned to a different department so there was technically no promotion and the requisite 10% raise. And to be fair, I was already paid a lot for what I was doing, and the jobs weren’t really based on different skills anyway, the difference was just an accident of the way job titles had been assigned in different departments.
Other than that I never asked for raises or promotions before, they were just handed to me. Also, about half my career I ran my own business and didn’t expect any promotions because my boss was an asshole 
I do not know what to say.
I’ve received a similar response in the past, even AFTER interviewing. I cannot imagine why they would not at least send out computer generated “Selections have been made. Thank you for your interest.” e-mails.
And no, I won’t be looking elsewhere. I live very comfortably on my salary, have a 6 minute commute, and work from home 2 days a week. No sense of antipathy from management - they are happy for me to keep slogging away in my current job. Just an impressive lack of civility and courtesy. I would treat a stranger better than they consistently treat longtime employees.
It speaks to the culture of the organization that treats its own employees in the manner that is described in the OP.
Internal candidates should be treated with as much or more respect than external candidates. I know that in many cases, companies treat external candidates with disdain as well. Not a good look.
My current job pays well and is relatively easy, but boring as hell. I was interested in considering whether I wanted to do something different in the limited time I have before retirement. Also, I believe I would have had a lot to contribute in these positions.
At 58 years old, having been in my present position for 8 years, I just wondered if this was all my career was going to be. Just getting towards that point in my life/career.
But if I just keep slogging away making widgets for however many years until I retire, I don’t expect anyone to shed any tears or hold any tag sales for me. Life is good!
And you applied for them because…? Would you have accepted one of these positions, if offered?
As for what to expect from the company, I think at least an acknowledgement of receipt of your application is reasonable.
That’s cool, you’re a good guy. Personally, at 61, I would not change jobs unless I got a huge bump in pay, or else the same pay with a much shorter day.
Thought I indicated above. My current job is very boring. I’m trying to figure out how many more years I can stand to do it before retiring.
So in part, I would like something different, and hopefully more interesting for the 5-7 years before I retire. Who knows - if I LOVED either job, I might stay in the job after I turn 65.
Having worked in this organization as long as I have, I feel I have a lot of experience and ideas to offer. There is some appeal to being in a position where you get to influence policy, rather than simply applying it. If you like what you are doing, the longer commute and extra hours at work might be worth it. As it is, I have a 6 minute commute to a job I get ZERO enjoyment or fulfillment from. Pays the bills and a lot of folks have it A LOT worse, but over time it leaves you a little hollow.
The one job would’ve been downtown Chicago, so it would have involved a train commute I did for 25 years. Doable, tho I prefer my 6 minute drive.
The other job could’ve been done in either Seattle or Denver. Wife and I LOVE both cities, and have a married son in Denver. So the idea of a relocation at this point in our lives had some novelty. Relocation expenses including a house buyout would’ve been paid. Of course, another kid and grandkid live 10 minutes away from us now…
I would have seriously considered either of these jobs if offered. Of course, I expected to learn more about them through any interviewing process.
They were very strong possibilities, and I was certainly (at least) minimally qualified for both positions. Given the experience required and the positions involved, the number of applicants for either could not have been terribly huge.
Like I said, I suspect they already had individuals in mind before posting the openings. And, I also assume TPTB have decided that I’ve reached as high as I’ll get, and that they are simply pleased to have me keep churning out the work until I choose to leave.
My experience has been: