Need any suggestions!
Hello Everyone! Hope you are all doing well. So, I have been on my temp/contract job for 3 weeks now. It is going good. Start OJT next week with my division. Prior to taking this job, the position I had really hoped to get, went to another person. This position is a software trainer for a major medical device company. I was the runner up to the person that was chosen. The hiring manager was great and said, she would keep my resume close. Well, today she reached out to me while traveling and asked me if I was still interested in the position and if I was available to talk with her on this coming up Monday. I have never had this happen to me! Bottom line, this position would align with my career path and so much more. I will talk with her on Monday. I figured the person they hired did not work out or they have a new position. If it is open due to the first person not working out, what kind of questions would be considered acceptable to ask? I would want to know why this person did not work out, yet maybe it is a question not to ask. In the meantime, I will keep moving forward and I must say, this email was a pleasant surprise! Has anyone had this happen to you? Thank you in advance for your input.
Please Don't ask. These hiring managers/HR are so finicky. I was almost through the door for a position with a pharmaceutical company. Had a phone interview. We discussed the pay and it was alot less than what I currently make but was told they may offer me more with my qualifications but maybe not as much as my current pay. She was impressed and I had the sit down interview with her and another lady. .Rght after I left she emailed me asking what day the following week I could come in for a tour with the dept manager and I said anyday would be fine. She said fine, thanks and she would get with the manager and get back with me. I then asked if I should have mentioned my concerns about the pay during my sit down interview when the other interviewer asked if I had any concerns. She told me the same thing she had told me in the phone interview and that the other interviewer doesn't make the decisions about pay, that its determined by the HR dept .She said she understood my concerns and to let her know if I wanted to proceed with the rest of the process. I told her that my concerns wasn't hindering me and I was still very interested in the position. And I have not heard from her since! After two weeks of emails and interviews she stopped responding! Just be thankful you are being considered for the position.
Don't ask if or why the previous person did not work out because at this juncture it is about how you are the right person. Good luck.
I wouldn't ask at all about the other person . be you and only you . your going for the job .
Sorry, I should be trying to be helpful to the Original Poster. OP, it does sound like things are moving in good directions for you. I do think Anthony Harrington has some great suggestions--- not too obvious, bring them up as far from discussions of the other would-have-been employee, practice asking them a few times, turn them into your own words. if you absolutely can't be so subtle and clever--- I certainly couldn't--- then maybe ask at the very end something like "by the way, I was just curious, what did happen with the other person? Did they have a change of heart about the company?" or words to that effect. You never know, it might not have been a management decision at all.
These are really great, sensitive questions! I feel like I've been asking really boneheaded questions at the interviews I've been on, certainly so by comparison. Hopefully I haven't already screwed things up...
This happened to me, but it took an entire year before the company I wanted to work for was ready to hire me. I opted not to go with them because I had already carved out quite a niche for myself in my current company/role.
I was curious why after a year, the person to whom the job went didn't work out. I didn't directly ask, but I did ask other questionss that led me to my answer. Questions such as:
- What is an ideal employee to you?
- What is the culture here and what type of personalities thrive within this company?
- How would you describe your management style?
Based on the answers to those questions, you can determine why the other person may not have worked out.
And, they are pretty solid questions overall to help you better understand the company and your managers expectations.
Congrats on the callback! That has to feel amazing!
it's really none of your business why the other person didn't work out. So, don't ask. Instead, ask questions that are relevant to you being productive in your new job. That way you know what is expected of your performance before you start. Then you will be able to shine in your new job. It doesn't matter what the other person did.
That’s good to year. Keep it up
You're starting to get pretty popular with employers these days Cindy Lane , LOL! :-)
I think you’re just in the right place to get these type of follow up calls from your previous employment prospects. Three weeks into a new job is enough time for you to get a better grasp on the tasks and responsibilities that will be expected of you within that role but it’s still not past the 90 day probation period where employers would expect a more solid commitment to the job from a chosen candidate.
Hey Cindy Lane , talking never hurts! Especially when the conversation involves a job opportunity that’s totally in-line with your career background and future interests. Besides, your in a different space than you were a couple of months ago. BOA is a rock solid company and your in an excellent position to gain a permanent position and continue to grow so having the assurance in your back pocket is going to make your confidence glow. I really don’t think you have anything to lose at this point.
Listen to what the hiring manager has to say and yes; make sure you ask all the right questions! You don’t necessarily need to be too concerned about what happened to the original candidate but make sure the job responsibilities are similar to what you originally discussed. Also, be prepared to re-negotiate compensation if you notice the role has changed.
This sounds exciting! Did you confirm a date/time to meet yet? Please continue to keep us in the loop.
Good