Job Woes

[nomilieu]

Alright, I'm going rant here because I'm sure a few of my fellow Linux geeks can relate.

Last year, in late summer / early fall, I started working my current job. The job listing mentioned a one-year experience requirement which I did not have. I applied anyway, my application made its merry way through HR, I was interviewed, hired, and here I am.

Before I even started, the other position (there are two IT positions in my department, quite similar to each other) was vacated (and it pays +$6K over my job). The job posting for that position mentioned a two-year experience requirement. They hired a fresh college graduate who had no problems with HR turning down his application due to lack of experience.

So, the two of us had the same experience (i.e., none), yet he was making $6K more. Fine, whatever. That's life. We essentially shared the job responsibilities of both positions since they were so similar anyway. The fancier job is network support, the other general tech support, but we both did both so it really didn't matter what our titles were. To do otherwise would have required us both to be assholes and fling work at each other, rather than working together most of the time.

Now, this guy has left (as he couldn't remain in the country any longer) and, for months, I've been filling both positions by myself. Furthermore, the job is so fucking easy that I don't have any problem doing everything myself. I could do it in my sleep if I were half as smart and twice as ignorant. My boss told me that she'll give me the other job (since she wants to keep me, considering past employees have almost universally sucked and I don't); I just have to apply when it opens. Well, it opened and so I applied.

But, now HR are being complete hardasses about the two-year experience requirement (and I've been here just under a year). When I pointed out that I didn't meet the requirements for my current job, and neither did the guy I'm replacing (whose job I'm already doing), they just told me "too bad; them's the rules."

I am now extremely angry, mostly about HR's inconsistent application review process. I really needed that extra money.

To add insult to injury, I'm going to have to train the person they hire for the job! I'm going to have to train someone to make more money than me doing a job I'm already doing. If the person they hire doesn't meet the stated job requirements (and, since I'm not being considered for the job, I'll know this as I'll be part of the hiring process, though not making the decision), I think I would probably explode. If they hire a complete dumbass, that would be icing on the cake.

What should I do? How should I feel? Am I being petty? I was counting on the extra money, and my boss had all but promised the position to me should I apply, but she can't hire me if HR won't forward my application.

I'm thinking about finding another job.

Arg.

[John-Boy]

[sugar]

In my company, the final hiring/firing decision is made by management, not HR. Recruitment just filter the CV's, and then pass the shortlist onto management. All internal applicants are passed onto the hiring manager.

If your manager has said that you'll get the role, I guess that means that he/she has the ability to give it to you. Go to your manager and tell them that HR are being wankers, and find out if it's a real issue or not.
_________________
Jesus Could Be Their Candidate and the Republicans Would Still Lose

[sts]

1) Ask for a raise based on your much increased responsibilities.

2) Continue looking for another job.

In this economy many companies are pulling this type of shit and worse. I've been hearing about it from friends and have experienced some of it first hand. Always keep your resume updated, always keep in touch with your network and people in your field, always be looking for opportunities. When negotiating for a new salary or position you are at a huge disadvantage if it seems like you have no alternatives or if you come across insecure.

Also it seems like there are a hundred little dysfunctional things going on with this company. You boss shouldn't be promising you things she can't deliver.

[nomilieu]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, there are dysfunctional things going on; it's state government. Being government, there is a certain protocol for hiring, and here it means that applications, apparently including internal ones, have to go through HR. I don't think I can give it to the hiring manager (which would be my current boss) directly, even though she would love to hire me for the position. I'm just disappointed that they are enforcing the strictness of requirements arbitrarily (hence my surprise that they blocked my app).

I'm keeping a cool head, officially speaking, but I needed to come to OTW and cry like a whiney kid about it.

[notageek]

You work for a year and expect a $6k raise?
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

[nomilieu]

[billium]

Wouldn't you tell HR that you do not have the experience to teach the new guy?

[pjp]

Talk to your manager about HR, see what they say. You can ask about more money in the same conversation as well, but chances are they less flexibility with money if they aren't allowed to hire internally.

If they aren't hiring someone significantly more qualified, then it is a shitty place to work if they don't hire you for the job.

That said, if you don't get the job, take the high road. Help the new hire. You shouldn't need to train a senior employee. Helping them learn "how it is done" in your organization, directing them to appropriate contacts, etc., is entirely different than teaching them how to do the job.

If New Hire asks much more than the basics, "check with your supervisor" to make sure it is OK to do the bulk of their work. Then document it. When it comes review time, bring it up. Also, put it on your resume.

And as someone else said, keep looking for another job.
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lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.

In Loving Memory
1787 - 2008

[nomilieu]

That sounds like a good plan. I've started looking around for something that pays a little more. I might get a (friend for a) roommate to help with my expenses in the mean time.

[mcgruff]

Kill them. Kill them all.
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the underlay overlay

[juniper]

likely a dumb suggestion, but couldn't ask for a raise and say you will do both jobs?

[nomilieu]

[b0nafide]

[nomilieu]

[pjp]

[nomilieu]

[BoneKracker]

[sugar]

[Old School]

Were you required to join a Union? Are both of these positions Union? If so, talk to your Building Rep. If told to train new hire, file a grievance. If it is a Union position they can't just give you a raise. Personal performance has no meaning to the collective.
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I am not young enough to know everything.
- Oscar Wilde

[nomilieu]

[BoneKracker]

[pjp]

Depends on the market. I've never benefitted from having something on my resume that didn't exactly match req's. "Oh. The client really wants 5yrs in those areas."

Can't hurt, but it may not help.
_________________
lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.

In Loving Memory
1787 - 2008

[nomilieu]

@BK: I don't think I'd be too shocked. It wasn't so long ago that I was slinging applications all over the place. That's the bright side; even if things aren't how I'd like them to be right now, I'm not damned to an unsatisfying job forever.

On a lighter note, I wonder if acquiring another woman would give a net gain or loss (double income, yet more expense).

[pigeon768]

What country do you live in? If US, what state? Do you like your coworkers and the corporate culture?