Cancel culture

Hello America 

The European market being juicy, American tech companies have for a long time set up sales department here. Came with that the culture : methodology, high insentives but also recently, the woke phenomenon. 

Without further due, here my story. 
I work for company X, great track records, never had any problem. Every good thing having an end, I have been looking for new opportunities the past months, till I found the perfect opportunity in company Y. Succeeded the 9 interviews (yes, yes, this is the right number), and was told an offer would be sent to me in a few days. Two weeks pass, I call the manager to urge him a bit, I have a notice and want to resign asap.
Here is what he told me : "Wanted to call you already last week, but did not find the time. We are stopping the process with you. Someone told me you're not accountable and I can not take that risk."
Quite shocked, I challenge him. What does he mean by not accountable? 
"I have been told that you had negative words about minorities, and this is not in line with our culture."
With those kind of accusations, needless to say that I am blacklisted there whatsoever. 

This most likely came from a guy who worked with me at company X, and now works at company Y. I am 95% certain after asking around me. We never really got along, but we never hated each other. 
Anyway, these are lies, with the sole purpose to cancel me. And it worked, so easily. 
Don’t you think companies are taking a dangerous path by allowing those kind of practices?
😤 Conflict Resolution
😳 Ethics
☁️ Software Tech
3
Incognito
WR Officer
16
Master of Disaster
Well, if you knew someone you previously worked with is at this new firm, I would have brought it up early in the process. Especially if you didn’t get along. By doing that, it clearly demonstrates that you ARE accountable and are able to give YOUR side of events first - and I would have definitely included where you were wrong and what you have done to address those shortcomings in the future.

additionally, I would have taken out this former colleague for a beer. You still can, if it’s not too late, and possibly salvage the opportunity. 

Chances are that other people at the new firm don’t get along with them either. Unless you really are a dick, then you deserve it. 

I wouldn’t blame “cancel culture “. I’d blame your lack of preparation. 
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
6
Sales
@Incognito 100% agree. You let someone else control your narrative instead of controlling your own. 

Write the hiring team an email. Explain your side and offer to have a call. It might be too late, but you won’t know if you don’t take your shot. 
Roi
Contributor
2
Account Manager SMB
Tried, and no answer. Was still worth a shot
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
2
Sales
Take it as a lesson. Be proactive next time. Control the narrative around your reputation. You’ll be fine! 
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
👑
👏
Roi
Contributor
0
Account Manager SMB
Tbh I did not even see the point of bringing it from the beginning. It would have directly thrown a negative shadow on my application. This could have stopped the process directly.
Agree 100% with you for the beer with him looking at the situation now. Could have also been a potential risk.
As you said, lack of preparation and I’d add a bit naive are the reasons of this outcome. Lesson is learned, but won’t changed my view on this new culture aspect of the US companies.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
If you know this is someone trying to blackball you (this is not canceling), then go after that person for defamation of character. Or, at the very least, address that with the manager you are working with. If they are truly lying then they should know they have a snake in the grass, resulting in that person being terminated for defaming potential candidates.

I'd also listen to @Incognito in this scenario. I'd go 'Taken' on this person, but that's just me.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
No it's not just you. It's me as well! 
Roi
Contributor
-1
Account Manager SMB
The minorities is a super sensitive topic, and using it against me is not a coincidence. He did not say « I do not get along with him ». He brought a topic that would wipe me out from the process. There is no way back after it.
This is cancel culture to me.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Ok, that's fine that it's your opinion. What are you doing about it?
Roi
Contributor
-1
Account Manager SMB
Raising awareness, I am probably not the only in this situation.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
0
☕️
No. For yourself. How are you righting this situation that you have been targeted in?
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
5
VP of Sales
This isn’t cancel culture. Cancel culture is total horse manure, but this isn’t it.

That said, I’m not sure what you couldn’t done differently. You absolutely could’ve brought your former colleague up earlier, but I don’t think that’s mandatory or even a smart tactic that you should’ve been prepared for/taken in advance.  I wouldn’t call this a tactical error, just an unfortunate coincidence.

It’s also unfortunate you guys didn’t get along, and unfortunate this happened.

If it was me, I would send back a clear, but blunt rejection of their premise.  Tell them it’s not true, and that they may want to reconsider their position on taking the word of a liar over their gut instinct about you after 9 rounds, because ‘IF you aren’t in fact the person you were made out to be, then it does in-fact prove the other person is a liar’.  And you’ll want to say as much.  So effectively all they’ve done is end up with a liar and turn down a better candidate.  That’s the kind of shit that keeps management up at night and they’ll appreciate you pointing it out.  The email would have to be extremely well worded.

Simultaneously, be a little indifferent in the message. If this is how the cards have fallen, then so be it, and you accept their decision because you don’t really have a choice, but it’s unfortunate because you wanted to work there.

Honesty goes a long way. I would honestly finish the email by subtly throwing it in their face.  Someone lying about your character doesn’t reduce who you are, and all they’ve done is miss out on someone great they could’ve had.  Their loss.
Kirby
Politicker
2
Sales Representative
This comment should be at the top. It’s the best advice here.
Roi
Contributor
0
Account Manager SMB
Thanks for your comment. I did send him a message after, blaming their methods, in a very constructive way.
And today ->
After a week, the manager came back to me with a complete different speech. He told me that actually the complain did not have any weight in his choice, and that the company did not even considered it. They just chose somebody over me who had more experience. After talking to some friends, it really looks like they are trying to twist the story to protect themselves in case I would sue them. Poor methods, really.
LordBusiness
Politicker
2
Chief Revenue Officer
What @Incognito said. Still lame as hell that the interview process included 9 interviews but that’s a different subject
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Sorry to hear that, all I can say is you will get what you're meant to get and life shouldn't stop you.

All the best!
Roi
Contributor
-1
Account Manager SMB
Appreciate it, thanks!
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