Why do you interview the external candidate when you have the internal you already want?

So I am interviewing full time, the company for those that have followed my posts that I was working for is in full effect, tank mode. The president of the company is leaving Monday, all the tax people who do the tough work for the clients are on their way out, the last experienced sales rep not on paternity is gone for a competitor tomorrow.... I could go on.


Venting as I applied at a university for a director position I was very interested in. Shocked I got an interview as I know they have a strong internal candidate who worked hand in hand with the one being replaced...



I nailed it, knocked it out of the park, made some great impressions through out the half day interview.


And didn't get a call back... the hiring manager let me down soft but didn't neglect to mention that I was in an uphill battle since there was a strong internal candidate...


Kinda felt like a big tease to put myself out there as hard as I did.... take my ideas and profit on them I am sure...


Got a couple other gigs I am interviewing for but nothing quite like this position.... My wife works at the Uni as well and its my alma matter so hard to just replicate somewhere else.


On to the next one

✌️ Growing Pains
🤘 Personal Growth
7
Pachacuti
Politicker
3
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
The devil they know -vs- the devil they don't know.

You probably got the interview simply out of curiosity. I have gotten a few of those over the years. They get a random applicant who is more than qualified and they want to meet you "just in case". You never had a chance, but it is what it is.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
Unfortunately, this is quite likely.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Or maybe they have a HR policy of interviewing x number of candidates 🤷‍♀️
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
You're in a good position should something happen to that candidate (no, I absolutely am not suggesting you try anything) or if they withdraw their application. And how many times have we seen stories from internal candidates who inexplicably lose out to the external candidate? You gave yourself the best chance, and that's how to do it. If nothing else, you got in some great practice for the next interview.
JWA
Personal Narrative
0
Business Development Manager
Because the Uni is connected to a lot of people I know who were behind the veil, I guess they said that I made it really tough on the hiring decision maker.
Makes sense to pick the guy who had been around for 5 years but I guess that he wasnt as solid as I thought and has had some issues in the past.

The hiring manager did mention another position and several in the job with me mentioned that I pursue that position. Considering that but the gal has to retire first and I need a job now so... we will see.
SalesBeast
Politicker
1
Sales Leader
That sucks. Hate when companies do that. Sometimes they just require to interview a few even though they know what they already will do.

I had interview few yrs ago they put me through 2 hrs of rough questions then told me at end of the time I did great, but they already hired someone a few hrs before I got there and just didn’t want to cancel on me last minute. I was beyond pissed.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
You have to have a fair process. I would always have someone in mind, but they don’t always get it.
SgtAE
WR Officer
1
AE
In New Zealand when I was working there if someone was on a visa and needed sponsorship but had been working there for a while after university for example they needed to "put the job" to the public. Essentially a sham job posting to showcase they have advertised the role and cannot find local candidates for it.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
This is what I was thinking. They had to check that box.
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