No feedback after internal job post

Q:  I recently posted for a job internally.  Another employee was selected.  I never heard back from the hiring manager or the internal recruiter explaining why I was not selected.  Is this typical?  I would like to know why so I can learn from this experience.

A: In general, companies post open positions internally to encourage employees to advance into new roles within the organization.  Employers are then able to retain talent and institutional knowledge (fancy words for the way the company works!).

Employers have different policies and practices for their internal job posting systems.  Most employers don’t post every single job.  However, many companies post many open positions, because job posting systems are an effective way to communicate to employees that the company is hiring and also the system encourages employee referrals.  Many companies have an internal posting period, maybe 7 or 10 days, which gives employees a first chance at applying, before they look at external candidates.  Some companies will look at external candidates at the same time, but will give internal candidates preference.

If you interviewed for the role, you should have absolutely been given the courtesy of a reason for why you were not selected, especially since you are an employee of the company.  I am not clear, based on the detail provided in your question, if you were interviewed or not.  If you submitted an internal application, you should have still received a response on whether you met the “cut” for interviews and if not, why.  For some roles, the candidate response can be overwhelming and not every candidate can be interviewed.  However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be notified why.  Unfortunately, sometimes that might be an automated response (which no one likes, I know), but when you post a job and over 400 candidates apply, it is difficult to respond to all of the candidates in a meaningful way.

I think you should reach out to the recruiter and ask.  I would recommend sending a quick email with a gracious and professional tone.   Explain when you applied, for what role and that you never heard back (either after your application was submitted or after your interview).  Share that you had heard another candidate was selected and that you were hoping to understand the reasons why your candidacy did not advance.  I would hope then that you would receive a response from the recruiter with helpful feedback.

It is frustrating.  It is the number one complaint I hear from candidates.  It is what I call the “black hole” phenomena.  A resume or application is submitted and then a candidate never hears back.  It is especially disheartening though when it is your current employer.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.