I was doing a job as an interim and I got passed over for the job, despite my good performance. I was passed over for someone that had prior experience in this area.
I spent some time with the person and trained them as my replacement. They confided in me that they actually didn’t have any prior experience,
and were worried they wouldn’t do well… and I deserved the job. I told them, everything happens for a reason, you got picked instead, it’s all good.
They told me I should apply for another job and that they’d give me a good reference.
I landed a job opportunity paying double what the current job pays. The one that I got passed over for. I made it through all the preliminary steps, then to the final step of pending reference.
I was asked for references and decided to use that person as one- because they had mentioned they would provide a good reference and that I should apply for another job. I trained them, I helped them a LOT- and they know how good I am at my job and how hard I work.
They called me and asked me if I got the job. I said not yet, still waiting to tie a few things up. I asked how everything went and they said, “They asked me x,y,x and told me I should apply for the job.”
I asked how long they talked and they said, about 5 mins.
What? Is this not weird? lol you already got the job I wanted once, advised me to apply for another since they didn’t see my value. At what point during the 5 minute conversation about ME- turn into you applying for the job, and why did you even tell me that?
Maybe I took it wrong. But it hurt my feelings and confused me. Why would someone that I’ve done my best to help and be good to do such a thing?