Are jobs always given to internal candidates?

I have applied for several jobs recently in Senior Management in Higher Education, I have matched the essential and preferred items on the person spec perfectly, I was definitely shortlistable. Most of them I didn't get shortlisted or interviewed for, yet when i check the name of the person in post, after the appointment, it is the same person as was doing the job when advertised, suggesting an internal was covering the post the the 'recruitment' process was merely a rubber stamping of the person into the permanent post. One job I was interviewed for and they told me my application was so good they 'had' to interview but in fact an internal candidate was already doing the job and would get it. the rest just haven't replied. I know I am of at least interview standard and know I can do these jobs but how do I stand a chance if they go to internals all the time, some of them were only advertised on their own website, not even in the local press. Is all U.K Higher Education like this???

Are jobs always given to internal candidates?
It's not like this in every organisation, but it has a lot to do with whether or not the organisation can manage without that post, until it is filled via advertising and selection.





In school, colleges and education, where finances are tight, money is often saved by not advertising the position until the end of term/year, thus saving one person's salary. Meanwhile, someone has to do the job and, thus, someone more junior is moved. Some organisations eventually, automatically make this person permanent, others advertise the position, with every intention of employing the present incumbent, and still others appoint the best person for the job, following the selection procedure.





In education myself, I have found that few important (teaching and admin) posts can be put on hold until a new staff member can be found, so it is temporarily filled internally, then they just put on a show of a selection procedure! Soul destroying, but eventually you will find a genuine vacancy - took me 6 months! Meanwhile you could try to just 'get your foot in the door' of an institution - that's how it works at our local uni.
Reply:You'll probably find if it is advertised on the organisation/University's website ONLY then they already have someone they pretty much want to give the job to and they don't want to waste thousands of pounds on advertising when they can recruit from somebody already there who they also need to train less. Check the press, if the job is on other websites and in the regional and even national press and there is a decent closing date on it (giving time for externals to apply and give notice on their current job) then it means they have spent quite a lot on advertising and this means they want to attract externals, probably because they haven't got a decent internal, or there is a really crap external applying for it and they want to have a great external as who will give them lots of evidence re whey they could do the job better. If it's on their own website only for a week and is available immediately don't even bother wasting your time with the application, it's how it works. Try going for any old job just to get in there, even if the salary is lower then you want, then once you are on the inside you can use your position and apply internally - if you can't beat 'em....
Reply:Hi,chin up %26amp; keep trying one day your dream job will turn up.Have you rigistered with agencies.Good Luck
Reply:This is a really, really touchy issue, one that is awkward for all concerned. There can be a number of things on the go here. At worst yes, the fix is in, the committee has decided and they are just going through the motions. But that is probably the exception not the rule. More usually it is a case of the internal candidate having an edge because s/he is a known quantity, or people don't want to hurt her/his feelings, or it is cheapest to hire the internal (complicated to explain but that is often true). It can also be the case that the internal is genuinely the best candidate. That can be so simply by happen chance or because that person was the best hire for the temporary position and is still the best person to hire for the permanent one or because the internal has done an excellent job with the prospect of continuing to do so.


The big problem of course is that there is always the suspicion that the whole process was unfair. And even for the winning internal candidate there remains the lingering feeling that s/he won because of being the internal not because of being the best.





Good luck.
Reply:I think in a large organisation like a University they have such a huge pool of people to choose from internally, that going outside rarely happens, to be honest if they do, the odds are against you. If it's a very specific job then externals may stand a chance but any support post for example, has 100s of existing staff on a lower grade ready to apply, so why look elsewhere, it's just more work for everybody. It makes a mockery of the whole 'equal opps' thing really. I think it probably doesnt' happen in small organisations but some universities are so large that they can become very clique-like and off with 'outsiders' - the 'better' the University, the more you'll find that I'm afraid. All you can do is keep trying, eventually you may hit on one that is genuine. Or you could try and complain on equal opps ground but they probably have their backs well and truly covered.
Reply:I'm in the U.S., and I have to say that, very often, that seems to be the case. But it isn't always the case. In fact, the college where I now work has a habit of NOT hiring from inside, even when someone from inside who knows the institution inside and out would be the best candidate.





Even as faculty, I had a very hard time getting interviews if I wasn't at least already living in the area where the opening was. The full-time faculty tend to be hired from the ranks of the part-timers, though that, too, is not always the case. It took me over seven years after I earned my MA to get my full-time job.





I sympathize.
Reply:It's not WHAT you know......
Reply:Internal candidates have an advantage as they know the job already, they are less of a risk. However, most organisations have strict equal opportunity policies and can only recruit on the basis of who is most qualified for the job (if this happens in practise I don't know). If you genuinely think you have been unfairly treated you can appeal against their decision, or complain, as the Citizens Advice Bureau to help or someone who knows alot about employment law. I've been an internal candidate before and it was harder to get the job than as an external candidate as the organisation was being so stringent at not showing any favouritism - it was a horrible experience. But keep getting those interviews and you'll get the right job for you in the end. Alternatively - become the internal candidate by getting a temp job where you want to work, then you can find out all about the organisation and give the perfect interview.
Reply:In most cases they will consider internal candidates first for the position but will usually go with the most qualified regardless.

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