I got hurt feelings....

I did some interviewing at the tail-end of last year.  It was for something that my department is calling the "IT Academy": a chance to offer entry-level roles for people with the promise of some proper opportunities and training and shizz like that.  We employ far too many contractors and consultants, on the whole, and this initiative is a way to try and redress the balance by growing our talent from the bottom rather than buying it in later.  It's a good thing, I think.

Anyway.  I was interviewing for Business Analyst roles.  As it happens, my team was looking to hire just such a person, but my interview was to act as a sort of first screen of applicants for other teams who were looking to recruit.  I saw a few good people, but one girl in particular stood out and was definitely my first choice.

Fast forward to the new year, and not surprisingly, another team was keen to recruit this girl too.  Both of us were essentially offering the same role with the same terms and conditions, so she was keen to get a bit more information on specifically what she'd be doing in each team so she could make an informed decision.

Fine.

She spent half an hour with the other team, but we pushed the boat out and spent a whole morning with her on Friday, really showing her around and what the work was going to be all about.  As she would be working pretty much directly for me, I spent an hour with her myself talking her through what she would be doing and how I would personally be making sure that she got the right training opportunities and so on.  As I've also worked in the other team, I also tried to be as fair as possible to them and to point out how the roles would differ slightly in each team.  I'm sure I'm not entirely objective, but I do honestly believe that we would be able to offer a "bigger" role on a much larger programme with more opportunity.  Besides, I'm involved with this whole scheme and passionately believe that we can make a difference and I'm personally invested in making sure that this works.  For everyone.

To cut a long story short, this morning she chose the other team.

They're a good team with some really nice people.... but I still can't help but feel a little bit rejected.  I think we might have oversold it and she's taken a job that she thinks is a better introduction to the job.  But even so.  Damn.  I really thought we had that one in the bag.  I guess I'm not as much of a selling point as I hoped.

Sniff.

I bought her a cup of peppermint tea and everything.

I don't think I can take this kind of rejection.  The day after my birthday is not my birthday, mum.