I was ghosted during the interview process. I feel used and don’t know what to do

Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on workplace, career and leadership in her advice column, “Got a Minute?” This week: being ghosted during the interview process, changing professions in a difficult job market and an uncomfortable chair causing serious pain.

Any employer should use the opportunity to provide feedback.Credit: Dionne Gain

I’ve been professionally ghosted and don’t know what to do. I’m a government employee and earlier this year, I applied for a job with another government agency. My interview went well, and I am more than qualified, but fast-forward two months and I’ve heard nothing. I’ve left two voice messages and sent two follow-up emails, but I have just noticed they appointed someone internal to the role months ago. I feel used and want to get their feedback, and give my feedback on the process, but I don’t want to burn any bridges. Any advice?

You are not the first to write to this column about the less-than-ideal internal recruitment process within different public service agencies and departments. I am always taken aback that something as basic as a professional recruitment process can be so royally botched. The very least you should expect is to be kept up to date when you diligently comply with a process. It also doesn’t matter whether you were the best person for the role or not, any employer should use the opportunity to provide feedback on areas of development, so you are poised for a new role next time. I don’t think you could have done anything more, and I am wearing my cranky pants now on your behalf for being treated so poorly along the way. Honestly, employers, please do better when anyone shows interest in a role, let alone when it is one of your own people!

I’m a middle-aged, PhD-qualified researcher whose career in fixed-term positions did not recover from the pandemic. I have been unemployed for a year, and it’s obvious that I’m not being given honest feedback after interviews. So, I’ve decided to change careers and gone back to study. However, this new profession is not in high demand. I’m also overweight, and aware women such as myself are disadvantaged in the job market. Is a career change wise, or am I simply racking up more debt that will take me nowhere?

After your study, you will have graduate-level experience in a profession that isn’t in demand. It will be tough to find a role, regardless of the other issues you raise. Even though you will have had decades of experience in the workforce, if those skills are not directly transferable, you will be starting at the beginning again and competing for roles against people much younger. That said, I am a strong believer you will excel at whatever you are passionate about, so all I can recommend is that you go into this career change with your eyes wide open; the transition is likely to be difficult with no guarantee of success. If you can afford to continue to study something you love and see how it pans out, I say go for it.

Our office area was redesigned, and new chairs were ordered. The chairs are cheap, flimsy, and uncomfortable and cause my back a lot of pain after an eight-hour day, as I have a herniated disc in my spine. I informed the HR and OHS manager, who said all the chairs need to be the same shade of red and a different type of chair is not an option. She said that no one else in the department has complained, and told me to buy a cushion to sit on. I feel so belittled. My work is up to standard and I receive very positive performance reviews, so it’s not a reason to resign, but I do not want a long-term back injury. I have already called in sick a few times as I can not sit on the chair anymore.

Your HR and OHS manager is going to look pretty silly when they receive a WorkCover claim – from you or perhaps someone else – and they argue they couldn’t provide appropriate chairs because of the colour. Your employer is legally obliged to provide you with the equipment you need to undertake your job safely. Seek your doctor’s advice on what kind of support your back condition requires for long days at a desk. Take that to your employer and let them know they need to work with you to source a more appropriate one.

To submit a question about work, careers or leadership, visit kirstinferguson.com/ask (you will not be asked to provide your name or any identifying information. Letters may be edited).

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