New job - just found out supervisor didn't want me

traveller80

So I started a new job and was feeling pretty happy about it as it seems like a good place to work. But, while out for lunch with my new colleagues, one of them let slip that my supervisor was complaining that he wasn't allowed to hire who he wanted for the job, i.e. - he did not want me.

There is another manager higher up than him who made the call. However, my colleagues continued to slate this higher up manager, as apparently he makes stupid decisions and they don't seem to have much respect for him.

I know they didn't mean to upset me, but obviously I now feel like crap. My immediate supervisor doesn't want me and not only that, but he seems to have made his feelings clear to the rest of the team which is humiliating. And the one person who did want me is widely thought of as a fool by everyone.

I don't know what to do. I left a good job for this position with excellent references from my bosses and now I 'm working for someone who doesn't want me. I am dreading going back in there tomorrow, i feel like an idiot

Has anyone been in this position before?

biketard

traveller80, the only advice I can give you is to demonstrate that you are the right person for the position by simply doing a great job. They'll come around (and if they don't then it's their problem, not yours).

J_E

Been in your position before and got shifted out of the job, quite unfairly I should add given my performance - despite me sending a long letter to higher management about it, they took the supervisor's decision as more valuable. It's a really terrible feeling...keep a good relationship with colleagues as they will see how well you do work. I couldn't contest it as I was still in probation; if you are in probationary period you will just have to work hard and hope you don't get caught out. If not and something happens, you can contest them legally if you felt it was an unfair dismissal. Really sorry to hear it's happening, I didn't get over the experience I had for a while but life goes on.

zig

One other important thing to note, you may have no clue of the history between the supervisor and his boss. Ive worked in loads of places where the supervisor had issues with the higher up manager because of the managers unpractical silly decisions. I would put a bet on it that that is why he made no secret of who he wanted. One more reason to give out about the manager and his decisions.

The supervisor may have wanted to hire someone else, but that doesnt necessarily mean it was a reflection on yourself. If it was a reflection on you that would mean that every person that didnt get a job from an interview is unemployable.

It was also one event, in a few weeks or even days time this will all blow over and nobody else will care, including your supervisor.

It was a pretty bad thing to hear starting out but as time goes on if you do your work the way you're supposed to , and you sound like you will given that you left a good job for it, you will get on fine and this whole thing will be a non issue.

Flippyfloppy

I can imagine it's a really horrible situation (you were still awake last night at 3am before the 2nd day of a new job -survive on coffee today my friend and never let it bother you again, you've done your time on this issue)

For all you know the supervisor wanted a personal aquantince for the job, there could have been a degree of nepotism going on, they may have wanted someone with a particular skillset that would help him out in particular, you never know. The higher up supervisor and the supervisor may just constantly be at loggerheads with eachother and not be able to agree on anything.

Whatever it was, the job is yours now. And you know what? The 'higher up supervisor' is in that position because they are the most suited person for the job. He employed all these people that hate them. You will probably have your run ins with the boss too, that is the nature of most jobs, but there is probably so many pre-existing issues and complaining going on in this work place already. There must be for you to hear this cr@p on your first day. Not very professional of them btw.

Tokyo

Hi OP,

it happens far more often in the workplace than you think - supervisor has his eye on someone for a job - be it for legitimate reasons such as the person being good at what they do, or not so legitimate, such as doing a favour for a friend/family member - and getting overruled by management.

As has been said already, you are in the position now - all you can do is prove that you are worthy of the position by doing your job well, and proving the begrudgers wrong. I'll take some time, but if you do your job properly, you'll earn their respect, and most will realise that you were a good choice for the position.

December2012

Just because he wanted somebody else doesn't mean he doesn't see value in you too.

The decision was made by the higher up person - good! That's his/her job! There must be a reason why that person has superiority or seniority.

ronjo

Why dont you have a chat with the supervisor about it?

Perhaps if you are open with them and show you want to prove yourself to them then they will be more willing to accept you.

Kevo

I think your direct supervisor is pretty poor if he lets that kind of information out to the team. It makes me think you shouldn't think too much of his opinion. Also a pretty stupid thing for your colleagues to be discussing in front of you. There's nothing you can do except do your job well and show you're a good choice.

gugleguy

Well people like your direct supervisor do exist. I had a "mentor" like that nearly twenty years ago. This "mentor" snarked me for being better than him using Microsoft Excel and tried to make me look incompetent in other ways too.

Rubberchikken

I've mo experience if this. But i don't like the idea of 'helpful' colleagues passing on this type of information.
You're hardly in the building and you have to listen to this nonsense.

Try to ignore it if you can. You've been picked for this position.
Hunker diwn and do your job to the best of your ability. And try to ignore in-office politics til you find your feet.

Take care

LynnGrace

Kevo wrote: »

I think your direct supervisor is pretty poor if he lets that kind of information out to the team. It makes me think you shouldn't think too much of his opinion. Also a pretty stupid thing for your colleagues to be discussing in front of you. There's nothing you can do except do your job well and show you're a good choice.

Rubberchikken wrote: »

I've mo experience if this. But i don't like the idea of 'helpful' colleagues passing on this type of information.
You're hardly in the building and you have to listen to this nonsense.

Try to ignore it if you can. You've been picked for this position.
Hunker diwn and do your job to the best of your ability. And try to ignore in-office politics til you find your feet.

Take care

Agreed. Do your best in the role, let this kind of stuff in one ear and out the other, and make up your own mind, in due course, about the people involved.
Very poor form, on the part of your supervisor, and indeed your colleagues, that anything like this was said, especially in such early days, but for now, just take all on board. Don't take it personally, who knows, as said above, maybe the supervisor wanted someone else, but at this point, you have no idea why that might have been. Could have been a buddy, someone he promised a job to, but was overruled. You are the one who successfully got the interview and the job offer.

Best of luck in the new role.

mrty

traveller80 wrote: »

So I started a new job and was feeling pretty happy about it as it seems like a good place to work. But, while out for lunch with my new colleagues, one of them let slip that my supervisor was complaining that he wasn't allowed to hire who he wanted for the job, i.e. - he did not want me.

There is another manager higher up than him who made the call. However, my colleagues continued to slate this higher up manager, as apparently he makes stupid decisions and they don't seem to have much respect for him.

I know they didn't mean to upset me, but obviously I now feel like crap. My immediate supervisor doesn't want me and not only that, but he seems to have made his feelings clear to the rest of the team which is humiliating. And the one person who did want me is widely thought of as a fool by everyone.

I don't know what to do. I left a good job for this position with excellent references from my bosses and now I 'm working for someone who doesn't want me. I am dreading going back in there tomorrow, i feel like an idiot

Has anyone been in this position before?

Okay real easy, firstly you got the job, the manager who wanted you isn't in his/her position for nothing I'm sure they know what their doing g. Secondly, your supervisor sounds like the fool to me, I f they have made it clear to the team, not very professional at all. Maybe they shouldn't hold that position. My advice is to forget it, go in and do your job well, prove your the right choice. Your supervisor probably won't want to admit you're right because that would make him/her wrong and let's face it nobody likes being wrong. Also I bet it this person who does a lot of the slagging off when it comes to the manager, possibly sour grapes maybe feels they should be in that position, you'll discover that for yourself after working there a short time anyway.
Anyways its really nothing to worry about be proud of yourself, and congrats on the new post. Yeay.

Berserker

On more than one occasion OP, I have witnessed people being hired because they are friends, relations, members of the local GAA club of the hiring manager, in favour of people who were far more suited to the position. It could easily be the case that the senior manager copped what was going on and over-ruled your manager, thus hiring you, the most qualified candidate.

Congrats and best of luck in the job.

gandalf

TBH you need to hunker down and do the best you can in the job.

There is obviously a bit of "office politics" going on in the background that you will only become aware of in time. The hiring manager may have had a very good reason making a decision in your favour instead of the supervisors choice.

If this is really playing on your mind maybe try and have a general chat with the supervisor to see what comes out of the wash. Avoid saying anything about what you have heard 2nd hand from the other colleagues and see if he lets anything slip in the conversation.

imitation

gandalf wrote: »

If this is really playing on your mind maybe try and have a general chat with the supervisor to see what comes out of the wash. Avoid saying anything about what you have heard 2nd hand from the other colleagues and see if he lets anything slip in the conversation.

What could op possibly gain from this ? Who cares who the supervisor wanted, the op is in the position now, probably due there strong credentials. Best thing is to not get phased and keep going.

The co workers are seriously unprofessional and I would question what there intention is discussing this in front of the op. They are either brainless or trying to manipulate them. Only thing for it is to show them your a good worker and a nice person, any reasonable group should be won over by this. Last thing to do is start rocking the boat on day 2 of a new job

ziedth

I wouldn't worry too much about it either, sometimes you (a supervisor) might just like a particular candidate. Yes, he shouldn't have said it to your team and they certainly shouldn't have said it to you. I disagree with the advice above that you should talk to the supervisor not because it's bad advice but he's obviously not the most professional person having caused this mess in the first place.

My gut says it's going to be one of those kind of places to work where there will be Allot of office politics. Although people can happily work away in it I can't live/work in that kind of environment personally so if I were in your position I would keep my head down work my ass off to "prove them wrong" and be friendly /professional without giving anything away.

Best of luck.

Grandpa Hassan

I definitely wouldn't be talking about this to anyone at work, least of all your supervisor. The best thing you can do is just get on with your job and know that these things happen all the time.

fiona-f

There is a huge difference in "supervisor did not to get to hire the person he wanted" (either he wanted a specific individual or he simply wanted full autonomy over the decision) and "supervisor did not want the specific person who was hired, I.e. you". From your post, it seems your (dumbasd) colleague said the first one, and you heard the second. Stop listening to gossip, you were good enough to be hired, now get on with the job.

krispin

I had a supervisor like that once. Reason they were like that was down to becoming supervisor for the first time and going on a bit of a power trip. Felt like, now they'd been promoted, they had some kind of share in the company and treated the team like a start-up office. Like others suggest and recommend: work hard and prove you're the best. No one else got the call, you did.

I was hired for the job I have now a few months ago and I don't know for sure whether my manager actually wanted me, but they're known for being a bit distant as a manager anyway, so if your supervisor is like that, then there's nothing you can do about it. That's their management style. Just learn, for the next time you're interviewed, to ask the manager what their management style is and see whether that fits in with how you prefer to personally work. A great job can be underwhelming with the wrong manager.

Also, make sure you know a bit about office politics as this can help you understand why your supervisor, and perhaps the team, are being so indiscreet. Recently, a lot of companies have undergone restructures, and those who survive the process may feel 'invincible' for keeping their jobs while other colleagues lose them - there's that to consider. Also, there might have been a person so good at your job and so well-liked by the team that it's hard for the supervisor and your fellow team members to actually get used to someone else doing that job. Maybe the person who did the job before you was rubbish and they don't have faith in you actually being any good? Who knows?! And this upper manager the others don't like? Maybe they were hiring the best candidate and that's why you were picked, but I've had upper management who aren't respected by those underneath them because they never get involved with others, just their own glorified workload - there's that to consider.

But stay sharp and stay focused. It's hard when you're up against something like that, but learn what you can while you're there then high tail it to some other job where you might have better colleagues without so many hang-ups.