No feedback after internal job post

Q:  I recently posted for a job internally.  Another employee
was selected.  I never heard back from the hiring manager or the
internal recruiter explaining why I was not selected.  Is this typical? 
I would like to know why so I can learn from this experience.

A: In general, companies post open positions internally to encourage
employees to advance into new roles within the organization.  Employers
are then able to retain talent and institutional knowledge (fancy words
for the way the company works!).

Employers have different policies and practices for their internal
job posting systems.  Most employers don’t post every single job. 
However, many companies post many open positions, because job posting
systems are an effective way to communicate to employees that the
company is hiring and also the system encourages employee referrals. 
Many companies have an internal posting period, maybe 7 or 10 days,
which gives employees a first chance at applying, before they look at
external candidates.  Some companies will look at external candidates at
the same time, but will give internal candidates preference.

If you interviewed for the role, you should have absolutely been
given the courtesy of a reason for why you were not selected, especially
since you are an employee of the company.  I am not clear, based on the
detail provided in your question, if you were interviewed or not.  If
you submitted an internal application, you should have still received a
response on whether you met the “cut” for interviews and if not, why. 
For some roles, the candidate response can be overwhelming and not every
candidate can be interviewed.  However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
be notified why.  Unfortunately, sometimes that might be an automated
response (which no one likes, I know), but when you post a job and over
400 candidates apply, it is difficult to respond to all of the
candidates in a meaningful way.

I think you should reach out to the recruiter and ask.  I would
recommend sending a quick email with a gracious and professional tone.
  Explain when you applied, for what role and that you never heard back
(either after your application was submitted or after your interview). 
Share that you had heard another candidate was selected and that you
were hoping to understand the reasons why your candidacy did not
advance.  I would hope then that you would receive a response from the
recruiter with helpful feedback.

It is frustrating.  It is the number one complaint I hear from
candidates.  It is what I call the “black hole” phenomena.  A resume or
application is submitted and then a candidate never hears back.  It is
especially disheartening though when it is your current employer.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.