an internal candidate is threatening to withdraw if he has to interview for the job

A reader writes:

My company is hiring for a senior manager role for the second time in a year. The last round of interviews were a year ago and one of our C-suite execs (Sterling) promised the internal finalists, Nate and Sophie, a mentorship if they were unsuccessful. He said he would work with them to address any weaknesses that were identified during the interview process and it was implied heavily that due to the mentorship, they’d be first in line to be moved into the senior manager role if it became available again.

We’ve had higher than usual turnover in senior management and we’re hiring to replace that role again — and Sterling is notorious for changing his mind and forgetting what he said. The hiring manager has started to schedule interviews and Nate has pushed back very strongly. He doesn’t believe he should have to interview at all and thinks he should just get the role. Nate and Sophie are by far the favorite candidates, but there are other people interviewing who are also strong candidates and would do a good job.

I can understand Nate’s disappointment, but this comes across as a tantrum, especially as he’s threatening to withdraw if he’s not listened to. Sophie, on the other hand, has accepted that she has to interview. Is this tantrum a red flag for Nate? Is this something that warrants a closer examination of his general approach to work? It’s a stressful enough job without an extra layer of challenge that comes with having to carefully manage your words to someone. I have a really good relationship with the hiring manager. Should I say something?

I answer this question — and two others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here.

Other questions I’m answering there today include:

• Food allergies and etiquette
• How can I “spread the wealth” of informational interviews?

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