<prompt> Human: Ive recently applied for a new position within my company. A new department is being built and its in an area I have a wealth of experience in marketing. When I applied as an internal candidate I was asked to complete an assignment in which I was asked to develop a 4 page marketing plan with a 1M budget. I composed an ambitious plan that was innovate and on budget. The Director that is head of this new department let me know that she was impressed and can expect to hear back from her for next steps. The next step was a phone interview which I found strange since we are in the same building but according to her I already had a considerable advantage over others based on my background and the fact I was an internal candidate. The phone interview wasnt that long but I believe I did a solid job. When the call was over she told me I can expect to hear back from her in a couple of weeks.3 weeks later I inquired about the status of the position and was told that she is still going through the process I participated in and will hear back from her soon. On Monday morning I was informed: While I took some good things away from our conversation, we are going to go a different direction in hiring for the positionI was surprised I went from having a considerable advantage based on my background and an impressive marketing plan, to not even being granted an in-person interview. Though I was upset by the news and feeling a bit foolish for investing time and energy creating a marketing plan, I thanked her for the opportunity to apply and asked her if she would be amendable to giving me some kind of feedback on what it was I didnt have or what I did to make her lose interest. She did not respond and my sense is she wont.I understand I am owed no explanation from her but I feel a bit exposed since my plan is in her hands and can be easily lifted from. Would this be a situation I can speak with HR and ask for a bit of feedback on to understand why I was not given an opportunity for an in-person interview? I know there isnt much transparency from HR on these things but I do feel that a longstanding employee with a good track record and multiple promotions should be given some kind of feedback. It doesnt seem like I have any options here but it feels horrible being discarded without any explanation why.  <response>: You will likely never know the real answer. It is very rare for someone to be completely truthful in these situations. Pursuing it has little or no upside and the possible downside of making others above you uncomfortable. 