S&T used Word documents for employees to fill and and added a Preference column. We were all told to rank the positions in order of our preference, but weren't told that hiring managers who saw the document would observe their position selected # 4 and ask direct manager, 'why did he rank me # 4?' she tells him it's just an order it's not important.. and then DM tells me of the sponsors statement and here I am thinking.. really? Now he's feelings are hurt because I didn't select him as # 1..
It is what it is.. but hindsight is .. How biased does that reflect on his final decision and your chances of success..
Personally, I think S&T, by using a word document instead the web based system like others have (we provided document to mgr, mgr entered nominations and ranking ) and by adding that column, whether they thought it out as to how it would be perceived by job sponsors wasn't considered. It has, even minutely, the possibility of being unfair and discriminatory.. Yes.. this is my opinion based on going through the process..
I'll leave it up for comments, but yea.. like I said.. it is what it is..I'm venting :) and making my thoughts transparent (cvx :) )