To apply for this job?

[naughtyzebedee]

When I was 17 I was a horrible person...I was moody, selfish and didn't care about anything.

I was at college at that age, and had a weekend job which was manning a reception in a care home. I really loved that job and look back on it with fondness, but being the horror bag I was back then I wasn't eager to please the boss and I did the bare minimum. It was a job I was left to work alone most of the time, so I got away with most things. Being the self-absorbed cowbag that I was back then, when I had had enough of the job and got bored, I just left without giving any notice in and just emailed the weekday receptionist to say I wasn't going back. I can't quite believe I conducted myself in that way.

Now, 15 years later, I have held down my current job for 8 years and am a well-respected, hardworking member of the team. I enjoy my job, but have just got to the point where I feel I could benefit from a clean break, and a try at somewhere new is in order, and would you believe it, a full time position in the place I walked out of 15 years ago has been advertised.

I would love to work there again, and I feel so much that this role would be perfect. However, the person that is retiring would be the same lady I reported to all those years back, and a few people there at the time are still there.

Seeing as I did such a crap job back then, should I just leave it, or should I apply and if I got an interview, show them how much I have changed for the better? I don't even know if they'd remember me, as I've physically changed loads, but I would obviously have to mention my employment there on my application form.

I suffer from anxiety, and what is stopping me is the sheer embarrassment of them receiving my application form and laughing at it and tearing it up and throwing it in the bin. Arrggghhh, shall I apply or not?!

[olafforthewin]

You'll never know unless you do it! Fill in the application. If you don't you'll always be thinking what if

[justkeeponsmiling]

Go for it! They either won't give you an interview because they remember your previous behaviour, or they do in which case you will get the chance to show them how much you have changed. I don't think you have anything to lose

[MegGriffin1]

Will they remember you? Do you have a different surname now ? I wouldn't inform the you'd worked there before on the application

[daisychain01]

I wouldn't inform the you'd worked there before on the application

The last thing you should do is lie on a job application either directly or withholding important information. That will break trust. It's a care home with vulnerable people in!

If you are strongly committed to handling things better than last time, then apply and if you get invited for an interview, you can talk about what you've learned since you were last there 15 years ago that makes you well equipped to do the job.

Don't apply if you feel you can't cope with how you left things last time, better to leave it to someone who doesn't have that history. That's a choice only you can make.

[Lifecanonlygetbetter]

Not mentioning that you had a weekend job there 15 years ago is not important information. I would leave it off, but mention it if you get an interview.

[junebirthdaygirl]

My dh had his own business. A young student of 17 was sent from local school on work experience and she was a lazy moody young lady. Anything he asked her to do she barely did followed by sights eyerolling the lot. He was glad to see the back of her and even complained to the school when he normally wrote only good reports. Roll on two year's arrived in looking for a summer job. She was in college. He gave her a bit of a gruelling but decided to give her a go. She ended up working there holidays and weekends throughout college and became dhs right hand woman. He gave her a bit of a slagging about it but she got a glowing reference the next time she left. Go for it.

[ilovesooty]

Go for it but don't listen to anyone advising you to be economical with the truth on application. You presumably still have the same national insurance number and it would look very bad when they realise who you are.

[naughtyzebedee]

Thanks for all your replies.

I will post off my application tomorrow, and fingers crossed!

junebirthdaygirl...sounds like me! Hopefully the care home will be as forgiving with me as your DH has been with his work experience student!

[daisychain01]

Not mentioning that you had a weekend job there 15 years ago is not important information

Previous employment at a company definitely is important and of interest, it has nothing to do with how long ago or whether f/t, p/t or whatever. The time for disclosure should be when you fill in the application form, it gives the message you are honest. Actually, being a former employee may be an advantage.

[PerpendicularVincent]

Hopefully you'll get an interview. If they then ask you about it, I would be as honest and open as you've been in your OP - I think most people would respond to that