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Original poster

To apply for a job that I want in 12 months time?

32 replies

Petrovaposy · 28/06/2025 23:58

A job has come up that I want, but it’s too soon for me. It is advertised for September, but I wouldn’t want to start any sooner than 12 months from now.

This is mainly because I am in the middle of a project that I want to finish at my current place of work, and also one of my colleagues is currently off on maternity and I would really be dumping my department in the shit if I leave at short notice while my colleagues is away. I am pretty confident they would not be able to replace me, we already are operating below capacity due to not being able to fill a position.

It would also involve relocating and I would want time to sort out my house before selling and to decide exactly which area I want to move to.

My job is quite specialised (hence recruitment difficulties) so it isn’t unheard of for employers to wait a few months (even a year, if employing a new graduate).

So my question is, when to reveal this? Shall I ring them next week for the ‘informal pre-application chat’ and let them know from the start that I would only be interested in taking up the position in 12 months’ time?
Or, should I apply and only share this information with them at interview stage / if offered the post?
I don’t want to annoy them, because if I am unsuccessful I’d still like to be considered for future jobs.

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Original poster
Petrovaposy · 29/06/2025 00:14

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 29/06/2025 00:09

I would apply and see. If you get offered it then your hot will likely tell you what you need to know and you can discuss things then but ultimately it is highly unlikely that they would wait a year and it's isn't fair on them. You talk of not wanting to leave your current team in the lurch but you seem to happy considering leaving what would be your new team in the lurch for a year. If you were to move then which relationship with colleagues would be more important? Surely your new team.

As for your current team, we are all replaceable. Each and every one of us. Staff move, staff get replaced, the world moves on. They might not want to finish the project without you, they might miss you. But you can be replaced.

Thanks. Your advice is wise.
The thing is though that while I can be replaced in theory, in practice I really don’t think I can be, at least not at short notice. We have advertised 3 times in as many years for another in my team and got no applicants. It’s because my current role is somewhere fairly remote and the job is specialised (and can’t be done remotely).

I do think I had better be up-front from the start with prospective employer though. Worst case scenario they just don’t give it to me, but at least they know I am a loyal employee which might work in my favour for any future opportunities ?

OP posts:
OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 29/06/2025 00:09

I would apply and see. If you get offered it then your hot will likely tell you what you need to know and you can discuss things then but ultimately it is highly unlikely that they would wait a year and it's isn't fair on them. You talk of not wanting to leave your current team in the lurch but you seem to happy considering leaving what would be your new team in the lurch for a year. If you were to move then which relationship with colleagues would be more important? Surely your new team.

As for your current team, we are all replaceable. Each and every one of us. Staff move, staff get replaced, the world moves on. They might not want to finish the project without you, they might miss you. But you can be replaced.

Original poster
Petrovaposy · 29/06/2025 00:07

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 29/06/2025 00:01

Could you sort your house for December? They might wait 3 months for the right person.
That’s plenty of time for your work to sort something out too.

If it’s your dream gig I’d move everything I could to make it happen, especially if openings are rare.

I could in theory, but I would still be leaving my current employer massively in the lurch, my colleague is not back from maternity until April at the earliest (and I think she will take longer as she’s having twins).

I want the post, but it’s not a ‘dream job’ as such, it’s much the same as my current one but it’s the location that is the biggest draw, there aren’t that many job opportunities that crop up in the neck of the woods I want to move to.

OP posts:
theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 29/06/2025 00:01

Could you sort your house for December? They might wait 3 months for the right person.
That’s plenty of time for your work to sort something out too.

If it’s your dream gig I’d move everything I could to make it happen, especially if openings are rare.

Original poster
Petrovaposy · 29/06/2025 00:01

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/06/2025 23:59

I wouldn’t. They wouldn’t advertise for this Sept if they were happy to have someone in a year.

Thanks for replying. Would you not even ring them for an informal chat? I want them to know that I’m keen to work for them, even if the timing is not right at present.

OP posts:
TinyTempest · 29/06/2025 00:01

Oh God no, tell them straight away.

It's not fair to mislead them and waste their time.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/06/2025 23:59

I wouldn’t. They wouldn’t advertise for this Sept if they were happy to have someone in a year.

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